The New and Improved Blues

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Pre-Season:
To say that the summer was an entertaining one for St. Louis fans would be a bit of an understatement. There was the much applauded signing of Jaroslav Halak after he was traded from Montreal, where he lead his team through the playoffs, to the constant questioning of who would remain on the roster when the first game of the year finally came around. Well the answer to that question was the roster would remain largely unchanged, with one noticeable addition. Russian forward Alexander Radulov.

Alexander Radulov in Russia
After leaving for Russia in 2008, Radulov decided once again to opt out of his remaining year under contract in Russia to return to the US. When asked why he replied "I miss the game in the US. It is different, faster. More exciting. I miss my family who moved here, but couldn't move back to Russia with me, now i will be close to them at all times."
St. Louis fans look forward to seeing what the young forward can do, after he signed an 8 year, $6.3 million contract. Some Blues fans are upset over the length and amount payed to a player who has been somewhat of a flight hazard, but GM Aaron White said that he has been told that he is expected to play out his long-term deal, and that there are restrictions in his contract to ensure that's what happens.
With game 1 coming up, the Blues look to start the season out with a win against the Philadelphia Flyers who are coming into the game having lost their previous game putting them at 0-1-0. The Blues home opener is scheduled for October 9th, in St. Louis.
Fans look forward to seeing the new faces of Halak and Radulov, and old familiar ones such as Oshie and Backes in a season that they hope can end in the playoffs, and possibly even a cup.

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Game 1


Blues players celebrating after winning their home opener
With a 5-2 win over Philadelphia the St. Louis fans have reason to celebrate the start of the season.
The Blues hope all of their games will come this easily, though the know that won't be the case. The St. Louis Blues sent Bobrovsky home with a game he would just as soon forget.

22 seconds into the game recently acquired forward Alexander Radulov gave fans a reason to celebrate, as he swatted a misplayed puck off the stick of Flyers goalie Bobrovsky.
Flyer Ville Leino would spoil any hopes Halak had of his first appearance in the Scott Trade Center being a shutout with a wrist-shot over Halak's blocker at 12:41 into the game.
The second period was hard fought between the two teams, with St. Louis racking up shots, as the Philly defense struggled to find a way to keep the Blues forwards out of their zone. The period would end with both teams tied at 1 a piece, but at the end of the period Van Reimsdyk would be given a roughing minor after an altercation he initiated with TJ Oshie after the horn sounded.
Then to start the next period, Coburn would be sent to the box for tripping, and minutes later Chris Pronger would also go for Delay of game. With over a minute of 5 on 3 the Blues didn't waste time. Brad Boyes scooped up a puck that was miss-played in front of Bobrovsky by his defense and fired it over his glove to make it 2-1. Then a little over a minute later Radulov would have Blues fans on their feet again as he notched his second goal of the game, and first Power Play goal as a Blue at the 2:58 mark.

EA Sports: Raddy gets pp

Radulov sends a wrist shot under Bobrovsky's arm to make it 3-1
But the Blues weren't done yet. With the PP over, David Backes would race down the boards and muscle his way in front of the net to put a shot under the pads of Bobrovsky making it 4-1 Blues, with 16 minutes left to play in the period, and Eric Brewer getting the assist.
At the halfway point of the 3rd Period the Flyers got a chance to get back into the game and start a late game rally. They got a Power Play chance when McClemment was called for elbowing, and put 3 shots on Halak, all of which were denied. But their hope was soon washed away as Andy McDonald got free on a breakaway, deking Bobrovsky out of his crease, and putting the puck in to make it 5-1. Brad Winchester and Carlo Coliacovo would get the assist on the play.
The Flyers would answer too late, with Shelly putting a wrister past Halak to make the game 5-2, with Carcillo picking up a point in the assist column.

Halak finished his first start for the Blues with 14 saves on 16 shots. Bobrovsky who was left in until the end, stopped 40 of an immense 45 shots put up by the Blues.
He left the net at the end of the game visibly upset, slamming his stick off the side boards before heading down the tunnel.

St Louis will play their next game in the home stand against the Anaheim Ducks, and the Flyers will move on with hopes of picking up a win before getting any deeper into the season.