This story first appeared on Page 5 (The Five Hole) of the Dec. 29, 2019 edition of the St. Louis Game Time paper, sold outside of every Blues home game. For more information or to subscribe, email gtbradlee@gmail.com
The last home game of last decade was a seminal moment in Blues history. On December 31, 2009, the Canucks were in town — the same Canucks that had swept the Blues out of the playoffs eight months earlier. They were led by the Sedin Twins and backstopped by Roberto Luongo. They were the powerhouse, perennial Cup contenders the Blues wanted to be (and, in fact, probably the most successful team over a seven-to-10-year period that never actually won the Cup.