Few people attend or stay away from a sports venue because of its amenities. It's all about team performance first, and I'd say traffic and parking second. Upgrades are just ways for the owners to squeeze more money out of the fans.
That much is definitely true. But events (like the NCAA events, MVC tournament, and even concerts) will stay away if they believe the venue isn't up to par. And that's not happening at the Scottrade Center. I do think a nice renovation in the next decade or so would be good, but the building—even built on the cheap—is holding up very well after about 20 years.gary kreie wrote:Few people attend or stay away from a sports venue because of its amenities. It's all about team performance first, and I'd say traffic and parking second. Upgrades are just ways for the owners to squeeze more money out of the fans.
The reason the Dome hasn't worked out is multi-faceted, and a discussion we've had before. But basically, it wasn't so wrong that we built it on the cheap(ish). The problem was we didn't require a firm commitment from the team—instead we gave them that ridiculous lease. And while the stadium was built in 1995, I believe it was more or less designed in 1990. It was "outdated" about as quickly as it opened up (which isn't to say it was a bad venue—it wasn't, and still really isn't). And then of course the team has been mostly terrible which keeps fans away and that just amplifies the complaining and the team's opportunity to complain.
But as far as cutting costs and not building palace's with public money. I think that's the right thing to do.
So the Blues played a much better game yesterday afternoon. First two periods were stellar. The third period was shaky, but Patrik Berglund mustered a late goal to make it 3-1, and then Tarasenko scored a hat trick on an empty netter to seal it at 4-1.
Proved what I think we already know. If the Blues can play good, aggressive hockey for most of 60 minutes, this series is theirs to take in not too many games. If they don't, Minnesota is good enough to steal it.
Proved what I think we already know. If the Blues can play good, aggressive hockey for most of 60 minutes, this series is theirs to take in not too many games. If they don't, Minnesota is good enough to steal it.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! You can't say that they haven't invested in special effects:
As for arenas, I've only been to Boston TD Garden and Washington's Verizon Center, but those are both known as two of the top arenas in the country. Honestly, I don't think Scottrade is any worse. I think the talk of Scottrade's flaws are greatly exaggerated.
As for arenas, I've only been to Boston TD Garden and Washington's Verizon Center, but those are both known as two of the top arenas in the country. Honestly, I don't think Scottrade is any worse. I think the talk of Scottrade's flaws are greatly exaggerated.
The typical fan experience certainly isn't going to be much different in Scottrade. It really comes more down to the things most fans don't see often: the locker rooms, the press areas, the luxury suites, etc.
And I don't doubt that some other arenas have bigger, better, and more of those things. But those were huge issues, the non-NHL events wouldn't keep coming.
Having been in the bowels of the arenas in St. Louis and Chicago a couple times, I can tell you that a place like the United Center does those areas up a little more, but it's kind of like—whatever. The functionality isn't really enhanced. And Scottrade is nice enough.
Someday that stuff will probably be improved on, but it more than does the job.
And I don't doubt that some other arenas have bigger, better, and more of those things. But those were huge issues, the non-NHL events wouldn't keep coming.
Having been in the bowels of the arenas in St. Louis and Chicago a couple times, I can tell you that a place like the United Center does those areas up a little more, but it's kind of like—whatever. The functionality isn't really enhanced. And Scottrade is nice enough.
Someday that stuff will probably be improved on, but it more than does the job.
I'm not saying we need some 9 digit cost major gut rehab job for Scottrade that takes the building out of commission for months.jstriebel wrote:The typical fan experience certainly isn't going to be much different in Scottrade. It really comes more down to the things most fans don't see often: the locker rooms, the press areas, the luxury suites, etc.
And I don't doubt that some other arenas have bigger, better, and more of those things. But those were huge issues, the non-NHL events wouldn't keep coming.
Having been in the bowels of the arenas in St. Louis and Chicago a couple times, I can tell you that a place like the United Center does those areas up a little more, but it's kind of like—whatever. The functionality isn't really enhanced. And Scottrade is nice enough.
Someday that stuff will probably be improved on, but it more than does the job.
Needs:
-ice plant and building cooling
Wants:
-cosmetic refresh. Paint, tile, deep cleaning, lighting, signage. Cover exposed plain concrete and hide exposed wires/pipes.
-true HD scoreboard
-more monitors
-WiFi
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I haven't heard really any complaints about Scottrade. I have however noticed for the first time this season that it looks to be due for a refresher.
Like I said my only real complaint is about the cooling. I swear it must have been 95 degrees in there at The Police concert a few years ago; and my wife said Bon Jovi was almost as bad. While they're at that, fix the ice plant. Most every other grouse is cosmetic.moorlander wrote:I haven't heard really any complaints about Scottrade. I have however noticed for the first time this season that it looks to be due for a refresher.
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You're right. It was very warm last thursday. I was dripping sweat.
The Blues didn't play like at all tonight. Worse than game 1 which qualified as their worst performance of the season. Hell of routine this franchise does, huh?
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Still not time to jump on the panic bus but that game was pretty deflating...I swear i heard Tarasenkos name called once, did Schwartz even play, never heard his name called...
As a history major in college, I should've learned from the Blues first 48 years of existence to not get my hopes up for the playoffs. Absolutely pathetic performance. Can't connect on passes. Can't handle the puck. Can't get shots on goal. The gameplan simply isn't working. I like Hitch, and am usually not one to blame the coach for everything, but we have superior talent and have been absolutely dominated in 2 of 3 games this series. We need to change something up. The "fire a shot from the point and hope for a deflection" doesn't work when the shot gets blocked at the top of the circle every time. But it's on the players, too. It seemed like every time we had a scoring chance last night (which were limited) we missed the net entirely.
But, win tomorrow and it's a best of 3 with home ice.
But, win tomorrow and it's a best of 3 with home ice.
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I've been a hardcore Blues fan my entire life. I would have to say....Last night might have been one of the top 5 worst playoff performances in my lifetime. I put this up there with game 7, 2000 versus the Sharks, Turek giving up goals from the red line. I understand this was not an elimination game, but the manner with which the Central Division Champs played, is beyond me. While I am not ready to say it is over, if they do get eliminated, it is time to blow up the core and maybe even fire Hitchcock. His style is not working in the playoffs and has not worked for since he has been here. His teams have a motivation issue in April. They play inspired one game and fail to show up the other. I am very frustrated after game 1, the 3rd period of game 2 and all of game 3. Every year it is a new excuse. I can remember when getting out of the first round was a given. It was getting to the conference finals that was so hard. Now the Blues fail almost every year, in the first round, no matter who they play. The Sharks are the only team they've beaten in recent seasons. This team always gets "old", "needs to be blown up" or "is missing pieces" come April. It is amazing how a team could be at the top of the NHL in points every year, yet fail in the playoffs. Again, I understand the series is only half over and I can live with being down 2-1. However, I cannot live with the manner in which they are losing. Heartless, gutless, uninspired, embarrassing.... I could go on and on. Like I said, if they get eliminated by the Wild, it is time to make sweeping changes, building around Allen, Schwartz, Tarasenko and a few others.
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What is even more disappointing is that it looks like we finally have a hot goalie ready to carry us a few rounds, but can't shoot the puck on the net.
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Do the Blues have a terrible medical staff or something? It seems like falling apart in the playoffs has been a persistent trend across multiple players, coaches, owners... I just can't figure out what else there is to change at this point.
Very well written and sums my feeling.DogtownBnR wrote:I've been a hardcore Blues fan my entire life. I would have to say....Last night might have been one of the top 5 worst playoff performances in my lifetime. I put this up there with game 7, 2000 versus the Sharks, Turek giving up goals from the red line. I understand this was not an elimination game, but the manner with which the Central Division Champs played, is beyond me. While I am not ready to say it is over, if they do get eliminated, it is time to blow up the core and maybe even fire Hitchcock. His style is not working in the playoffs and has not worked for since he has been here. His teams have a motivation issue in April. They play inspired one game and fail to show up the other. I am very frustrated after game 1, the 3rd period of game 2 and all of game 3. Every year it is a new excuse. I can remember when getting out of the first round was a given. It was getting to the conference finals that was so hard. Now the Blues fail almost every year, in the first round, no matter who they play. The Sharks are the only team they've beaten in recent seasons. This team always gets "old", "needs to be blown up" or "is missing pieces" come April. It is amazing how a team could be at the top of the NHL in points every year, yet fail in the playoffs. Again, I understand the series is only half over and I can live with being down 2-1. However, I cannot live with the manner in which they are losing. Heartless, gutless, uninspired, embarrassing.... I could go on and on. Like I said, if they get eliminated by the Wild, it is time to make sweeping changes, building around Allen, Schwartz, Tarasenko and a few others.
Don't forget the 1-6 record after more than 3 days off.
It's not the medical staff. Nobody is hurt. They just play like it.
If the Blues bow out in this round, you can guarantee Hitch is gone. That might have even been true of a round 2 exit.
I'm also ready to part with Backes. I don't think he's much of a captain. He's a frequent no-show, and then when he thinks his team needs "leadership" he tries to start a fight or takes a stupid penalty. He's got trade value though. Let's use it.
I'm similarly okay moving Oshie. He's been part of the disappointing former core. He could stay or go.
But it appears time for a big shake up.
I haven't given up on this series, but I no longer trust them enough to be confident. For comparison, in the past three years of disappointing playoff "collapses," I defended them and believed in them to the end because they were playing their tails off. I thought a lot of the criticism the last few years was unwarranted. They outplayed the Kings (twice) and the Hawks in those series. They just could not score goals. But the effort was there every night.
This year they have more than enough goal-scoring talent. They're simply not coming to play. And that's so incredibly disappointing.
If the Blues bow out in this round, you can guarantee Hitch is gone. That might have even been true of a round 2 exit.
I'm also ready to part with Backes. I don't think he's much of a captain. He's a frequent no-show, and then when he thinks his team needs "leadership" he tries to start a fight or takes a stupid penalty. He's got trade value though. Let's use it.
I'm similarly okay moving Oshie. He's been part of the disappointing former core. He could stay or go.
But it appears time for a big shake up.
I haven't given up on this series, but I no longer trust them enough to be confident. For comparison, in the past three years of disappointing playoff "collapses," I defended them and believed in them to the end because they were playing their tails off. I thought a lot of the criticism the last few years was unwarranted. They outplayed the Kings (twice) and the Hawks in those series. They just could not score goals. But the effort was there every night.
This year they have more than enough goal-scoring talent. They're simply not coming to play. And that's so incredibly disappointing.
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I was thinking more about conditioning than injuries. Maybe medical isn't the right word. Fitness?
Fair enough, but even then, I just don't think so.MarkHaversham wrote:I was thinking more about conditioning than injuries. Maybe medical isn't the right word. Fitness?
But I fully agree it LOOKS that way. They look like they've got nothing left in the tank. But I'm confident in saying it's a mental issue, not a physical one.
The problem I've got with Hitchcock has been the lack of in-game adjustments. He may swap up lines/players: but nothing else really changes.
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I've been a hardcore Blues fan my entire life. I would have to say....Last night might have been one of the top 5 best playoff performances in my lifetime. Looking forward to Friday @ 845
Which cam after one of the bottom five performance. The inconsistency is frustrating, but man was last night great. Hopefully that's the team we'll be getting the rest of the way.
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Amazing how a team can play SO well one night and SO bad the next. Let's hope the version of the Blues that showed up last night, shows up the rest of the playoffs. That team last night can beat anyone left in the playoffs. The team that played in game 3, would get swept by just about any team in the playoffs. Talk about a Jekyll and Hyde!
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if you google the definition of 180 it would reference you to Game 3 and Game 4. 