Apparently, the bottom four steps collapsed around 9:30pm with a lot of people on it.  Four adults and a child were taken to hospitals with complaints ranging from twisted ankles to back and neck pain.  One person’s clothing or shoes were trapped in the escalator and had to be freed.

A spokesman for the team said: "The safety of our fans is always our first and foremost concern. We are hopeful they are well and being taken care of and we have already begun to investigate the cause of the accident."

image: NHL/TSN

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He was limited to just 28 games last season which is not great for him as a player but, more importantly, is awful for a team to be without a captain.  I know some people might get offended by this but he’s one of the guys that I forget even wears the “C” and I don’t mean that to be disrespectful.  I just think it’s time for the Blues to consider another leader.

image: TSN

Look at the situation with the San Jose Sharks.  They’ve stripped Patrick Marleau, a player that I really respect, of the captaincy and life is moving on.  They’ll find a new leader and, if he proves himself, it could very well be him but my money is on Joe Thornton.

Brewer was able to score a goal and post five assists last season and has two seasons remaining on a US$17 million, four-year contract.

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image: Newscom

For what it’s worth, the Blues did try to put up a big fight by forcing the game into overtime by scoring twice in the second period but 19:41 into OT Alex Burrows scored (for the second time) and it was all over.  In the end, Canucks goaltender, Roberto Luongo, made 47 saves.  This was the first time the team won a series in less than seven games for the first time in 12 tries since the 1994 playoffs.

Vancouver will have to wait for the rest of the series’ in the Western Conference to be decided before they will know who they will face in the semifinals.  Meanwhile, the Blues are the first NHL to be able to start their golf season…

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image: TSN

It was also a big night for Mats Sundin.  For the first time in five years, the former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs played during the postseason.  He made the most of it, scoring the game’s first goal with 1:56 left in the second period.  It was his first goal in 15 contests.

After the 3-0 victory the Canucks have taken a 2-0 lead in the series and it will be up to the Blues to shake it off and put themselves back in contention when they play in St. Louis tomorrow night.

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image: TSN

It was an interesting game. I would like to see the Blues upset the Canucks, who have been on a roll lately.  I think, in the end, it will come down to the difference between goalies Roberto Luongo (VAN) and Chris Mason (STL) but the Blues also need to take more shots on net (last night, the Canucks outshot them 15-6 in the final 20 minutes).

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image: Newscom

In the Western Conference the following teams will square off:

• San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues
• Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Ducks
• Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
• Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames

Those are some interesting matchups. I predict that the Sharks will take out the Blues and the Wings will pick off the Ducks but I am not sure what will happen with the others. Vancouver is red hot right now but Columbus is also doing well. The thing that is going to make this pairing sizzle, though, is the battle between goaltenders, Roberto Luongo (Canucks) and rookie Steve Mason (Blue Jackets). I can’t stand Vancouver (although, I have to admit that they’ve been amazing) so I want them to lose the series but I will be watching these games whenever I can just to see whether Luongo or Mason will come out on top. The Chicago vs. Calgary games could go either way since both teams have been patchy throughout the season and Calgary has been really struggling since acquiring Olli Jokinen at the trade deadline. They had been doing so well so it’s anyone’s guess whether they will be able to shake off whatever is bothering them in order to get more effective on the ice…

image: Newscom

In the Eastern Conference, you will find the following matchups:

• Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
• Washington Capitals vs. NY Rangers
• New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes
• Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins/li>

I can’t even believe that Boston is going to battle Montreal in the first round.  Both were part of the original six teams that made up the NHL and they are long-time rivals.  The fans are going to go crazy and I wish I could head back east and watch a Montreal game with my family.  I don’t know who will win the Caps vs. Rangers series but, if it comes down to it, I think that Alexander Ovechkin is going to do all that he can to stay in the game.  After the season that goaltender, Martin Brodeur, has had, I’m hoping the New Jersey Devils will beat out the Carolina Hurricanes but I don’t think it’s obvious enough to make a prediction.  Also, although it may not be as rooted in history as the Montreal/Boston series, it’s going to be intense when the Flyers take on the Penguins.  It’s going to be one long “Battle of Pennsylvania” for the fans and I am hoping the Pens skate away with a strong victory. I know that Sidney Crosby and Evgeny Malkin are going to want that second chance after narrowly losing the Stanley Cup finals last year.

I’d love to hear what you think!  Which matchups are you most looking forward to and who do you think will move on?

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Here are a list of the teams that made it:

Who do you think will take home Lord Stanley?  I think that the two teams leading each conference (Boston and San Jose) are going to be tough to beat so I wouldn’t be surprised if either of them won the finals (I think Boston might be a little more likely).  Still, the playoffs can be so unpredictable so it’s hard to tell…

image: NBCUMV

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Wozniewski is in his fourth NHL season and signed with the Blues last July but has only appeared in one contest.  For the remainder of the season, the 24-year-old has played in the AHL.  He has 17 points (1 goal, 16 assists) in 56 games with the Peoria Rivermen.

Richmond, is also 24 years old and has also been playing in the AHL.  He has 17 points and 108 penalty minutes in 55 games this season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 

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A former All-Star netminder, 36-year old Legace, has played less and less as Mason became more comfortable between the pipes.  When asked about the situation, Manny had the following to say: "It’s extremely tough.  You play your heart out for a team, and the minute you hit a little bit of a rough patch, they dump on you. It was very hard to hear."

I’m so glad that he just came out and said what he said because I’m sick of hearing players say things like “I guess it just didn’t work out” or whatever.  Just say that it sucks and that the team is treating you like crap. 

It’s just been a strange season for Legace all-around.  Remember earlier in the year when he tripped over the carpet laid out for Sarah Palin (who was running for Vice President of the United States at the time?) and hurt himself enough to miss five games?  Maybe leaving St. Louis is a blessing.  Always gotta look on the bright side

Legace has posted a 13-9-2 record in 29 games with the Blues this season.

image: TSN

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Paul Kariya has undergone successful surgery on his left hip but may be sidelined for the rest of the regular season. 

The St. Louis Blues left wing, who’s in the second season of a three-year, $18 million contract, suffered a torn labrum during a game against the Anaheim Ducks on November 5, 2008.  The procedure repaired the tear along with “some bone work.”

Team president, John Davidson, had some words on the situation: "We haven’t ruled him out, but what’s the sense of rushing something as serious as this?  I think he’ll be back to 110 per cent, whether it’s late this season or next season. Probably next season.  He’ll be 100 per cent a long time before camp. He’ll be back to being Paul Kariya that should be better than he has been for years."

I hope he’s right!  Pretty supportive team prez, eh?

image: TSN

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