80's and 90's Norris Division Blues Killers

[zuck698]

Hopefully some of you guys watch the Hull and Chase podcast. They did one with Butcher that was hilarious. Bobby Smith, Ron Wilson and Brian Bellows all wore hair pieces back then and the Blues were whistled for being offsides by the North Stars bench. The ref mentioned they were offsides by just a hair, after which Butcher pointed at the Minnesota bench and said “but not your hair.”

Priceless!

Ugh. Garth Butcher. Would gladly have foregone that "wit" to have ronning, mommeso and courtnall back. As valuable as steve ott. "But these guys are good in the room" .

I really don't get why people revere Ron Caron. He made decisions like a kid playing video games.

Agree. He followed up that doozy with then sending dan quinn and rod the bod to get ron sutter and murray baron. He made some amends later jettisoning butcher for steve duchesne but listened to brian sutter too much.

exactly his problem. Sutter had fought Butcher once and thought they needed a 'tough guy' for an assumed PO series vs CHI (which iirc, never happened that year)

but will give him this, in the series vs DET Probert was going after Stevens every chance he got and Butcher got in his face and for whatever reason, Probert would just skate away

Yes, he got Probert so mad that Probert attacked our goalie Riendeau (sp?). I am not sure why Probert didn't fight him? They did a lot of hacking and whacking with the sticks but no fights. Didn't Probert skate by the bench and clip Butcher with his stick? I know it happened but I can't recall if it was the playoffs or if it was a regular season game? The regular season games against the Chicken Hawks were like playoff games anyway. Good times!

Was this it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSxeeVaGiCQ

That is the one! Bobby was a bad boy. Vincent went down like he was hit by a sniper. The OLD Barn was shaking to the rafters that night.

I miss the old barn. It was dirty and maybe falling a part, but man what fun it was to watch games there. The old Chicago Stadium gave me that feeling too. I was lucky enough to see a few Blues games there. I also got to see Jordan play there. You want to talk electric! The entrance, before the game, would give you goosebumps. These new arenas don't come close.

I became a Blues fan at the age of 14 in early 1968. In those days The Arena had been newly renovated, freshly painted, new bright lights, and was sparkling clean. Many official NHL photos were taken in The Arena back then because it had the best lighting in the NHL!

Unfortunately, in subsequent years, the Salomons financial difficulty, the dumping of the team by Ralston Purina, the near-bankruptcy of the team, etc, caused The Arena to deteriorate due to lack of maintenance. In 1988-1994 I changed jobs and lived in suburban Chicago and had part share of season tickets to Blackhawks games. Chicago Stadium was very clean and well maintained right up to the end. I was at the last Blackhawk game at The Stadium in spring ‘94.

The contrast in the 2 arenas was interesting. Chicago Stadium was in great shape but in a horrific neighborhood. You didn’t hang around in that neighborhood after a game — in fact, Wayne Messmer, their great anthem singer, was shot in the throat after a game in 1994. (Fortunately he survived). The St. Louis Arena was in worse shape but in a safe neighborhood. I never worried hanging around there any time of day.

I loved going to both of those raucous old barns. Best 2 places in the NHL to watch hockey. Also miss the Chuck Norris Division days. Wendel Clark and Steve Larmer get my vote for the Blues killers I hated but wanted traded to the Blues. Clark for toughness coupled with skill and Larmer for skill.

You are so right about the neighborhood. The first time I went, I thought to my self, is this really a good idea! I think it was on Madison? I was there in 94 as well. Didn't see the last game, but I did catch a Blues-Blackhawk game that year. You make a great analogy between the stadiums and locations. They were truly flipped on both the location and upkeep. Messmer could really pound out that anthem. Wasn't sure if I was at a game or an opera when he sang. I forgot he had been shot.

[ShakeyWalton]

Hopefully some of you guys watch the Hull and Chase podcast. They did one with Butcher that was hilarious. Bobby Smith, Ron Wilson and Brian Bellows all wore hair pieces back then and the Blues were whistled for being offsides by the North Stars bench. The ref mentioned they were offsides by just a hair, after which Butcher pointed at the Minnesota bench and said “but not your hair.”

Priceless!

Ugh. Garth Butcher. Would gladly have foregone that "wit" to have ronning, mommeso and courtnall back. As valuable as steve ott. "But these guys are good in the room" .

I really don't get why people revere Ron Caron. He made decisions like a kid playing video games.

Agree. He followed up that doozy with then sending dan quinn and rod the bod to get ron sutter and murray baron. He made some amends later jettisoning butcher for steve duchesne but listened to brian sutter too much.

exactly his problem. Sutter had fought Butcher once and thought they needed a 'tough guy' for an assumed PO series vs CHI (which iirc, never happened that year)

but will give him this, in the series vs DET Probert was going after Stevens every chance he got and Butcher got in his face and for whatever reason, Probert would just skate away

Yes, he got Probert so mad that Probert attacked our goalie Riendeau (sp?). I am not sure why Probert didn't fight him? They did a lot of hacking and whacking with the sticks but no fights. Didn't Probert skate by the bench and clip Butcher with his stick? I know it happened but I can't recall if it was the playoffs or if it was a regular season game? The regular season games against the Chicken Hawks were like playoff games anyway. Good times!

Was this it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSxeeVaGiCQ

That is the one! Bobby was a bad boy. Vincent went down like he was hit by a sniper. The OLD Barn was shaking to the rafters that night.

I miss the old barn. It was dirty and maybe falling a part, but man what fun it was to watch games there. The old Chicago Stadium gave me that feeling too. I was lucky enough to see a few Blues games there. I also got to see Jordan play there. You want to talk electric! The entrance, before the game, would give you goosebumps. These new arenas don't come close.

I became a Blues fan at the age of 14 in early 1968. In those days The Arena had been newly renovated, freshly painted, new bright lights, and was sparkling clean. Many official NHL photos were taken in The Arena back then because it had the best lighting in the NHL!

Unfortunately, in subsequent years, the Salomons financial difficulty, the dumping of the team by Ralston Purina, the near-bankruptcy of the team, etc, caused The Arena to deteriorate due to lack of maintenance. In 1988-1994 I changed jobs and lived in suburban Chicago and had part share of season tickets to Blackhawks games. Chicago Stadium was very clean and well maintained right up to the end. I was at the last Blackhawk game at The Stadium in spring ‘94.

The contrast in the 2 arenas was interesting. Chicago Stadium was in great shape but in a horrific neighborhood. You didn’t hang around in that neighborhood after a game — in fact, Wayne Messmer, their great anthem singer, was shot in the throat after a game in 1994. (Fortunately he survived). The St. Louis Arena was in worse shape but in a safe neighborhood. I never worried hanging around there any time of day.

I loved going to both of those raucous old barns. Best 2 places in the NHL to watch hockey. Also miss the Chuck Norris Division days. Wendel Clark and Steve Larmer get my vote for the Blues killers I hated but wanted traded to the Blues. Clark for toughness coupled with skill and Larmer for skill.

You are so right about the neighborhood. The first time I went, I thought to my self, is this really a good idea! I think it was on Madison? I was there in 94 as well. Didn't see the last game, but I did catch a Blues-Blackhawk game that year. You make a great analogy between the stadiums and locations. They were truly flipped on both the location and upkeep. Messmer could really pound out that anthem. Wasn't sure if I was at a game or an opera when he sang. I forgot he had been shot.

And Wirtz fired Messmer, and the Blues hired him the next game at home against Chicago. Wirtz sent that team off the rails at that time…

[zuck698]

Hopefully some of you guys watch the Hull and Chase podcast. They did one with Butcher that was hilarious. Bobby Smith, Ron Wilson and Brian Bellows all wore hair pieces back then and the Blues were whistled for being offsides by the North Stars bench. The ref mentioned they were offsides by just a hair, after which Butcher pointed at the Minnesota bench and said “but not your hair.”

Priceless!

Ugh. Garth Butcher. Would gladly have foregone that "wit" to have ronning, mommeso and courtnall back. As valuable as steve ott. "But these guys are good in the room" .

I really don't get why people revere Ron Caron. He made decisions like a kid playing video games.

Agree. He followed up that doozy with then sending dan quinn and rod the bod to get ron sutter and murray baron. He made some amends later jettisoning butcher for steve duchesne but listened to brian sutter too much.

exactly his problem. Sutter had fought Butcher once and thought they needed a 'tough guy' for an assumed PO series vs CHI (which iirc, never happened that year)

but will give him this, in the series vs DET Probert was going after Stevens every chance he got and Butcher got in his face and for whatever reason, Probert would just skate away

Yes, he got Probert so mad that Probert attacked our goalie Riendeau (sp?). I am not sure why Probert didn't fight him? They did a lot of hacking and whacking with the sticks but no fights. Didn't Probert skate by the bench and clip Butcher with his stick? I know it happened but I can't recall if it was the playoffs or if it was a regular season game? The regular season games against the Chicken Hawks were like playoff games anyway. Good times!

Was this it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSxeeVaGiCQ

That is the one! Bobby was a bad boy. Vincent went down like he was hit by a sniper. The OLD Barn was shaking to the rafters that night.

I miss the old barn. It was dirty and maybe falling a part, but man what fun it was to watch games there. The old Chicago Stadium gave me that feeling too. I was lucky enough to see a few Blues games there. I also got to see Jordan play there. You want to talk electric! The entrance, before the game, would give you goosebumps. These new arenas don't come close.

I became a Blues fan at the age of 14 in early 1968. In those days The Arena had been newly renovated, freshly painted, new bright lights, and was sparkling clean. Many official NHL photos were taken in The Arena back then because it had the best lighting in the NHL!

Unfortunately, in subsequent years, the Salomons financial difficulty, the dumping of the team by Ralston Purina, the near-bankruptcy of the team, etc, caused The Arena to deteriorate due to lack of maintenance. In 1988-1994 I changed jobs and lived in suburban Chicago and had part share of season tickets to Blackhawks games. Chicago Stadium was very clean and well maintained right up to the end. I was at the last Blackhawk game at The Stadium in spring ‘94.

The contrast in the 2 arenas was interesting. Chicago Stadium was in great shape but in a horrific neighborhood. You didn’t hang around in that neighborhood after a game — in fact, Wayne Messmer, their great anthem singer, was shot in the throat after a game in 1994. (Fortunately he survived). The St. Louis Arena was in worse shape but in a safe neighborhood. I never worried hanging around there any time of day.

I loved going to both of those raucous old barns. Best 2 places in the NHL to watch hockey. Also miss the Chuck Norris Division days. Wendel Clark and Steve Larmer get my vote for the Blues killers I hated but wanted traded to the Blues. Clark for toughness coupled with skill and Larmer for skill.

You are so right about the neighborhood. The first time I went, I thought to my self, is this really a good idea! I think it was on Madison? I was there in 94 as well. Didn't see the last game, but I did catch a Blues-Blackhawk game that year. You make a great analogy between the stadiums and locations. They were truly flipped on both the location and upkeep. Messmer could really pound out that anthem. Wasn't sure if I was at a game or an opera when he sang. I forgot he had been shot.

And Wirtz fired Messmer, and the Blues hired him the next game at home against Chicago. Wirtz sent that team off the rails at that time…

Half way down this old article is where that is mentioned. I had forgotten that.

https://jefffleischer.com/wayne-messmer-interview

[rezero]

Against Detroit Probert seemed to always have his way with the Blues
Doug Gilmour was another player that always did well against the Blues

I was at both games for the Probert and Todd Ewen fights. The first one Ewen drilled him right on the jaw and Probert dropped like he was hit by a truck. Probert admitted he went black as that was the only fight I remember that a player was KOd. They fought a second time that night but got separated before any real action. Then 3 months later they dropped the gloves before the puck dropped as Probert wanted revenge and Ewen beat him up again.

found it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNXb3jREqtk

[zuck698]

Against Detroit Probert seemed to always have his way with the Blues
Doug Gilmour was another player that always did well against the Blues

I was at both games for the Probert and Todd Ewen fights. The first one Ewen drilled him right on the jaw and Probert dropped like he was hit by a truck. Probert admitted he went black as that was the only fight I remember that a player was KOd. They fought a second time that night but got separated before any real action. Then 3 months later they dropped the gloves before the puck dropped as Probert wanted revenge and Ewen beat him up again.

found it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNXb3jREqtk

T.K.O. Nice find.

[Blues Dave]

Whenever someone mentions "The Old Barn", I'm instantly reminded of the courage it took to go up (or especially down) the steps to get to your seat in the upper levels. Man, it was almost like straight up and down. It gave me chills. One misstep and no telling how far down you could end up. Especially after imbibing in a few brews. Ther was a rail to hold on to and man did you need it.

True, but if you're lucky, you would have hit a tacky patch of urine/vomit/beer that would have stuck you in place!

Exactly. That's not a joke either. You could depend on that kind of traction as much as the rail you held on to.

[blues2112]

Whenever someone mentions "The Old Barn", I'm instantly reminded of the courage it took to go up (or especially down) the steps to get to your seat in the upper levels. Man, it was almost like straight up and down. It gave me chills. One misstep and no telling how far down you could end up. Especially after imbibing in a few brews. Ther was a rail to hold on to and man did you need it.

True, but if you're lucky, you would have hit a tacky patch of urine/vomit/beer that would have stuck you in place!

Exactly. That's not a joke either. You could depend on that kind of traction as much as the rail you held on to.

Hence, a generation of hockey fans adapted titanium-proof immune systems!

[zuck698]

Whenever someone mentions "The Old Barn", I'm instantly reminded of the courage it took to go up (or especially down) the steps to get to your seat in the upper levels. Man, it was almost like straight up and down. It gave me chills. One misstep and no telling how far down you could end up. Especially after imbibing in a few brews. Ther was a rail to hold on to and man did you need it.

True, but if you're lucky, you would have hit a tacky patch of urine/vomit/beer that would have stuck you in place!

Exactly. That's not a joke either. You could depend on that kind of traction as much as the rail you held on to.

Hence, a generation of hockey fans adapted titanium-proof immune systems!

Does anybody remember seeing cats in the old barn? I know I saw at least 2 back in the day.

[Blues Dave]

Whenever someone mentions "The Old Barn", I'm instantly reminded of the courage it took to go up (or especially down) the steps to get to your seat in the upper levels. Man, it was almost like straight up and down. It gave me chills. One misstep and no telling how far down you could end up. Especially after imbibing in a few brews. Ther was a rail to hold on to and man did you need it.

True, but if you're lucky, you would have hit a tacky patch of urine/vomit/beer that would have stuck you in place!

Exactly. That's not a joke either. You could depend on that kind of traction as much as the rail you held on to.

Hence, a generation of hockey fans adapted titanium-proof immune systems!

Does anybody remember seeing cats in the old barn? I know I saw at least 2 back in the day.

Yeah, I saw cats a couple of times. Never saw any rodents though. And back to how steep the steps were. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread, it made for excellant viewing of the game.

[zuck698]

Whenever someone mentions "The Old Barn", I'm instantly reminded of the courage it took to go up (or especially down) the steps to get to your seat in the upper levels. Man, it was almost like straight up and down. It gave me chills. One misstep and no telling how far down you could end up. Especially after imbibing in a few brews. Ther was a rail to hold on to and man did you need it.

True, but if you're lucky, you would have hit a tacky patch of urine/vomit/beer that would have stuck you in place!

Exactly. That's not a joke either. You could depend on that kind of traction as much as the rail you held on to.

Hence, a generation of hockey fans adapted titanium-proof immune systems!

Does anybody remember seeing cats in the old barn? I know I saw at least 2 back in the day.

Yeah, I saw cats a couple of times. Never saw any rodents though. And back to how steep the steps were. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread, it made for excellant viewing of the game.

Agreed. They really gave you a outstanding view to the ice. It was like you were really looking straight down onto the ice. That being said, I am still amazed, to this day, that more people didn't get seriously hurt walking up and down those steps. With all the regulations in place today, I would assume building another arena like that, would never fly and pass code. Just way to steep.

[Hazelwood72]

I vividly remember when the Salomons installed the nosebleed seats behind each goal (around 1970 as I recall). Being a teenager at the time, I often bought those seats because they were cheap. You could make a helluva lot of noise stomping on the steel floor there.

Years later when I lived in Chicagoland, I had part share of season tix in the 2nd (top) balcony of Chicago Stadium. Unlike the Arena end zone seats, the 2nd balcony at CS was an original part of The Stadium, so it had concrete floors. But it was extremely steep. It was so steep that when you were sitting your feet were at the level of the neck of the guy in front of you. There was a railing in front of each row of seats, because if it weren’t there, you could easily fall forward and land on top of the poor guy in front of you!

Due to job transfers, I moved to Texas 30 years ago. I still go to a couple of Blues games every year when I visit my brother in STL. The Enterprise Center just doesn’t have the same vibe. But it could be worse. My sister in law lives in Chicagoland, but I had never been to the United Center since I moved right after the last games at Chicago Stadium. So, in March 2025 I was up there and decided to go to a Hawks game. It was almost end of regular season so they were already out of the playoffs. The United Center is enormous — much taller than Enterprise Center, and that plus the Hawks playing a meaningless game just seemed to suck the excitement out of the place. I walked up to the nosebleeds and it seemed you were a mile away from the ice. Even in the 2nd balcony at Chicago Stadium you were much closer. Dang, I miss those old barns.