St. Louis Blues: Amazing Season Closes on a Sour Note

Well as they say, all good things must come to an end.

Tonight marked the end of the Blues miraculous season.

This team which has been re-built from the ground up, turned around what seemed to be another season in the basement. They have made believers out of the doubters, and inspired a city to love hockey again.

In most preseason polls, the Blues were projected to finish last in the conference. Their veterans were considered too old, and their youth not ready to step up.

They faced multiple obstacles this year. An all-star goalie lost his way and had to be put on waivers. They were decimated by injuries to many of their top players.

Defensemen Eric Brewer and Erik Johnson were lost for the year. This meant the Blues would have to look to a group of relative unknowns.

The team was forced to look to their young and talented forwards to compensate for injuries as well. Veteran center Andy McDonald missed the middle of the season, and Paul Kariya's season was cut short in November.  

As the all-star break approached, the Note found themselves in last as predicted. However, there was still a glimmer of hope as they stood within earshot of the playoffs.

With a switch in goal, the older players found a new spark, the youth proved themselves ready, and these underdogs were in the hunt.

Under coach Andy Murray's guidance, the Blues were one of the NHL's best teams the last month of the year. They earned the the sixth seed and a date with the Canucks.

Both teams went into the playoffs on a high note. The Canucks were able to win their division and the three-seed in the last week of the season.

I thought we were in for a treat of a series, with a possibility of seeing six or seven games. Unfortunately the series was a sweep in Vancouver's favor after a 3-2 overtime win in game four.

As I sat there staring at the screen, my eyes welling up with tears of disappointment, something came over me. A wonderful feeling of pride and respect for this scrappy team.

A team that captivated the hearts of a city who has longed for the contender that ownership has promised. A team that proved, that despite an early exit from the 2009 playoffs, they will be a team to beat next year.

So I say to you Blues fanS: Hold your heads, up my friend,s and look towards the future with hope. For there is always next year.

And remember it could be worse—We could be Cubs fans!