Blues falter against shark attack

Did you know every year more people are killed by bee attacks or lightning than sharks? I'm not kidding, I know I almost die if I see a bee chasing me.

I bet the Blues didn't know that, but somebody better tell them they're defying the odds because they're getting killed by the Sharks -- and penalties.

The Blues took 11 minor penalties in the first two periods of Game No. 2 on Saturday for a total of 16, after just taking just four in Thursday night's series opener.

Let me do the math for you: 16 minor penalties equals 32 minutes of game time, which is more than a period and a half. The Blues spent half of the game killing penalties.

It's hard enough to win against a red-hot goalie in Evgeni Nabokov; the Blues aren't helping themselves when they are undermanned for most of the game.

Maybe the referees wanted to impress NHL commish Gary Bettman, who attended the game Saturday afternoon.

I would be lying if I said most of the penalties weren't blatantly obvious, and who knows, maybe the officials felt some pressure from the presence of Bettman. I know I always get nervous when Gary Rust is reading what I write over my shoulder; it "inspires" me to do my best.

But mostly the Sharks just got the better of the Blues mentally. Which is surprising, since the Blues are playoff tested with all of their grizzled veterans.

The Sharks kept their heads and seem to glide over any attack the Blues mounted and looked unfazed by the Blues' futile attempts to coax them into fights.

The key for tonight's game is barring Bettman from the Savvis Center. I'll be there and if I see him, I'm going to tell him where he and his officials can stick it. Stick it. Get it?

Now that the eggs have all been found, you can go on an after-Easter sports hunt in your week ahead:

Today

The Blues bring their playoff series with the Sharks to St. Louis for Game No. 3. I'll be waving my rally towel with the rest of the Blues faithful in Section 323.

Tuesday

There's always time to squeeze in a little high school baseball: Jackson hosts Notre Dame at 4 p.m., or Central hosts CBC at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday

The Grizzlies host the Timberwolves in the final regular season game at the Pyramid. The first 10,000 fans will receive a cap. Playoff tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets.

Friday

The Cards begin a three-game series with the Rockies. The Cards will give away calendars before the game, but the real treat will be at tomorrow's game.

Saturday

Mark McGwire has finally agreed to let the Cardinals honor him at a home game. So he's now really retired. There are a few tickets still remaining for the game, mostly standing room only.

The Blues will host Game No. 6 Saturday night, should there be a Game No. 6.

Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team, riding a four-game winning streak heading into Tuesday's nonleague game at St. Louis University, begins an Ohio Valley Conference showdown by hosting first-place Austin Peay in a doubleheader. The three-game series wraps up Sunday.

David Wilson is a sportswriter for the Southeast Missourian and a student at Central High School. His column appears every Monday.