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St. Louis Blues share many ties to ‘Miracle on Ice’ team

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2023

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ST. LOUIS – “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” Al Michaels delivered this iconic call 43 years ago Wednesday for a pivotal moment in not just hockey lore, but American history too.

The United States pulled off a rare upset against the Soviet Union, 4-3, in the medal round of the 1980 Winter Olympics, a game later dubbed the “Miracle on Ice.” It snapped a streak of four consecutive Gold Medal seasons from the Soviet Union, who became a hockey empire known as the “Red Army.”

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Unlike many Olympic rosters, the Soviet Union recruited amateur players who were primarily full-time athletes. Hockey was one avenue through which the Soviet Union reigned supreme at the height of the Cold War, an era when tensions with the United States and others were high. The U.S. victory preceded a series of developments through which international relations eventually spurred the end of the Cold War.

The Herb Brooks-led U.S. squad, consisting primarily of non-amateur, college-level players, defeated Russia in the semifinal and Finland in the championship for a Gold Medal. The team spent nearly a year preparing for the 1980 Olympic run, competing in 61 pre-Olympic games.

Along the way, one exhibition match in September 1979 led the U.S. hockey team to facing the St. Louis Blues. Played at a neutral site in Iowa, the Blues cruised past the U.S. team, 9-1. That was the second of four Pre-Olympic games against NHL squads, and though the U.S. didn’t win any of those, the team picked up on some strategies and the intensity needed to take down the “Red Army.”

After the 1980s run, three members from the Miracle on Ice team went on to play for the St. Louis Blues.

Forward Mark Johnson led the U.S. hockey team in scoring in Olympic contests with 5 goals and 6 assists over 7 games. He played 10 NHL seasons after that, including one lone run with the Blues in the 1984-85 seasons. He only played 17 games for the Blues due to a rib injury.

Forward Dave Christian dished a valuable assist on an equalizer and buzzer-beating goal in the first period of the “Miracle On Ice” game. He led ths U.S. with eight assists in Olympic play. Christian also played just one season for the Blues and picked up 44 poiunts in 78 games from 1991-92.

Defenseman Bill Baker had one goal during the U.S. Olympic run, but played stout defense on an offensive-minded squad. Shortly after the remarkable run, he joined the Blues for the 1981-82 season and logged 8 points and 50 penalty minutes over 35 games. His career was shortened due to injuries.

There’s one more major St. Louis Blues connection with the “Miracle on Ice” team. Assistant coach Craig Patrick, played 43 games with the Blues during the 1974-75 season. The Blues were one of four franchises he dressed for in his NHL career, which ended in 1978 just before the U.S. team’s formation. Patrick has spent many years since in front office roles with the Pittsburgh Penguins, leading to multiple Stanley Cup championships.

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Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

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The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

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St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

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Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

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Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

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