In St. Louis, Jim Thomas notes several events have been "canceled downtown and elsewhere" in the area since an officer was found not guilty in the murder of Anthony Lamar Smith, but tonight's preseason contest between the Blues and Blue Jackets will be "played at Scottrade Center." It will be one of the "few events held at a public facility downtown, and the first event at spiffed up Scottrade, since Friday’s verdict." Blues President & CEO of Business Operations Chris Zimmerman said that the "thought of cancellation never entered the mind of anyone in the organization" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 9/20).
LONG HIBERNATION? In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy writes there is "little dispute as to where the Bruins rank on the local sports totem pole at this hour" -- a "distant fourth." The Bruins "simply aren't in the conversation." While the team rebuilds, it is "impossible to ignore the success and noise around the other three teams in town." Bruins President Cam Neely said, "The success that the other organizations have had certainly pushes everybody to get to that level of success" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/20). Sportsnet Radio's Greg Brady tweeted, "I count 13 pro cities in USA where all 4 major leagues are represented. How many markets would the NHL team not be last?" (TWITTER.com, 9/20).
FRIENDLY NEIGHBORS: USA TODAY's Alysha Tsuji noted the Sharks are "holding another Warriors Night this season" on Jan. 13. The team will be "giving out more cool Warriors-themed jerseys" (USATODAY.com, 9/19). Meanwhile, Ducks C Ryan Getzlaf and D Francois Beauchemin last night "took batting practice as part of the Angels’ annual night to pay homage to their NHL neighbors" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 9/20).
