Since Blues RW T.J. Oshie "lifted the U.S. hockey team over Russia with four shootout goals on Saturday, people have been flocking to the shelves" of St. Louis-based retailers for Oshie merchandise, according to Samantha Liss of the ST. LOUIS BUSINESS JOURNAL. Sales of Oshie merchandise "are up" 145% compared with the prior week at Rally House's St. Louis location. Company spokesperson Kelly Neible said across Rally's three stores in Missouri as well as online sales, Oshie-related gear is up more than 300%. Supermarket chain Schnucks "has only stocked limited amounts" of Blues gear across its 68 metropolitan locations, but that "will all change next week thanks to Oshie’s Olympic performance." Schnucks spokesperson Paul Simon said that area stores "will receive a shipment of long sleeve Oshie shirts" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/18). Fanatics.com sold out of USA Hockey T-shirts with Oshie’s name within hours of Saturday's game. It replenished the supply, and demand for Oshie merchandise remains strong. His name has been the No. 1-searched term on Fanatics.com since Saturday. Additionally, more merchandise of the Blues sold Saturday than any other day in the site’s history (Tripp Mickle, Staff Writer). In St. Louis, Dan O'Neill reports the Blues, in honor of Oshie's jersey number, have "come up with a '74 Hour Sale,' in which fans get a commemorative shootout poster and Oshie jersey with the purchase of a ticket package." If the U.S. ends up winning the Gold Medal this year, the "Oshie Games will have long-lasting sizzle." He "promises to be the marketing face" of the team barring an "individual performance more spectacular in the next few days" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 2/19).
OVERNIGHT CELEBRITY: In Minneapolis, Chip Scoggins writes Oshie has "become one of these Games' unexpected stars." His play against Russia "brought overnight celebrity to the unassuming kid," and his "entire life has gone viral." Oshie yesterday said, "I don’t mind it as long as it doesn’t get in the way of how me and my teammates play the game. It hasn’t been too tough. I’ve been a little bit busier than I expected, but that’s OK. Anything that can grow our sport a little bit is all for the better." Scoggins notes Oshie "seems appreciative of the attention, but he has also tried to steer the conversation back to his team." He asked reporters to "remember that goalie Jonathan Quick played an integral role in that shootout as well" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/19).
