Welcome to another issue of "who do we choose". This time around we will review the St. Louis Blues and their bump laden rise to the top of the WCHL's Western conference.

The Blues have had a rough couple years in the WCHL, from hovering 2 points out of a playoff spot last year, to hovering 4 points over the line the year before to eek their way into a playoff spot. It's that uncertainty that gets to the fans, the players and the GM alike when you just don't have enough juice to really make it, but you feel your so close.

This year something clicked, or perhaps something snapped? On paper the Blues were not supposed to lead their division, let alone their conference, but paper alone does not a team make. It's like "reverse year" in the WCHL, with teams like Calgary and Nashville, (who in our opinions are the two teams who seem to be able to take a lesser product on paper and make it perform on ice like a real contender) sitting at the bottom of their conference, both looking to miss the big dance. This year that magic has shifted, and the beneficiaries are teams like the Blues, and perhaps the Oilers as well. But we digress, back to the BLUES.

Shifting up and down the top 3 spots for most of the year, the Blues can thank their incredible success to a couple really solid guys who have come out of their shell this year, starting with Damien Brunner. Leading the Blues with 13-26-39 in 53 games he is in no small part an example of  bang for your buck considering his cheap price tag, and yet his GM hasn't resigned him, hoping perhaps to clean up come Free Agency. Another key asset is Ales Hemsky, a guy who keeps a bag packed in waiting for the next trade that sees his butt get on a bus and head out of town. Hemsky has found a home, and more surprisingly a solid two way game that has helped the Blues by both netting 33 points, and maintaining a +5 on a team where half of the guys are in the negative. While Brunner has peaked playing the top center, Hemsky is doing it from the 2nd line, a less illustrious spot, but one he seems to thrive in.

We couldn't round out the forwards without mentioning the fact that the Blues are able to maintain that top spot in the west even though their BEST forward is and has been injured for 20 games of their campaign. Despite his injury, Rich Peverly is still 2nd in scoring, and is the only player to maintain over 1 PPG. Peverly is wanting to rejoin his team soon, as his sprained ankle is healing up nicely. It could have been worse we suppose, but the Blues surely need him back in the saddle and producing again to keep up their pace. Peverly has 11-24-35 in 32 games this year, far from a slouch.

That's enough of those well and talented forwards that have collectively proved once again the truth in the expression " the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" Lets move onto the Defense, or rather "The Bieksa". Just missing the top 10 by a single point, Bieksa is the damaging force that every team underlines to their players in the pregame strategy sessions. His numbers kinda of speak for themselves, 183 PIM to come in at 2nd in the league. Add to that 136 hits coming in at 4th, and 24 points on the year and you clearly have "Powerhouse" that every team needs to plan for. Joining Bieksa is Marc Staal, but he kind of pales in comparison with only 17 points on the year and a very poor -10 rating. So we will let that dead horse lie.

The Blues put together something special it seems. Not every GM has an eye for it, and it tends to change from year to year, but have no doubt this year is the year of the underdog, with teams like Edmonton and Ottawa, the Blues and Columbus staking their ground in playoff territory, and bumping from grace some perennial favorites like Calgary and Nashville. Make no mistake, this is a VERY different year for the WCHL, up is down and left is right, and I'm sure we can all agree, while annoying to the dynasty teams, its a breath of fresh air. Whatever buttons are being pushed behind the scenes to adapt, change and tweak the way the WCHL runs, they are spreading the wealth, and taking the obviously talented teams down a notch... except maybe those pesky New York Rangers.

The last part of the Blues tetris puzzle is of course the netminder Nicklas Backstrom. He gets pelted each and every game and now has 1444 shots against in only 54 games. His stats may not look outstanding, but when you take in to account what a workhorse he needs to be when backstopping this team, his silver lining gets a little brighter. Backstrom is probably in his twilight years, so this may well be his last kick at the championship can, and we think he is taking it quite serious. 31 wins in 54 games, speaks volumes for a season like the WCHL is currently having. Even Lundy only has 33.

The Blues on paper don't look like a contender, but much like the flames don't look like a bottom dweller, paper means nothing this year, and the Blues now have more chance than most (based on their actions) to bring home some hardware and shut the critics up for awhile.

Go BLUES!!!!

The Rangers.... well there is not allot you can say about the dynasty from the Apple that hasn't already been said. In the first issue of "who do we choose" the league has voted on the Rangers as the best, and maybe the ultimate team in the WCHL. Having won 2 cups in a row until the Ducks remade themselves, the Rangers can claim 3rd place in the pantheon that is the WCHL hall of fame right next to the SJ Sharks, and the afore mentioned Ducks.

Most would assume the Penguins were in there too, as they always seem to be a threat, but the Rangers have easily doubled up on the Pens and their draft approach to winning a championship.

The Rangers are a well thought out team, a team that most would be envious of. Like every great dynasty, the Rangers started with the goaltender. Henrik Lundqvuist is arguably the best tender the NY fans have ever had on their squad, even with the memories of Richter and his outrageous performances of the early 90's, today we see Lundy playing out a 1.84 gaa with a .935 Sa%. He is #2 in wins, #5 In Sa% and all around one of the top 3 goalies the league has ever seen. There is no worries on net for the Rangers, and in fact, he will provide them with a very possible chance to gain their 3rd cup this year, and move up in the world.

The other leader for the Rangers, the one who doesn't have to spend his time between two pipes is Anze Kopitar. Possibly the coolest name of any player in the NHL(WCHL) Anze usually leads his ragtag group to fame and fortune, and this year is no different since he has posted 13-38-51 to come in at #4 right behind Ovi and his flailing group. There is a bright spot on every team, but NYR has many really...... considering their love for low priced talent, and their ability to keep on bringing the young guys in and avoiding those out-of-order UFA prices, you should expect the Rangers to compete EVERY year for another cup to add to their trophy case.

The hits don't stop there. NYR has delicately chosen their squad, hand picked the pieces to the puzzle that is the WCHL cup. No stone has been left unturned in the quest for the big prize, and another example of that is Shaner Doan. Yeah we said it... SHANER. A  reliable and solid first liner, bringing all the old School that Anze lacked to a team that could use that intangible to their advantage. There is a damn reason that the Rangers fist line is a solid threat, and it isn't Landeskog who really should pull up his little girl panties and move on down the line.

You all voted the Rangers the best in the league out of the choices provided, and there is a damn good reason for that. So... what is that reason? Well none other than GM Andrew "hard ass" Don. A guy who knows the ins and outs of the WCHL as good or better than the commissioner himself. While Andy may be the bane of many a GM's existence, and a persistent thorn in the side of every GM who is trying to cut a " good deal" for their team, there is something he is even better at.... and that is running team.

Don't ever take the Rangers for a sucker team, ever when they are down and out, looking like Ali against Frazer in 71', they will come back like Ali in 74..... you just wiki that shit yourselves.

The Rangers are always good. Always a threat. And since we have discussed their Brick wall goalie..... their illustrious leader on the ice with Anze, and their  dictator of a leader off the ice in Mr. Don, we need to turn our focus to their outstanding defense in the form of Timo and Seidenberg, who combine fro 34 points so far, in a league where the defensive scoring has dropped off about 75%. NYR's defense has scooped up 4th spot in goals against, with Timo clocking on at #5 for defensive scoring. This is a stalwart group, but they have their flaws, DI is not one of them. GM Don was careful to pick guys for his defense who demonstrated great hitting ability combined with great discipline.

In fact, there are very few flaws within the structure of this team, and the more time one spends looking at them, the more you realize that they are one of the most likely teams to win this years coveted WCHL cup. Its a game of stats, a game of opinions, and a game of well trained athletes that almost no other sport can match. For the WCHL, and our brand of hockey..... very few can contest that the NY Rangers are the very best we can put forth.

I leave you with the thought we all should be having..... one of awe, and another of the kind of team you NEED to beat to be effective. Don't lose sight of the goal..... beat the best, and become the best.