Bandits face off against NHLers to wrap up week in St. Louis
September 16, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
St. Louis Bandits News Release
An exciting scrimmage against current and former NHLers from the St. Louis Blues highlighted the Texarkana Bandits first week of pre-season hockey.
The Bandits opened the 2004-05 season in early September by traveling to St. Louis for a week of practice and scrimmages at The Summit in Chesterfield, Missouri, the former practice facility for the NHL Blues and the current home of the Blues Alumni team.
"Obviously it is very early," said Jon Cooper, head coach/GM of the Bandits, "but the boys got to see plenty of ice for a week and play a couple of competitive games."
The Bandits scrimmaged the St. Louis Midget Major AAA Blues (Mid-America Hockey League) coached by Darrin Kimble as well as two area Jr. B teams -- the St. Louis Jr. Blues (Central States Hockey League) coached by Jack Behan and the Twin Bridges Lightning (Minnesota Junior Hockey League) -- before the grand finale: a date with current and former NHLers from the St. Louis Blues.
"I want to thank Scott, Jack and Darrin for giving us great competition with their respective teams," said Cooper. "I would also like to thank the current and former St. Louis Blues for taking the time to have a little fun with our guys."
Current NHL Blues Barrett Jackman, Jamie Rivers, Mark Rycroft and Matt Walker were joined by former players Kelly Chase, Jeff Brown, Rick Zombo and Basil McRae to beat the Bandits 4-3 last Thursday night.
The Bandits were also special guests at a St. Louis Cardinals game versus the LA Dodgers on Sept. 5th.
Chase, who is part of the Bandits ownership group and the team's governor, arranged the week's activities. "Kelly did a hell of a job," said Cooper. "Hopefully we can do this every year. The guys had a blast."
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