MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- The hooting and hollering at the conclusion of Wednesday's practice at Centene Community Ice Center wasn't coming from any of the other rinks with youth practices.
No, it was coming from the NHL Rink, and the competition was fascinating.
The Blues were holding a competition after a highly competitive practice session on the heels of a tough 5-1 loss against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
And don't think for a moment that each member wasn't into it.
"It's called two-puck," goalie Jordan Binnington said. "It's a game, players each get two pucks to shoot and there's something on the line. It changed a few games ago, probably a month ago, [Robert] Thomas had to go double pony tail in warmups. When stuff's on the line like that, it's a funny thing. I think 'Haysie' [Kevin Hayes] came up with it. It raises the emotions there a little bit, yeah.
"But it's fun and it's something on the line, it's not that serious, but it's still something. We'll see. I don't know if it will be revealed, what's going to happen. It's all in good fun."
The Blues (20-18-1) are in the middle of a rigorous schedule of top-tiered opponents that includes a balance of proper work but also keeping the mood light.
"It's pretty competitive," goalie Joel Hofer said. 'A lot of guys like that competitive edge and there's some guys you obviously want to get out and some guys you want to keep in.
"It helps obviously bond the group. It keeps things loose. It's obviously a long season and anything to keep the team loose and having fun, I think those are important."
Interim coach Drew Bannister liked what he saw, so he allowed the team to finish things off properly.
"I thought the energy was good for our group at the end, I think it was good for our group obviously," Bannister said. "Coming to the rink today, I think we were disappointed with how the game went yesterday. You have to move on from that, get ready and get prepared, get our energy back where it needs to be for tomorrow."
