After returning from Calgary Saturday afternoon, Blues President John Davidson was back in his regular seat for practice this afteroon. Davidson is excited about the team’s final 10 games, especially following the Blues’ 3-2 victory in Calgary Friday night. The Blues went 1-1-1 on their trip through Western Canada.

“It was an emotional trip,” Davidson said. “We played pretty well in Edmonton and lose in a shootout. You could sense the team was saying, ‘We lost a point there.’ Then to go into Vancouver and dominate for half a game . . . we couldn’t beat (Vancouver goalie Roberto) Luongo. Then we have to play the next night in Calgary and you lose an hour because of the time change . . . a team we don’t traditionally play very well (against). Geez, we played pretty well. We had a lull of about 10 minutes to start the second period. Chris Mason really held us in there. Then we got right back to taking care of business. I think that was the most important game we’ve played in the three years that I’ve been here . . . because of where we were in the standings, what would happen if we didn’t get any points out of it, the time off from Calgary till tomorrow . . . it would have been a negative effect. I thought the way our guys practiced today was pretty darn positive. It’s a roller coaster. Roller coasters go up and down and twist around, but when you’re on one of the world’s best roller coasters, it’s fascinating.”

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Before the game in Calgary, defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo told teammates that he would shave his head if the Blues won the game. As soon as the team finished celebrating the victory on the ice, the players returned to the locker room for Colaiacovo’s haircut.

“The game meant so much,” Colaiacovo said. “We didn’t want to make any excuses for not giving our best effort, so I just decided to tell the boys that if we won, they got to shave my head after the game. From the way we battled back, and how much those two points meant, it was really a great feeling. They got the clippers out and sat me down in the middle of the room. I’m a man of my word.”

Blues massage therapist Jeff Wright handled the clippers, while teammates cheered on.

“He had a big mop,” Blues forward Brad Boyes said. “It turned out OK.”

Colaiacovo’s head now looks like a fuzzy tennis ball. Despite pleas from the players, he didn’t want to shave it bald like goalie Chris Mason.

“I didn’t want to look as ugly as him,” Colaiacovo said.

Mason fired back: “He’s almost there.”

Colaiacovo is glad he made the bet.

“The beauty of it all is when you’re surrounded by a bunch of great guys and you enjoy being around them everyday, it makes it a better feeling,” he said.

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Blues forward Keith Tkachuk, who missed Friday’s game in Calgary after being hit on the wrist by a shot Thursday in Vancouver, did not practice this morning.

Blues coach Andy Murray, however, remains optimistic that Tkachuk could play Tuesday against L.A.

“Keith is day to day and we’ll know better tomorrow,” Murray said. “I think there’s a good possibility Keith could play tomorrow.”

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In case you missed it Sunday night, Todd Schumacker of KMOV (Chan. 4) did a nice piece on Blues enforcer Cam Janssen and two Eureka High wrestlers. Here’s the clip . . .

index.html?nvid=344506&shu=1

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Check the Morning Skate blog again in just a bit . . . I’ll have the latest from Davidson on Paul Kariya’s attempt to play in the playoffs.

JR