After a summer of celebrating the St. Louis Blues' first Stanley Cup win, the team returned to the ice at the Enterprise Center on Wednesday night for the start of the NHL regular season, playing (and eventually losing to in overtime, but let's not talk about it) the Washington Capitals.
It was a night of firsts: The first time the Blues—ahem, the Stanley Cup–defending champs—brought the Cup onto the ice at home. (They won Game 7 of the finals against the Boston Bruins on the road.) And it was the first time the team got to watch as the Stanley Cup Championship banner was raised over the rink.
Of course, St. Louisans took to Twitter to share their responses. Many were touched by the sight of the Cup and banner on home ice.
Some were funny, like this reference to Brett Hull chanting "We went Blues" at the Stanley Cup parade back in June.
Actually, maybe that slogan is catching on?
We loved this shot of retired Blues National Anthem singer Charles Glenn with a championship ring.
Sadly, it was also the last time that the Blues' victory song, the 1982 hit "Gloria" by Laura Branigan, would play. The team decided to retire it after the home opener. But we'll see...
And, of course, it wouldn't be a St. Louis moment without Panera.
Wait, there's more: Are you for or against the Blues retiring "Gloria"? Vote in our poll below.
