Teryn's Hot Topics: Blues ratchet up the excitement with rocking debuts, winning ways

Published Mar. 7, 2014 10:44 a.m. ET

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ST. LOUIS -- 'Blues' Olympians getting back to normal, back to winning ways,' now that's a headline I can dig.

FOX Sports Midwest writer Nate Latsch had me at "hello" with that title. I am definitely getting used to winning being the norm for St. Louis.

Speaking of drawing me in, the Blues have done a phenomenal job of keeping people's attention during the second half of this season. First, it was their dominance in the Olympics, then the excitement of returning to the regular season and fighting for their postseason dreams. Now it's the addition of their new star goalie and forward.

It was exciting to witness the home debuts of Ryan Miller and Steve Ott on Tuesday night at Scottrade. The place was rocking and Miller gave fans a show, notching his 38th save for the club by the end of the night.

I just had to laugh when I saw the "Miller Time" graphic come up on the Jumbotron, encouraging people to get up and cheer during the game. St. Louis already has him feeling at home and the Blues are tapping into people's excitement over his arrival. I loved it!

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SLUGGING HIS WORTH

Another St. Louis newcomer also found himself feeling at home this week (against his former team, in fact).

Veteran Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta showed a glimpse of what St. Louis was looking for when the team made the move for the slugger in the offseason. On the very first pitches of Peralta's first two at-bats, he smacked bombs over the outfield fence against the team he was slugging for last year -- the Detroit Tigers.

The Cardinals made spring training headlines again Wednesday in the World Series rematch against the Red Sox. The much-anticipated exhibition was also shown on FOX Sports 1.

Shelby Miller had a chance to shake off the dust and prove he could face Boston (even if he wasn't given the chance in the 2013 World Series). The righty gave up a leadoff homer and made me a little anxious, but he quickly bounced back and looked great the rest of the way.

I am really enjoying these spring training games. It's almost like a daydream for me, transplanting me to warmer weather and sunnier skies. Jupiter in my living room has given me an escape from the snow outside my front door.

BPV TV

I'm really excited to help bring Jupiter to downtown St. Louis on Friday. Kayla and I will be joining Jim Hayes and the FOX Sports Midwest team at Ballpark Village in a special spring training watch party for the construction workers. The guys making the downtown dream a reality have 20 days before the grand opening and are putting the pedal to the metal to get it done.

I am looking forward to giving them a small break and a token of our gratitude with the watch party. Not to mention, it's going to be sweet to watch the giant 36-foot television power on for the first time.

Until now I have seen changes mostly on the inside of Ballpark Village. Now I am seeing loads of progress on the exterior. Several large signs have gone up, including FOX Sports Midwest and Cardinals Nation, changing the look of the downtown skyline. Just driving in over the Poplar Street Bridge you can see the new view.

This was my view from Busch Stadium on Wednesday as I watched the BPV crew hoist some of the new signs up to decorate the outside of the building.

LET THE MADNESS BEGIN

One of my favorite times of the year is right around the corner.

I cannot wait to fill out my bracket! Heck, Kayla and I are already set up in the FOXsports.com March Madness Bracket Challenge, where we will be taking on the other FOX Sports Girls and anyone else who wants to challenge us.

Kicking off the road to the NCAA tournament, this weekend's Missouri Valley Conference's Arch Madness tourney has St. Louis hopping.

Fans from all over the MVC flock to Scottrade every year -- myself included. And though the defending champs (Creighton Bluejays) have left the conference, the MVC hasn't missed a beat.

The undefeated Wichita State Shockers have everyone talking and all eyes are on them in this tourney. Hands down, I predict Wichita State to win this tourney and possibly become a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. But out of the past 23 MVC conference tournaments here in St. Louis, the top-seeded team has won only seven times. WSU has been in that top spot twice (2006, 2012) and lost both times in the semifinals.

Something to keep in mind.

By no means, though, am I rooting for an upset -- in fact, the exact opposite. After all, aren't the Shockers the underdogs already?

You can catch all the tournament action through Saturday's semifinals on FOX Sports Midwest.

MY VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK

Not only does spring training have me dreaming of warmer weather, but I'm also dreaming of getting back out on the links. CAUTION: This video of LPGA golfer Paula Creamer's 75-foot putt could leave you with cravings for the sweet smell of zoysia -- or at the very least make your jaw drop.

Teryn, a journalism graduate of the University of Missouri, is a FOX Sports Midwest Girl. You can follow the FOX Sports Midwest Girls on Facebook (FOX Sports Midwest Girls) and Twitter and Instagram (@FSMidwestGirls).

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