St. Louis is a sports city. It is known for its love of baseball, hockey, and football, but Blues fans are often overlooked by other NHL fans. Although the Blues aren’t the best team in the league, their fans are the best.

It is easy to love a team like the Pittsburgh Penguins or the New York Rangers with players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Rick Nash, Henrik Lundqvist, and many others. If you love the Washington Capitals no one will ever judge you just because Alex Ovechkin plays there. In the West, teams like the Detroit Red Wings have always had flocks of fans and no one would judge them now with Pavel Datysuk and Henrik Zetterberg. The same goes for the Chicago Blackhawks who have a rich history and all-stars like Patrick Kane and Maria Hossa. The Los Angeles Kings won the cup, no issues finding fans there. The Phoenix Coyotes made it to the Conference Finals last year and they don’t even know if they are going to stay in Glendale, but the fans came out to support them and no one thought anything of it. I could go on and on about other teams in the league, but none have the situation that the we have.

The St. Louis Blues, they don’t have a well recognized all-star. Sure, soon Alex Pietrangelo will be a star, but he isn’t yet and his play has shown it. Jay Bouwmeester may have a big name, but this was his first season in the playoffs. Jaroslav Halak is better well-known for his short stint in the playoffs with Montreal than anything he has done in St. Louis. The Blues have a ton of first round picks on their roster, but none of them have turned into a Steven Stamkos or Jeff Carter. No superstar means no widespread attention in the NHL.

Its not just the players that hold St. Louis back. Sure, the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t won a cup in now 46 years, the same length as the Blues, but at least they have won a cup in the past. The St. Louis Blues hold the record for the longest drought without winning a cup. It is not easy to be a Blues fan, but that is what makes Blues’ fans the best in the NHL.

We don’t count on winning the cup; we are happy to just make the playoffs. Beating a team like the Blackhawks twice this season is more of a triumph that it would be for any other team in the league. Blues fans love the game, they love their team, and they love the sport. No one has ever said it was easy to cheer for the Blues, but that is what makes us special.

I would love to see David Backes lifting the cup, but if it doesn’t happen I will still be a Blues fan. Even if they don’t win a cup during my lifetime, I will still put on my jersey with pride, go to as many games as possible, and loudly proclaim “LET’S GO BLUES!”

So as we watch the playoffs unfold and witness history in the making, just remember that what we have in St. Louis is something special. In cities like Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and many others, if their team couldn’t win they wouldn’t have any fans. We love our team whether they win or lose. We love our team because it is a symbol of this city. We love our team because of our involvement with the team. Just ask the Cardinals if any other city is as great as St. Louis. Guys like Albert Pujols will be quick to let you know there is no city like St. Louis.

Don’t give up the hope, don’t get discouraged this or any other year. Remember that this is our team and, win or lose, they belong to us. Share how much you love this team in the comments below or let us know on Facebook.

Now say it with me, LET’S GO BLUES!

-Alex Hodschayan