Blues’ fathers enjoying playoff run

St. Louis Blues fans are partying like it’s 1970.

The NHL team has qualified for the Stanley Cup final for the first time in 49 years and three Saskatchewan-born hockey players have been helping lead the way.

Regina’s Tyler Bozak, Saskatoon’s Brayden Schenn and Wilcox’s Jaden Schwartz have been playing key roles in the team’s turnaround and post-season performance. The Blues were in last place in the NHL’s overall standings on Jan. 2.

Bozak and Schenn each scored a goal as the Blues defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-1 on Tuesday night to punch their ticket into the final against the Boston Bruins.

“(There was) lots of screaming going on in the house last night,” Jeff Schenn told 650 CKOM on Wednesday. “When (Brayden) scored, that was great and when they got the win, there was lots of screaming and lots of ‘Gloria’ going on in the house. It was awesome.”

The Blues have adopted the Laura Branigan song as their post-game celebratory anthem. It was booming through the Enterprise Center after Tuesday’s series final.

Bozak’s dad Mitch was in attendance and enjoyed the atmosphere during the clincher.

“If I could bottle up that energy that was in that arena, especially after the game — oh my God it was just crazy, but what a ride it has been,” Mitch told 980 CJME.

It was a surreal moment for a parent to see his kid punch his ticket to play in the biggest series in hockey.

“It’s hard to believe that you’re a part of it when this has happened to you,” Mitch said. “There’s so many good hockey players, so many kids coming up and just being able to experience this and to go this many rounds — we’ve never been involved in it — it’s unbelievable and it’s tough to do.”

Jeff Schenn agreed, saying it’s “just hard to believe (Brayden) gets to do it.” Jeff noted Brayden had never made it past the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs before in his nine-year NHL career.

“He just can’t wait to move on,” Jeff said. “(The Blues) are very focused. We’re going to celebrate and we’re going to have some fun, but they know what their final end goal is and that’s what they’re going to keep chasing.

“He was very excited and he’s ready for the next one.”

With Tyler Bozak scoring the goal to put the Blues up 4-1 and essentially clinching Tuesday’s game, Mitch said it was a great moment to see.

“I’m not going to lie, we were getting high-fives because people knew who we were and getting pictures,” Mitch said. “I felt like the paparazzi was there.”

The Blues are to visit the Bruins in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Stanley Cup final on Monday.