Before the Blues and Stars started their second round series, Ben Bishop's father, also named Ben, told me that at the end of it all, his son would still be smiling. The younger Bishop has every reason to smile and hold his head high, knowing his individual performance against his hometown team was one for the books.
St. Louis always supports its own, so this series where the Chaminade grad Bishop was pitted against his hometown and former team was just a tad bit awkward.
Bishop grew up going to Blues playoff games at the "old barn", and on Tuesday he played an integral part in one of the greatest games in Blues history.
His dad even told me Ben remembered games at The Arena where the crowd would pile on opposing goalie Ed Belfour, showering him with "BEL-FOUR, BEL-FOUR" chants and how surreal it would be for Bishop to be hearing those chants as an opposing goaltender in his hometown during the playoffs.
Bishop heard those chants loud and clear in game seven, but it didn't seem to phase him.
The Stars' goalie saved 52 of 54 shots the Blues fired at him in game seven, in one of the statistically greatest goalie performances ever.
Only four goaltenders have recorded more saves in a game seven in NHL history.
For Bishop, his historic double overtime outing wasn't good enough, though.
"It's frustrating to lose in an overtime and to be season-ending," Bishop said in the locker room after game seven.
As fate would have it, it was another local product scoring the game-winning goal on Bishop. Oakville's Pat Maroon beat the former Chaminade Red Devil in double overtime.
Bishop said he wouldn't be surprised if the Blues end up going all the way in 2019.
"They're a good team," Bishop said. "They've got a good chance of winning it this year, obviously they've been the best team since January."
Bishop might play for the Dallas Stars and his team might have lost, but St. Louis is still proud of one of their own.
He's nominated for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top net-minder this season. Here's hoping he brings it home so St. Louis can show him some love for his success, when it isn't coming against the hometown Blues.