Growing up in South City, I knew that if we were going to be driving on Hampton Avenue near The Arena in the 1980's or early 1990's, we best not be doing so on a night the Blues were playing...because we'd be caught in a 10 p.m. traffic jam near the corner of Hampton and Oakland...right where Schmie Zing's used to be.

That's where Blues fans used to congregate pre- and post-game for beverages, and if you talk to anyone who was part of the Schmie Zing's experience, they'd tell you it was actually as much a part of going to a Blues' game as the game itself.

These days, however, there really isn't a place where you know you can go pre- or post-game as part of the Blues' experience.

It's my belief that the Blues are on the verge of another 1980's/1990's/early part of 2000's playoff run. The Stanley Cup may not make its way down Market Street in 2009, but there is a base of great, young talent along with a management group who, as my father would say, understands the program. And, therefore, fans will be flocking down to the Scottrade Center this year and for years to come.

But, with the closing of 14th and Clark to the public this season and Federko's over at the Sheraton no longer in business, fans need a place to drink...

...and to eat...

...and to park...

...and to provide them with a shuttle to the Scottrade Center.

And, this Friday night...and possibly for more nights to come this hockey season...you can get all of that...all for one price...at Paddy O's.

That's right. Paddy O's...the place you associate with baseball more than you associate Jason Alexander with George Costanza.

But, here's the deal:

The guys from Paddy O's approached us at insideSTL.com about doing some events during the offseason. I suggested that the move would be to become the place to go for Blues' fans pre- and post-game...as there currently really isn't a place to go. And, furthermore, if they could, use all of those parking spaces near the ballpark that will sit empty from now until next April as a place for Blues' fans to park...and provide a shuttle for fans to take from Paddy O's directly to the Scottrade Center.

And, so that's exactly what we're doing for this Friday night's opener against Nashville.

But, we're going to take it a step further with the insideSTL.com Ticket Package. You're not going to just get a place to park, a shuttle to the game, and a ticket; you're also going to get a free pre-game buffet and (in bringing me back to my college days at Missouri and The Fieldhouse) a bottomless cup...which you can fill with draft beer and well drinks from 5:30 p.m. all the way until 90 minutes after the game.

So, let me lay it out for you:

Courtesy of The Ticket Guys and Paddy O's, with the insideSTL.com All-Inclusive Hockey Night In St. Louis Ticket Package, you get:

-a ticket to the game

-free parking at Paddy O's

-free shuttle to and from the Scottrade Center

-free pre-game buffet

-free draft beer and well drinks from 5:30 all the way until 90 minutes after the game

You probably are thinking a) this is too good to be true...and b) if it is true, the prices have to be absolutely insane.

Well, it is true...and the prices are ridiculously cheap...especially when you consider what you'd be spending for parking, a shuttle, pre- and post-game drinks, and pre-game food.

You can get all of this---ALL of it---with a couple clicks of your mouse for a grand total of $55.

You can park for free, be eating and drinking for 2 hours before faceoff, take a shuttle to the game, enjoy the Blues-Predators, and then take a shuttle back to Paddy O's where you'll drink for free for another 90 minutes...all for $55.

The $55 would give you Mezzanine End tickets.

If you wanted to get Plaza End tickets, the insideSTL.com Package would be a total of $87. Plaza Centers would be $112.

And, if you wanted to go with the 100% all-inclusive package (free food and drink all night at both Paddy O's and the Scottrade Center), you could get the Club End tickets for $112, the Club Corner tickets for $122, the Club Center tickets for $137, and finally On The Glass tickets (that's literally the first four rows of seats from the ice) for $162.

I'm not sure how long we'll have these insideSTL.com All-Inclusive Hockey Night In St. Louis Packages available, so if you're interested, it's in your best interest to click HERE.

You'll be taken to the insideSTL.com page with all of the pricing options...and then to The Ticket Guys website where you'll be able to complete the purchase.

On Friday night, bring your receipt to Paddy O's before the game starting at 5:30, present your receipt at the front, and you'll receive your tickets, bottomless cup, and pass to board the shuttle over to the Scottrade Center for the 7:30 faceoff to open up the season.

It's the perfect way to enjoy a Blues game in St. Louis...with all the hassle of parking, walking to the Scottrade Center, and buying ridiculously expensive food and drinks at bars/restaurants around the building all taken out of the equation. We'll see how the first one goes, but if Friday night is a success at Paddy O's, this will be the first of what we hope to be many insideSTL.com Hockey Nights In St. Louis.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to email me at tmckernan@insidestl.com.