The Blues came into the season thinking they were an improved team from last year. Through 18 games this year, things look awfully similar. After recording the league’s worst record a year ago, the Blues are 5-13 this season. Only three teams in the NHL are doing worse than St. Louis.

St. Louis dropped their second straight game, 6-2 to Edmonton Thursday. Goalie Manny Legacy was pulled for the second time in as many games. He allowed four of 15 shots to score. In two games, he has allowed eight goals on 36 shots.

Legacy’s replacement, Jason Bacashihua, did not fair any better, giving up two goals on 13 attempts.

The Blues, who have had trouble staying out of the penalty box, hurt themselves again. The Oilers had 10 power-play opportunities, scoring on four of them. Ryan Smyth, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Joffrey Lupui, and Fernando Pisani all scored with an advantage.

Smyth scored twice and Ales Hemsky tied a career-high with three assists.

The Cardinals reached an agreement with another member of its championship team. Utility player Scott Spiezio re-signed with the Redbirds for two years worth $4.5 million and a team option for 2009.

Spiezio joins center fielder Jim Edmonds as Cardinals to re-sign. Spiezio came to St. Louis after being released by Seattle last year. He hit .272 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI this season, but his worth came when under pressure. The former World Champ with the Angels hit .304 with runners in scoring position and .367 with two outs in that situation.

Saint Louis University hosted Northwestern in the second round of the NCAA soccer tournament but fell short 1-0 ending its season. The Billikens were the last of the top four seeds in the SLU regional to be upset.

Alex Matteson had a chance to put the Billikens on the board in the 14th minute. Matteson’s shot from 10-yards out was knocked away by Northwestern goalie Justin Pines.

The Wildcats ended the scoreless monotony in the 20th minute when midfielder David Roth put a 30-yard shot in the net. There was a bit of drama that came along with the shot. It hit the bottom of the cross bar, but it fell behind SLU’s goalie and ruled a goal.

SLU finished their season 13-5-2.

Missouri used pressure defense and productive bench play to wear down Lipscomb in an 89-69 win Thursday. The Tigers defense forced 21 turnovers, many of which turned into fast-break baskets. Reserve guard Keon Lawrence scored a team-high 17 points, while Marshall Brown pitched in 15 points for the starters.

Mike Anderson has his team rolling at 4-0. He is the first Missouri coach to start his career with four consecutive wins since George Bond did it in 2002-03.

Mizzou was even able to make shots when no one as guarding them, which was a problem the first three games. After making only 48 percent of its free-throws the first two games, Mizzou nailed 77 percent against the Bison.

Kalen Grimes struggled in the game despite having a noticeable size advantage. He was coming off back-to-back double-doubles, but was scoreless in the first half and ended with six points and six rebounds in 14 minutes.

The Tigers are back at Mizzou Arena Sunday when they host Davidson.