Wednesday, April 5, 2000 | 5:35 a.m.


Kimble, Otters start playoffs Friday
By Joe Lyons
Of The Post-Dispatch



Darin Kimble says playing for the River Otters is "the ideal situation for me right now."

Well, almost.

"If I were making NHL money and getting this kind of ice time, I'd be set," Kimble said. "But I'm really enjoying myself. I'm getting a chance to play, and I feel like I've been able to help the team."

Kimble and the River Otters enter postseason play at 6:05 p.m. Friday against Mohawk Valley in Utica, N.Y. Game 2 is at 7:15 p.m. Saturday at Family Arena. Game 3, if necessary, will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Family Arena. All games are broadcast on KSLQ (104.5 FM).

A true heavyweight, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Kimble played parts of seven seasons, including two with the Blues, in the NHL. He amassed 1,082 penalty minutes in 311 games with the then-Quebec Nordiques, the Blues, the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks. He scored 23 goals and had 20 assists.

"There's no question I made it to the NHL by fighting," said Kimble, 31, who last played in the NHL in 1994-95. "I had a role to fill, and I did what I had to do."

Kimble started this season with the Peoria Rivermen of the East Coast Hockey League but suffered a knee injury in the team's second game.

"By the time I got back, they'd added some younger players," he said. "Since I was at the higher end of the salary scale, I was let go."

Kimble contacted another former Blues player, Mark Reeds, the head coach for the River Otters.

"We didn't sign Darin to come in and beat up the United Hockey League," Reeds said. "We signed him for his leadership and his experience, and he's really done a nice job for us."

In 24 games, Kimble has 10 goals and 14 assists.

Kimble has had two fights and has totaled 49 penalty minutes with the Otters.

The River Otters are 2-1-1 against the Prowlers this season, going 1-1 at home and 1-0-1 in Utica.

Tickets for home games, priced from $8 to $25, are available at the Family Arena box office, the Otters Den on North Main in St. Charles and at all Metrotix locations. To purchase tickets by phone, call Metrotix at 314-534-1111.