Blues’ Upshall keeps nervous eye on wildfire

6:28 PM ET

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Blues forward Scottie Upshall has numerous family members who live in Fort McMurray, Alberta, including a brother and his fiancée, plus aunts, uncles and nieces.

Playing Game 3 against the Dallas Stars in the second round of the playoffs was a welcome diversion from thoughts about the raging wildfire that has forced the evacuation of about 88,000 residents from Fort McMurray, which is surrounded by wilderness in the heart of Canada’s oil sands region.

“Most of my family was trying not to overplay it at all, but there was nothing to really overplay when something like that happens,” Upshall said.

Upshall’s nieces were among those evacuated, although his brother was in St. Louis with his fiancée to watch the game.

Officials said the fire had destroyed or damaged an estimated 1,600 structures and that efforts to suppress the blaze had failed.

“It’s been a great city, a city that’s survived for many years through some tough times. And for me, growing up there doesn’t seem too long ago,” said Upshall, who is …

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