A St. Louis circuit judge issued a...

A St. Louis circuit judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the city from shutting down the St. Louis Blues before their National Hockey League opener tonight.

Billie Bouykins, St. Louis license collector, had threatened to close the Blues’ ticket office if the club did not pay almost $300,000 in amusement taxes owed the city from last season and this year’s exhibition season.

The Blues, who posted a $350,000 bond as a condition for the restraining order, maintained that the amusement tax is unconstitutional, but claim they will settle their bill if a court decides otherwise.