Full circle for Stars’ Bishop

DALLAS — It wasn’t all that long ago Ben Bishop was the one mock chanting the name of Ed Belfour while sitting in the stands at Enterprise Center.

But through the first two games of the Central Division final between his Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues, it was Bishop’s name that was being chanted by the fans in his hometown.

And for the record, no, they’re not rooting for the St. Louis product as he goes head-to-head with the Blues.

“You don’t think about it during the game, but now, you can chuck le about it ,” said Bishop. “It’s pretty crazy to think you were that kid up therein St. Louis, screaming (Ed) Belfour’s name and now, you’re on the ice and they’re screaming your name. “Never in a million years would I have thought that when I was watching playoff games as a kid that I would be in the net playing against the Blues. But it’s pretty neat now.”

What does Bishop think of the shoe being on the other foot?

“It’s awesome. I love it, it reminds me of college,” said Bishop, who played three seasons at the University of Maine before turning pro. “When you play college, you have them (the fans) all over you all game. That’s what is so much fun about the playoffs. The hockey is better, but the crowds and the atmospheres are that much better. That’s the coolest part about this game, to be able to play in these playoffs and to have the fans be as rowdy as they are, with how emotional the games are, it doesn’t even compare to a regular season game.”

The series shifts to American Airlines Center in Dallas for the next two games, including Monday night.