Blues Top ‘Canes in OT

Game #7 vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Starting the season off slow, the St. Louis Blues need to gain some rhythm for their erratic play. The Carolina Hurricanes came into town looking for their fourth win in a row. As the Stewart brothers faced each other for the first time, St. Louis beat Carolina 3-2 in extra time.

Going into overtime tied at two, the Blues had already secured one point and were driving toward another. Barret Jackman took a hooking penalty sixteen seconds into the added time. Shorthanded St. Louis found excellent penalty killing from David Backes and TJ Oshie along with exceptional net minding by Brian Elliott, who finished stopping 27 of 29 shots. This includes pulling a puck back from behind his shoulder to save the game half way through overtime.

The winner was decided not from the TJ Oshie and Chris Stewart duo which featured a dazzling attempt by Stewart who toe-dragged the puck around Jeff Skinner but was denied by Cam Ward. Nor did it come from the Alex Steen and Jason Arnott pairing which pressured almost their entire shift. The Blues got their third win of the season with a top notch pass from Vladimir Sobotka to Matt D’Agostini who scored the game-wining goal. Alex Pietrangelo was tailed by two ‘Canes, one of which lost his man in Sobotka who was left down low by himself. Sobotka whistled a feed past Tomas Kaberle on to the stick of a waiting D’Agostini who buried it with ease.

The Hurricanes broke the ice on the score sheet early in the first and found themselves with a two goal lead early in the second. Jay Harrison received a point pass from Jiri Tlusty. Not hesitating, Harrison let one go that beat a screened Elliott for the first goal of the game. On the next goal, the Blues defense was pressing when Berglund faced a rushing Brandon Sutter. A quick tip of the puck around Berglund left Sutter all alone who finished the play above Elliott’s blocker..

This is when veteran leadership is needed most. The slow start of the season coupled with losing at home can drain a team’s morale fast. Jamie Langenbrunner took control of a game that could have been another disappointing night. Just over five minutes into the second, Langenbrunner skated the puck in on the boards and split the defense for a quality chance that was knocked to the corner. But the veteran relentlessly pursued the puck grabbing it again to get another shot on Ward. This shot was blocked as well, but the rebound gave Arnott an open opportunity. With his third goal of the season and sixth point in seven games, Arnott got the Blues back in the game.

The captain of the Blues then took on his role scoring late in the second to tie the game. D’Agostini’s strong forecheck allowed Backes to get the puck high in the zone. Backes ripped a shot that was blocked by Bryan Allen. The wounded defender allowed the puck to be grabbed by Backes again, who may have attempted a pass to an open Oshie. Tim Gleason attempted to stop the pass, or the wide shot, but inadvertently knocked the puck into his own net. Ward, who stopped 40 of 43, had a strong night but could only watch as the puck slid by him.

Up Next: Saturday at Philadelphia Flyers