January 2, 2010
Jeff Ponder
Davis Payne could not make an immediate impact on his new hockey club.
Hours after Blues President John Davidson announced that the team had relieved Andy Murray of his head coaching duties and replaced him with AHL coach Davis Payne, the Blues felt the sting of yet another home loss. Chicago lit up the scorecard in this game, winning 6-3. The loss gives the Blues a 6-14-3 record at home, which ranks as the worst home record in the NHL.
"There's work to be done," said Payne. "It hurts in any language, in any league. It's disappointing."
Tomas Kopecky opened the scoring early, deflecting in a Brent Seabrook shot from the point. He would add another just over three minutes later on a wrist shot that he used Blues defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo as a screen. Later, the Slovak added an assist, giving him his first three-point game in his four-season NHL career.
"It always feels great when you score," Kopecky said. "It helps the team especially when you win. It was a great feeling."
The Blues had quite the scary moment late in the third period, when forward T.J. Oshie took a high slap shot from the blue line. The puck traveled through traffic, and found the face of veteran Keith Tkachuk. After striking the player, it squirted through the pads of Chicago net-minder Cristobal Huet, who immediately called for the medical staff despite the goal being scored. Keith got up and skated straight to the bench, trickling blood all along the way. There is no word on his condition.
Eric Brewer and Andy McDonald also added goals for the Blues, both coming in the first period. Brian Campbell and Kris Versteeg also had goals for the Blackhawks, and Patrick Sharp added two goals in the third period to seal the deal for Chicago.
The Blackhawks still control the Central Division, adding to their superfluous record of 28-10-3. The Blues remain teetering around the .500 mark, ranking fourth in the Central with a 17-18-6. Chicago returns home on Sunday to face the Anaheim Ducks, while the Blues will have a three-day break before doing a West Coast swing starting Wednesday in San Jose.
Showing posts with label St. Louis Blues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Louis Blues. Show all posts
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
St. Louis Blues - 5 Carolina Hurricanes - 2
October 28, 2009
Jeff Ponder
The Blues were happy to receive some southern hospitality in RBC Center Wednesday night.
After losing to the Dallas Stars on home ice 4-1 Saturday night, the Blues came into Carolina with some vengeance. The visiting team notched 3 goals in the first period en route to a 5-2 victory over the struggling Hurricanes, who extended their winless streak to seven games.
David Perron opened the scoring in the game, getting the goal on a hard-nosed effort from line-mate Patrik Berglund. The Swedish forward took a hard shot from the face-off circle, then stayed with the puck and shoved it in front of the net where Perron poked it behind Hurricane net-minder Cam Ward.
Minutes later, center Yan Stastny, just recalled from Peoria of the AHL, scored on his first shot of the season after teammate Cam Janssen caused a turnover with a big hit in the offensive zone. The third goal came just :16 later, when Perron sent Jay McClement on a breakaway who lifted it over Ward for a quick 3-0 lead.
The Blues also got a goal from Andy McDonald and an empty-netter from Perron, marking his third point of the night and sixth point in three games. Perron attributes his success Wednesday night to his teammates' willingness to win puck battles..
"I think it's just working harder than the other team," Perron said. "Even though we got outshot, the two points is what we needed to get. We just have to keep playing like that."
Blues goalie Chris Mason stopped 34 of 36 shots, improving to 3-3-1 on the season.
"He's the main reason we came back last year and made the playoffs," Perron said about his goaltender. "He's gotten off to a great start, and he's our best player every night. We've got to have him like that all year."
The Hurricanes received goals from Joe Corvo and Scott Walker, both coming on the power-play.
"You can't break down defensively the way we did," Carolina coach Paul Maurice said of his team after the loss. "We haven't respected the defensive part of the game."
The Blues will return home Thursday night to take on the Phoenix Coyotes, who are 1-2-0 in their last three games and 7-4-0 on the season.
Jeff Ponder
The Blues were happy to receive some southern hospitality in RBC Center Wednesday night.
After losing to the Dallas Stars on home ice 4-1 Saturday night, the Blues came into Carolina with some vengeance. The visiting team notched 3 goals in the first period en route to a 5-2 victory over the struggling Hurricanes, who extended their winless streak to seven games.
David Perron opened the scoring in the game, getting the goal on a hard-nosed effort from line-mate Patrik Berglund. The Swedish forward took a hard shot from the face-off circle, then stayed with the puck and shoved it in front of the net where Perron poked it behind Hurricane net-minder Cam Ward.
Minutes later, center Yan Stastny, just recalled from Peoria of the AHL, scored on his first shot of the season after teammate Cam Janssen caused a turnover with a big hit in the offensive zone. The third goal came just :16 later, when Perron sent Jay McClement on a breakaway who lifted it over Ward for a quick 3-0 lead.
The Blues also got a goal from Andy McDonald and an empty-netter from Perron, marking his third point of the night and sixth point in three games. Perron attributes his success Wednesday night to his teammates' willingness to win puck battles..
"I think it's just working harder than the other team," Perron said. "Even though we got outshot, the two points is what we needed to get. We just have to keep playing like that."
Blues goalie Chris Mason stopped 34 of 36 shots, improving to 3-3-1 on the season.
"He's the main reason we came back last year and made the playoffs," Perron said about his goaltender. "He's gotten off to a great start, and he's our best player every night. We've got to have him like that all year."
The Hurricanes received goals from Joe Corvo and Scott Walker, both coming on the power-play.
"You can't break down defensively the way we did," Carolina coach Paul Maurice said of his team after the loss. "We haven't respected the defensive part of the game."
The Blues will return home Thursday night to take on the Phoenix Coyotes, who are 1-2-0 in their last three games and 7-4-0 on the season.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
St. Louis Blues - 1 Pittsburgh Penguins - 5
October 20, 2009
Jeff Ponder
The Penguins Offense Clinic is now open for business.
Evgeni Malkin led the way with 12 shots on goal as the Penguins blasted 43 shots toward St. Louis goaltending. Both Blues goalies Chris Mason and Ty Conklin faced a grueling 5-1 route at the hands of the red-hot Penguins.
The defending Stanley Cup Champions improve to 8-1-0 on the season, placing them first in the Atlantic Division with a 2-point lead over the New York Rangers.
“When our four lines are going and everybody’s clicking and playing well together, we can be a tough team to beat,” Penguins defenseman Jay McKee said after his first game against his former club. “I think most teams, probably for good reasons, focus on Sidney and Geno (Malkin), and I think that’s playing to our advantage. We’re not just getting production from them; it’s everybody.”
Tyler Kennedy notched the first goal of the game at the 11:19 mark of the first period. It was a perfectly placed slap shot that found its way over goaltender Chris Mason's shoulder for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Not too shabby for a player projected to be on the third line all season.
The Penguins were clicking on all cylinders, as Evgeni Malkin, Ruslan Fedotenko, Matt Cooke and Alex Goligoski all had goals of their own. Paul Kariya had the lone goal for the Blues, which came after the Penguins already had a 4-0 lead.
“Unfortunately it took four (goals against) before we started playing real hockey,” Blues forward David Backes said after the game.
The Penguins' strong play seemed to be a surprise to the Blues lineup. The team skated all over the Anaheim Ducks in their last game, blanking the California team 5-0 Saturday night.
“For us not to be ready to play the defending Stanley Cup champions is unacceptable,” starter Chris Mason said, who saw 35 shots come his way in the first 2 periods before sitting the third. “We come off a good second and third period in Anaheim against a very good team. I don’t know if we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves and getting a little cocky and thinking that it should be easier than it really is. … To come out like we did against these guys, this is what’s going to happen.”
Even with the loss, Backes graciously gave credit to the Penguins' dominating play but still had some harsh words for his team.
“You give up 20 shots in the first period and 45 in the game with a team that has as much talent, skill and drive that the Penguins have, it’s going to be tough road to hoe,” Backes said.
The Blues will return home Friday night to take on the Minnesota Wild at 7:00 CDT. Tickets are still available for the Western Conference match-up.
Jeff Ponder
The Penguins Offense Clinic is now open for business.
Evgeni Malkin led the way with 12 shots on goal as the Penguins blasted 43 shots toward St. Louis goaltending. Both Blues goalies Chris Mason and Ty Conklin faced a grueling 5-1 route at the hands of the red-hot Penguins.
The defending Stanley Cup Champions improve to 8-1-0 on the season, placing them first in the Atlantic Division with a 2-point lead over the New York Rangers.
“When our four lines are going and everybody’s clicking and playing well together, we can be a tough team to beat,” Penguins defenseman Jay McKee said after his first game against his former club. “I think most teams, probably for good reasons, focus on Sidney and Geno (Malkin), and I think that’s playing to our advantage. We’re not just getting production from them; it’s everybody.”
Tyler Kennedy notched the first goal of the game at the 11:19 mark of the first period. It was a perfectly placed slap shot that found its way over goaltender Chris Mason's shoulder for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Not too shabby for a player projected to be on the third line all season.
The Penguins were clicking on all cylinders, as Evgeni Malkin, Ruslan Fedotenko, Matt Cooke and Alex Goligoski all had goals of their own. Paul Kariya had the lone goal for the Blues, which came after the Penguins already had a 4-0 lead.
“Unfortunately it took four (goals against) before we started playing real hockey,” Blues forward David Backes said after the game.
The Penguins' strong play seemed to be a surprise to the Blues lineup. The team skated all over the Anaheim Ducks in their last game, blanking the California team 5-0 Saturday night.
“For us not to be ready to play the defending Stanley Cup champions is unacceptable,” starter Chris Mason said, who saw 35 shots come his way in the first 2 periods before sitting the third. “We come off a good second and third period in Anaheim against a very good team. I don’t know if we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves and getting a little cocky and thinking that it should be easier than it really is. … To come out like we did against these guys, this is what’s going to happen.”
Even with the loss, Backes graciously gave credit to the Penguins' dominating play but still had some harsh words for his team.
“You give up 20 shots in the first period and 45 in the game with a team that has as much talent, skill and drive that the Penguins have, it’s going to be tough road to hoe,” Backes said.
The Blues will return home Friday night to take on the Minnesota Wild at 7:00 CDT. Tickets are still available for the Western Conference match-up.
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