ST LOUIS, Missouri – The Blues spent the week on a three game road trip. They would open play Monday evening in Columbus before traveling to Western Conference leading San Jose and ending their road trip at Los Angeles against the Kings Saturday afternoon. All three of this week’s opponents currently sit in playoff contention and are proving to be legitimate contenders.
The St. Louis Blues opened game one of a three game road trip on a sour note. R.J. Umberger made easy work of St. Louis scoring three of his team’s five goals and contributing an assist as well. Quiet veteran Paul Kariya scored midway through the second period to tie the game; however from there it was Umberger’s game as he would lead the Jackets to victory.
After a good beating from R.J. Umberger and company in Columbus, the Blues made their way to Northern California to face off against the best team in the Western Conference. The San Jose Sharks have had everyone’s number this year and the Blues have been no exception. However, Thursday evening with Ty Conklin in net, the St. Louis Blues proved that they are not a poor team, nor are they lacking ability. For the Blues proved that there is a very talented collection of young players, learning how to properly execute at the NHL level. The Blues would once again claw their way into overtime and then into the shoot out where they would defeat the Sharks for the win.
The St. Louis Blues ended their California road trip following the familiar pattern. Paul Kariya scored twice in the latter moments of the game to send the Blues into the overtime tilt against the impressive Kings. In the shootout the Blues found the promise land scoring twice and holding Los Angeles to no scores. The Blues improved their record this week going 2-1-0 to a record of 12-10-5 as they begin to climb above the .500 mark.
Schedule Results of the Past Week: November 30, 2009 (10-10-5) Columbus 4, Blues 2
Scoring – 1st Period 02:04 CBJ Kris Russell (1) – Assists: D. MacKenzie (3) & R. Torres (5) 04:13 CBJ R.J. Umberger (7) Assists: J. Voracek (10) & K. Russell (5) 19:50 STL PPG – Erik Johnson (4) – Assists: none
2nd Period 09:38 STL Paul Kariya (6) – Assists: T. Oshie (9) & D. Backes (6) 3rd Period 05:20 CBJ R.J. Umberger (8) Wrist Shot – Assists: D. Brassard (13) 19:25 CBJ EN – Antoine Vermette (7) – Assists: R. Umberger (10) 19:41 CBJ R.J. Umberger- Assists: none
Goalies StL – Chris Mason (L, 22/25) CBJ – Steve Mason (W, 27/29) December 3, 2009 (10-10-5) Blues 3, San Jose 2 (SO) (11-10-5) Scoring – 1st Period 01:19 SJS Dany Heatley (19) – Assists: J. Thornton (33) & R. Blake (6) 11:06 STL Jay McClement (5) – Assists: A. Steen (2)
2nd Period 05:54 SJS Joe Pavelski (4) – Assists: D. Murray (4) & R. Clowe (14) 3rd Period 19:53 STL SHG – Carlo Colaiacovo (3) – Assists: K. Tkachuk (9) & D. Perron (8)
Overtime (none)
Shoot out Blues win 3-2
Goalies StL – Ty Conklin (W, 32/34) SJS – Evgeni Nabokov (L, 28/30)
December 5, 2009 (11-10-5) Blues 5, Los Angeles 4 (SO) (12-10-5)
Scoring – 1st Period 14:36 LAK SHG – Brad Richardson (3) – Assists: J. Stoll (14)
2nd Period 03:32 STL Keith Tkachuk (6) – Assists: D. Perron (9) 11:54 STL Brad Boyes (7) – Assists: B. Crombeen (4) & J. McClement (5) 12:54 LAK Scott Parse (3) – Assists: M. Handzus (7) & W. Simmonds (9)
3rd Period 08:31 LAK Jarret Stoll (8) – Assists: S. Parse (7) & W. Simmonds (10) 08:58 STL Paul Kariya (7) – Assists: B. Jackman (5) & D. Backes (7) 17:40 STL PPG – Paul Kariya (8) – Assists: E. Johnson (15) & P. Berglund (3) 19:26 LAK Alexander Frolov (7) – Assists: D. Doughty (15) & A. Kopitar (21)
Overtime (none)
Shoot out St. Louis wins shoot out 2-0
Goalies StL – Chris Mason (W, 36/40) LAK – Jonathan Quick (L, 27/31)
Upcoming Weeks Schedule: December 7, 2009 verse Colorado December 9, 2009 at Detroit December 11, 2009 verse Edmonton
Team News: Eric Brewer has been sidelined once again with a back injury. Brewer’s injury is said to be unrelated to his previous injury and will be expected to miss up to a month recovering. The veteran defenseman and team Captain has amassed three points in twelve games this season.
Blues Clues: Four of the St. Louis Blues last six games have gone into the shoot out. They won three of those contests. What does this mean? Well it simply means this: One quarter of the Blues wins have come in their last six games via the shoot out. Previously the Blues had yet to win on the shoot out and had managed only one overtime win all season (November 19, 2009 against Phoenix). The Blues are proving to be a young capable team that will only continue to improve. While there may be frustration and heartache associated with this, it is the way a young team becomes a winning team.
Quote of the Week: From Brad Pascall director of Hockey Canada on the NHL Network about Alex Pietrangelo joining the Canadian Junior World Cup team:
“In the case of Alex, I had good discussions with Doug Armstrong and Larry Pleau and Al MacInnis,” said Brad Pascall, Hockey Canada’s senior director of men’s national teams. “It’s up to them to make the decision in what’s best for the St. Louis Blues and the development of their player. We were wanting to see if he was eligible and they informed us over the last couple days that he would be made available.”
You may contact the author at: John.Strathman@prohockeynews.com
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