ST. LOUIS, MO – Never count the defending champs out, especially when their defensive leader returns after a six-game suspension. Duncan Keith contributed Chicago’s 1st goal and assisted on the game-winner to knot their series with St. Louis. The teams head to Chicago for Game Three Sunday afternoon at the United Center.
Both teams carried over their stingy play from Game One by combining for just 9 shots in the opening frame. St. Louis held the edge 7-2 as neither team lit the lamp.
Play opened up in the second period, though, on a broken play in the Chicago zone. With just less than five minutes remaining in the period, St. Louis’ Jori Lehtera pestered Michal Rosival to the side of the Blackhawks goal, eventually causing a turnover. Lehtera fed the puck to Jaden Schwartz who slid the puck into the slot where a streaking Vladimir Tarasenko netted the even strength goal. It was the first regulation goal of the series.
Chicago answered with just five second left in the period. Chicago captain Jonathan Toews won the draw and pulled the puck back to Patrick Kane. The NHL’s regular season scoring king sent the puck back to a waiting Duncan Keith. The backline anchor blasted a drive past Blues goalie Brian Elliott who was screened on the play. The period ended in a 1-1 tie, but with much more action as the teams combined for 32 shots.
Just more than twelve minutes into the period, the first controversial play took shape. As St. Louis advanced the play into the Chicago zone, what would have been Vladimir Tarasenko’s second goal of the game was called back on an offside call which was confirmed using the blue line video camera. While close, it was clear the goal should not be allowed.
With just more than four minutes later, Chicago continued where they left off in the third. With Tarasenko off for slashing, the Blackhawks pounded the St. Louis net with Andrew Shaw banging home the loose puck on the second rebound to give the defending Champions the 2-1 lead. The play was challenged, but eventually rules a good goal since the puck was in the crease and loose when Shaw pursued it.
Artemi Panarin made it 3-1 late before Kevin Shattenkirk narrowed the score to 3-2, but it was too late for St. Louis. Chicago, with their defensive leader joining the line-up after a six-game suspension, regained control of the series and now head home for the next two game in the series.
Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford finished the game with 29 saves on 31 shots, some at key times in the contest. Blues goalie Brian Elliott stopped 26 of 29 shots in the losing cause.
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