The clouds remained but the rain slowed before puck drop at the 2017 Winter Classic. Vladimir Tarasenko shined bright with two goals to lead the Blues to a 4-1 victory over Chicago.
Photo by: Brianna O’Hara
The rain soaked 46,556 fans had to wait awhile to cheer on their home team but in the end they were rewarded. After an unsuccessful breakaway and hitting the post on a power play the Russian went to work.
Photo by: Brianna O’Hara
Tarasenko scored the game-winning goal on a pass attempt. The puck hit defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson’s left skate and slid into the net 12:05 into the final period. He added an insurance goal less than 113 seconds later with a wrist shot, beating Corey Crawford’s glove.
“Once in a lifetime. It’s just to say that it’s really cool and I was really happy to win tonight, especially to make all our Blues fans happy here,” said Tarasenko “And it was probably the most, best feeling when you win the game. Thanks fans for the support.”
The Blackhawks are full of outdoor game veterans, but it was rookie Michal Kempny who started the scoring. Artemi Panarin skated the puck through the zone and found his defenseman at the blue line. Kempny’s slapshot found the back of the net 63-seconds into the game-the second fastest goal in Winter Classic history.
“I thought he’s come back, played well. Great shot right off the bat,” said head coach Joel Quenneville. “He got us going there.”
The Blues spent most of the opening period feeling out their surroundings. Even a late first period power play couldn’t get the home team off the ground.
Photo by: Brianna O’Hara
The second period was a 180 degree turn. The Blues dominated play with puck control and 15 shots. Physical play amped up a majority of the period as each team traded whacks.
David Perron buzzed the crease and tripped up Corey Crawford, making contact with his left leg. Next time by the crease Crawford returned fire with a two hand slash across the forward’s arms.
The fans inside the home of the Cardinals got their first chance to cheer when Patrik Berglund took a perfect pass from Jay Bouwmeester and fired it over the goalie’s left pad. The secondary assist was credited to Alexander Steen-his 300th helper and 500th career point. Steen would finish the scoring with an empty net goal for his second point of the game.
Each team had a different take on the ice conditions at Busch Stadium. The victorious Blues felt things went smooth.
Photo by: Brianna O’Hara
“First was tough especially with the rain; your sticks get wet and everything is puddling around,” said captain Alex Pietrangelo. “Once the rain stopped and everything froze over it actually wasn’t too bad for us. Pretty impressive how they can get the ice in that condition.”
Chicago didn’t make excuses, but saw the surface in a different way.
“The ice was pretty bad. It was bouncing all over the place but it’s the same for both teams obviously,” said Crawford. “You just try to not make the risky plays, we played that way the whole game but just couldn’t get anything going.”
The Blues picked up an important two points in the standings. Their coach felt they played a great game despite all the distractions.
“I thought we played great today,” said Ken Hitchcock. “We ground on them hard and did a great job getting pucks deep. I thought we played a really smart,
Photo by: Brianna O’Hara
sound hockey game and quite frankly deserved to win.”
While the Blues enjoyed their first time outdoors, Chicago may want to ask the NHL to stop sending them into the elements. They dropped their third straight outdoor game and fourth of the five they have been a part of.
GAME TIDBITS:
- The 9th Winter Classic was the 2nd warmest with a game time temperature of 46.7 degrees.
- Bobby and Brett Hull dropped the ceremonial first puck.
- With 21 regular season outdoor games in the books, over 600 players and coaches have participated.
- Close to 2,000 gallons of hot chocolate were served.
- The crowd of 46,556 was the second biggest for a Winter Classic held in a baseball stadium behind the 2012 game in Philadelphia.
- The event is expected to generate $18.5 million for the St. Louis Region.
- All but two Blues players made their debut in an NHL regular-season outdoor game. Defensemen Carl Gunnarsson and Jay Bouwmeester are the only players with previous outdoor experience.
- The Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews appeared in their fifth career NHL regular-season outdoor game, tying Brad Richards for the most among all players.
Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam_PHN and you can always send an email to adam.minnick@prohockeynews.com
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