The 2012-2013 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks had clearly come to play and defend their title in Game 1. However, bitter Division Rival the St. Louis Blues sent a clear “Not in OUR HOUSE” message in one of the most exciting opening games for the 2013-2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Games in a while. The Blues out shot the Hawks 52 to 42 in a grinder that sets the stage for what’s going to be a tough, exciting playoff season for the NHL.
1st Period
St. Louis scored first blood at 4:40 with a tip in by Forward Adam Cracknell off of a Maxim LaPierre assist (cue Canuckleheads groaning at their former player in the playoffs). However, this was a rough one for Blues Goaltender Ryan Miller. Miller looked very shaky as he allowed goals by the Blackhawks at 11:14 by Defenceman Johnny Oduya, a PowerPlay Goal from Defenceman Brent Seabrook at 14:39 and star forward Patrick Kane at 18:24. The Seabrook goal was the result of an interference call against Blues’ Defenceman Barret Jackman to Seabrook. St. Louis scored another goal at 15:52 thanks to forward Vladimir Tarasenko, who nailed a brilliant wrist shot off of an assist from Defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues’ had one Power Play at 16:10 when the Hawks’ Forward Patrick Sharp cross-checked Shattenkirk.
Shattenkirk.
2nd Period
This period was heavily defensive and featured a trade-off of one penalty for each team: St. Louis Defenceman Jordan Leopold hooked Chicago Forward Michal Handzus, and Hawks Forward Kris Versteeg tripped Blues Forward Steve Ott. No goals for either team, but you could cut the tension with a knife as the Blues were behind the 8-ball against the Stanley Cup Champs.
3rd Period
St. Louis made up ground which led to the Triple-OT hard grind that made tonight’s game VERY INTERESTING. Late in the 3rd Period Blues Forward Jaden Schwartz got a backhand shot off of an assist by Derek Roy at 18:15 to force OT. The period was punctuated by three penalties—two for The ‘Lou (David Backes and Ryan Reaves) one for Chi-town by Patrick Kane.
Overtime Periods
1st Overtime had one penalty (Blues Sobotka, delay of game over the glass). 2nd OT had 2 penalties (Blues Reaves, delay of game over the glass and Hawks Andrew Shaw for holding on Maxim LaPierre). 26 seconds into the 3rd Overtime, Blues Forward Alexander Steen nailed a wrist shot off of a Steve Ott assist to finally put the game to bed. This made the crowd at Scottrade Center go nuts.
End Notes
Anyone who thought the Blackhawks were going to have any easy roll back to the Stanley Cup Finals had those thoughts put to rest by St. Louis's determination to not go the way the Tampa Bay Lightning went last night in their house against the Habs. Just the same, the Chicago scoring machine scored early and often, and it shows that St. Louis will have their work cut out for them these playoffs. All three stars came from St. Louis--Alexander Steen with the GWG, Vladamir Tarasenko with 7 SOGs and 2nd goal of the game, and Jaden Schwartz with his late 3rd period goal. Overall a grinder of a game signalling that the Playoffs are indeed underway for the NHL Stanley Cup.