St. Louis Blues Work Overtime Magic Again To Beat Chicago Blackhawks

Apr 19, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Barret Jackman (not pictured) scores the game winning goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during overtime in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

In a series that has turned nasty in a hurry, the St. Louis Blues let their magic do the talking, as for the second game in a row they scored late and then won in overtime to deny the Chicago Blackhawks of a game they thought they had won.

This time, the game was chippy, dirty and downright filthy as the Blackhawks took every opportunity to use their sticks on the Blues, most notably standout defenseman Duncan Keith.  Keith seemed to be trying to get the Blues, especially Vladimir Tarasenko, off their game but seemed to do a better job at distracting himself in the process.

In a game featuring two dirty hits that will be reviewed by the league, the Blues showed remarkable composure and just played their physical game without lowering themselves to the illegal tactics of the Blackhawks, and in the end it worked for them.

Brent Seabrook will no doubt face supplemental discipline following his late, to the head, boarding penalty against Blues captain David Backes that resulted in a five minute major and the tying goal by Tarasenko with 6 seconds left forced overtime.  Barret Jackman was the hero in the extra frame, putting a point shot through traffic past Corey Crawford.

St. Louis had taken a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Chris Porter and then a late goal by Kevin Shattenkirk with 2 seconds left. Chicago got one back in the second, courtesy Keith, who finally used his stick for something other than slashing or hooking.

Seabrook and Michal Roszival tied the score and gave the Hawks the lead respectively within a 2 minute period early on in the third, but then in the last 12 minutes Keith took a high sticking penalty, Bryan Bickell took a tripping penalty after going knee to knee on Vladimir Sobotka and finally Seabrook’s charging major against Backes to give the Blues numerous chances to get the game back to even.  They waited until the bitter end to do so, but it was just a matter of time as the Hawks gave up 9 power play opportunities while trying to match St. Louis’ natural aggressiveness with their own, less legal, brand of physicality.

The Blues carry a 2-0 series lead with them when the travel to Chicago for game 3 Monday night.