The Carolina Hurricanes flew into St. Louis riding a three game winning streak, but they relinquished a two goal lead, blew a perfect powerplay opportunity in overtime, and ended up losing to the Blues, 3-2 in OT on Friday night at Scottrade Center.
The Canes dropped to 3-2-2 while the Blues upped their record to 3-4-0.
Carolina started the game well and took a 1-0 lead on a blast from the point by Jay Harrison. Big number 44 had a previously awarded goal taken away from him earlier this year and given to Alexei Ponikarovsky, so this was officially the first goal of the season for the defenseman.
Then just 1:33 into the second period, Brandon Sutter would give the visitors a 2-0 lead as he broke into the clear and beat Blues goalie, Brian Elliott for his second goal of the season. Patrick Dwyer picked up the lone assist on the play.
From that point on, it was pretty much all St. Louis.
Jason Arnott scored his third of the season at 5:13 into the second. At this point the Blues were putting on almost constant pressure in the Carolina zone. They outshot the Canes 20-12 in the second period and 9-3 in the third.
David Backes would then get credit for a goal at 16:03 into the period when he sent a pass into the crease that Tim Gleason knocked into his own goal while trying to defend. It was a tough break for Carolina because Cam Ward was looking solid in net, even under relentless pressure.
The two teams went scoreless in the third, even though they had a couple of grade A chances. Eric Staal would come closer than anyone, but couldn't quite get enough on the puck when he needed to get it past Elliott.
In overtime, Barret Jackman was called for hooking and the Canes had a full two minutes of a 4-on-3 advantage. They failed to get much going though and after the home team killed the penalty, Matt D`Agostini broke in open and beat Ward for the game winner.
The Canes will take the consolation point to Winnipeg for game two of a back-to-back set and the final contest of their four game road trip.
Game Notes:
- The optimists will be happy the team picked up tough point on the road, giving them points earned in four straight games. Others will not be happy that the team gave up a two goal lead and was nearly dominated in the second half, while allowing 43 shots against for the game. If Cam Ward was not solid, it could have been worse.
- The Canes were outshot 43-29 and according to our intern, were out-chanced 21-16. Jeff Skinner had a team high six shots.
- The team was credited with 16 hits, led by Tuomo Ruutu with five.
- They blocked 10 shots, led by team leader Bryan Allen with three.
- Centers had a horrible night in the faceoff circle and finished at 37%, which probably had something to do with their apparent lack of puck possession in this game. (Staal 42%, Sutter 47%, Jokinen 27%, Brent 17%).
- Eric Staal, who had been averaging less than 20 minutes a game, played 21:09 in this contest. Joni Pitkanen had a team high 26:19.
- The hyped up brother on brother matchup never seemed to materialize. Anthony Stewart had a game low 6:27 of ice time.
Post game interviews coming next: