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Blues Lineup:
Forwards: Robby Fabbri, Jori Lehtera, Vladimir Tarasenko,Jaden Schwartz, Paul Stastny, Alexander Steen, Dmitrij Jaskin, Patrik Berglund, David Perron, Scottie Upshall, Kyle Brodziak, Ryan Reaves.
Defensemen: Jay Bouwmeester, Alex Pietrangelo, Carl Gunnarsson, Kevin Shattenkirk, Petteri Lindbohm, Colton Parayko
Goalie: Jake Allen
Game Highlights:
The Blues were back at Drink Scotch tonight to take on the Buffalo Sabres. After getting killed by Columbus by the other night, they needed a bounce back game. Just when you thought the Blues were off to a good start, (They were outshooting the Sabres 7-1 early on) Here we go again...Buffalo scores first. The Blues penalty kill has been on of their strong points early in the season. Not so much on this one though as Sam Reinhart goes to the front of the net sneaking one past Jake Allen.
The Blues don't take long to come back though. While on a powerplay of their own, recently benched Robby Fabbri ties the game at one. This coming just 3 minutes after the Sabres scored. Tarasenko continues his point streak with an assist and Kevin Shattenkirk gets the secondary assist.
At the end of the first period, Schwartz would take a puck to the knee. He barely made it to the bench. At the end of the period he had to be helped to the locker room. He was ok though as he was back to start the second period.
Jaden Schwartz takes a shot to the left knee. Not good. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/kJFZxAmAZc
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) November 16, 2016
The second period didn't see any goals. Allen was having a better night by far in net. He robs Reinhart on a tip in chance.
Sabres starter Robin Lehner also had some action of his own. He denied Berglund of a goal on a 2 on 1 shorthanded chance.
Aside from the goalies keeping the game tied, some other shenanigans occurred. Alexander Steen was taken out along the boards by Josh Gorges. Steen wound up going to the locker room. He wound up returning, only going back to the locker room again. He ended up not returning. Who do you think stood up for Steener? Reaves, the captain? Nope. Little Robby Fabbri dropped the gloves against Gorges. While he didn't win the fight, he at least stood up for Steener. (Yes I realize Reaves wasn't on the ice, but still)
Robby Fabbri initiates a fight with Josh Gorges. Sticking up for Steen, wow. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/pZIDI6ogSM
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) November 16, 2016
The third period faired better for the Blues. Just 44 seconds into the period, Schwartz put the Blues ahead 2-1 crashing the net after Jaskin had the initial chance. Good things happen to those that crash the net apparently. Jaskin and Shattenkirk got the assists on the play.
But wait there's more! Brodziak scores just a minute or so later to make it 3-1 Blues. They have a two goal lead...what is this sorcery?!?! Reaves' great pass gets him an assist along with Parayko.
The Blues sealed it on an empty netter from Scottie Upshall. Honestly, could have been Perron's goal, but he was being unselfish and gave it off to Upshall. Parayko got an assist on this goal as well.
There you have it folks. The Blues win one on the first game of the homestand 4-1. Still have some kinks to workout (not taking those offensive zone penalties) but overall, it was a better performance. Granted after an 8-4 shellacking any performance is probably going to be better. One would hope.
From The Twitter Machine:
Chaser on Fabbri:
For those following on Twitter @RFabbri15 just earned the respect of teammates and scouts by going after Gorges after the hit on Steen
— Kelly Chase (@Chasenpucks39) November 16, 2016
More Fabbri:
Fabbri got a goal, a fight and a big knot on his forehead, but he's feeling fine: "It's fun when we're winning like that." #stlblues pic.twitter.com/rSSlZnrVLT
— FOX Sports Midwest (@FSMidwest) November 16, 2016
Reaves postgame:
Reaves on Brodziak's goal: "I told him 'Go to the net, I'm going to close my eyes and I'm going to put it wherever I think you are.'" pic.twitter.com/8iKyNwjwiu
— FOX Sports Midwest (@FSMidwest) November 16, 2016
Steen update and hopefully this means he'll be back on Thursday:
Steen pulled out for precautionary reasons. #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) November 16, 2016
Although, there might be another explanation for his absence...
What we don't know is Steen actually has a pot roast in an oven in the locker room and keeps going back to check on it
— One-Man WolfYak (@brouwersstick) November 16, 2016
Player of the Game:
Clearly it's Fabbri. A goal and a fight. Just the assist short of the Howe Hat Trick. Maybe Hitch should bench the rest of the team..Just kidding. Kind of.