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Blues Lineup:
Forwards - Alexander Steen/Paul Stastny/David Perron, Jaden Schwartz/Jori Lehtera/Vladimir Tarasenko, Robby Fabbri/Patrik Berglund/Dmitrij Jaskin, Scottie Upshall/Kyle Brodziak/Ryan Reaves
Defensemen - Joel Edmundson/Alex Pietrangelo, Carl Gunnarsson/Kevin Shattenkirk, Jay Bouwmeester/Colton Parayko
Goaltender - Jake Allen.
Game Highlights:
Today was something that Blues fans (myself included) have wanted for years. The team, the city, and you the fans did not disappoint. (More on that in a moment) The game didn't disappoint either. Although, Blackhawks tried to early the party early on. A minute in, Michal Kempny fires a one timer that deflects (and bounces) past Allen for a 1-0 Hawks lead.
The Blues first chance came just a few moments later. Colton Parayko joins in on a rush. He centered the puck to Kyle Brodziak who just couldn't get it by Crawford.
Moving ahead to the second period....Tarasenko gets one of his many chances, but Crawford denies him.
The Blues first goal wouldn't come from Tarasenko however. Berglund puts the Blues on the board after a great set up pass from Bouwmeester. Steen also assisted on the play giving him 300 assists and 500 points in the NHL.
After giving up the quick goal in the first, Jake Allen settled in and played a good game. After the Blues tied it Allen kept the game tied by making some key saves. The Blackhawks were on the powerplay when Allen denies them a goal on yet another deflected shot.
Tarasenko almost makes it 2-1 on a breakaway chance but Crawford stones him.
Allen comes up big again in the third with the Hawks on the powerplay again. This time he grabs the puck out of midair with Captain Cereal right on the doorstep.
Tarasenko's hard work throughout the game finally paid off for him. It might not have been a pretty goal, or what Tarasenko had intended to do, but it's a goal. It also puts the Blues up 2-1.
Since he didn't score that first goal on purpose, he figured he'd try again. It worked. 3-1 Blues. 40,000 people chanting your name probably isn't a good thing if you're the opposing goaltender.
Steen finds the back of the empty net to make it 4-1 Blues and seal the first Winter Classic victory for the home team.
What an experience. What a game. Everything about the weekend was hands down well done. Even if the Blues had lost, (I mean of course they were gonna win right?) St. Louis nailed it.
From The Twitter Machine:
I was gonna leave the field, but first lemme take a selfie.
"Once in a lifetime. There is no way to rank it. I was really happy to win, especially to make Blues fans happy." - @tara9191 #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/JpYl3Biv46
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 2, 2017
So when do we get to do this again?
It's true what they say. The people of St. Louis LOVE their @StLouisBlues! #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/jbq4Wg2lMn
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 2, 2017
Pretty good for a tailgate.
The PreGame presented by @Enterprise, official tailgate party of 2017 Bridgestone NHL #WinterClassic, attracted ~34,126 fans in three days. pic.twitter.com/qJsIxCzLaj
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 3, 2017
Agreed.
Of everything that was awesome about the #WinterClassic, Hitch's outfit is at or near the top. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/oZjg3k4Nni
— Rob McNew (@Robbymac82) January 3, 2017
Hey everyone it's St. Louis' own Jon Hamm.
Actor and loyal @StLouisBlues fan Jon Hamm is in the house, and @Jeremy_Roenick caught up with him! pic.twitter.com/6pVDJ9y3lU
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 2, 2017
Oh right, it wasn't an actual party. Sure felt like one though.
Hitch: "I thought we played a really smart, sound hockey game and, quite frankly, deserved to win." #stlblues
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) January 2, 2017
And by request.
IN SOVIET RUSSIA OUTDOOR GOAL SCORES YOU. pic.twitter.com/aogoo6orxG
— Justin Dubya (@justin03) January 3, 2017
Player of the Game:
Everyone. The fans, the boys on the ice. The city. The Cardinals. The Blues. Everyone and everything was incredible. I can not say enough. I wish I could share more tweets with you, there was just so much awesome!