Blues Vs. Ducks Recap

Brayden Schenn - Ryan O’Reilly - Vladimir Tarasenko

Jaden Schwartz - Tyler Bozak - Alexander Steen

Zach Sanford - Oskar Sundqvist - Pat Maroon

Mackenzie MacEachern - Ivan Barbashev - Sammy Blais

Defense

Carl Gunnarsson - Alex Pietrangelo

Jay Bouwmeester - Colton Parayko

Vince Dunn - Joel Edmundson

Goalie

Jordan Binnington

Game Highlights:

After the frustration of Monday afternoon, the Blues looked to rebound against a struggling Anaheim Ducks squad. Pacific All Star John Gibson started in net for the Ducks.

First period -

The Blues started out with the first eight shots of the game. However shot number nine came from Anaheim. Shot number nine also went in the back of the net for Anaheim. Yes, their first shot on goal was a goal. How about that for shot percentage am I right? Daniel Sprong absolutely rips the puck past Binnington for a 1-0 Ducks lead.

That is where the fun ended for Anaheim. The Blues tied the game thanks to the new line combo of 10/90/91. Schenn collected the puck behind the net. He found an open Tarasenko in the slot. Tarasenko shot the puck into the back of the net that it surprised everyone that he scored.

Shots at the end of the first were 13-2 in favor of the Blues.

Second Period -

Just two minutes into the second period, a returning Zach Sanford scored to give the Blues a 2-1 advantage. Sanford took the puck in on Gibson and found a way to get the puck past the Ducks netminder. That’s one way to make a comeback.

Later in the second, Pat Maroon shows off those marvelous hands of his. He set up Sunqvist for the Blues third goal of the night. Maroon’s move and pass gave “Sunny” a wide open net that he thankfully didn’t miss. 3-1 Blues.

Shots at the end of two were 26-9 in favor of the Blues. I think they might have had to throw a water bottle at Binnington or something to make sure he was awake.

Third Period -

Despite a very brief push from the Ducks, the Blues were able to add to their already sizable lead. An also returning Tyler Bozak got a little help from Nick Ritchie’s skate on his goal. Jaden Schwartz got the initial shot on, but the puck deflected to Bozak. Bozak shot the puck kind of at the net, it bounced off of Ritchie and went in. 4-1.

34 seconds later the Blues add their fifth and final goal of the game. Gunnarsson was able to slap the puck back into the offensive zone. MacEachern gathers the puck and tried the Dmitrij Jaskin memorial wrap around with no luck. It did however produce a very gratuitious rebound that Sammy Blais snagged and fired into the back of the net. 5-1 Blues and it was all over for the Ducks.

There was only one penalty called in the whole game. It was on the Blues. No, it wasn’t a too many men penalty. The Blues defeat the Ducks by a score of 5-1. It was a great game. Frustrating only because it was how they should have played Monday. (Easy for me to say I know) Next up for the Blues? A ten day break except for Ryan O’Reilly and his majestic beard as they are off to the All Star game. I’ll have a full weekend recap up at some point Sunday night.

Final Shot Total - STL 32 ANA 13

Goals -

STL: Tarasenko (17) from Schenn (18) and O’Reilly (32), Sanford (6), Sundqvist (10) from Maroon (10) and Sanford (7), Bozak (7) from Schwartz (18) and Parayko (5), and Blais (2) from MacEachern (1) and Gunnarsson (4)

ANA: Sprong (8) from Getzlaf (23) and Lindholm (15)

From The Twit:

Mr. Fowler, your thoughts on tonights loss? (I only post this because it was the Blues that actually made him say this)

Awww, I think he’s in love.

Our is this good department really working overtime on this one.

Whoa, whoa Fun Bobby don’t break the goalie.

Player of the Game:

Believe it or not, it’s John Gibson. Putting up stellar numbers despite whatever shitshow is being trotted out onto the ice for Anaheim as of late.