St. Louis Game Time - Blackhawks At Blues Game Five GameDay Storystream: Blues Can Eliminate Hawks With A WinWe're one ugly bastard.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/10753/gt-fave.png2016-04-22T21:15:03-05:00http://www.stlouisgametime.com/rss/stream/112413792016-04-22T21:15:03-05:002016-04-22T21:15:03-05:00Beyond Checkerdome Quick Shot: Round 1 Game 5
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<figcaption>Zigged when he should have Zagged | Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>OK, so "quick" isn't quite accurate .... but you get the gist</p> <p>OK, have you recovered yet? We haven't quite, as you can probably tell from our voices. As we say on the show, this was a hell of a game, and quite an accomplishment to even get it to overtime. It's a shame that it ended the way it did, but overall, it only changes things a little. The bottom line is, the Hawks are still one loss away from starting their offseason a little sooner than usual. Speaking of bottom lines - not quite 20,000 people at the #DrinkScotch?? Holy Crap! Talk about Rock The Scott !!</p>
<p>Here's our take:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.hipcast.com/podcast/HKMtxGg4?embed=1&dark=1" height="100" width="100%"></iframe></p>
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<p>The download link can be found <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HKMtxGg4">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>Let's hear yours as well: <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ByndCheckerdome">@ByndCheckerdome</a> on twitter.</p>
<p>Also, to repeat the announcement at the end: Playoff Edition of #ShotsForGoals Saturday! Prepare Accordingly.</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>Tim / <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/CrossCheckRaise">CrossCheckRaise</a></p>
<p>Tyler / <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/KingDonutI">DonutKing</a></p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/22/11492740/beyond-checkerdome-quick-shot-round-1-game-5BeyondCheckerdome2016-04-21T20:00:03-05:002016-04-21T20:00:03-05:00Blackhawks At Blues Game Five Gameday Thread
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<figcaption>Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Will the Blues' first round series end tonight, or will they be heading back to Chicago for a game six?</p> <p>There are two possible outcomes to tonight's game. First, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> win and get a bit of a break before they meet up with the winner of the Dallas/Minnesota series (which will probably be Dallas). Second, the Hawks win and the series goes back to Chicago for the Blues to get another chance at finishing the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Blackhawks</a> off.</p>
<p>Neither of these outcomes are the end of the world. We'd all prefer the former. Some people expect the former, others are cautiously optimistic about it - but all in all, no one in this neck of the woods wants the Blackhawks to win.</p>
<p>Regardless, this isn't the last game at Scottrade Center this year, and that's a good thing.</p>
<p>This is your GameDay Thread. Comment like you want to see a handshake line.</p>
<p>Let's do this. Let's finish the Blackhawks off. Let's Go Blues.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/21/11481904/gamethread-for-chicago-blackhawks-at-st-louis-blues-apr-21-2016hildymac2016-04-21T15:00:02-05:002016-04-21T15:00:02-05:00Blackhawks At Blues Game Preview: Oh No Let's Go
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<figcaption>Let's not see any of this tonight for any reason, ok? | Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Chicago Blackhawks will be returning to Chicago tomorrow - the question is, will the Blues be going with them?</p> <p>Are the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Blackhawks</a>' heads? Certainly they appeared to be in Corey Crawford's (or at the very least making contact with it). <span>Andrew Shaw</span> removed himself from the series for overreacting to a penalty after a potential Blues penalty was overlooked. <span>Jonathan Toews</span> and <span>Patrick Kane</span> have not scored a goal yet.</p>
<p>To make matters worse for the Hawks, the Blues have never lost a series clinching game five the five instances of that in team history. They're 24-11 in series clinching games. They've won five of their last seven home playoff games against Chicago. The Blackhawks, though, have been down in series before, only to storm back to win. Overall history favors the Blues, recent history is enough to make Blackhawks fans crow about how the series isn't over yet - and for Blues fans to potentially agree with them. They're 7-1 in potential season-ending games since 2013, but there seems to be something different about the Hawks this year.</p>
<p>Last year's rash, impulsive Blues have been erased and replaced by a team that is tenacious with a killer instinct. Their one flaw seems to be sitting on what leads that they've had - their two goal lead turned to a one goal in the third period on Tuesday night; a scare like that tonight at home and the crowd might have a cardiac event. The Blackhawks have been the one whose killer instinct has dissipated. They've been the rash and impetuous team, which has played right into the Blues' 33% effectiveness on the powerplay. They aren't being clear-headed on the ice, especially Andrew Shaw.</p>
<p>Shaw's been one the Blackhawks' best forwards this series, with two goals and two assists against the Blues so far. He also won't be joining the team on ice tonight, since he has been suspended a game for using a homophobic slur. <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/bluenotes-hawks-struggling-to-keep-emotions-in-check/article_83abe707-04b0-5865-97f4-627f5c73607a.html" target="_blank">Robert Bortuzzo had this to say regarding Shaw</a>:</p>
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<p><span>"That’s how he’s going to play," Blues defenseman <span>Robert Bortuzzo</span> said of Shaw’s antics. "I don’t think we let it affect us. We just kind of kept forging on. At the end, that’s hockey, that’s sports, you’re probably going to see that in probably 15 games throughout the playoffs."</span></p>
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<p>How often have you heard players say that regarding the Blues? The difference this series is a difference in attitude, not ability. Last time that these two teams met in the playoffs, most of the games were decided on a razor's edge. This series has been as close as they come; let's not think that the Blues are dominating the whole thing. Where the difference lies is in which team is being level headed and playing up to ability.</p>
<p>If the Blues keep that up tonight, there'll be a handshake line at center ice when all is said and done.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/21/11481498/blackhawks-at-blues-game-preview-oh-no-lets-gohildymac2016-04-21T11:00:06-05:002016-04-21T11:00:06-05:00Lighting The Lamp: On The Ropes
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<figcaption>1970 Stanley Cup Finals program | Rick Ackerman</figcaption>
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<p>You might recognize the "Lighting the Lamp" feature from the Game Time paper. Rick Ackerman has been nice enough to send over his column for the website. "Lighting the Lamp" will be featured every home game day.</p> <p><b>Lighting the Lamp <span>With Rick Ackerman</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sunday afternoon’s amazing come-from-behind triumph by the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Blues</a> over the <a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Blackhawks</a> may have been the most important game the NHL club has ever played. The Blues’ players took Coach Hitchcock’s words to heart and forgot about the one-sided rulings by NHL officials both on and off the ice and overcame adversity to snatch a hard-earned victory from the favored Blackhawks and take the lead in the hotly contested series, two games to one. Once again <span>Brian Elliott</span> starred in the nets for the Blues and <span>Patrik Berglund</span> and <span>Jaden Schwartz</span> scored impressive goals in the third period to power St. Louis to an improbable win and disappoint over 22,200 partisan fans at the Madhouse on Madison.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you, hockey gods!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And then the Blues outdid themselves Tuesday night in Chicago,working hard to snatch a 4-3 victory from the now-numb Hawks. Vlad Tarasenko and <span>Alexander Steen</span> were the scoring stars in arguably the second most important game in Blues’ history. Steen would have had two goals, yet another Chicago coach’s challenge from Joel Quenneville resulted in another successful offside call negating Steen’s empty net power play tally.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There were other officiating mysteries in this wild match, especially when Hawks’ goaltender <span>Corey Crawford</span> lost his cool and attacked <span>Robby Fabbri</span> after a collision with the pesky Blues’ winger. Of course, <span>Jonathan Toews</span> bumped Fabbri into Crawford, yet that was apparently not seen by any of the officials. Crawford was only assessed a two minute minor for roughing, rather then the mandatory penalty called for by NHL rule 51.3: "Match Penalty - If, in the judgment of the Referee, a goalkeeper uses his blocking glove to punch an opponent in the head or face in an attempt to or to deliberately injure an opponent, a match penalty must be assessed." Nor was there even an instigator penalty (46.11) assessed to the frustrated, agitated goaltender. Instead, the Blues ended up shorthanded with minor roughing penalties to <span>Kevin Shattenkirk</span> and Alex Pietrangelo. Yes, Fabbri was indeed nabbed for goaltender interference. Nevertheless, once again, Elliott put on a masterful display, stopping 39 of 42 shots against and the Blues prevailed, 5-3, oops I mean 4-3.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, once again, thank you, hockey gods!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, it all comes down to tonight’s game five, now the most important game in Blues history, a match in which the Blues can eliminate the previously favored Blackhawks, just like they did in 1993, sweeping Chicago in four games and causing another Hawks’ goaltender to have an epic meltdown. Eddie Belfour smashed his stick on the goalposts and then went on a rampage, tearing up the locker room in his frustration and impotence, just like Crawford lost it Tuesday night. The 2001 playoffs featured a gritty 4-2 first round series win over San Jose and a sweep of the <a href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Stars</a>, yet the Blues lost the Conference Finals to a red-hot <span>Joe Sakic</span> and the <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado Avalanche</a>, 1-4. In game one, Sakic scored on a penalty shot when Blues’ goaltender Roman Turek was ruled to have thrown his stick. The Blues only victory was in double overtime of game three. (Bonus points to those who remember that Scott Young scored the decisive goal.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With a win tonight, the Blues can begin preparations for the series against either the Dallas Stars or the resurgent <a href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Wild</a>. Of course, if St. Louis strays from the game plan and stops hitting (170 hits in four games, over 40 per game), then instead the Blues can prepare for game six in Chicago Saturday. So, the Blues big hitters (Brouwer 24. Backes 17, Schwartz 12, Reaves 10 or Ott 9 in two games each) must keep the pressure on and the Blues’ sharpshooters (Tarasenko 3 goals, Schwartz 2) must keep shots on goal while others pass sharply and block Crawford’s view.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">One area upon which to improve is curbing shots against. The Blues have now allowed 152 shots on their potential Conn Smythe Trophy winner, an average of 38 per game. Elliott has stood up to the challenge, though, with a save percentage of .954 while only allowing seven goals against. Otherwise, the special teams are humming quite effectively and efficiently and the Blues are playing a very smart game, containing Chicago’s "super stars" (neither Kane nor Toews has scored) while potting timely goals at just the right time.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Yes, this is definitely not the same Blues team we have seen during the past five post-seasons, a fact even Hawks’ goaltender Crawford has stated publicly. The Note is following Coach Hitchcock’s mantra by being a gritty, hard-working blue-collar team and playing with a blue-collar effort, maintaining focus and overcoming any and all adversity, including the Blackhawks, the referees and linesmen and the NHL War Room if need be. No matter what has happened both on and off the ice, the Blues have maintained their composure, kept calm and have played it very, very cool.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Blackhawks are up against the wall tonight facing elimination, so they will battle hard and play tough. Their true character was revealed Tuesday by the actions of Crawford and forward Andrew Shaw. Crawford had a serious (unpunished) meltdown and Shaw was running around looking to agitate and stir up trouble rather than play hockey. At one point Shaw "accidentally (on purpose)" ran the Blues’ goalie, going skates first into Elliott’s pads. A wild melee instigated by Chicago players ended the game.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The proper disposition for the entire frustrated Blackhawk team would be a tee time of seven a.m. tomorrow morning.</p>
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https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/21/11477378/lighting-the-lamp-on-the-ropeshildymacAckermania2016-04-21T09:57:12-05:002016-04-21T09:57:12-05:00Blackhawks At Blues Game Five Media Coverage
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<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Same Blues time, same Blues networks - for the most part.</p> <p>Tonight's game will be shown in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> viewing area on FoxSports Midwest, by virtue of tonight being an off-night for the Cardinals. It will also be broadcast on KMOX, 1120 AM, and will be streamed on their website and on the Blues' official website.</p>
<p>Tonight's game will also be broadcast on NBCSN; no word if it will be one of their broadcast crews or if they will be picking up the CSN Chicago broadcast again. Considering it's a potential elimination situation, I would assume that it's a NBC crew.</p>
<p>If you're not home to watch the game, you can watch it via NBCSN's Live Extra app and website. The game should kick up at puck drop, but may be blacked out in the metro St. Louis area due to FSMW's broadcast rights.<a href="http://nhlstream3.nbcsports.com" target="_blank">You can view the stream here.</a></p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/21/11477762/blackhawks-vs-blues-tv-coverage-game-time-and-live-stream-for-game-5hildymac2016-04-21T08:00:10-05:002016-04-21T08:00:10-05:00Blackhawks At Blues Game Five Morning Open Thread
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<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues have a chance to eliminate the Blackhawks tonight. Will they?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> are in a position tonight that they haven't found themselves in for a while. They can eliminate their first round opponent and move on. One win - that's it. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a>, however, have been down 3-1 in a series before only to come back to win it. Tonight isn't a gimmie. It's not a sure thing.</p>
<p>But it's ok, Blues fans, if you're feeling some weird sort of feeling right now. I've heard it's something called "optimism." There's a lot of reason to feel it. Instead of turtling after calls didn't go their way, the Blues maintained pressure and took two games in Chicago, which is one of the hardest arenas to do that in. They haven't been goaded into dumb penalties. They haven't let games slip away with last minute penalties. Their top scorers haven't disappeared.</p>
<p>In fact, that's been the Blackhawks.</p>
<p>This is your morning open thread. Check back later on for a Lighting the Lamp, your preview, the GDT, and whatever else we have for you. While you're waiting, head to our friends at <a href="http://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Second City Hockey</a> and see if they're accepting their fate.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/21/11477302/blackhawks-at-blues-game-five-morning-open-thread-send-them-packinghildymac