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Blues Lose Again, Fans Show Ignorance |
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When the Blues entered tonight's game, not many expected a victory. With David Backes, Vladmir Tarasenko, T.J. Oshie, Vladimir Sobotka, Brendan Morrow, and Derek Roy our of the line up, Ty Rattie, Adam Cracknell, and Keith Aucoin were recalled from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.
The line up tonight was built up of two rookies, and seven fourth line players. Alexander Steen, Jaden Schwartz, and Patrik Berglund were the only key offensive forwards in the line up.
Ty Rattie and Dmitrij Jaskin are the two young rookies with offensive potential, but you cannot rely on them to be go-to guys right now, especially Rattie. Both players had solid games, and had some decent scoring chances, but were stopped by Lehtonen.
The Blues were shutout, and that was pretty much to be expected with the team that played tonight.
Ryan Miller let in three goals, on 40 Dallas shots. The Blues allowed 21 shots in the second period alone. The two goals he gave up in the second? A breakaway goal and a one-time shot that was executed perfectly by Dallas. The third goal was a deflection in the slot. If it wasn't for Miller, the game could have ended 8-0.
Alex Steen hit the crossbar, Ty Rattie was robbed by Lehtonen...twice. They lost, but for the players that played in the game, it was a lot closer than many expected.
Yet many Blues fans, like they always have do, picked a scapegoat. Who do they pick? Ryan Miller. Now I can see them looking at Miller the last few games, because he wasn't playing at his best. Blaming him for the Washington game, I could understand that. Blaming him for allowing three goals while facing 40 shots, and you're putting the blame on him? I'm beginning to understand why so many other fans despise Blues fans.
It shows clear ignorance, and lack of knowledge about the game of hockey. The Blues scored exactly zero goals tonight. Yet it's Ryan Miller's fault the Blues lost the game tonight? Saying the Blues needed him tonight and you expect more? What the hell else is he supposed to do? He's not going to score goals for the Blues. He kept the Blues in the game, all game long. He faced four breakaways in the second period alone. Daley scored on a beautiful move.
The Blues put Dallas on the power play countless times, and couldn't clear the puck countless times. Jamie Benn dishes to Tyler Seguin and Miller has no chance. The pass goes through Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Pietrangelo. They can't break it up.
The third goal was a point shot by Alex Goligoski that was tipped by Ryan Garbutt. What is he supposed to do?
Blues fans, I understand you're passionate about this team. I understand you're frustrated by this losing streak and inability to score goals. Yet putting the blame on Miller in a game like this, makes you look really, really stupid. The sad thing is, a lot of the guys pointing out Miller individually are smarter than this. Figure it out.
The Blues are battling injuries, and it looks like they might lose Patrik Berglund and Barret Jackman to injury as well. Berglund hurt his shoulder/collar bone, and Jackman took a puck to the face. No update yet.
There is some good news, however, to report. T.J. Oshie, passed his concussion tests. He flew home to St. Louis to meet his wife Lauren, and take baby Lyla home for the first time. Always glad to see that little girl doing well after the difficult time she has faced in the hospital. Happy for the Oshie family.