Jason Millen: Blues Vs Blackhawks Game 2 Blues' Keys Recap Blues Vs Blackhawks Game 2 Recap

Great write-up Jason. Game 2 = over and done with...move upward and onward. Hopefully, all the goals today (both St. Louis & Chicago) will be non-questionable, clear-cut goals so we don't have to have another ridiculous debate....but that being said, Go HAWKS!

Great write-up Jason. Game 2 = over and done with...move upward and onward. Hopefully, all the goals today (both St. Louis & Chicago) will be non-questionable, clear-cut goals so we don't have to have another ridiculous debate....but that being said, Go HAWKS!
- Ejandacek

First two games were odd in that the winner probably played worse than the loser. So the record after them is still probably the way it should be, lol.

My motto all year has been no excuses. No reason to change that now.

Fans can't say they haven't gotten their moneys worth in the series so far.

And after the officiating of last game, the NHL responds by sending Tim Peel to this one.

Tim Peel, well known worst official in the NHL.
Tim Peel, who the Blackhawks never lost under this season.
Tim Peel, who the Blues never won under except against Edmonton this season.

And to fix Tim Peel's mistakes, who do they send? Jean Hebert. The least experienced of all playoff referees. Who similarly, the Blackhawks nearly always won this season under; and the Blues nearly always lost under.

You'd think after the controversial calls last game, even if they are claiming they were correct, the NHL would want to send it's best officials to series. Instead, they send the ones with the biggest appearance of bias and the worst reputation. What are they thinking?

Bend over, here it comes again.

updated for a lot of quotes from hitch and a few others

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=76394

Hitch on matchups: "I got what I wanted there & Joel's going to get what he wants. What he wants, I don't want. He's got a defined matchup."

This is the problem. The 4th line of chicago is the shutdown line so the only favorable matchup for the Blues is the 3rd line. Chicago can arguably get favorable matchups against the 3rd (fabbri) and 4th line against St. Louis. This is a significant advantage imho.

To me, that means Hitch needs to change his roster to make the fourth line more competitive. Out with Reaves, in with Jaskin or someone else.

Well look at that. Ott in for Reaves...

As gerk predicted and I agreed, ott looks to be in today.

As gerk predicted and I agreed, ott looks to be in today.
- Jason Millen

Which is good. I don't have the problem with Reaves that some do, I like him being on the Blues. But I think Ott is less likely to be taken advantage of with Chicago controlling matchups. Assuming he is as close to full health as the rest of the guys; I think Ott makes sense playing over Reaves against a team like Blackhawks.

tim peel, really, okay screw the NHL. Blues don't even get a chance in game 3

NOW they call it when it goes against the Blues. are you kidding me????

So of course they get the call right tonight but not the other night. Figures.

Figures they score on a borderline extra minor call. Did Brodziak do more? You bet. Do they often leave those as even up. you bet. Think Hitch's comments helped in that situation?

#noexcuses

See what happens when you shoot the puck and actually hit the net!!!!

PARAYKO!!!!!!!!!!!

See what happens when you shoot the puck and actually hit the net!!!!

PARAYKO!!!!!!!!!!!
- BluesDroogie

Fleischman helped.

Parayko is the youngest Blue to score in a playoff game since Pronger did in 1997.

Jaybo vacates the net front covering no one and leaving Anisimov wide open and his miss-hit of the shot creates a goal. if he got good wood on it, there is actually a higher chance of a save imho.

Jaybo vacates the net front covering no one and leaving Anisimov wide open and his miss-hit of the shot creates a goal. if he got good wood on it, there is actually a higher chance of a save imho.
- Jason Millen

yup. if it was a clear shot instead of knuckling i think Elliot makes that save. Parayko losing the battle in the corner and Bouwmeester leaving the guy alone in front.

Even the Blackhawks announcers calling out Shaw for taking a dive on that last play.

Jason Millen, this is good analysis on your part and a thorough write-up. St. Louis has a great hockey tradition and ton of fans -- why are more not participating on this blog?

Jason Millen, this is good analysis on your part and a thorough write-up. St. Louis has a great hockey tradition and ton of fans -- why are more not participating on this blog?
- etchtech

Illiterate.

just kidding

Jason Millen, this is good analysis on your part and a thorough write-up. St. Louis has a great hockey tradition and ton of fans -- why are more not participating on this blog?
- etchtech

This place has been a black hole for Blues writers since Andy Strickland. I'm not sure if most even lasted a year.

Lehtera with arguably one too many passes though if Schwartz could have elevated the puck it's a goal. Good save by Crawford.

This place has been a black hole for Blues writers since Andy Strickland. I'm not sure if most even lasted a year.
- Jason Millen

Yep. Jammer does well, but long stretches with no Blues writers has killed the following they used to have on this site.

NBC broadcasters wondering why Hitch doesn't use timeout on PP... because timeouts can't be wasted on players being tired anymore, have to save it in case you need to challenge.

This place has been a black hole for Blues writers since Andy Strickland. I'm not sure if most even lasted a year.
- Jason Millen

I think you've lasted longer than the last 4 combined

I think you've lasted longer than the last 4 combined
- .....

Not quite that long...yet. J will get there. He's a quality guy.