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If Jack Buck we're still gracing St. Louis with his presence these days one of his most memorable calls of his baseball broadcasting career may have been used to describe a hockey game.
"I don't believe what I just saw!"
In an unprecedented outburst of offensive output the St. Louis Blues routed the first Eastern Conference opponent they've faced since March 2013, the Florida Panthers, 7-0.
Unlike their previous contest against the Nashville predators the explosion didn't come in the first period. In fact, Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock was critical of his team's play, even though they were up by one score thanks to Breden Morrow putting home a rebound for his 250th career goal. In Hitch's estimation the team was putting the end result at risk by lacking care with the puck through the neutral zone.
A major save on Brad Boyes by Jaroslav Halak, one of his 19, and a lucky ringer off the post by the former Blues forward seemingly drove the coach's words in one ear and stapled them to the other.
From that point on the home team would dominate in all aspects of the game. Registering one goal on the power play out of four attempts and shutting the Panthers man advantage crew down killing all seven opportunities. At even strength play was polished to a sparkly new luster as quick puck movement brought the weight of all four lines down up on the road team.
The six goals posted in the final 2/3rds of the game all came at while the bodies were five a side. It wasn't just a single sniper, but the collective depth that collected the tallies. Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Derek Roy, Ryan Reaves, and Patrik Berglund were the goal scorers. Alexander Steen potted his with a nifty backhand finish on a penalty shot.
Panthers netmidner Tim Thomas was chased out of his crease after 40 minutes. He allowed 5 goals on 28 shots. Jacob Markstrom took over in the third period, stopping only four of six attempts against.
New levels of intensity and excitement were reached even once the score was tilted heavily in one direction.
With the Blues up by nearly a touchdown Morrow laid a hefty hit on one time St. Louis defenseman Mike Weaver. He could barely make it off the ice. At that point the Panthers asked themselves if they were going to "let this happen to them".
They decided not to.
Tensions escalated to what can be best described as division rival level. Plenty of post whistle antics and a fair share of physicality during official play. The pot boiled over as Krys Barch, Chris Stewart, and Ryan Reaves were all shown to the locker room part way through the third.
Putting Reaves on the ice immediately following the altercation between Barch and Stewart may seem very Rolston/Scott-ish, but it's not. Scottie Upshall, who replaced his ejected teammate, swuared up with Reaves and gave him a good shove. Response? Only natural. A jab back. It is best not to provoke bears after all. Stick swinging and an old school line brawl did not ensue. Futher, Reaves has averaged around two minutes more ATOI than Scott over the last two seasons. Not much, but a there is a big difference in usage between a 5-6 minute a game player and 7-8+ minute player.
Bottom line, Reaves is not a stereotypical "goon". He wasn't even a "fighter" till Davis Payne convinced him to start throwing bombs while in the AHL. The kid has some skill and can contribute more than just being a punching bag.
Stars of the Game
3 - Jaden Schwartz (Gordie How Hat Trick, lead all players with 3 points (1g, 2a))
2 - Brenden Morrow (GWG, physical play)
1 - Jaroslav Halak (Shutout)
Quick Hits
-- Halak registered his 17 career shutout as a member of the St. Louis Blues. This moves him one past Hall of Famer Glenn Hall for the top spot on the franchise list. Hall reached that mark in 140 games. Halak did it in 120.
-- Morrow now has 250 career goals, 125 at home and 125 on the road.
-- Through two games the Blues have killed 11 power plays against.
-- In the circle... Blues won 33 of 57 (57.8%). Vladimir Sobotka won 7 of 9 to lead all skaters.
-- A total of 100 PIMs were dished out (STL 53 | FLA 47)
-- The wealth of ice time was spread around as only Jay Bouwmeester (20:45) and Alex Pietrangelo (24:15) logged more than 20 minutes for the home team.
Must See Replay
Morrow's game winner set up on a pretty tic-tac-toe play by the Derek Roy line.
St Louis Blues Blogger • 
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