St. Louis Blues: Officiating Ruins Great Game and Changes Series

The St. Louis Blues had a great opportunity to grab control of the series and had it yanked from them by the officiating.

In case you were somehow unable to watch the St. Louis Blues’ Game 2 against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Blues were unable to come away with a victory. It was a fantastic game on both sides, the Blues were on their game and played probably the best they have played an entire game against the Blackhawks in a long time.

Things looked great in the first period, the Blues seemed to have the Hawks right where they wanted them as they controlled the puck throughout the period and led the teams in shots and hits. Neither team was able to come away with a goal in the period, but it seemed as if the Blues were very close to one.

The Blues finally broke through late in the second period when a turnover left Vladimir Tarasenko wide open in front of Corey Crawford, Tarasenko took advantage of this room and sniped it past Crawford on the stick side.

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Things seemed to be going well, the Blues were up 1-0 and Elliott and the Blues defense were controlling the Hawks. However, immediately after the goal, the Blues seemed to start to play softer and let the Blackhawks own the puck.

With just a few seconds left in the period, the controversy started. David Backes had the puck in the defensive zone and had the chance to skate it out of the zone but chose to ice it instead. However, the Blackhawks Trevor van Riemsdyk had a clear opportunity to play the puck and yet made no effort whatsoever to do so resulting in an icing.

With an opportunity to play some of his best faceoff men (Paul Stastny and David Backes), Ken Hitchcock somehow went with Jori Lehtera. Lehtera lost the faceoff to Jonathan Toews who got the puck to Patrick Kane who made a nifty — giving Duncan Keith a shot from the point to score a goal with just three seconds left in the period.

This was largely a flukey got through everything and everyone type of goal that really took the air out of the great second period for the Blues.

The Blues came out in the third period and responded well, dominating the chances and opportunities again making it seem as if things were going to tilt in the way of the Blues. However, nine minutes into the third period things changed for the Blues and the officiating took over.

Robby Fabbri was cross-checked from behind and was expected to not slide after being pushed onto the ice and was called for embellishment. The NHL is supposed to be much more lenient on penalties in the playoffs, and yet this was one of the worst penalty calls I have ever seen. Fabbri’s body simply slid on a slick surface, it’s not like he pushed himself into the boards.

This made things four on four, where the Blues simply dominated yet again. Not long after going to full-strength, the Blues got the puck to Mr. Tarasenko yet again and he put it past Crawford yet again. The play to get the puck in the zone was then challenged by Joel Quenneville and the Blackhawks and was really inconclusive as to whether it was offsides or not.

It seemed like your typical “inconclusive call stands” kind of call and yet the call went the way of the media and NHL darling Blackhawks. Look, I am all for getting the play right, but this was a 50-50 call and it should have stood as called on the ice.

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The NHL’s officiating crew wasn’t done yet, as not long after that Tarasenko was called for a slashing penalty (which was a totally legitimate call). With about five seconds left in the Blackhawks Power Play, the puck went to Brian Elliott and Andrew Shaw in true Andrew Shaw fashion slashed Elliott before poking the puck in. This was absolutely goaltender interference.

However the NHL, of course, didn’t think so. This practically sealed it for me. I had a hard time watching the final six or so minutes, as it seemed like the Blues were playing against a good team and the officiating crew.

I don’t like predictions, but I have no doubt that the Blues will play their game in Chicago, much like they did before the end of the season. It is up to the Blues to take at least one game away from the Blackhawks in Chicago and swing home-ice advantage back in their favor.

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