Alexandre Texier in for Zack Bolduc. Joel Hofer in-between the pipes. The 8-2 Pyotr Kochetkov in goal for the Carolina Hurricanes. And this game turned into the Martin Necas party...as he added four points to his resume for the season.
Early lead for the St. Louis Blues...
Blues go up 1 to 0. Jake Neighbours off a beautiful feed from Jordan Kyrou who stole the puck from the Carolina defender and passed it over to a wide open Neighbours who one times it behind Pyotr Kochetkov.
Carolina ties it up on the power play (eighth-best in the league)Joel Hofer makes a save but the rebound is tapped into the net. Assist to Necas. Period 1 ends tied at one with the Blues leading in shots 10 to 8.
Hurricanes strike quick in the second…
Seventeen seconds into the second period and Carolina scored from right in front of the net…Hofer with an initial save. 2 to 1 Hurricanes. Assisted by Necas.
Blues go on the power play…their first of the game…at 6:53 however, didn’t get a sniff at the net.
With 7:30 left in the period the ‘Canes get another one past Hofer after losing the puck at the blue line…3 to 1. Martin Necas with his 10th goal of the season and third point in the game. And that’s how the period ends. Blues have rare back-to-back 10+ shot periods.
Third period comeback needed…needed a sustained pressure that didn't come...
‘Canes are 11-0 when leading after two periods. Not a good omen for the Blues. Can the Blues get their seventh come-from-behind victory? Blues take a delay of game penalty with 13:34 left…they needed some pressure relieved as the ‘Canes were in control in the Blues end…fortunately it’s a good kill for the Blues.
3:13 left in the third period and off a faceoff after an icing…Necas blasts one from the top of the circle and beats Hofer glove side. Second goal and fourth point of the game. 2:38 left and Matt Kessel takes an interference penalty. Not good timing when the team is down already by three…game over…Carolina 4 to 1.
Observations: The Blues came out strong and had a good first period…the early second period goal took the air out the Blues. St. Louis looked tired in the second and third periods playing their third game in four days despite leading in shots 30 to 24 and led the hit category…poor faceoff percentage at 36.5.