Oct 13, 2006, 4:10 GMT
St. Louis, MO - Lee Stempniak's shootout goal lifted St. Louis to a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins, as the Blues introduced their fans to the newly-named Scottrade Center.
Stempniak also scored in the third period for the Blues, whose home-opener victory, which was played in front of the new Blues ownership group, was their first win of the 2006-07 season. Jamal Mayers also scored for the Blues and goaltender Manny Legace made 16 saves in the win.
Patrice Bergeron and Marc Savard scored for Boston, which held a 2-0 lead late in the third period but fell to 1-2-1 on the young season. Tim Thomas allowed two goals on 35 shots for the Bruins, who conclude their five-game, season- opening road trip on Saturday against the New York Islanders.
After Mayers' goal tied the contest late in regulation, the Blues had a great chance to win it in overtime. Keith Tkachuk was all alone in front just over a minute into the extra period, but Thomas made a nice pad save.
The first two skaters for both teams in the shootout failed, but Tkachuk and Boston's Marco Sturm both scored through the five-hole on the third chance. In the first extra frame, Stempniak made a nice deke move and roofed a backhander before Legace's stick save on Savard gave the Blues the win.
The Bruins opened the scoring in the early stages of the first period when the Blues committed a costly turnover in their own zone. A failed attempt to send the puck up the right half-wall gave control to Boston rookie Phil Kessel atop the right circle. Kessel then spotted a wide open Bergeron, who had remained low in the zone when the Blues tried to move up ice. Bergeron corralled the disc in the slot and made a great deke move on Legace before he easily scored from the top of the crease at 5:55.
Following a scoreless second stanza, the visitors grabbed a two-goal edge just over three minutes into the third on Savard's first goal of the season. He redirected a pass from Brad Stuart along the low right side at the 3:09 mark.
Trailing 2-0, the Blues tried desperately to get back into the game, and finally did with a pair of goals within a 2:30 span.
First, with 3:57 remaining in regulation, Stempniak's second goal of the season cut the Blues deficit in half when he punched home a rebound from the left side.
With the frenzied crowd standing, the Blues pressed in the offensive zone and finally found the equalizer with 1:27 to play. Tkachuk's wrist shot through traffic from beneath the right circle was saved. However, the rebound hit skates and sticks near the goal mouth and eventually Mayers' backhander found the back of the net.
Game Notes
Prior to the game, new Blues owner Dave Checketts and St. Louis mayor Francis Slay spoke to the fans after a lengthy introduction of the entire Blues roster.This marked Legace's 200th NHL game.The Blues, who finished 0-for-4 on the power play, are now 1-for-19 this season. The visitors were scoreless on seven chances with the extra skater.St. Louis also hosted Boston in its home opener in 1977, a 7-3 Boston win.The Blues are now 21-16-2 all-time in home openers.Blues defenseman Barret Jackman, who is nursing a left knee sprain, was placed on the injured list and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks.Attendance was 17,213.
Prior to the game, new Blues owner Dave Checketts and St. Louis mayor Francis Slay spoke to the fans after a lengthy introduction of the entire Blues roster.
This marked Legace's 200th NHL game.
The Blues, who finished 0-for-4 on the power play, are now 1-for-19 this season. The visitors were scoreless on seven chances with the extra skater.
St. Louis also hosted Boston in its home opener in 1977, a 7-3 Boston win.
The Blues are now 21-16-2 all-time in home openers.
Blues defenseman Barret Jackman, who is nursing a left knee sprain, was placed on the injured list and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks.
Attendance was 17,213.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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