Anaheim Ducks sliding farther from playoffs, lose 3-1 to St. Louis Blues -NHL Update
Anaheim is slowly drifting away from the playoffs and losing hope at securing a spot before the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season comes to an end as Ducks lost their fourth match in the past six, this time to St. Louis Blues, 3-1, Thursday
night, March 8, 2012, at the sold-out Scottrade Center in Saint Louis, Missouri.
St. Louis continues to dominate the Western Conference by winning this matchup as they still lead above Vancouver Canucks by a point with 93. Detroit Red Wings are their competitors in the Central Division and it will definitely be surprising to see where
both teams end up after the final matchup.
"It's always nice to look at the standings when you are first," St. Louis Blues veteran goalie, Jaroslav Halak, said. "More fun that way. This was important for us."
Halak blocked 24 of 25 shots for St. Louis while Jonas Hiller failed to stop three out of 27 shots in total.
Failing to capitalise on two straight Anaheim penalties in the opening period, Corey Perry replied for the Ducks with their first 4:18 into the second.
David Backes added the equaliser on the power play nearly seven minutes later, forcing an intense competition going into the final period of regulation with both teams at par, 1-1.
Blues took control of the third period as Patrik Berglund widened the gap at 4:47 and David Backes secured the contest with his second of the night on a power play, this time with Cam Fowler out of the scene after being called for slashing.
"I'm just trying to have fun out there and keep the guys in the game," Halak said. "It's always great to win a few games in a row. It's a team effort. I wouldn't be able to do it without the guys."
St. Louis was one of the lowest ranked teams last season but have definitely turned it around this time and hope to continue doing so.
"We're not the most talented team in the National Hockey League," Blues’ coach, Ken Hitchcock, said. "We just find ways to win. That's what this team is about."
Blues will definitely be aiming for a fourth consecutive win when they face-off against their conferences lowest ranked team, Columbus Blue Jackets, on Saturday.
Anaheim continues their road trip with the next against a red hot Dallas Stars team, which now stand at number three in the West.
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