Anaheim Ducks take down Western Conference leaders St. Louis Blues 4-3 -NHL Update
Prospects were not looking up for Anaheim entering a matchup against Western Conference leaders, St. Louis, on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, but the Ducks played like a team with immense patience to edge the Blues, 4-3, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Ducks still have a small window of opportunity to get back into the playoff race with time quickly running out and still at number 12 and 75 points, nine below eighth spot Los Angeles Kings.
"All we've done in the second half is try to start a new season and go from there," Anaheim captain, Ryan Getzlaf, said. "[St. Louis] is a big test. We knew what we were in front of, but we don't care who we're playing. It's just about getting as many wins
as we can in the time we have left."
Jaden Schwartz grabbed the first goal of the night and his second of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) with Cam Fowler trailing behind with the equaliser on the power play with Chris Porter out of action for hooking.
David Backes was back in the line-up after a potential foot fracture scare and got the breakaway goal a little over midway through the first.
Nick Bonino levelled the match for Anaheim yet again at 6:03 into the second. St. Louis gave two penalties but managed to kill them off.
David Perron made the tie-breaker for St. Louis at 4:47 in the third, giving off the impression that Blues would be taking the two points but Anaheim did not have any plans on giving up just yet.
Devante Smith-Pelly brought the score 3-3 at 7:50 as he redirected a pass from captain Ryan Getzlaf while Jason Blake made the game-winner with a lucky slide off a St. Louis skate into the net.
"I just threw it, and fortunately it went off their defenseman's foot or leg, whatever it was," said Blake."I think that's the professional thing to do. It's been a crazy season, but we're trying to win hockey games. Doesn't matter if you're in it or out
of it."
Ducks have the next at home against Boston Bruins on Sunday while St. Louis Blues face Los Angeles Kings on the road on Thursday.
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