Forward Chris Stewart thrilled over redemption opportunity from St. Louis Blues-NHL News
St. Louis Blues’ forward, Chris Stewart, has received another chance from the team, who have recalled him back to the squad after skip of one game.
Blues are heading to HP Pavilion for the Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals and according to the coach, Ken Hitchcock, Stewart’s participation is going to be crucial to their performance in the tie.
He said:
"He's going to play today. Need him. Need his 'A' game. When he's playing, he's a hard guy to play against. He can play physical. He plays a lot like Milan [Lucic] does in Boston.”
The coach added:
“So we need him in. He's got good hands and can score from the inside. He's a guy that gives us a chance to get way more five-on-five scoring chances, which we're going to need on the road. We're not getting enough of those. So he's going to help us there
hopefully."
The player said to be happy over the chance to redeem himself after the disappointment of being left out of the side for their game against San Jose Sharks on Saturday, April 14, 2012.
Hitchcock described the choice of leaving the player out saying:
(They need) "more tenacity, more determination, more second and third effort from that position."
At the same time, the coach admitted to be facing difficulties in reaching a decision about creating a space for Stewart as he said he was not sure who to leave out of the squad in next game.
However, Hitchcock insisted that Stewart will matter a lot in their next game and this was the reason to recall him back after scratching him for a game.
Irrespective to the team’s difficulties in creating a replacement slot for the forward, Stewart said that he was prepared to capitalise on the opportunity and work his tail off for it.
The opportunity, which has presented itself due to the team’s need, is going to prove a challenge for the player. It also provides him with the much needed chance to make his presence essential to the team’s future run.
Admittedly, the player is not sure about the future opportunities and the team might be equally answerless given the changes required by the playoff round, varying from game to game.
He, however, remains hopeful of winning slots in between if he is unable to remain consistent with his participation in all the playoff games.
His latest chance also looked to be almost impossible given that Blues had managed to win their last game 3-0 without him in the side. The team is tied 1-1 in the playoff series and looked to remain hundred percent in remaining all games.
The coach remains confident that Stewart will make a difference for them.
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