Photo by: (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
After a gridlocked game and round after round of shootout, Troy Brouwer had the winner on his stick as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Kings 2-1.
Despite being outshot 27 to 14, Brian Elliott stood tall in net stopping 26 shots to earn the win. The win marks Elliott’s first of 2016 as his last came against the Calgary Flames on Dec. 19.
With the victory, St. Louis improves to 23-14-7 sitting in third place with 53 points and three points behind the Chicago Blackhawks for second place in the Central Division.
After a scoreless first and just three shots in the first period by the Blues, L.A. took advantage in the second period.
Milan Lucic won a puck battle in the corner and fed Anze Kopitar slipping past the defense. Kopitar deked and switched the puck to his forehand as Elliott went to the ice. Kopitar lifted the puck top shelf marking the first goal of the game midway through the second period.
Even though they didn’t tally a large number of shots, the Blues capitalized on a good chance later in the second period.
Vladamir Tarasenko carried the puck along the blue line in the attacking end drawing two defenders bef0re sliding it back to Alex Pietrangelo. Then, on just the sixth shot of the game for St. Louis, Pietrangelo wristed a shot high past Jonathan Quick to tie that game at one with 7:27 left in the period.
The game remained knotted at one as the game went to overtime.
After a back and forth overtime, both goalies stood tall heading to a shootout.
Alexander Steen and Marian Gaborik were the lone goal scorers in the first round of three shooters as the game remained tied. Four more rounds ensued before Troy Brouwer came in on his attempt with speed and beat Quick low to the glove side. Quick broke his stick in half on the goal post in frustration as St. Louis took the two points.
The Blues next game will Tuesday Jan. 12 against the New Jersey Devils. Puck drop from the Scottrade Center is at 7 p.m.
