St. Louis Blues Recall Goaltender Pheonix Copley from AHL Chicago Wolves

In an attempt to get their disastrous goalie situation under control, the St. Louis Blues have recalled goalie Pheonix Copley from the AHL Chicago Wolves.

Thursday night was not a good one at all for the St. Louis Blues’ goaltenders. After giving up two goals on three shots in the first 7:41 against the Washington Capitals, starter Jake Allen was pulled for backup Carter Hutton. He soon replaced Hutton once again, but was pulled for good after allowing a fourth goal in the second period. Hutton ultimately allowed three goals on eight shots.

This wasn’t at all a new occurrence for the Blues. While Hutton had been strong on the team’s recent West Coast road trip, allowing just one goal in two straight wins over the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks, he struggled in the Blues’ return to Scottrade Center on Tuesday, giving up five goals on 23 shots in a loss to the Ottawa Senators. Allen has struggled mightily as of late, as Thursday’s game marked the third straight and the fourth in his past six starts in which he had been pulled.

The Blues obviously have decided that a shakeup is necessary, as they recalled goalie Pheonix Copley from the AHL Chicago Wolves on Friday morning. The 25-year-old Copley, who allowed one goal in 25 minutes of action last season as he relieved Allen in a February 27 loss to the Nashville Predators, spent extended time with the NHL club but was exclusively restricted to backup duty during 2015-16.

Now it appears that he’ll be given a chance to start as the Blues’ other two netminders fight through some tough times. Considering the strong performance that he’s put together in Chicago this year, perhaps he’s got a chance to succeed. In 18 games, Copley has a 11-4-1 record with a .920 save percentage, 2.32 GAA, and a shutout for a Wolves team that’s been very good since he took over the regular starting duties from Jordan Binnington last month.

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Copley restores the Blues’ active roster to 23 players, so there will be no subtraction necessary to allow his presence.