Blues’ Allen Gets Taste Of NHL In 6-1 Loss

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Feb 5, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) comes into the game for Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) after giving up 4 goals to the Nashville Predators during the second period at the Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Four days of rest for their legs in the wake of one of the most frustrating losses in recent memory in Detroit, made the Blues loyal feel great about coming back Tuesday night on home ice against the Nashville Predators, a team they’ve earned 4 of their 12 points from this year.   The Scottrade Center, where the Blues finished 30-6-5 last year (2nd in the NHL), and were 3-0-0 so far this season, was packed with Note laden fans ready to celebrate a third victory against Nashville on the year.  Unfortunately, the first intermission would send waves of quiet, frustrated fans to the snack stands and bathrooms as the visiting Predators lit the lamp 3 times to the Blues zero.  Ryan Ellis struck first at the 2:10 marker attempting to pass across the crease when Pietrangelo deflected the shot between Brian Elliot’s legs.  Richard Clune scored at 15:53 then Nick Spaling followed up at 19:13 giving Nashville a 3-0 lead headed into the locker room.

Nashville started the second period by scoring not once, but twice leaping to a 5-0 lead.  At 9:09, Kevin Klein, who got a deflection off of Roman Polak’s stick prompted Coach Ken Hitchcock to pull the Jenning’s Trophy winning Brian Elliot for a freshly called up Jake Allen.  Just one minute later, Gabriel Bouque unintentionally kicked in their 5th goal of the night.  Blues’ Alex Pietrangelo would answer finally at 13:09 ending the shutout.  The Blues picked up their play from that point on and with the help of some timely penalties, tested Nashville’s Pekke Rinne with 7 difficult shots.

Entering the third period, St. Louis maintained their pressure putting 8 shots on goal to Nashville’s  4.  At 9:23, rookie phenomenon Vladimir Tarasenko put his skills on display again slicing his way through Nashville’s defense to put a nifty little 5 hole shot on Renne, but Renne had the answer as he would for rest of the Blues 14 shots.  At 16:34, Martin Erat cleaned up a messy shot around Allen’s right pad making it 6-1.  Certainly, there weren’t a lot of positives from the Blues, but they can rest easy knowing that this frozen nightmare is over.  The undisputed highlight of the game was Nashville’s goaltender Pekke Renne who stopped 30 of 31 shots from the Blues.

The Blues look to get even with the Detroit Red Wings Thursday night at 7:00 at the Scottrade Center.