Blues look to leave Hawks singing the Blues

A hat trick in game 2 of the Hawks/Blues 1st round playoff series by Brad Richards who scored 2 times in the 1st period and once in the 2nd gave the Blues all they needed to go up 2 games to none in the series. Richard Matvichuck who was inserted into the lineup to give more of s defencive presence on the blueline also scored his 1st of the playoffs in the 1st period. Nicolas Corbeil who had a strong rookie season (11 goals and 24 assists in the regular season to be 6th in rookie scoring) with the Blues recorded his first goal of the playoffs unassisted in the 3rd period of todays game.

The big story of the game however was the thrashing David Koci recieved at the hands of Blues tough guy Brooks Orpik in the 2nd period. Koci is not expected back in the series and is reported to have an upper body injury. For Orpiks part in the fight he was ejected from the game after the fight. Some league officials wonder if Orpik should be suspended but when asked after the game his opinion on the fight and injury that occured because of it Blue coach Paul Maurice had these comments, "When 2 players drop there gloves and an injury occurs because of it I think both players are responsible for there own actions. I don't feel that a player shouold be punished for defending himself. Hockey is a rough game and injuries occur sometimes when players ingage in rough play such as dropping there gloves. We feel in this case the rules protect Orpik and he is not likely to receive any more punitive action becasue of this incident. "the actual play that injured a player didn’t involve a fight, with both the injurer and the injuree being called for fighting. (if this does occur no suspension can be called for)"
Martin Brodeur who sometimes struggled during the regular season has also stepped up his game so far in the playoffs. He has allowed only 3 goals in the 2 games the Blues have played in this playoffs and is sporting an impressive 1.45 GAA and a 933 save percentage. GM Foley had these comments about his goalie, "Marty was brought in to get us deep into the playoffs and if he continues playing the way he has then i believe we have a ligit shot at the cup. Marty is one of the top goalies in the league and dispite losing some confidence as the Habs netminder he has come in and done the job for us." Now the Blues will head back to the friendly confinds of the Savis Center were they were 24-15 and 2 during the regular season and will be looking to keep the momentum and close out the series or at the very least win one in the next 2 games to put the Blackhawks on the brink. Team Captain Brad Richards had these comments, "I don't feel as a team we have played our best game yet. We have had good periods and gotten some steller goaltending but if we want to finish off this series we need contributions from all the lines. This happened last year too where our best line was shut down and we went out in the 1st round. I for one am not interested in a repeat of that." Richards has a point as some players have been invisible thus far in the playoffs some notible players who have been held pointless are Steve Kariya, Ossi Vaananen, Ethan Moreau, Bobby Holik, Jan Hrdina and Sami Kapanen. If the Blues have any hope to go deep they will need some of these players to step it up and contribute.