San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi(31) makes one of his 25 saves against the Blues. UPI/Robert Cornforth
After mechanical issues with their charter plane in Vancouver force them to stay an extra days on the road, the Blues got back into St. Louis early Tuesday and got off to a fast start, but faded losing 2-1 to the San Jose Sharks.
Tim Kennedy’s goal with 6:58 remaining was the difference as the Sharks ended a seven-game winless skid, stopping St. Louis’ three-game winning streak. The loss was also the Blues fifth straight at home. Kennedy, who got his second goal in three games played, fired a shot from a sharp angle inside the left circle that squirted through Jake Allen into the goal.
“It was a bit of a knuckler, sort of wobbled on me and I didn’t even know it squeaked through me,” Allen said. “That’s the way the game goes. Those things happen sometimes. I wish it didn’t. Tough way to go down.”
Allen was 3-0-0 since being called up from the American Hockey League.
The Blues got a first period goal from Patrik Berglund. Vladimir Sobotka was able to curl around the San Jose goal and feed Berglund in the low slot, who was able to push it under Antti Niemi’s right arm.
There wasn’t much time for rest. The Blues hopped on a plane and flew to Colorado ahead of tonight’s game against the Avalanche.