The San Jose Sharks are turning a traditional bad-luck charm into a source of inspiration.
Prior to Game 2 against the Nashville Predators on Sunday, the club set up a puck display resembling the feisty feline that ran onto the ice before Game 1 at SAP Center on Friday night.
The setup also included a stuffed animal version of "Joe Paw-velski," as the cat's now known.
(Courtesy: San Jose Sharks)
The cat was transferred to a local animal shelter Sunday and may soon be made available for adoption.
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Kari Lehtonen's poor first period in Game 2 has given Lindy Ruff a tough decision for Game 3.
The Dallas Stars starter was yanked after allowing three goals on five shots, while Antti Niemi stopped 19 of 20 shots in the eventual overtime loss.
Related: Blues' Backes scores Game 2 overtime winner on 32nd birthday
After the game, the head coach said a decision on the starter for Game 3 will be made Monday, as he and the coaching staff continue to balance the 1A-1B goalie situation.
"Just digest the game, take some time," Ruff said in regards to his thought process on the decision, according to Mike Heika of the Dallas News.
"It's the same as we've done all year. It's whether we go and let Kari bounce back. It just seems there comes a point sometimes here Kari needs a rest, plays well after that. So we'll make that decision sometime tomorrow."
Neither goalie has been especially great so far in the playoffs.
| Player | Games | Record | Sv% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kari Lehtonen | 6 | 4-1-0 | .906 |
| Antti Niemi | 3 | 1-0-2 | .892 |
The series is set to resume in St. Louis on Tuesday.
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Ken Hitchcock did not tell his players to sit on a two-goal lead.
The St. Louis Blues head coach watched as his team built a 3-1 first-period lead over the Dallas Stars in Game 2, then allowed the opposition to tie it up and force overtime.
Even though the Blues were outshot 13-2 in the third period, Hitchcock maintained after the game that the coaching staff did not instruct players to play prevent defense. It just happens that way, he explained.
Hitch: "It's a natural tendency. What do they say? The worst lead in hockey's a two-goal lead. It's natural." #stlblues
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) May 1, 2016
Based on the Game 2 possession chart, the Stars did indeed hold an advantage in shot attempts from the beginning of the third period onward, with the Blues desperate to hold on and tie the series at one before going home for Games 3 and 4.
St. Louis came out flying in overtime and recorded eight shots on goal in almost 11 minutes of play, and came out on top thanks to David Backes' power-play goal.
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The captain @dbackes42 gets it done in overtime for a #stlblues win! #WeAllBleedBluehttps://t.co/PCC6aUO0q8
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 1, 2016
The St. Louis Blues have tied up their second-round series with the Dallas Stars, courtesy of their captain.
David Backes, who was also celebrating his 32nd birthday Sunday, knocked a rebound past Antti Niemi and scored the game-winning power-play goal in overtime to secure the Game 2 win. Antoine Roussel was in the box on a interference call, his third minor penalty of the game.
The Blues allowed Dallas to score two goals in the third period to force overtime, but managed to escape with an important win, and will now travel home for Game 3 of the series.
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Elliott takes slapshot to mask - Streamable
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Brian Elliott is one tough netminder.
The St. Louis Blues goaltender took a Jason Spezza slap shot square in the mask in the third period of Game 2 against the Dallas Stars on Sunday afternoon, and the shot was so hard, it dislodged a contact lens.
His replica headgear initially required some repairs, but he was eventually able to don it again.
Lols like the Cujo replica mask is back in play. Great work by the trainers putting new grill on. pic.twitter.com/jsGbu0iMNZ
— Darren R Pang (@Panger40) May 1, 2016
Elliott has worn the Curtis Joseph-inspired mask since debuting it on "Goalies Night" back in January.
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The black cat that ran across the ice before Game 1 of the second-round series between the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators appears to be in good hands.
Related: Sharks send black cat past Predators' bench
The Sharks are making arrangements to transfer the feline, now known as "Joe Paw-velski", to a local animal shelter, where it will have full health and microchip exams, the club announced Sunday.
If the cat is deemed healthy and isn't microchipped, the Sharks believe it will be put up for adoption.
"The amount of interest generated by 'Joe's' appearance and those wishing to adopt him has been overwhelming," Sharks COO Tortora said in a statement.
"We want to make sure the cat is safe and healthy and returned to its rightful owner, in the event it has a microchip. If he is indeed a stray, our goal is to find the best home for him with the support of our local animal shelters.
"If families are interested in adopting 'Joe' but unsuccessful, we strongly encourage you to consider adopting another animal in need of a good home from one of our terrific local animal shelters."
Sharks vice-president of media relations Scott Emmert tweeted Saturday that, contrary to one report, the cat had been found and was safe with food and water.
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It matters not to the St. Louis Blues who tends the twine for the opposition.
After allowing three goals in five shots during the first period of Sunday's Game 2, Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen was yanked in favor of Antti Niemi.
The Blues' response was nothing short of savage.
Stars PA announcer says Antti Niemi will start the second period. Who cares?
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 1, 2016
St. Louis led 3-1 after 20 minutes in Game 2 but did lose Game 1, so perhaps it's a bit early for this level of trash talk.
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The Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues didn't wait long to get on the scoreboard in Game 2 on Sunday.
It was the home team who opened the scoring as Stars captain Jamie Benn set up Alex Goligoski who roofed a one-timer past Brian Elliott to give Dallas an early 1-0 lead, just over three-and-a-half minutes in. Goligoski's third goal of the postseason ties him for the league lead among defensemen.
Alex Goligoski goal #Stars https://t.co/70zh1XnCcM
— Marina Molnar (@mkmolnar) May 1, 2016
The Blues didn't wait long to answer, as just 35 seconds later, Patrik Berglund extended his personal point streak to three games by wiring a rolling puck past Kari Lehtonen on his team's first shot of the afternoon.
Patrik Berglund goal #Blues https://t.co/IlvZPUYAws
— Marina Molnar (@mkmolnar) May 1, 2016
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