Zero
10-03-2005, 03:00 PM
Tkachuk sparks Blues to victory: NHL EXHIBITION BLUES 2, BLACKHAWKS 1
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Sunday, Oct. 02 2005
When Keith Tkachuk returned to Blues practice Thursday after a 13-day
suspension, captain Dallas Drake called him the best player on the ice.
Tkachuk was just that in Sunday night's 2-1 preseason victory over Chicago.
Playing in his first exhibition game, he scored the game-winning goal and added
a shootout goal, delighting Savvis Center's largest crowd of the preseason -
announced at 13,441.
The Blues finished their exhibition schedule at 3-3 and will gear up for
Wednesday's regular season opener at Detroit. Though it is still waiting for
Doug Weight and Barret Jackman to return from shoulder injuries, the team is
thrilled to have Tkachuk back after he battled a weight problem.
"He was very effective," Drake said. "He looked really good for his first game
back. You see how much he opens it up."
Tkachuk, who played 23 shifts and logged 21 minutes 41 seconds of ice time,
triggered at least four of Chicago's 14 penalties. The Blues malfunctioned on
the power play again - going zero for 10 - but Tkachuk showed what effect he
can have under the NHL's new rules on interference.
"Sometimes you have no choice to put a stick on him because there's no other
way to stop him," Drake said.
No one did stop Tkachuk on his goal. He barreled in on net and knocked in a
rebound, breaking a 1-1 tie with 2:01 left in the game. Tkachuk said the goal
mattered little in the big picture.
"Whether you score or not, it's just nice being out here," he said. "It's just
nice to be back on the ice. I'm old enough, so I take it as another game. It
was just good to get back out there with the flow and have a chance to battle
before the season opener Wednesday."
Blues goalie Patrick Lalime made Tkachuk's goal stand up, stopping 12 of the 23
shots he faced in the third period. Lalime saved two of the three shots he saw
in the shootout.
On the injury front, center Mike Sillinger injured his groin Sunday and is
listed as day-to-day. Center Weight (shoulder) says he plans to play in
Wednesday's opener. Defenseman Jackman said he's feeling better, but he's
expected to miss the first two regular-season games as the Blues' home opener
is Thursday vs. Detroit.
The Blues announced they will place right winger Reed Low on waivers, effective
at 11 a.m today. If no team picks him up in the 24-hour waiver period, the
Blues have the option to reassign him.
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Sunday, Oct. 02 2005
When Keith Tkachuk returned to Blues practice Thursday after a 13-day
suspension, captain Dallas Drake called him the best player on the ice.
Tkachuk was just that in Sunday night's 2-1 preseason victory over Chicago.
Playing in his first exhibition game, he scored the game-winning goal and added
a shootout goal, delighting Savvis Center's largest crowd of the preseason -
announced at 13,441.
The Blues finished their exhibition schedule at 3-3 and will gear up for
Wednesday's regular season opener at Detroit. Though it is still waiting for
Doug Weight and Barret Jackman to return from shoulder injuries, the team is
thrilled to have Tkachuk back after he battled a weight problem.
"He was very effective," Drake said. "He looked really good for his first game
back. You see how much he opens it up."
Tkachuk, who played 23 shifts and logged 21 minutes 41 seconds of ice time,
triggered at least four of Chicago's 14 penalties. The Blues malfunctioned on
the power play again - going zero for 10 - but Tkachuk showed what effect he
can have under the NHL's new rules on interference.
"Sometimes you have no choice to put a stick on him because there's no other
way to stop him," Drake said.
No one did stop Tkachuk on his goal. He barreled in on net and knocked in a
rebound, breaking a 1-1 tie with 2:01 left in the game. Tkachuk said the goal
mattered little in the big picture.
"Whether you score or not, it's just nice being out here," he said. "It's just
nice to be back on the ice. I'm old enough, so I take it as another game. It
was just good to get back out there with the flow and have a chance to battle
before the season opener Wednesday."
Blues goalie Patrick Lalime made Tkachuk's goal stand up, stopping 12 of the 23
shots he faced in the third period. Lalime saved two of the three shots he saw
in the shootout.
On the injury front, center Mike Sillinger injured his groin Sunday and is
listed as day-to-day. Center Weight (shoulder) says he plans to play in
Wednesday's opener. Defenseman Jackman said he's feeling better, but he's
expected to miss the first two regular-season games as the Blues' home opener
is Thursday vs. Detroit.
The Blues announced they will place right winger Reed Low on waivers, effective
at 11 a.m today. If no team picks him up in the 24-hour waiver period, the
Blues have the option to reassign him.