DENVER – David Perron scored two goals for the St. Louis Blues, who faced a late Colorado Avalanche rally to a 5-3 victory at Ball Arena on Saturday.
“I’ve never gotten so much heat (from teammates) because today I took the time I needed to play,” said Perron, who missed some training time due to an unknown illness and who coached Craig Berube saw as a game-time decision became. “I had to score at least one goal.”
Justin Faulk had a goal and an assist, Jordan Kyrou had two assists, and Jordan Binnington made 29 parades for the Blues who were playing their season opener.
“We had a really good first half. We thought we were out, we were on our toes and we have a head start,” said Berube. “We lost a bit of our energy in the second period and we fed their transition game, we are a bit on our heels. The third period was mixed for me.”
Video: STL @ COL: Faulk scores in the 1st period
JT Compher had a goal and an assist, Tyson Jost and André Burakowski scored, and Darcy Kümper made 23 saves for the avalanche (1-1-0).
“We’re proud of the way we fought tonight, especially that we lost 4-1 late,” said Compher. “Nobody on the bench gave up, we stuck with it. Of course we wanted to win the game, but we are proud of it and we can stick it out.”
Faulk gave St. Louis a 1-0 lead at 4:12 in the first period.
Brayden Schenn made it 2-0 at 8:35 of the second period. He ran down the right wing, maneuvered by the avalanche defender Kurtis MacDermid and shot glove side.
At 11:37, Perron extended the lead to 3-0 with a shot from the top right circle.
“It will probably take a while to get back to where I want it, but it was good that I could go out there and do a little bit,” said Perron.
Video: STL @ COL: Perron fought wrist to open a 3-0 lead
Burakovsky cut it down to 3-1 at 14:09 the second with a one-timer from the right circle after a cross-ice pass from Nazem Kadri, but Perron scored his second on power play to make it 4-1 at 6:51 of the third.
Jost finished it 4-2 at 14:36 and gave Compher’s shot with Kuemper on the bench during a 4 against 4. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar then pulled Kuemper again, and Compher shortened to 4: 3 at 16:18 when he converted the ricochet of Kadri’s shot.
“We did a good job just getting the pucks on the net,” said Compher. “None [of the goals] were pretty pretty, but they don’t have to be. You just have to be connected to the network to get in. “
Video: STL @ COL: Compher cleans up the front to trim deficits
Colorado appeared to score their third goal at 17:11 with Kuemper on the bench for the additional attacker, but a video review revealed that Jost kicked the puck into the net with his right skate.
“It looks like a pretty conclusive move,” said the Colorado defender Cale Makar called. “It’s a bit difficult, the guy falls into him. Difficult, but in the end we definitely put in a good performance, that’s for sure.”
Schenn said: “The one corner we had behind the bench looked like his skate was kicking. The NHL called and we are happy.”
Ryan O’Reilly scored an empty goal for the 5-3 final 20 seconds before the end.
Colorado finished the game with 10 strikers after that Stefan Matteau suffered a lower body injury in the first period. Nathan MacKinnon (NHL COVID-19 Protocol) missed his second straight game and Gabriel Landeskog served the first of two game bans for boarding the Chicago Blackhawks Center Kirby roof in their kick-off on Wednesday.
“In times of COVID you have to be prepared for anything these days,” said Makar. “It’s a good test for us. I think the main thing for our team tonight was just putting in the effort and I thought we did it.”
NOTES: Faulk’s goal was his 300th point in the NHL. … Blues forward Jake neighbors had one shot and three hits in 9:00 Ice Age in his NHL debut. … Bednar said Matteau will be re-evaluated on Sunday but “looks like he’s missing out on some time”. … avalanche defender Jack Johnson did not play because of the COVID-19 protocol.
Video: Perron, Faulk lead the Blues to a 5-3 win against Avs
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