Associated Press
12/19/2006 10:08:58 PM
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Doug Weight and Dan Hinote each had a goal and an assist and the St. Louis Blues stopped an 11-game losing streak that was threatening a franchise record, beating the uninspired Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 Tuesday night.
The Blues began the game with an NHL-low seven victories and a losing streak that was two short of last season's franchise-worst 13 in a row, only to dominate the Penguins for the second season in a row. The Penguins' dismal 3-0 loss in St. Louis in mid-December a year ago led to former coach Eddie Olczyk's firing two days later and Michel Therrien's hiring.
St. Louis scored in the opening minute for the second time in three games and the sixth time this season when Weight beat goalie Marc-Andre Fleury from in front with 44 seconds gone. Only this time, the Blues made a 1-0 lead hold up - something they couldn't do in their previous four games.
With the Penguins looking a step slow, failing to catch up to lead passes or shooting the puck an instant after there was an opening, the Blues made it 2-0 on Hinote's wraparound goal less than six minutes in.
Fleury was pulled early in the second after Ryan Johnson scored short-handed, outworking Sidney Crosby for the puck near the blue line and lifting a shot under the crossbar. Fleury allowed three goals on 12 shots.
FULL STORY
12/19/2006 10:08:58 PM
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Doug Weight and Dan Hinote each had a goal and an assist and the St. Louis Blues stopped an 11-game losing streak that was threatening a franchise record, beating the uninspired Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 Tuesday night.
The Blues began the game with an NHL-low seven victories and a losing streak that was two short of last season's franchise-worst 13 in a row, only to dominate the Penguins for the second season in a row. The Penguins' dismal 3-0 loss in St. Louis in mid-December a year ago led to former coach Eddie Olczyk's firing two days later and Michel Therrien's hiring.
St. Louis scored in the opening minute for the second time in three games and the sixth time this season when Weight beat goalie Marc-Andre Fleury from in front with 44 seconds gone. Only this time, the Blues made a 1-0 lead hold up - something they couldn't do in their previous four games.
With the Penguins looking a step slow, failing to catch up to lead passes or shooting the puck an instant after there was an opening, the Blues made it 2-0 on Hinote's wraparound goal less than six minutes in.
Fleury was pulled early in the second after Ryan Johnson scored short-handed, outworking Sidney Crosby for the puck near the blue line and lifting a shot under the crossbar. Fleury allowed three goals on 12 shots.
FULL STORY
