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A18 SPORTS
Thursday 4 May 2017
Predators edge Blues 2-1, take 3-1 series lead

TERESA M. WALKER them.”
AP Sports Writer Just after Ellis’ goal, Pred-
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) ators defenseman P.K.
— Predators defenseman Subban had his helmet
Ryan Ellis gave goalie Pe- knocked off by Edmund-
kka Rinne a hand in the son along the side boards,
crease with a key save sending him to the locker
inside the final minute of room. Subban returned lat-
the second period, then er in the period after being
he broke open a scoreless called for embellishment
game with a power-play along with Edmundson
goal. back in the box for rough-
The St. Louis Blues just don’t ing at 5:15 of the third.
agree with how Nashville “That was a hard-checking
got the man advantage have to compete for every
that led to Ellis’ goal. inch of ice out there, and
James Neal made sure it I thought our guys did a
didn’t matter, scoring the good job,” Nashville coach
game-winning goal with Peter Laviolette said.
6:57 left, as the Predators Allen got help from the
beat the Blues 2-1 on Tues- crossbar on a shot by Neal
day night to take a 3-1 and Viktor Arvidsson hit a
lead in their Western Con- post. Neal finally scored his
ference semifinal. second this postseason in-
“That was by far the hard- Nashville Predators right wing James Neal, left, tries to score against St. Louis Blues goaltender tercepting the puck, spin-
est game of the series,” Jake Allen during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff ning and hitting the top
Ellis said. “I thought they series Tuesday, May 2, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. corner with a wrister.
played well at both ends Associated Press That proved to be the
of the ice. I thought we game-winning goal after
played well too. It was Ellis scored at 5:09 of the The Predators got the first “I thought that they did a Edmundson scored with
deadlocked at zeroes for third to break up a scoreless goal of the game after a really good job lobbying a shot from the left circle
most of the game and we game. Neal then scored scuffle along the boards in for that, and I mean every through two players in front
just got a couple of bounc- with 6:57 left to crank up front of the Nashville bench stoppage they’re yelling at that banked in past Rinne,
es.” the Nashville celebration put Edmundson and for- the refs,” Yeo said of the giving the Blues a chance.
Rinne outdueled St. Louis’ as the Predators won their ward Ryan Reaves in the Predators. “They’re talking With a late start, the Preda-
Jake Allen with 32 saves, eighth straight playoff box for roughing along to the refs, and obviously tors tapped one of their
and the Predators are a game at home. with Predators forward it worked there. It’s worked original fans in country star
victory from reaching the Joel Edmundson scored Cody McLeod. The puck all series. Let’s be honest.” Vince Gill to sing the an-
Western Conference final with 3:49 left as St. Louis bounced around before El- St. Louis captain Alex Pi- them along with his daugh-
for the first time in franchise avoided the shutout. Blues lis scored on a wrister from etrangelo also wasn’t hap- ters, and golfer Brandt Sne-
history. coach Mike Yeo pulled Al- the edge of the left circle py with the way the officials deker brought the Ryder
“Obviously that’s some- len late, but they couldn’t under Allen’s head as the called the penalties from Cup with him onto the ice
thing that would be amaz- beat Rinne again. Allen fin- goalie went down. the scrum. before waving a flag to rev
ing for this organization ished with 23 saves as the Ellis tied the franchise re- “It is the first time I see a up the crowd.
too,” Rinne said. “Now we Blues lost consecutive road cord with a point in his sev- referee not let the captain Former Jets and Bills coach
have a chance to really games for the first time enth straight playoff game. talk to them,” Pietrangelo Rex Ryan also was in the
step on their throats, and since Feb. 28 and March 3. Yeo was upset about the said. “I am pretty sure that stands for his second game
we can control our destiny. Game 5 is Friday night in St. call and said he didn’t get is what the ‘C’ is for, so this series wearing a Preda-
You couldn’t ask for more.” Louis. an explanation. the league can deal with tors’ sweater.q

Carreno Busta beats Robredo

in Estoril; Del Potro withdraws

Juan Martin del Potro with- ed four of his five break op- Elias 6-1, 6-2.
drew after the death of his portunities to win the match Second-seeded Richard
grandfather back home in in just under two hours. Gasquet of France de-
Argentina. The 35-year-old Robredo feated Carlos Berlocq of
Del Potro was going to play had won all three previous Argentina 6-1, 6-4 for his first
his second-round match matches against his coun- tour win since February.
against American Ryan tryman. The 2015 champion in Esto-
Harrison on Thursday. The 21st-ranked Carreno ril underwent appendicitis
“I need to go to my family Busta, a semifinalist in Esto- surgery in March.
Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta returns the ball to Serbia’s Novak
Djokovic, during their third round match of the Monte Carlo Ten- to be with them during this ril in 2015 and a finalist last Gasquet will play the
nis Masters tournament in Monaco, Thursday, April, 20, 2017. hard time and say good- year, will play the quar- quarterfinal against South
Associated Press bye with them,” the former terfinal against defending African Kevin Anderson,
ESTORIL, Portugal (AP) — 7-6 (5), 7-5 to advance U.S. Open champion said champion Nicolas Almagro who rallied to defeat Por-
Top-seeded Pablo Car- to the quarterfinals of the in a statement. of Spain, who lost only two tuguese qualifier Joao
reno Busta defeated fellow Estoril Open on Wednes- Carreno Busta saved seven points on his first serve to Domingues 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.q
Spaniard Tommy Robredo day, while fifth-seeded break points and convert- defeat Portugal’s Gastao