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SPORTS Thursday 9 May 2019
Maroon's OT goal lifts Blues past Stars in Game 7

BY STEVE OVERBEY
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Pat Ma-
roon always imagined be-
coming a hometown hero.
The 31-year-old St. Louis na-
tive got to live out that fan-
tasy Tuesday night.
Maroon scored 5:50 into
the second overtime, Jor-
dan Binnington made 29
saves and the St. Louis Blues
outlasted the Dallas Stars
2-1 in Game 7 of their West-
ern Conference semifinal
playoff series.
St. Louis will face the winner
of the San Jose-Colorado
series in the conference fi-
nal.
Maroon slammed in a
loose puck after Robert
Thomas hit the goal post on
a rush down the right wing.
The puck then bounced off
Dallas goalie Ben Bishop
and dropped in the crease.
It was the second game-
winning goal of the series
for Maroon, who savored
the moment in front of doz-
ens of family and friends.
"As a kid, playing in a base-
ment, on the street, you
always think about doing
this," Maroon said. "It's un- St. Louis Blues' Pat Maroon (7) scores the game-winning goal past Dallas Stars goaltender Ben Bishop, as Miro Heiskanen (4) and
real. It means the world." John Klingberg (3) help defend during the second overtime in Game 7 of an NHL second-round hockey playoff series Tuesday, May
Maroon deflected credit 7, 2019, in St. Louis. The Blues won 2-1 to win the series.
for the tally to Thomas, Associated Press
whose rush helped create
the winner. a little tired. We fought until the game with a handful of pa Bay Lightning. Dallas killed off 35 of 37
"I saw an opening and I the end. We found a way. big-time stops in regulation He made several key saves penalties in the postsea-
shot it," Thomas said. "He It's been working for us." and the overtimes. during a 34-minute stretch son, including all 15 in the
was there to bang it in." Vince Dunn also scored for The Blues jumped in front when the Blues outshot Dal- first round against Nash-
Maroon struggled at times St. Louis. when Dunn converted a las 27-2 from the start of the ville. ... Thomas became
during the regular season, "It was a pretty good ef- shot from the point 13:30 second period. the first teenager (19 years,
going 23 games without fort from the get-go, they into the first period. It was But he was unable to stop 309 days) to record a point
a goal. But he has scored battled and stayed in it," St. his first career playoff goal. what Maroon called, a in a Game 7 for the Blues
three goals in the postsea- Louis interim coach Craig Zuccarello then jumped on "greasy goal." when he assisted on Dunn's
son. Berube said. "Their goalie a fortunate deflection for "I think it went off the post goal. ... Actor Jon Hamm,
"I got to my game and I had a great game, but our Dallas, tying it at 1 at 15:55. and hit me in the back of a St. Louis native, was in at-
got my confidence back guys never quit and stayed A clearing attempt by St. the head," Bishop said. "It tendance. It was the fourth
where it needs to be," Ma- with it." Louis forward David Perron just laid there." double overtime game al-
roon said. "It's been a heck Bishop made 52 saves and hit referee Marc Joannette Bishop, a Veznia Trophy fi- ready this postseason. ...
of a journey." Mats Zuccarello scored for and bounced into the slot. nalist, made 46 successive Dallas D Esa Lindell played
St. Louis captain Alex Pi- Dallas, which dropped to Binnington was looking in saves before Maroon's tally. a game-high 37:45.
etrangelo felt Maroon de- 5-8 in Game 7s in franchise the other direction and "The first word that comes is UP NEXT
served a little puck luck. history. never saw Zuccarello's shot. frustrated," Bishop said. "It's St. Louis plays either San
"He's been working so hard," It marked the first time in Bishop came into the con- tough to end your season Jose or Colorado in the
Piertrangelo said. "What a NHL history that three play- test with two shutouts in his in an overtime game." Western Conference final,
cool moment for him." off series were decided in only two Game 7 appear- NOTES: It was the 176th which will be decided with
Binnington, a Calder Tro- overtime in Game 7 in the ances, both with the Tam- Game 7 in NHL history. ... Game 7 on Wednesday.q
phy finalist, improved to same year. San Jose elimi-
8-5 in postseason play. He nated Vegas and Carolina
stopped Radek Faksa on beat Washington in the first
a breakaway in the open- round.
ing period and also made St. Louis, which improved to
some key stops in the sec- 9-8 in Game 7s, outshot Dal-
ond extra period. las 54-30, including 41-16 in
"It was fun for the first three regulation. But Bishop was
or four periods," Binnington terrific against his first NHL /arubatoday/
said. "Then I started to get team, keeping the Stars in