ST. LOUIS – The Colorado Avalanche eliminated the St. Louis Blues in Game 6 of their Western Conference series Friday night thanks to a critical save, not from goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper, but with a “heroic blockade” from defender Josh Manson.
“Manson’s stop is one of the most important in the game,” coach Jared Bednar said after the 3-2 victory. “It kept us at an amazing distance. It’s the kind of despair and sacrifice you need from your boys at this time of year.”
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Less than three minutes into the second period, the Blues had a game of strength and all the push. They had advanced 2-1 and were looking for a critical cushion before the third period. Striker Pavel Buchnevich had the drive to Kuemper’s right and passed it through the area to Blues striker Jordan Kyrou.
Kuemper quickly slid to his left but Kyrou did not shoot. Instead, he took the puck to the center while Kuemper turned his back away from the goal. The Colorado network was abandoned. Kyrou had a chance to make it 3-1.
But then Manson saved the day.
“They threw him through the back door and Kyrou showed good patience,” Kuemper said. “I tried to get there as fast as I could, but then I held on. [Manson] there was the heroic block “.
The shot bounced off Manson as he slid down the goal line, and the puck was covered by Kuemper.
“It was a bit of a panic, to be honest with you,” Manson said. “I knew he was a very patient player. I knew he would hold on to that thing. When I saw him make the move, I [was] I was just waiting for him to touch me, and I guess I was. “
After the whistle, Kuemper stood up and hit Manson twice in the chest, saying “thank you” to his defender.
“If that happens … we’re a tough team. I think we’ll still recover,” Manson said. “But it was nice to get it.”
The Avalanche are in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2002, opening at home against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.