Non-call sticks in Corey’s craw
ST. LOUIS — Early in the second period, with the Blackhawks trailing 2-0 and reeling a bit, Corey Crawford made a routine stop, followed by what has become a routine post-whistle scuffle. This time, Crawford stood up after freezing the puck and delivered a two-handed shove to St. Louis’ Ryan Reaves. After a few more shoves by a few more guys, Kris Versteeg took a run at Derek Roy and earned himself a two-minute roughing minor.
Afterward, captains Jonathan Toews and David Backes had a nice long chat with referee Brad Meier. But it’s clear that the officials are having a hard time reining in both teams.
“There were some moments that were just confusing, some stuff that was called against us after the whistle,” Toews said. “Granted, it went their way, as well. Some little things that we don’t want to get frustrated. We don’t want to get too heated with the calls we don’t agree with, but we know that’s going to happen, and we’ve got to keep playing through that.”
Crawford was particularly upset with the immediate aftermath of Brent Seabrook’s devastating hit on Backes, when Alexander Steen came in hot to avenge the play.
“Their guy comes flying in and throws his gloves off and starts throwing punches like crazy,” Crawford said. “I don’t know why nothing was called there. Calling [Seabrook for] five minutes is fine. You got your point across. Apparently, guys are allowed to come in flying into a scrum throwing punches, and that’s fine. Whatever.”