The Blues found themselves trailing by two during the second period in Pittsburgh. The Penguins tallied two goals in 17 seconds and the Blues looked ready to pack it in and coast through the remainder of the contest. Then something shifted the momentum and got the Blues back in the game. Was it an inspirational speech from Ken Hitchcock? A lucky bounce? No, it was a fight by Steve Ott.
Ott dropped the mitts with Craig Adams two seconds after the Penguins notched their second goal.
It wasn’t a great bout by any means and you’d probably label it as a draw, but this scrap played a huge role in this game. Almost instantly, the Blues started playing better hockey. They were playing with more intensity and more passion. Two goals later, the Blues exited the second period with the scored tied at two thanks in part to Ott’s fight.
Critics of fighting in hockey will say that there’s no statistical benefit when you drop the gloves. The idea of a fight changing momentum has often been ridiculed. The Blues disagree.
To a man, every #stlblues player that spoke credited Steve Ott for turning momentum around with his fight after two quick goals against.
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) March 25, 2015
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On the flip side, fans of the Penguins are questioning Adams for engaging in the altercation when his team was in firm control of the game at that point.
It may be difficult to firmly measure the pros of fighting in hockey (policing the sport, momentum), but the Blues certainly believe Ott’s scrap propelled the club to a needed victory.
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