The St. Louis Blues did an excellent job of battling back from a 5-2 third period deficit to earn a single point in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night.
However, there was some confusion over the Blues’ goaltending situation.
After allowing four goals on 21 shots, Jake Allen was pulled in favor of Brian Elliott. Elliott backstopped the Blues to a 2-1 win on Saturday and was supposed to have the night off.
Elliott allowed one goal on six shots before leaving the game early in the third period.
Allen returned and finished the game.
Elliott appeared agitated when leaving leading some to speculate the goaltender had pulled himself from the game.
Big scene at the Blues bench.. Elliott just pulled himself, and Hitchcock grabbed him.. Elliott knocks Hitch's hand away and storms off..
— Blake Price (@justBlakePrice) March 2, 2015
Post-game Ken Hitchcock cleared the air.
The Blues’ coach said he pulled Elliott from the game.
“I was thinking, ‘All I’ve gotta do is get him hurt,’” said Hitchcock per Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Hitchcock was then asked if Elliott pulled himself.
“No, that was me,” Hitchcock said. “He was mad he was coming out. I just told him to relax.”
Allen didn’t seem thrilled about going back into the game.
Allen says he has no idea why he went back into the game. He said he was mentally drained by the situation. #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) March 2, 2015
With the point in the loss the Blues move four points back of the Central Division-leading Nashville Predators.