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Jokinen, Hurricanes beat Blues in SO

Dec 12, 2010 - 8:34 AM St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Jussi Jokinen notched the lone goal of the shootout as Carolina clipped St. Louis, 2-1, at Scottrade Center.

After Alex Steen failed on a wrister to open the third round, Jokinen ended the contest when he moved from the forehand to the backhand and scored the game-winner right under the crossbar.

Brandon Sutter tallied in regulation for the Hurricanes, who snapped a two- game slide and won for just the third time in their last 10 games.

Cam Ward stopped 38-of-39 shots for the win.

"We're excited," Ward said. "We've been working extremely hard and it's been difficult at times. But we held on and came up with an important win and we feel good about it."

Alex Pietrangelo provided the lone offense for the Blues, who were denied a third straight win and lost for the sixth time in their last eight.

Jaroslav Halak played well in defeat, making 28 saves.

Sutter broke the scoreless tie at the 3:18 mark of the third period, but Pietrangelo's point shot on a St. Louis power play snaked through a David Backes screen to tie the game at 6:31.

Both clubs flew at each other furiously through the remainder of regulation and overtime without breaking the deadlock.

"We had really, really, really, really good scoring chances," said Blues center Patrik Berglund. "And we didn't execute. I think, also, their goalie had a really good night."

A scoreless first 40 minutes saw Ward make 17 saves. Halak was busy in the first period with 16 stops, and backed that up with seven saves in the second period.

Game Notes

Carolina has won five of the last seven meetings over St. Louis since January, 2004...The Hurricanes continue their five-game road swing at Florida on Wednesday, while the Blues return to action also on Wednesday in Detroit.