In front of a sold-out crowd at the Scottrade Center, the St. Louis Blues took care of business against a feisty Colorado Avalanche team.

Kevin Shattenkirk

After a mid-season trade involving 4 premier players, both teams were hungry to prove they got the better end of the deal.

The Avalanche got the best of the Blues in their last matchup in February when Erik Johnson got the last laugh against his former team with a goal late in the 3rd period to seal the comeback win.

This time around, former Avalanche prospect Kevin Shattenkirk got his revenge. Shattenkirk got an assist on David Backes‘ 30th goal of the season to put the Blues up 1-0. Colorado’s Kevin Porter answered late in the 1st period to tie the game at one apiece. Shattenkirk then fired a shot that ricocheted off of two Avalanche players and into the back of the net for the go-ahead goal.

Then the game took a interesting turn.

Cam Janssen and David Koci each received a game misconduct for fighting during a fight involving Chris McLeod and Ryan Reaves.

In the middle of the 3rd period, 5 players were ejected for misconducts (under 10:00 minutes to play). 6 players were involved in fights and the intensity kicked up a notch.

The Blues are 3-1 in their last four–in which they have scored 21 goals. In a late season surge, the team has picked up their intensity. It is good to see that a team that will miss the playoffs is competing hard until they cross the finish line.

The Blues have 2 games remaining in the 2010-2011 season and one will include a trip to Chicago where they could be spoilers for last years Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. St. Louis would get a moral victory against their rival if they could shut them out of the playoffs just one year removed from being on top.