Former St. Louis Blues color analyst Joe Micheletti, who now holds the same role with the New York Rangers and NBC Sports, discusses the Blues’ 1-0 win over the Sharks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final. Here are some quotes: On national broadcasters being criticized for apparent homerism: “That is the way it is. No matter what city you go to the home fans would rather have their home broadcasters. It has always been that way. With John Kelly and Darren Pang, St. Louis has as good a broadcast team as in the entire NHL. It is a national broadcast and I won’t change whether it is a home broadcast or national. We have two good teams on the ice and one team won’t do things right all the time. That is what makes it a good sport.” What’s your take on how the Blues played in Game 1? “They will play better in Game 2. That being said, you have to look at the different aspects. If special teams and goaltending win the battle, then you have a good chance of winning. The Blues got dominated in the second period. I don’t care how good you are, it is really tough to break out of your zone when San Jose gets going. All four teams remaining are very good and have different strengths. On five-on-five, the Sharks were better. San Jose had better scoring chances. Blues had better goaltending. It was a very stoppable puck that Jones didn’t stop. Elliott was terrific and kept the Blues in the game. The power play for the Sharks is great, but it wasn’t as good last night. Blues power play has also been very good and they scored the only power play goal in the game. They won because of goaltending and special teams.” On Brian Elliott: “Fortitude. We have seen through history players who people never thought. He was never drafted and a forgotten person. He has bounced around throughout his career. He has a lot of intestinal fortitude. People saying he is not good enough to be a number one. He isn’t good enough. And he kept plugging away. His motivation to become a really good player is remarkable and he deserves all the credit.” On Sharks goalie Martin Jones: “Martin Jones is 26 years old. This is a kid who was never drafted. Grew up in Vancouver. He was friends with Mark Crawford’s son and they would go out and practice on the ice. He grew up with professional hockey. He knew the atmosphere and has been comfortable. He let in a goal last night that he should have stopped. He plays with a lot of calm and does not get rattled. I expect him to come back with a good performance in Game 2.” On Blues coach Ken Hitchcock: “He is so insightful about the game. He picks up things that makes you sit back and think about how you didn’t know that. He takes all this info and put a simplistic edge to it. The team that plays in the offensive zone more is going to win. He knows how difficult San Jose is to defend. He knows how talented they are. That came to fruition last night. He has the ability to look at games and break them down in a simplistic way.” On the Blues’ roster compared to the Sharks: “The teams are so close that it is a toss up. No one would be surprised with seven games. Elliott has more experience but there is no edge. Both teams have depth. Whatever line the Blues have as a 3rd is a better offensive line. It is a toss up.” On his love for St. Louis: “Saint Louis is a big part of my life and that will never wane. We still have a tremendous amount of friends here. I have people who I work with who I have a responsibility to. I need to walk away from the show knowing that I called it fair and how I saw it. That is what I try to do.”
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