Traverse City: Blackhawks 4, Blues 3 (OT)

TRAVERSE CITY - Just when things looked really bleak, two of the Blues' top prospects stepped up in a big way.
Down 3-1 in the third period and in danger of opening with three consecutive regulation losses at the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Blues prospects Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou took control, delivering back-to-back goals in the third period to even the score at 3-3 with the rival Chicago Blackhawks to force overtime.

Thomas - the Blues' first-round pick in 2017 (No. 20 overall) - scored 4:40 into the third period before Kyrou - the Blues' second-round pick in 2016 (No. 35 overall) - tied the game with 8:02 remaining in regulation.
"They're the difference makers," Blues Director of Player Development Tim Taylor said of Thomas and Kyrou. "The power play goal 5-on-3 (from Robert) helped, and then Jordan made a nice play to score a goal and tie it up. You don't like being outshot that bad, but to stay in the game and find a way to tie it up, those two guys, that's what they were known for in junior. They produced that tonight."
The Blackhawks ultimately would win 4-3 in overtime after Dylan Sikura snapped a quick shot that beat Blues goalie Evan Fitzpatrick with 1:51 remaining in the extra frame.

Tryout Bobby MacIntyre got the Blues on the scoreboard in the second period with a power-play goal. Defenseman Jake Walman recorded an assist on MacIntyre's goal and has points in all three games in Traverse City (one goal, two assists).
Fitzpatrick made 37 saves on 41 shots.
The Blues will play the New York Rangers for seventh place in the tournament on Tuesday at 2 p.m. CT. Fans can follow the action at stlouisblues.com and on FOX Sports GO.
"(The message is) just make sure they come to play tomorrow," Taylor said. "This will be four games in five nights, we understand they're tired and that the big camp is coming up, but we want to leave here with a win.
"Our legs were under us later in the game," Taylor added. "Still at the end, you don't like to lose, but you see a lot of good things in these kids."