Blues, Oilers Skate To Tie

Little-used Chris McAlpine picked the right time to score his first goal of the season.

McAlpine scored with 5:12 left in the third period Friday night and the St. Louis Blues tied the Edmonton Oilers 2-2.

The Blues had been 3-0 against the Oilers this season. Edmonton (0-6-2) is the only NHL team that does not have a road victory.

McAlpine came back to score after taking a pass from Pierre Turgeon, who got the Blues' first goal late in the opening period. McAlpine's previous NHL goal came last March 7 against Dallas.

"I just saw kind of an opening in front of the slot," McAlpine said. "Turg got me the puck and I was luck enough to knock it in."

Turgeon started the play by beating Edmonton defenseman Janne Niinimaa to a loose puck behind the net. Turgeon's speed helped set up the goal.

"I didn't know that it was Chris out there, but I saw somebody in front of the net," Turgeon said. "I figured if I could get the puck out there to him, something good would happen."

Edmonton goaltender Tommy Salo came up with two saves late in overtime to protect the tie. He stopped both Pavol Demitra and Turgeon in the final 38 seconds.

"We'll take a point. This was a tough (game)," St. Louis coach Joel Quenneville said. "Edmonton played hard and came right after us."

he Oilers took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Guerin at the 13:37 mark of the opening period. It was the first goal of the season for the veteran, who missed the first 11 games before signing a new two-year contract.

"We're playing well enough to get a win," said Guerin. "But maybe we're just a little unlucky."

St. Louis goaltender Roman Turek stopped 30 of 32 shots.

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