Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Has the Sharks-Blues series created a DeBoer vs. Hitchcock rivalry?

NhYJlwOru_Wd
Troy Brouwer and Kyle Brodziak scored two goals and Jake Allen made 31 saves in his first start of the playoffs, as the St. Louis Blues bounced back from two shutouts to beat the San Jose Sharks, 6-3, to even the series.

The Western Conference Final between the San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues has produced some verbal sparring between the coaches Pete DeBoer and Ken Hitchcock.

Throughout this series, tied two games apiece, there have been some interesting comments made from both bench bosses directed at the other.

Example No. 1:

“What we’re relying on is the officials to do their job,” said DeBoer following Game 1. “St. Louis is one of the most penalized teams in the league, regular season and playoffs. (Referees) need to call the game accordingly and we need to make them pay a price for being one of the most penalized teams in the league.”

Hitchcock responded: “We were told not to whine for calls, so we’re not going to whine for calls. If Pete wants to do it, that’s up to him, but we’re not doing it.”

Example No. 2:

Following the Blues’ win in Game 4 on Saturday, Hitchcock spoke about his decision to go with Jake Allen over Brian Elliott in goal, a move that paid off because Allen stopped 31 shots and St. Louis scored six goals for the victory.

“We needed somebody to really help us play better defense. We played with more passion in front of him in our own zone because I made the goalie change,” Hitchcock told reporters.

Asked about any possible adjustments the Blues may have made to their forecheck, DeBoer’s response essentially concluded his media availability.

“I’m sure Hitch will tell you he made all kinds of great adjustments, and every one of them worked tonight. Hats off to him.”

Example No. 3:

DeBoer was, on Sunday, asked a handful of questions about Hitchcock and their experience together coaching for Canada at the 2011 world hockey championship.

DeBoer didn’t get into specifics but did say it was a “great learning experience” working alongside Hitchcock in that tournament. But when asked if the two had any relationship today, the Sharks coach was quick with his answer.

“Who has a relationship in the Stanley Cup semifinals?”

Oh. It’s so on, obviously...