Di Diego Medolago
Avete in mente i classici film americani, quelli che nonostante tutte le vicissitudini del protagonista portano al lieto fine? La stagione dei St.Louis Blues potrebbe essere tranquillamente annoverata tra questi, visto l’andamento tragico dei primi mesi fino al successo di questa notte.
La franchigia del Missouri, partita con grandi ambizioni, si è ritrovata presto nelle retrovie in classifica, toccando il fondo il 2 gennaio 2019, quando la squadra si è trovata all'ultimissimo posto nella classifica NHL. A quel punto nessuno avrebbe scommesso un centesimo sui Blues ma, come accade nelle trame più classiche, ecco la svolta.
I giocatori di St.Louis, come loro stessi hanno raccontato, si sono trovati in un bar di Philadelphia prima di una partita contro i Flyers per guardare un match di football. Nelle pause veniva suonata continuamente “Gloria” di Laura Branigan (versione inglese del capolavoro di Umberto Tozzi) e l’atmosfera del bar ha aiutato Ryan O’Reilly e compagni a lasciarsi alle spalle per una sera le delusioni del ghiaccio.
Un episodio insignificante, che ha però avuto un effetto incredibile su tutto il team. Oltre a questo, coach Berube ha deciso di togliere il ruolo di portiere titolare all’incostante Jake Allen per puntare il tutto per tutto sul rookie Jordan Binnington. Una mossa disperata che, anche grazie alle strepitose prestazioni del 25enne, ha portato alla fantastica cavalcata dei Blues nel 2019, in cui è arrivato prima il record di vittorie consecutive (11), poi la qualificazione ai playoff ed infine la prima Stanley Cup. E dopo ogni successo, allo Scottrade Center risuonano forti le note di "Gloria".
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