NHL

Brouwer puts Blues over top, eliminates Blackhawks

Associated Press
Published | Updated

St. Louis Blues' Jori Lehtera, of Finland, celebrates after scoring past Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford, right, during the first period in Game 7 of an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series Monday, April 25, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

St. Louis Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko (91), of Russia, watches as a puck slips past Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford, Brent Seabrook (7) and Patrick Kane (88) during the first period in Game 7 of an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series Monday, April 25, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko, right, is congratulated by teammate Patrik Berglund, of Sweden, after scoring during the first period in Game 7 of an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks Monday, April 25, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

Troy Brouwer tapped in his own rebound to snap a third-period tie and the St. Louis Blues advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, eliminating the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in Game 7 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series Monday night.

Brouwer, who played for the Blackhawks' Cup winner in 2010 and was among the veteran additions to a team trying to break through, swiped in a backhander. The goal at 8:31 was his first in 24 postseason games since 2013.

Jori Lehtera scored his first career playoff goal and rookie defenseman Colton Parayko also scored for the Blues, who avoided another inglorious finish. They led 2-0 early before the Blackhawks tied it in the second period.

Chicago just missed a chance to tie it when Brent Seabrook's shot went off both posts with about 3:30 left.