GIF: Blues' Backes goes after Avs' MacKinnon in midst of heated game

By Amy Lilek The St. Louis Blues play a tough and physical style of hockey and on Saturday afternoon, Colorado Avalanche rookie Nathan MacKinnon found out just

By Amy Lilek

The St. Louis Blues play a tough and physical style of hockey and on Saturday afternoon, Colorado Avalanche rookie Nathan MacKinnon found out just how physical the Blues can be.

Late in the third period with the Avs leading 3-0, MacKinnon knocked down David Backes and the Blues captain allowed his frustrations to boil over. Backes dropped his gloves and went after the 18-year-old rookie.

MacKinnon left the ice and went straight to the Avalanche locker room. He did not return to the game, which Colorado won 4-0.

For his part, Backes was given two minutes for roughing, two for cross-checking and a 10-minute misconduct in a rough-and-tumble third period that saw the teams total 147 penalty minutes, including nine misconduct infractions at the 17:52 mark.

Patrick Roy certainly did not like Backes’ actions and had some choice words after the game:

Patrick Roy says David Backes jump of MacKinnon: "To me, it's gutless. It shows what kind of leader he is"

— Adrian Dater (@adater) April 5, 2014

The Avs sit just five points behind the Blues for the Central Division title, with five games to go in the regular season. Colorado has won six straight games and hit the 50-win mark for the second time while they fend off the Blackhawks for home ice come playoff time. It's no small feat with leading scorer Matt Duchene out with an injury.