Goaltender Lalime recalled by Blues

Patrick Lalime, who was sent to the minor leagues after struggling in his first season in goal in St. Louis, is returning to the Blues.

St. Louis on Wednesday recalled Lalime from Peoria of the American Hockey League, where Lalime was 6-6-1 with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage.

Lalime, 31, was expected to lend stability after years of revolving goalies. But he struggled badly and was sent down in December.

Lalime was 3-11-4 with a 3.97 goals-against average -- 40th among 42 goalies -- before his demotion. His .866 save percentage is the lowest of any goalie with 15 or more games played.

The Blues traded a conditional fourth-round draft pick to acquire Lalime after the 2003-04 season from Ottawa.

Lalime was 25-23-7 in 57 games in 2003-04, with a goals-against average of 2.29. Before this season, his career goals-against average was 2.39. He was an all-star in 2003-04.

-- AP