Maroon plays hometown hero in Game 7: 'Biggest goal of my career'

It was a night that Blues forward Pat Maroon will never forget.

The St. Louis native scored the winning goal in double overtime of Game 7 against the Dallas Stars in front of friends and family to propel the Blues into the Western Conference Final for the second time in four seasons.

"The biggest goal of my career. What a moment it's been," Maroon told Sportsnet postgame.

"It's been an emotional roller coaster for me all year, and to score a big goal like that in front of my hometown, my son in the stands tonight, fiancee, friends, and family," Maroon said.

Maroon's 10-year-old son, Anthony, watched from the seats as his father delivered one of the most important goals in the franchise's 51-year history. Following the contest, Anthony was given a chance to share his thoughts on the big moment.

"I was looking at the page with all the players, where they're from and all that stuff. All I heard was everybody scream. My friend turns around and says, 'It's your dad!' I just started crying," Anthony said, according to The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford.

"I may have taught him a thing or two," the youngster joked, according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger.

The 31-year-old signed a one-year, $1.75-million contract with the Blues on July 10 after receiving little interest around the league. Ten months later, Maroon is the hero in the city he grew up in.

"I saw my son - he was crying," Maroon said according to NHL.com's Lou Korac. "I saw him and I pointed to him. I'm proud. I'm proud to be from St. Louis and I'm proud to put that jersey on every night and I'm proud to work hard in front of these fans and to work hard for these guys that deserve it in here."

The Blues will face either the San Jose Sharks or Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final starting later in the week.