The St. Louis Blues entered Game 5 of their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Colorado Avalanche with their backs against the wall. They were trailing 3-1 in the series, facing elimination on the road. For much of the game, things did not look good for the Blues, but the team stayed together and fought back, eventually forcing overtime.

In overtime, Blues forward Tyler Bozak beat Avalanche goalie Darcy Kuemper for the game-winning goal. St. Louis survived 5-4. Not only did Bozak keep his team alive, but he kept a hefty payday alive as well.

According to St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Tom Timmermann, Bozak stands to earn a $150,000 bonus if the Blues reach the Western Conference Finals.

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The Blues were oh so close to being eliminated, costing him the money. Colorado had built a 2-0 and 3-1 lead on the back of Nathan MacKinnon. The Blues clawed their way back to tie the game in the third period. But MacKinnon scored his third goal of the game for the hat trick with just under three minutes left, giving Colorado a late 4-3 lead. In doing so, MacKinnon joined Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Jari Kurri in the NHL history books. Things looked bleak for the Blues, but once again this resilient group did not go away.

With under a minute remaining in the third period, Robert Thomas beat Kuemper to tie the game, forcing overtime. That's where Bozak save St. Louis' season on a shot from just above the circle.

The Blues forced a Game 6 on home ice Friday night.