Going 0-3 to start the season is something the Columbus Blue Jackets wanted to avoid letting happen at all costs.
The 0-2 start was disappointing for everyone involved, but the CBJ weren’t going to let a slow start to the season stop them from moving forward and getting back on track.
The Jackets took on the Chicago Blackhawks Friday night at home in Nationwide Arena. The home crowd who attended the game were yet to see a win this season from the Blue Jackets, but that would change against the Blackhawks.
Earlier in the week, head coach John Tortorella said that he wanted to see his team start to take more shots.
Ideally, the coach wanted to see his team attempt 60-65 throughout a game. The Jackets wouldn’t quite reach that lofty goal, but you wouldn’t of been able to tell after the first period.
The CBJ got off to a hot start in the first period, playing fast and smart hockey. They seemed to be getting all the shots they wanted early on. Regardless of the high shot total in the first period (17) the Jackets would only score once.
This goal came at the midway point of the first period off the stick of young start Zach Werenski. Werenski is quickly becoming a bright spot on the team.
That's two goals in two games for @ZachWerenski!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/ZF5e1QgOuB
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 21, 2016
His goal came during the Jackets first power play of the game and was assisted by captain Nick Foligno.
The youngster’s goal was the only goal of the period. The Jackets led 1-0 moving into the second period.
Beginning the second period, the team made an announcement that first line defenseman Ryan Murray would not return to the game after suffering an upper body injury in the first period.
After the game Tortorella confirmed the injury and said that Murray would not be traveling with the team on the upcoming trip to Dallas.
This is a big blow for a team who needs every player at their best, especially starting line players. Luckily, Werenski is blossoming into a go to guy, and they hope he can take some of the load for the defense.
Early in the second period the Chicago tied the game at one. Blackhawks forward Tyler Motte scored for the CBH, hitting a shot for his first goal in the NHL.
The CBJ refused to roll over, shortly after on yet another power play, the Jackets answered right back with a goal of their own.
Foligno, the captain, understands the importance of taking advantage of power plays, and did just that, scoring at the 4:36 mark in the second period.
The captain's first of the season!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/zEVyYtEGAz
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 22, 2016
The Jackets went 2-for-2 on power plays on the night, another step in the right direction.
Moving deeper into the second period, the CBJ (who were still looking sharp) scored yet again to stretch the lead to two.
Williams Karlsson got in the action also scoring his first of this NHL season.
#CBJ lead 3-1 after two! ? pic.twitter.com/NVmwG5PtNg
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 22, 2016
Karlsson’s goal was assisted by David Savard and Scott Hartnell.
The second period would end with everyone feeling somewhat comfortable with the Jackets up 3-1, but it’s hard to be comfortable, given the team’s reputation for letting things slip away late in games.
During the third period it was obvious that the Blue Jackets were playing not to lose. The team motto “safe is death” went right out the window. The team played conservatively, not wanting to risk another late collapse.
The Blackhawks scored a goal at the 5:54 mark of the third period just to make things interesting.
The tension was in the air and it felt like that tying goal could come at any minute.
The CBJ had zero shots on goal in more than ten minutes at this point, it was all defense for the Jackets.
The atmosphere was tense when with three minutes left the Blackhawks went on the power play due to a questionable “tripping” of Chicago goalie Corey Crawford.
The Blackhawks took shot after shot at the Blue Jackets goal during this power play, but the Jackets defense held strong.
That moment of collapse that felt imminent never arrived and the final buzzer went off. It was as if a deep breath was let out of every CBJ fan in the arena.
These last five minutes were a true test for the Columbus Blue Jackets, but for the first time this season, the team came together, buckled down and got a W.
After the game team Foligno talked a little bit about what this win meant for the Jackets.
”We needed this win, we needed a win at home. We didn’t feel like we made it tough enough in first two games at home. This has got to be a tough place for people to come into. We can’t get beat easily at home. Those first two losses didn’t sit well with us all week.”
Friday night was the first time the Blue Jackets actually looked to be on the same page for three periods.
They played selfless hockey and more importantly they played together. When things got choppy, they didn’t give in. They kept pushing and kept playing for 60 minutes.
The CBJ go on the road to Dallas to face the Stars on Saturday night. We’ll see if Friday night’s win can give them a little momentum, and light a fire within the team.
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