The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the road in snowy Vancouver Saturday looking to tie their franchise record, ninth straight win. It would also be a sweep of the West and HC Tortorella’s 500th Career win and they delivered and exciting 4-3 win in OT versus the Vancouver Canucks.
The game started off sloppy with the puck bouncing around and players leaving their feet. Vancouver came out shooting and the defense was able to fight off two early opportunities taken by the Canucks.
The Jackets had some difficulties getting the puck past the Vancouver defenders and get many shots to the net. Despite the first period struggles by both offensive units, the opening frame finished with things all tied up 0-0, with a shot advantage going to Columbus 6-3.
All zeros in Vancouver. #CBJ with 6 shots on goal to 3 for Cannucks.@Eli_Mooneyham @NEOSportsInside #NHL @TheUBSoldiers pic.twitter.com/KzW2157qd2
— David Sprouse (@NEOSI_Sprouse) December 18, 2016
The second period brought us to the ice eager for the action to commence when The Blue Jackets went on the power play. Thirty-five seconds into the man advantage brings the 12th career goal for Cam Atkinson with assists for Nick Foligno (C) and Zach Werenski.
knock knock
it's cam on the doorstep pic.twitter.com/RIdn7YOwO8
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 18, 2016
After returning to full strength both ways, another opportunity arose as Scott Hartnell set it up for his 2nd line with a pass to Brandon Saad for his 10th between the pipes.
what a pass from #CBJ dad scott hartnell pic.twitter.com/nP8R1h6u0N
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 18, 2016
that pass was very good, Scott pic.twitter.com/ZHT7UPE7QW
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 18, 2016
The final frame of this one started as the middle stanza ended… with the penalty kill. Ryan Murray was in the sin bin for an infraction in the 2nd that carried over. Upon his return to the ice, he was sent directly back to the box for cross-checking resulting in a back to back man down opportunities for Vancouver as Brandon Sutter scored at 02:51 on the power play.
Daniel Sadin caroms the puck off the skate of Jack Johnson knotting things up at 2-2 at 07:42 mark of the 2nd.
Alexander Wennberg and, Foligno attacking from below that D-line gives Saad his 2nd goal of the afternoon, putting Columbus in the lead 3-2 at 15:21.
Jannick Hensen put one in over Bobrovsky’s glove hand off of the shin pad of Ryan Murray bringing this game to the boiling point with just 1:09 remaining in regulation.
Coming into this game Columbus had not allowed a goal in the third period until today giving up three in the final frame. On to overtime.
Seth Jones sets up a target for a pass to push the puck past Miller just forty-six seconds into OT. In a post game interview, Seth Jones had this to say.
“It’s good to have some adversity… it’s been coming easy lately.”
make it NINE STRAIGHT#CBJ pic.twitter.com/Xto4dRsTQQ
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 19, 2016
W W W W W W W W W#CBJ pic.twitter.com/JXLYWNEQX1
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 19, 2016
The Jackets have been on fire lately due to the D Zone that they have and the performance of Goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, who put on a goaltenders clinic this afternoon saving 14 shots on goal and Miller from Vancouver with 21 saves. Bobrovsky sits now sit atop of the NHL standings for most wins with 19.
The Jackets are off tomorrow but return to Nationwide Arena for 3 games before Christmas. Tuesday’s game is a clash with The Kings, then Pittsburgh and Montreal.
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