The Columbus Blue Jackets closed the first half of their season Tuesday night with a close 2-4 loss against the Minnesota Wild. Not a bad showing by the home team, as the CBJ finished ahead in even strength shot attempt differential, and Anton Forsberg was good-not-great in his first start of the year. A few unlucky bounces and a solid game from Devan Dubnyk were enough to tip the game in favor of the visitors.
The Good: Zach Parise
Parise potted three goals for the Wild, the hat trick tallies bringing the visiting team a victory. The first came on a delayed penalty, and Parise nailed a wide angle shot as his team played up a skater. The second was on a failed coverage during 4-on-4 play. Not a perfect highlight for the Blue Jackets, but a nice display of hands for the Minnesota player.
Parise second goal of the game. 2-1 #CBJ https://t.co/Jwk2JlYkPs
— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) January 6, 2016
Parise’s last goal was an empty-netter before the CBJ clawed back to 3-2. Minnesota finished off one final empty netter in the final seconds, leaving Parise’s third as the game-winner. Tonight ended a six-game goalless streak for Parise.
The Delightful: Scott Hartnell
This accolade would be true if only because of his spectacular assist on the Cam Atkinson goal. It is glorious.
Atkinson goal. Hartnell and Goloubef the assists. 1-1 #CBJ https://t.co/ehvLwkjtQ3
— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) January 6, 2016
Hartnell is quietly having a fantastic season, one of the top Blue Jackets in scoring (total or rate) and CF%. Time will catch up with him one day. Until that happens, I think we should bask in his skillful (and slightly antagonistic) glory.
Also Good: Cody Goloubef
This was Goloubef’s first game back since November 20th, and he was one of the best players for the Blue Jackets. In the 2nd period, Goloubef managed to keep a puck in the offensive zone and whip it around to Scott Hartnell (leading to the assist mentioned above). Another nice thing: Goloubef finished a positive in shot-attempt differential (via Natural Stat Trick). A solid return for the blueliner.
As for why Goloubef was out? Recovery from a broken jaw. Fox Sports Ohio shared a great feature on the d-man’s injury and road to return. You can check out the video on the FSO YouTube.
Tweet of the Game
I'm a simple man. I like watching bearded dudes smack a rubber puck around the ice and eating bacon-wrapped hot dogs. #CBJ
— Tyler (@TylerPralley) January 6, 2016
Losses be damned. I think this is the right attitude for hockey.
The Blue Jackets play again Friday evening at the Carolina Hurricanes!
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
