The Blue Jackets took to the ice Friday night in an attempt to extend their franchise record-breaking streak of consecutive games with a point to twelve games. It is hard to believe that this streak began nearly a month ago to the day when we were facing the tail of two incredibly tight losses to St Louis and Chicago that put the team record at 5-12-2, yet as the game began this evening, that momentum that has seemed to carry through this month was palpable.
A major contributor to their streak has been the penalty kill, slowly improving throughout and now resting in 3rd place amongst the other 30 National Hockey League teams. This penalty kill has been spotless in fourteen of their last fifteen games (including this evening), a combined total of 34 out of 35 or 97.14%. A combination of stymy defensive work along with high end goaltending have made this streak possible, and I personally believe it helps to provide this team with the confidence needed to play their game at even strength.
The game tonight started relatively slow. Terrible faceoff numbers in the first period left Calgary with possession often, and Columbus fighting for possession. Despite the lackluster efforts on the draw, they managed to strike first thanks to the recently reunited fourth line. A broken play down low found Gillies flinging the puck off a skate in front, with Boll crashing the net hard. A shot was unleashed, and the winger sent the Blue Jackets into intermission up a goal. Columbus managed to outshoot Calgary in a relatively balanced first.
In the second, in began with the team leaning on their effort. One of the worst takeaways of the Blue Jackets of old was their inability to play above the compete level of the competition. This old trait was slowly starting to present itself tonight, with Calgary tying the game at one goal apiece and threatening for a second. But as it seems to go this year, the tides turned. A shot from a Calgary stick rung off the post, and the ensuing rush led to an excellent individual effort by Nick Foligno to take the game to 2-1. Coming off the wall above the faceoff dot, Foligno deked through a number of Flames players before sneaking the puck through the five hole.
And then, it clicked again. Not fifty seconds later, Umberger fed an excellent pass onto the tape of Foligno’s stick in the high slot, and no mistake was made as he ripped a shot high glove on Kiprusoff. Two straight goals from a player that works so hard to make offense happen for this team, and the edge seemed to fall off the shoulders of the players.
The two goal lead was great, and I went about my tweeting thinking I could react and read for a little bit, but was shocked to hear the cannon yet AGAIN a mere twenty-four minutes of game time later, this time off the stick of Artem Anisimov. A three goal lead, and yet another Blue Jackets franchise record broken for the fastest three goals (1:15). The goals along with the huge roars from the crowd took the sails out Calgary’s sails, and it never felt like a game again.
The third period was much of the same, with a goal by Colton Gillies providing the nail in the coffin. Sergei Bobrovsky continued his incredibly strong play with 25 saves, good for a .960 save percentage and his eleventh win of the season. Notable stats include 28-25 shots in favour of Columbus, 31-36 on faceoffs in favour of Calgary, and a staggering 15-4 in takeaways, in favour of the Blue Jackets.
This victory extends Columbus’ win streak to three games, and their point streak to twelve. They are now tied for 8th in the West in points at 32, and boast a 13-12-6 record. Not a bad month for a team formerly 5-12-2, no? Coach Richards after the game noted the highs and lows, and said “The guys in there believe right now, and that’s a real powerful thing.” This is the team I want to support, and I hope the rest of the fan base feels the same.
Columbus is back on the ice Saturday in Nashville, the beginning of four straight on the road. Carry the Flag.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
