Just another February Saturday in Ohio. The snow was falling, the Yuengling was pouring, and Detroit was in town for another weekend game against our Columbus Blue Jackets. Have you read this before? Certain expectations are common for these games: play hard, stay in the game, and be louder than the Wings fans in attendance. This game, unlike many in our recent past, found a strong percentage of the crowd in Blue Jackets third jerseys, and a great collection of loud fans ready to get behind the home team.
A slow start (but not nearly as slow as recent games) found the Blue Jackets down a goal midway through the first period, but a strong second half led to an excellent low point shot by Wisniewski that beat a screened (Umberger) Jimmy Howard. Taking the momentum away from Detroit heading into the first intermission was great to see, and I felt that it really translated into the rest of the game.
Now, to fall over in the presence of awesome: Artem Anisimov.
A strong effort from Dorsett forced Kronwall to play the puck off the boards skating into the Detroit zone. Anisimov, trailing on the play, picked up the puck, stopped short to allow a Detroit defender to pass him, and then sent a wrist shot top shelf over Jimmy Howard’s shoulder. Right where grandma hides the cookies. It was nearing an impossible angle and clearly surprised Howard, along with the 17,600 in attendance.
But Artem wasn’t done. Late in the second period, John Moore made a hard, accurate pass from the right point across to Anisimov who was streaking in from the left circle. Artem, being left handed, showed shot and forced Howard to commit to a save. With that, the dangle was on, and Anisimov deked wide to the backhand and slipped the puck past him. It was easily one of the more dazzling goals of the season and sent Nationwide into a massive celebration. A lead.. against Detroit.. at home.. on a Saturday.
There was a pleasant attitude heading into the second intermission with Columbus up 3-1. The feeling was no longer ‘can we hang on’ but more in the realm of ‘we have our two goal buffer with momentum.’ There were really only two negatives from the second. First, James Wisniewski fell to injury early in the period due to a frightening collision with the end boards but was able to leave the ice under his own power (with some help). Second, late in the period, a foolish charge (and hit to the head) by Jared Boll that will likely generate some response from the league.
The third period brought about more positives for the Jackets. An excellent pass by Dubinsky lead to a great shorthanded goal by Letestu through the five hole. Extending the lead to three goals put the crowd at ease, and also ignited them to cheer each and every time the team successfully cleared the zone, held offensive possession, or when Mason came up with a save. While Brunner scored with thirty seconds left in the game, it did not detract from the crowd volume, and cheers held on well into the three star selections.
Steve Mason had another significant game in net. He finished the night at .941 and once again gave the team a great opportunity to win. This is the type of hockey we need to see from him, making strong saves throughout the game, but more importantly, making all the saves you expect the average goalie to make on a nightly basis. It is really peaking my interest between building his trade value (he’s an RFA this summer) or keeping him around at a reduced salary to tandem with Bobrovsky or the next goalie they acquire.
I often talk about a sixty minute game, and we got that for the most part tonight. Maybe a slow start, but Columbus spent the game getting better while Detroit wilted away. It was an uncommon experience that I welcome for the rest of the season. Win column or not, that is fun hard working hockey and I can’t wait to see more of in the near future. If this is the new age, I welcome it with open arms.
Carry the Flag.
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