In Columbus, the Blue Jackets’ Boone Jenner hit for a double in the first period as part of a three-goal outburst in the frame to help build a 3-1 lead on the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.
The Blue Jackets went on to a 7-3 thrashing of the Blackhawks.
Columbus added four more goals in the middle frame to cruise to the win.
Elvis Merzlikins made 34 saves in the win.
“We played the right way,” Columbus coach Pascal Vincent said. “We managed the blue lines. We are tracking what’s right, our ability to create plays, but it was coming from hard work. I felt that we had those pieces of our games in the past. We just didn’t connect offensively and today we did. So many good things happened today. We played well as a team. Elvis made some key saves at key times.”
Columbus ended a nine-game skid with the decision, they improved to 5-11-4.
Erik Gudbranson’s goal in the first was bookended by Jenner’s double in the 3-0 outburst.
“Tonight was a team effort and everybody chipped in,” said Jenner. “You can see it throughout the game. It was a good team game that everyone came and were ready, focused and went and executed. Something to build on.”
Connor Bedard scored at 15:41 of the first to halt the Columbus string of goals and make it 3-1 after 20 minutes of play.
“Not a fun one, that’s for sure,” Chicago coach Luke Richardson said. “For whatever reason, we just didn’t move our feet well early in the game and they were motivated. A couple of weird bounces on the goals, that didn’t help either in the first period.
“The second period, there’s really no excuse for that. I think we collapsed and started chasing around on the wrong side of the puck. Pretty much everything we’re not supposed to do we fell into the trap of doing.”
The second period was not fun for Chicago as the Blue Jackets scored four straight to take a 7-1 lead after two periods.
Cole Sillinger scored at 7:32 of the middle frame to make it 4-1 to Columbus.
Dmitri Voronkov followed that marker up at 12:16 for a 5-1 advantage.
Just over four minutes later, Kirill Marchenko scored to balloon the lead to 6-1 for the Jackets.
Patrik Laine scored at 18: 40 of the second to push the advantage to 7-1 headed to the third.
Chicago dropped to 5-12-0.
“Obviously, it’s been tough the past few weeks,” Columbus’ Zach Werenski said. “[We] scored some goals. Guys got on the score sheet, power-play goal. Just a big night for us.”
Chicago scored two so-what goals in the third to tighten up the final count on the scoreboard.
Jason Dickinson scored at 6:06, and Ryan Donato hit for a goal at 18:41 for the dressed up 7-3 final.
Petr Mrazek got the start for the Blackhawks, and made 13 saves while surr3endering five goals into the middle frame.
Arvid Soderblom made six saves. in a mop up role.
“I did like a little bit of their fight in the third period,” Richardson said. “It’s a first step in what we said we have to do to get back to how we’re going to play.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.