COLUMBUS, Ohio – Charles Dickens wrote the great classic “A Tale of Two Cities”. In his masterpiece, he writes “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Nothing could be more truthful in the game Tuesday night as the Dallas Stars visited the Columbus Blue Jackets.
December 29, 2015: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Scott Hartnell (43) tries to deflect the puck past Dallas Stars goalie Antti Niemi (31) in the third period in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Brent Clark/Alamy Live News
For the Dallas Stars, it is the best of times as they sit on top of the NHL with 57 points. On the other hand, for the Columbus Blue Jackets, it is the worst of times, sitting dead last in the NHL with 31 points. Both teams in this regard are the antithesis of each other.
When the final horn sounded ending the third period, it was the Columbus Blue Jackets standing proud with a 6-3 victory, breaking a three-game losing streak.
Boone Jenner started the Jackets scoring spree at 00:35 in the first period with a scum and scramble tip in. The assists went to Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky.
The Stars answered back with a rebound goal scored by Colton Sceviour at 06:03.
The Jackets weren’t finished.
Kevin Connauton would light the lamp at 07:28 scoring his first goal of the year. Finishing off the first was Matt Calvert with a blistering shot from the top of the left faceoff circle with Renee Bourque and William Karlsson winning the battle in the corners and getting the assists.
At the end of the first period, it was Jackets 3-1.
The puck was dropped, starting the second period. Dallas wasn’t finished. Tyler Seguin fired one past Curtis McElhinney on a 3-2 rush going the other way with Jamie Benn and John Kingberg.
The Jackets would answer back with a tip in from Brandon Saad at 18:43 making it 4-2 Columbus at the end of the period.
December 29, 2015: Dallas Stars goalie Antti Niemi (white) makes the save against Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson (13) in the third period in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Brent Clark/Alamy Live News
“Saader’s goal was a big goal to go into the third period (ahead by two). That’s a very important goal to score before the intermission.” stated Jacket’s head coach John Tortorella. “Our second periods have been a struggle as far as making big plays at key times, so that was good to see. Did we make mistakes? Yeah, you’re going to make mistakes against that team, but found a way to leave the second period with a two-goal lead and that was very important.”
Starting out the third period, Patrick Sharp would one-time a pass from Jason Spezza making it 4-3 Columbus.
In a pay that would confuse many, Antti Niemi would come out of the crease to play the puck. Niemi tried to pass it off the boards but it was intercepted by Scott Hartnell who wristed it in making it 5-3 Jackets. To top off the scoring, Renee Bourque scored the empty netter with the assists coming from Nick Foligno and Brandon Dubinsky.
With the absence of Sergei Bobrovsky in net Curtis McElhinney was the hero of the night. Rob Mixer of BlueJackets.com makes an outstanding observation
“McElhinney made timely stops down the stretch to keep the margin intact, including a sliding save on John Klingberg and a monstrous glove grab to deny Sharp’s breakaway attempt that came mere moments after Hartnell’s goal.”
McElhinney made 40 saves tonight against the top team in the NHL. A solid performance worthy of making him the first star of the game. Brandon Dubinsky praised
December 29, 2015: Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (white )checks Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (blue) into the boards in the second period in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Brent Clark/Alamy Live News
his goaltender’s performance. “(McElhinney) was great, and he was great in Florida, too. He was phenomenal for us tonight, deserved to be the No 1 star, and certainly was.”
The Jackets have a lot of hockey to play in the coming months. It is highly unlikely that the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to make the playoffs. Tonight was a different night. Instead of looking like last place losers, fans ,and more importantly the team, saw what they can become on any given night; A team that can skate with the best and beat the best.
“I was proud of everyone’s answer and effort (tonight),” Nick Foligno said. “We have to continue to do that, it can’t be one and done, and we have to string a lot together. It was nice to see everyone smiling.”
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