COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in the third period at Nationwide Arena Saturday. The story of the game was Blue Jackets left winger, Scott Hartnell. The Regina, Saskatchewan native netted two goals on the night including the game winner. Although Hartnell was the star of the game, the Hurricanes didn’t go quietly into the dark night.
January 21, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes the save against Carolina Hurricaines right winger Lee Stempniak (21) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus would go on to win 3-2 Brent Clark/CSM
Columbus opened the scoring with Markus Hannikainen scoring his first NHL goal off a rebound from a Josh Anderson shot at 4:49 of the first period. The Jackets would score once again with a blistering canon like slapshot from just inside the blue line by Hartnell, his first of the night at 14:26. He was assisted by defenseman Scott Harrington. The first period ended with the Blue Jackets in the lead 2-0.
The Hurricanes came out in the second period swinging like Mike Tyson seeking a first round knockout. They clogged up and took control of the neutral zone causing many turnovers. The Jackets committed six penalties and the penalty kill took up the slack.
“They’re a unit that’s really aggressive and they go after pucks, “said Blue Jackets center Sam Gagner. “It gives us a lot of momentum.”
At 09:05 Sebastian Aho would score a power play goal assisted by center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Jaccob Slavin. The Hurricanes would tie the game with an unassisted goal by defenseman Justin Faulk beating Jackets netminder Sergei Bobrovsky glove side. Regardless of this missed save, Bobrovsky stopped 35 shots against an aggressive Carolina attack.
“We have no chance if Bob doesn’t play the way he does,” said head coach John Tortorella “It’s part of his job, too; when we need him like we needed him tonight, (with) a key save at a key time, that’s his job and he’s done it very well for us.”
The third period was a back and forth battle like Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed bashing each other in the center of the ring. The battle was for puck control and the neutral zone. Finally, Sam Gagne and Hartnell would go on a two on one with Gagne slipping the puck to Hartnell who would tap in the game winner and second goal of the night at 10:25.
“We wanted a good bounce back. I thought we did that,” Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal said. “We played the way we wanted to play. Sometimes you don’t get the results.”
“We found ways to not completely cave. We were close tonight but we didn’t.” said Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella.
This game was a hard-fought loss for the Carolina Hurricanes, but a redeeming win for the Columbus Blue Jackets after a lackluster second period. The Hurricanes played a tough second period tying the Blue Jackets at 2-2. Unfortunately for Carolina it was the Columbus Blue Jackets who would come out on top tonight.
January 21, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) takes a warm up shot before facing the Carlina Hurricaines in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) skates during warm ups before facing Carolina in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) waits to take a warm up shot before facing Carolina in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: An American solider rapells from the rafters in honor of Military Appreciation Night before the Columbus Blue Jackets play the Carolina Hurricaines at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Markus Hannikainen (33) scores his first NHL goal against the Carolina Hurricaines in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: The Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate with Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Markus Hannikainen (33) on his first NHL goal against Carolina in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jeff Skinner (53) and Carolina Hurricanes center Jay McClement (18) rest between whistles against Columbus in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Klas Dahlbeck (6) fights for the puck against Columbus Blue Jackets center William Karlsson (25) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk (27)fights for position against Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Scott Hartnell (43) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Ron Hainsey (65) carries the puck against the Columbus Blue jackets in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dalton Prout (47) checks Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jeff Skinner (53) into the boards in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Sebastian Aho (20) scores on Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) making it 1-2 Blue Jackets in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Brock McGinn (23) checks Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Scott Harrington (54) into the boards in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk (27) ties the game 2-2 against the Columbus Blue Jackets in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
January 21, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Scott Hartnell (43) scores on Carolina Hurricanes goalie Michael Leighton (32) assisted by Columbus Blue Jackets center Sam Gagner (89) giving the Jackets the lead in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/CSM
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