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Game 26 Recap: Revenge!

There were a handful of storylines leading up to this game, including the Bobrovksy-Bryzgalov matchup in net, the debut of Corey Tropp in a Jackets uniform, and the fact that this game served as an opportunity for the Jackets to exact revenge on the Oilers for the 7-0 beatdown delivered upon them ten days prior.

They did just that.

They got their pound of flesh, but they did it the hard way. The Jackets committed seven penalties, but luckily the only goal scored by the Oilers while up a man was in garbage time.

The first penalty came just twenty seconds into the game, when Boone Jenner was called for interference. The Jackets killed it off, thanks to tenacious forechecking, led by Matt Calvert. Calvert’s speed and energy was sorely missed while he was on the shelf.

In addition to his excellence on special teams, Calvert earned an assist on the opening goal of the game. During a line change, he gathered the puck inside of the Oilers’ blueline. He waited for reinforcements, passing the puck down low to Ryan Johansen. Johansen drifted toward the slot, wiring a wrister past Bryzgalov.

1-0 Jackets: Johansen – Atkinson, Calvert

Though the Jackets had the lead, the opening period was very evenly-matched. The shots after one were 8-7 in favor of Edmonton, but the Oilers blocked ten shots to the Jackets one.

Please allow me a moment to offer up my thoughts on Jody Shelley as a member of the game broadcast team:

He’s terrific.

Shortly into the middle period, Nick Schultz was called for tripping. Moments later, Jeff Petry joined him in the box after flipping the puck over the glass. The parade continued, when Oilers captain Andrew Ference was sent to the sin bin for holding with 26 seconds left in the five-on-three.

It was crucial for the Jackets to take advantage of this opportunity, and they did just that. Calvert threw a puck on-net, where it was redirected by Artem Anisimov for a two-goal lead. This was not without minor controversy however, as it appeared that the goal was scored prior to Petry’s penalty expiring. This would mean that the 1:48 remaining on Ference’s call would still be on the board, and the Jackets would remain on the powerplay. After some consultation with the off-ice officials after the Anisimov goal, it was determined that Petry’s penalty had expired, meaning Ference could return to the ice and the teams would be five-on-five.

2-0 Jackets: Anisimov – Calvert, Tyutin

Random thought of the evening- the Oilers are one of the best-looking teams in the league. Going back to their classic sweaters was an excellent decision. They also had one of the best third sweaters ever, in my opinion- bring back the Todd McFarlane thirds!

The Jackets continued to pressure the Oilers, and were winning battle after battle, unlike the game against the Predators on Wednesday. The effort was there, from all four lines. Bob had settled down after some first period rebound issues, and the Jackets were in control.

Midway through the second, the Oilers’ Justin Schultz was called for interference. The #Jennerator received the puck below the goal line from Johansen, who was working the half-wall. Jenner fed Nick Foligno in front of the net, who got a quick shot off. Bryzgalov made the initial save, but Foligno got another crack at it and stuffed into the net.

3-0 Jackets: Foligno – Jenner, Johansen

The cheers of “Booooooooone!” always puts a smile on my face. What a thrill for the young man every time the crowd honors him that way.

In the loss to Nashville, Jack Skille was the Jackets’ best player. Since his most recent call up, he’s delivered high-quality minutes on the fourth line, chipping in offensively, bringing energy, and forechecking. On this night, he was bringing it again, and after receiving a pass from the newly-acquired Corey Tropp in the defensive zone, he booked it up-ice, and fired a beautiful wrister past Bryzgalov to put the Jackets up by four.

4-0 Jackets: Skille – Tropp, Prout

The assist by Tropp was his first point as a Jacket. I thought he brought a lot of energy, and at times he showed flashes of skill. This may prove to be a shrewd acquisition by Columbus brass.

After an uncharacteristically good second period, the Jackets started the third period facing a new goaltender, as the Oilers elected to put Devan Dubmyk in the cage, replacing Bryzgalov.

The OIlers got on the board midway through the period. Shortly after killing a Blake Comeau penalty, the Jackets allowed Sam Gagner to get off a sharp-angle shot, which beat Bob.

4-1 Jackets: Gagner – Hemsky, Grebeshkov

The Jackets took four penalties in the final frame, but it wasn’t until the last penalty that the Oilers were able to convert. Taking all of the penalties was going to catch up with them eventually, and Jordan Eberle was the beneficiary. He was left alone, and after receiving a cross-ice pass, he fired a perfect wrist shot past Bob to halve the score.

4-2 Jackets: Eberle – Nugent-Hopkins, Schultz

Edmonton pulled Dubnyk late in the period, but couldn’t cut into the lead.

Final Score: 4-2 Jackets:

Standard Bearers:

  • Ryan Johansen was in beastmode, again.
    Matt Calvert is a huge part of this team- his PK ability, speed, forechecking, nose for the net…he does it all.
    Props to Corey Tropp for his first point as a Jacket. /

Jack Skille continues to shine.
Bottom of the Barrel:

Perhaps not deserving of an appearance in this section, but The Jekyll and Hyde show continues, but tonight the beast was not to be found. Let this please be the end of the current trend of good showings followed by huge disappointments.
For the advanced stats for tonight’s game, be sure to check out the terrific work at Extra Skater.

The Jackets are back at it in Boston tomorrow night.