I’ll be blunt. This was a terrible hockey game. It completely lacked excitement, and there was a complete lack of memorable moments. For this, I apologize in advance for what will be a boring recap.
First Period Notes:
- Sergei Bobrovsky was the man in the cage for Columbus, while Vancouver countered with Cory Schneider.
- Outside of a missed too many men on the ice call against the Canucks, the opening five minutes were uneventful. The Canucks out-chanced the Jackets early, with Columbus not getting their first shot on net until five-plus minutes in.
- Shortly after the midway point of the period, the Jackets were whistled for having too many men on the ice. The Jackets’ penalty kill, which has been the best part of their game this year, was able to keep the Canucks off the board.
- The Jackets received their own powerplay moments later. As we’ve seen all year, the man advantage offered no advantage whatsoever. The Jackets continue to have serious difficulty setting up in the offensive zone. Hopefully the return of James Wisniewski is the shot in the arm the PP unit needs.
- Overall. an ugly period for the Jackets. They were outshot 13-2, and were lucky to escape the period scoreless.
- Score after the first: 0-0.
Second Period Notes:
- The Canucks picked up where they left off to start the middle period. It was all Vancouver early on, with the Jackets having difficulty getting out of their own zone. The Jackets looked tired and out of sync.
- As the period wore on, Bob was the only reason this thing didn’t get out of hand. I mean, it seemed like the Canucks were playing with an extra skater the entire time.
- Am I hearing a tuba?
- The Jackets showed a pulse midway through the period, after a strong shift by the Derick Brassard – Vinny Prospal – Mark Letestu line. The trio was able to get a pair of scoring chances after some cycling of the puck. Brass took a hit as he fired off a shot, but was none the worse for wear.
- Artem Anisimov and the Atkinvert twins followed that shift with a strong one of their own, but were unable to solve Schneider. The Canucks were not as dominant as they were in the opening frame, but still had their way with the Jackets.
- Man, this game has been a terrible bore.
- Score after the second: 0-0.
Third Period Notes:
- It was the Jackets’ turn to start the period with a flurry, but any momentum Columbus was building up was killed after Dalton Prout was called for holding. Matt Calvert did a fantastic job of keeping the puck along the Vancouver boards.
- As the seconds were winding down on the Vancouver powerplay, Kevin Bieksa’s stick swung behind him, hitting Nikita Nikitin. This careless action sent the Jackets to the powerplay, but in typical Columbus fashion they couldn’t muster more than a single shot.
- With about ten minutes left in regulation, you started to see the two teams ramp up the intensity, looking to break the deadlock. There were a greater number of scoring chances, the play became decidedly more physical.
- With 7:45 remaining, R.J. Umberger was sent to the box for tripping. Thanks to some hard work by Bob and the PKers, the Jackets weathered the storm.
- The Jackets came close to potting the first goal of the game with about one minute left. After a bounce off of a linesman, Umberger fed the puck down low to Ryan Johansen. Johansen wrapped the puck around, feeding Nick Foligno. Foligno got the shot off, but a toe save by a Vancouver defender kept this thing scoreless after 60 minutes.
OT Notes:
- Surprise, surprise. A one goal game for the Jackets!
- The best Columbus chance in overtime was off the stick of Foligno, who after picking Daniel Sedin’s pocket carried the puck up-ice, deking a defender before firing a shot on net. Schneider was able to make the stop. I’ve been more and more impressed with Foligno as the season has progressed. He is so versatile.
- Seconds later, Jannik Hansen almost sealed it after the Jackets coughed the puck up in the Vancouver zone. Hansen had a clear break, but Prout was able to get a touch on Hansen’s arm, throwing off his deke.
- End of overtime, 0-0.
Shootout
VAN – Mason Raymond – SAVE
CBJ – Artem Anisimov – SAVE
VAN – Jordan Schroeder – SAVE
CBJ – Ryan Johansen – SAVE
VAN – Maxim Lapierre – GOAL
CBJ – Matt Calvert – MISS
Final Score: 1-0 Canucks (SO)
Standard Bearers:
1) After putting up a stinker against Nashville on Saturday, Bob was back to being Bob tonight. He was the sole reason the Jackets didn’t go down by three or four goals after the first two periods.
2) Forget about the fact that the puck rolled on him in the shootout, Matt Calvert was very good tonight.
3) The CBJPK
Bottom of the Barrel:
1) The CBJPP
2) Cam Atkinson needs to pot a goal or two, that’s all it takes to get off the schnide.
3) This game in general. It sucked.
The Jackets continue their Western swing with a stop in Edmonton on Thursday.