(Excuse the lack of picture, no articles with lead art can be published right now because of technical difficulties)
Tonight, the Columbus Blue Jackets looked to win their third straight after the break as they visited the Montreal Canadiens. After taking down the State of New York 12-2 over the weekend, the Blue Jackets were certainly flying high entering Montreal.
The Jackets took two bad penalties in six minutes, both from Markus Hannikainen, but the team (and Sergei Bobrovsky) were able to kill them effectively. Neither team was able to break the deadlock (despite the Jackets hitting 3 posts), and it was 0-0 after 20 minutes.
The second period opened terribly. Montreal spent the first seven minutes playing like they were on a perpetual power play. Oliver Bjorkstrand finally registered a good shift for the Jackets 8 minutes in, but the team still hadn’t registered a shot on goal. They held the Canadiens scoreless despite playing with only 3 forward lines because we can’t manage roster to save our damn lives.
Roster mismanagement by Jarmo continues to be an issue that must be addressed going forward.
The Canadiens opened the period on the power play as Boone Jenner took a penalty as the whistle blew in the second period. The third featured a lot of end to end action, and several WONDERFUL saves by Sergei Bobrovsky.
With no goals through 60 minutes, bonus hockey would decide this one.
After a lengthy review, the officials determined the puck did not beat the whistle. There was much debate, but the whistle blew before the puck crossed the line. On we went.
The Canadiens went to the power play shortly after on a garbage call, and capitalized. Free point to the Canadiens, robbing the Jackets of a solid defensive effort.
Garbage officiating all night, and it finally caught up.
FINAL: Montreal Canadiens 1 Columbus Blue Jackets 0