Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Columbus 4 San Jose 1

The Blue Jackets win another game with hard work through the third period. Like their recent victory over Detroit, the Jackets were powered by third period scoring and defense. This home ice victory against a good team in the same week they beat a tough Detroit squad hopefully will boost confidence. Clearly the Jackets, when motivated, can compete with any team in the league.

Rick Nash continued his torrid streak scoring two goals,  one in the second the other in the third period.. Hartigan and Malhotra also scored in the third period.

Mark Denis played well, stopping 28 of 29 shots. Columbus scored four goals on only 23 shots.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Columbus 5 Detroit 4, SO

Great come-from-behind road win for the Blue Jackets capped by a shootout goal by Balastik. The Jackets scored four times in the third periodand Detroit added a late goal to force overtime. Klesla, Vyborny, Nash and Malhotra scored in the third. After a skid, this victory was good for the morale of the players as well as the fans.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Anaheim 4 Columbus 3

The Jackets drop a closely contested game on home ice against a solid team. If the Jackets are to jump to the next level of competition, they need to win more of these games.

Zherdev and Nash continued their scoring ways, each getting a goal and an assist. Fritsche added his fourth goal.

Despite Nash's power play goal, Columbus was only 1-9 with the extra skater advantage. Anaheim's game-winner was on the power play (they went 1-6). The game was a reflection of the season to date: good penalty killing but not enough power play conversions.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Chicago 3 Columbus 2

The Jackets lose a close game on the road. After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, the Jackets climbed back into a tie with goals by Jody Sheeley (yes, Jody) and Rick Nash (on the power play). Kyle Calder had the game winner after a defensive breakdown left him alone in front of the net. A quick fake later and the game was sealed. Khabibulin was tough in goal for Chicago, stopping 35 shots.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Columbus 4 Edmonton 3, OT

Another exciting come from behind home ice victory against a solid team. Rusty Klesla got the game-winner in overtime after goals by Federov and Zherdev brought the Jackets back into a tie. Letowski scored the other goal for Columbus. Marc Denis was solid in goal and faced only 27 shots.

Blue Jackets fans have to be happy with the recent play of the team. Coach Gallant has the team skating hard and does not let them quit. Zherdev has picked up the slack for the disappointment of Rick Nash's drop-off from last year. A full season with a healthy Nash and Zherdev will be a treat next year.

Friday, March 10, 2006

Sign of the Times

It's the little things that we notice... Like many folks, I use Yahoo Sports to take a quick look at sports scores ans stories. I noticed the other day that the NHL no longer was in the Scoreboard Quick Links area. You can get quick scores for the NFL (though it is out of season), NBA, NCAA Hoops, PGA and Tennis. The page still exists for the NHL scoreboard, but there is no quick link to it. I guess we now know where hockey fans are in the pecking order.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Columbus 5 Phoenix 4

In a wild game of scoring runs, Columbus holds on for a 5-4 victory at home over Phoenix. The lucky Columbus crowd was treated to a rare high-scoring home victory. 

After jumping to a 3-0 lead on goals by Nash, Hrdina and Zherdev, the Coyotes and Blue Jackets traded 2 goal bursts across the second and third periods. In the third, Rupp and Chimera scored for Columbus. Old friend Geoff Sanderson had his 20th goal of the season in the second period for the Coyotes.

The victory gives Columbus 52 points, good enough for third in the admittedly weak Central Division.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Columbus 3, Anaheim 2, OT

A good win on the road against a solid team for the Blue Jackets. Rick Nash saved the day with a shootout goal gave Columbus a rare road victory. Nikolai Zherdev continued his hot streak, netting a power play goal (his 22nd) in the first period. Jaroslav Balastik scored the first goal for Columbus (also on the power play). 

Leclaire faced an incredible 45 shots on goal. Gigure faced only 34 Columbus shots.

 

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Kings 3 Blue Jackets 2

Two third period goals by Nikolai Zherdev were not enough to overcome Los Angeles. Zherdev played an inspired game, scoring twice and firing 7 shots on goal. Sean Avery scored tow goals to give the Kings a 2-0 second period lead. Despite tying the game in the third period, Los Angeles scored a power play goal (when Foote sat in the box due to an interference penalty) to gain the win. A tough road loss given they fought hard to tie the game.