Jackets Extinguish Flames; Lose in Edmonton

In a pair of late-night games, the Columbus Blue Jackets scraped up two points out of a possible four. Although the team showed flashes of brilliancy in both games, one lackluster period stained the trip to Calgary and Edmonton.

           

Columbus 4, Calgary 3 SO

            Unlike previous games, Columbus played more like a first place team than a team trying to climb out of the Western Conference cellar.

            The Flames led 3-1 late in the third period fueled by goals from Lee Stempniak, Rene Bourque, and Blake Comeau.

            With less than five minutes remaining, Nikitin blasted a slap shot past goalie Miikka Kiprusoff to bring the game to 3-2.

            Minutes later, Nash tied it up when he redirected another booming shot off the lumber of Nikitin.

            Neither team scored in overtime, sending the game into a shootout. Rick Nash stuffed Columbus’ third and final attempt through the legs of Kiprusoff giving the Blue Jackets the win.

            Curtis Sanford made 33 saves in the contest and was perfect in the shootout.

Edmonton 6, Columbus 3

            After two periods, the Blue Jackets found themselves twenty minutes away from their second consecutive victory. Ryan Jones and the Edmonton Oilers had other plans.

            The teams traded first period goals making it a 1-1 game, but in the second period, Columbus broke away. Derek Dorsett capitalized on a slip-up in the Oilers defensive zone to give the Blue Jackets a 2-1 lead.

            Columbus’ goal was a perfect reflection of its play up to that point, hard working and aggressive. Much like the game against Calgary, shots were aplenty and physical play was in full swing.

            Unfortunately, Edmonton turned around its shoddy play in the third period and countered the Blue Jackets’ efforts. The Oilers steamed ahead with a five-goal performance. Ryan Jones tacked on an empty-net goal to record his first career hat trick.

            The Blue Jackets only hint of life came from Dorsett who fired a rebound to the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season and second of the night.

           Kristian Huselius played 19:27 minutes in his return to the ice.