Late Surge Carries Wings

Red Wings 5, Blue Jackets 2

            Over a span of 20 minutes, a close game turned into a classic Red Wings beat down, as a four-goal third period lifted the visitors to a 5-2 victory on Tuesday night in Nationwide Arena.

Less than five minutes into the game, Detroit claimed the night’s first goal. At 4:08 of the first period Johan Franzen notched his 24^th goal of the season with a play characteristic of his nickname, the “mule”.

            Minutes later, Rick Nash tied the game at 1-1 with an equally hard-working tally. Bullying his way to the front of the crease, Nash fell on top of goalie Joey MacDonald as the puck slid into the back of the net.

            Neither team scored in the second period, but a few power play opportunities kept Sanford and MacDonald honest. Through 40 minutes of play, the teams combined for 33 shots.

            In the third period, the Blue Jackets’ Derek MacKenzie scored the first goal of the frame. At 2:13 of the period, MacKenzie capitalized on a shorthanded breakaway for his 6^th goal of the season.

            After Columbus’ initial goal, Detroit took control of the rest of the game. Fueled by goals from Niklas Kronwall, Henrik Zetterberg, Jan Mursak, and Valtteri Fippula, the Red Wings mounted a 5-2 advantage against the Blue Jackets.

            Sanford, who finished the game 20 saves, struggled immensely in the final period, allowing more than one-third of the shots he faced. Among the goals Sanford allowed were a lofty backhander from the slot and a long-range tight-angle shot.

            Aside from its defensive woes, Columbus was also bitten by a lack of discipline. The Blue Jackets took six penalties in the contest.

            Columbus returns to action on March 1^st against the Colorado Avalanche.