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With a goaltender just getting over a viral infection and a Defensemans’ mind on his son who was born twenty-four hours ago, not to mention playing the defending Stanley Cup champs, you just knew this game would be intense. Before a sell-out crowd of 18,802, the Columbus Blue Jackets preserved a 3-2 lead in the waning minutes of the 3rd period to clip the high flying Detroit Red Wings, winners of six in a row coming into last night’s game.
The Blue Jackets kept the league leading PP scoreless, going 0-4. Detroit goalie Chris Osgood looked somewhat uncomfortable in net last night, and the Jackets jumped on that fact. Raffi Torres started it off by taking a pass from Michael Peca after stealing the puck from Chris Chelios and firing it from the right circle to beat Osgood glove side. Detroits Lidstrom evened things up in the second. Blue Jackets winger Jason Chimera put Columbus back up 2-1 7:21 into the 2nd. Early in the 3rd period, Red Wing Samuelsson tied it up at 2-2. At 13:05 Jason Williams came in untouched, thought about passing to a chugging Jason Chimera, then fired the puck and scored five hole to give the Blue Jackets a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.
There were some anxious moments in the last five minutes of the period where the Red Wings started pinching in to keep the puck in the Columbus zone. Rookie net-minder Steve Mason seemed to come alive and show the capacity crowd why he’s a Calder contender and his name is now mentioned in Vezina talk. Detroit pulled Osgood to get a 6th skater on the ice in hopes of at least forcing an OT period. With under one minute to play, Mason stopped two scoring opportunities (Zetterberg, Hossa) to preserve the win. Your Three Stars of the game: Steve Mason, Jason Williams, Jake Voracek.
The win puts the Columbus Blue Jackets in 9th place with 59 points, but only 2 points out 5th place, currently held by the Dallas Stars. They are now 5-2 since the All Star break.
There’s a short turn-around for the Blue Jackets, as they travel to Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes at 7pm tonight. The ‘Canes are also in 9th place in the Eastern Conference but sit 5 points out of the 8th spot currently held by the Buffalo Sabres. Former Carolina player Mike Commodore, red mop-top and all, has stated money will go on the board for tonights match-up. This from Puck Rakers:
“I’ve put a lot of money on the board to be honest with you,” Commodore said. “I’m leading this team hands down. It’s a landslide for me. But that’s OK. Like I said I would really like to win this game.”
The Blue Jackets know that every game is a playoff game, and tonight is no exception. Columbus has had success against the Eastern Conference teams this season. The 2 points up for grabs tonight would go a long way to keep the Blue Jackets moving up and not just holding steady.
The rest of the season will be one wild ride. Time to strap yourselves in. The puck drops at 7pm.
Carry The Flag!!!
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