It was unconventional, but having amassed only 32 points prior to the game, the Blue Jackets will take the win and run. In its final game of a four-day road trip, Columbus escaped with a 3-2 overtime victory against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.
Just as in the teams’ last meeting, Friday night’s contest was not one for the faint of heart. Every hit came with an extra dose of displeasure and every confrontation held a few more unfriendly words.
For the Blue Jackets, the brutality resulted in a second frame laced with penalties. Columbus spent half of the period shorthanded, and the other half trying to make up for lost time in its offensive zone.
The Ducks, whose power play efficiency is 15th in the NHL, were only able to score once on five opportunities. Anaheim’s inability cash in with the man advantage gave the Blue Jackets an opportunity to come back in the third period.
After 40 minutes, the Ducks held a 2-1 lead fueled by a pair of goals from Teemu Selanne. Columbus’ lone goal came off the stick of Derick Brassard, who would later register the first multi-goal night of his career.
In the third period, the Blue Jackets rallied back and nearly matched their shot total from the first two periods combined. Jeff Carter, fresh off a 10-game hiatus, tied the game early in the period with a power-play goal.
Columbus’ offensive surge was accompanied with a drastic change in discipline. The Ducks took the only two penalties of the frame.
Tied 2-2 after regulation, the teams headed into overtime eager to grab another point in the standings. Only one minute into the period, the Blue Jackets secured the win.
The game-winner was appropriate for the rough and tumble theme of the game. Derick Brassard came screaming up the left wing boards, glanced to Rick Nash in the center of the ice, then wound back and ripped a wicked slap shot past Jonas Hiller. All power, no finesse.
Columbus returns to action Tuesday against Minnesota in Nationwide Arena.
mm938910@ohiou.edu
