Fans rose to their feet as the final horn sounded inside Nationwide Arena. The standing ovation was a fitting bookend for the Blue Jackets, whose early four-goal advantage propelled them to a 6-3 victory against the Sharks.
Steve Mason turned aside 18 shots in the first period, allowing Columbus to establish a comfortable lead against the perennial playoff contenders.
The four-goal explosion began nearly five minutes into the game and carried deep into the final minute of the first period. R.J. Umberger, enduring a scoring drought in the past 10 games, had a hand in the first and last goal of the frame.
At 17:44 of the first period, Umberger completed his Gordie Howe hat trick with a scrap along the sideboards. The fight was the only tilt of the game between two teams that amassed more than 50 minutes in major penalties in their last encounter.
The Blue Jackets’ special teams units, which saw four minutes of ice time in the first 20 minutes, increased their efficiency early with the help of Jeff Carter. The center, playing in his 500th NHL game, had a pair of power play tallies in the first period.
Columbus’ 4-0 lead began to evaporate in the second period as the Sharks scored the game’s next two goals to make it 4-2. In a matter of 26 seconds, San Jose’s Joe Thornton and Logan Couture scored to cut their team’s deficit in half.
Todd Richards, sensing that his team was losing grip on the game, called a timeout after the Sharks’ second goal to calm his troops. Two minutes later, Ryane Clowe’s post-whistle antics put the Blue Jackets on a four-minute power play.
On the man-advantage, David Savard’s heavy slap shot from the point gave Columbus’ power play its third goal of the night. With 10:59 remaining in the second period, the Blue Jackets regained the momentum.
One minute into the third frame, an unselfish play by Columbus’ captain let the hats fly down to the ice in Nationwide Arena.
Standing in front of the goalmouth, Rick Nash passed the puck to a slightly better positioned Carter who recorded his fourth-career hat trick with a quick wrist shot past goaltender Tommy Greiss.
San Jose struck back once after Carter’s third goal, but the goal was not enough to make a difference as Columbus skated off the ice triumphant against the Sharks for the first time this season.
Mason, fresh off an overtime loss to the Rangers, finished the night with 38 saves to become the Blue Jackets’ all-time wins leader. Rick Nash registered a goal and an assist in the contest.
mm938910@ohiou.edu
