Columbus Blue Jackets vs Boston Bruins

Bluejackets vs. Blackhawks

Jackets Win In Nailbiter Shootout

            Joy in Columbus as the Columbus Bluejackets defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in a thrilling shootout at Nationwide Arena. The battle was not won in the attempt to control the neutral zone, but was fought between two fabulous displays of goaltending by Corey Crawford of the Chicago Blackhawks and Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Bluejackets. Crawford had 19 shots against him with 17 saves and a save percentage of .895. Bobrovsky faced 41 shots, 39 saves and a save percentage of .951.

            Although the Jackets never trailed during the game their offense was nonexistent as they only had three shots on goal in the first period. The Blackhawks bombarded the Columbus net. Bobrovsky put on a clinic as he stopped fifteen of the Jackets shots until Jack Skille lit the lamp at 17:24.  Chicago would open fire on the Jacket's net with fourteen shots on goal. The Blackhawks would answer back with Patrick Sharp firing a rifle of a wrist shot to beat Bobrovsky on the high glove side (07:27).

            The Jacket's would re take the lead in the third period with a powerplay goal scored by defenseman Kevin Connauton at 01:55, making it 2-1 Columbus. It would be Connauton's third goal and fourth point in the last six games. The third period would not be without controversy. Blackhawks center Marcus Kruger would slide into Bobrovski and to the goal knocking the puck into the net with his skate. Upon further review of the play, it was counted as a goal as Ben smith would sneak his stick into the melee and tap it into the net at 08:49.

            There was no scoring in overtime which led to an exciting back and forth shootout. The question was "Who was going to give? Crawford or Bobrovski?" It was like watching two heavyweights going toe to toe and blow to blow in the middle of the ring. Who was going down? The shootout lasted nine rounds until Jack Johnson slid the puck past Crawford giving the Jackets the win.

            People have been instructed by the old adage to save the best for last. Crawford and Bobrovsky put on a dazzling display of goaltending as one by one they stopped pucks. In the end it was Bobrovsky and the Jackets coming out victorious