The Jackets did what the needed to do last night and first and foremost that was win...but it was more than that, the Jackets kicked off December with a win, they salvaged some points on this 3 game Western Canadian swing and after going 1-5-2 in their last 8 road games collected another road win.
A big big win that sets up the Jackets nicely for 5 game home stand that starts Monday against Dallas.
Lit it up
How can you not start with Curtis Glencross. His first two goal game of his career, the OT game winner, all in front of a large contingent of family and friends from Alberta.
Next is Kris Beech. He was a late substitute for an injured Manny Malhotra and he collected a fluke goal and also made the game winning OT play to Glencross to collect a huge assist. I think even more impressive was the hit he made on Dion Phaneuf in the second period.
Dan Fritsche, Gilbert Brule and Kris Russell. All three of these guys played their best games in a LONG time. Brule came out on fire with a lot of energy and made an excellent pass to Glencross on his first game. Fritsche, while not getting a point on the night, played just over 16 minutes and was a key PKer and saw some PP time. Russell was a +1 on the night and played over 15 minutes and collected an assist on the game winner. It was a nice to see some different guys step up for once.
Got to give a nod to the Flame's Iginla here. Dude had a Gordie Howe hat trick and really was a treat to watch.
Jackets through out 29 hits last night to the Flames 23. That is a good indication that the Jackets were dialed into their game last night.
How about Freddy Norrena? Stopped 33 of 36 shots including just some clutch saves in OT when the Jackets were getting real sloppy with turnovers. Was nice to see the team finally get this guy a 'W'. He does need to work on his 5 hole though as he got beat there on 2 of the 3 goals.
Hitch and Nash on HNIC "After Hours" - represented Columbus and the Jackets very well, first class all the way.
Dim the light
The Nash-Peca-Z line was pretty much held in check although all three were able to collect points off a set play from the face off circle that saw Z unleash a wicked wrister from just outside the face of circle.
Alot of people, including Hitch, were praising Sergei Fedorov in this game. Quite frankly I just didn't see it. I didn't think he was working as hard as the rest of team, he missed a number of opportunities (and nets) and his hits would barely wake a sleeping baby. He had a couple of nice plays but overall I expect much more from 91.
Special team. PK held in there. They did give up a goal and bent quite a bit on other chance but didn't break. The PP also collected a goal but it was fluke goal - for the most part the PP was a wreck again last night.
Busted blubs
Nice to see the fans can make calls. The officiating last night was putrid. If your gonna make a call then make it...don't wait until 5 seconds afterwards when the crowd is booing to decide to throw up your arms. The refs were directly responsible for Aucoin's goal in the second period when they called Nash for taking a cross check in front of the net.
The Jackets blew a two goal lead and allowed the Flames to climb back into this one. I realize there were a lot of regulars out of the lineup (Westcott, Malhotra, Novonty, Modin, Vyborny) but the boys need to protect that lead and not allow momentum to change so dramatically in the other team's favor. Easier said than done though I know.
Somebody tell Foote to lift his foot when another team passes or shoots the puck.
Vyborny hurt. From what the Dispatch said it was his back and actually if was former Jacket Anders Eriksson who delivered the blow. Vybes has typically been the iron man of this team, mostly b/c he steers clear of the "dirty areas" and doesn't play a physical brand of hockey, but he still could get hit and is slippery. Hopefully Vybes isn't out to long.
I really wanted Boll to have a go with Phaneuf :(
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Big win for the Jackets. What they don't need now is to have a total let down against the Starts on Monday nights. We've seen many teams come in off an extended road trip and come out flat in their first home games.
Big stretch of home games in December. 11 of their next 13 at home. Now's the time to make a move.
-LTL
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