Final Score: Blue Jackets 2 – Hurricanes 1
Game Summary
This game came as advertised. It didn’t start that way but it ended up as a fast exciting back and forth hockey game. Both goalies were fantastic making some big highlight reel saves. Sergei Bobrovksy was the busier of the two goalies stopping 37 of 38 shots. Carolina controlled the pace of play for much of this game and if not for Bobrovsky they would have ran away with it.
The Jackets rebounded from their slow start in Chicago with a very strong start. They put up 11 shots and had a 56.67% Corsi at 5 on 5 in the first. Carolina however had the edge 8-6 in scoring chances in the opening frame. The Jackets were unable to build on their strong start and Carolina took over the second period. Then shots were close with a 10-9 edge to the Hurricanes but that was the only area where it was. The Hurricanes had a 73.08% Corsi with 10 scoring chances and four high danger chances. The Jackets were only able to muster three chances and just one at high danger. Bobrovsky was stellar and kept the game scoreless.
Sonny Milano who has been on fire to start the year stayed hot scoring his third of year. Oliver Bjorkstrand’s shot went wide Sonny was able to pick up the puck behind the net, wrap it around and from a bad angle was able to beat Scott Darling.
Milano was all over the ice in this one. He played on the fourth line but he was creating opportunities and making things happen whenever he was on the ice. He needs to play with skilled players consistently as he was later on in the game when he scored the goal. He’s fantastic with the puck, but there is only so much he can do by himself.
Josh Anderson made his season debut and looked fine. I thought he played a typical Josh Anderson game. He threw his weight around, he had a couple chances. Nothing flashy, just went about his business. Zac Dalpe was a healthy scratch to make room for Anderson. The coaching staff must have been displeased with the penalties.
The coaching staff will also be displeased with the play at the end of the game by Markus Hannikainen. The Jackets carried a 1-0 lead late into the third period. With a minute and a half left and the Hurricanes net empty, Hannikainen tried to clear the puck. It was knocked down by Jeff Skinner, he was able to walk into the slot alone, and tied the game.
It was an unfortunate play by Hannikainen but he should have never been in that position to begin with. He had played a great game to this point, but he should not have been out there in that situation. I get that you want to reward a player with more ice time for a strong game, but 1-0 late in the third maybe isn’t the best time to do it.
The Jackets gave up a point to a divisional rival but only gave up one, as none other than Sonny Milano won the game in overtime.
This goal is ridiculous. He has a breakaway the minute he picks up the puck. His hands are on full display as he makes a slick move to beat Darling with the backhand upstairs. That goal gives him four in his first three games, putting him in some exclusive company.
Stat of the Night
Stats courtesy of
Natural Stat Trick and
Hockey-Reference.
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