Final Score: Blue Jackets 2 – Penguins 1

Game Summary

What a great game. With all eyes in the hockey world on this game, these teams did not disappoint. It was fast, feisty with flurries of opportunities at both ends. This was very similar to the Leafs game but with more intensity. Both teams were flying, the Penguins despite being on the second half of a back to back were able to match the Blue Jackets energy, making the pace to the game simply great. Nationwide was rocking with C-B-J chants booming right from the get go. This was a playoff atmosphere.

This was the most exciting games of the season. The teams were in a track meet going back and forth, each with 39 shots. Both goalies were unreal, making some big saves, but also making it look easy when the pressure was the highest. This was hockey at it's finest, who says low scoring games aren't exciting?

Ryan Murray got the Jackets on the board first with his second goal of the season.

Ryan Murray scores to make the game 1-0. Not a bad little goal for him, the second of the season. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/VPkRTZjwbJ

— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) February 18, 2017

Murray makes a great pinch here to get himself into a great scoring area. He’s on the backhand and makes the simple smart play and puts it on net. Assisting on the goal were William Karlsson and Josh Anderson. The new third line again looked solid. For the second game in row they didn’t have the strongest showing from a possession standpoint, but they were dangerous offensive and helped set up that goal.

The game had to be settled in overtime but the game never should have got to that point. Oliver Bjorkstrand in the second period thought he had scored to give the Jackets the lead.

Here is the play before the power play for those wanting to take a look at what happened. Bjorkstrand's goal was overturned. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/STvAo44TOB

— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) February 18, 2017

The play came during a delayed Pittsburgh penalty and the refs blew the play dead when the Penguins touched the puck. The rule however is that you have to have control of the puck, which the Penguins did not.

Alas the game went into overtime and in OT Brandon Dubinsky of all players ended it with a beauty.

Dubinsky OT winner. pic.twitter.com/TLMpHnLZhT

— Wendel Clarkson (@MuchTruculence) February 18, 2017

Stat of the Night

Tonight's attendance is 19,188. 2nd largest reg. season crowd @NationwideArena in #CBJ history (1/21/13) & 4th largest crowd incl. playoffs.

— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) February 18, 2017

Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.

You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot

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