The Jackets fell just short of their goal, losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Championship game in Traverse City.
The Jackets jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Calvin Thurkauf and Hayden Hodgson.
Abramov to Dubois to Thurkauf. What a goal.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) September 12, 2017
1-0. But it didn't last long.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/XiYZIWjLvq
Hodgson wasn't going to let the first line have all of the praise. He cleans up in front and makes it 2-0.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/d6EtHjwmT0
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) September 12, 2017
Thurkauf has been really impressive this tournament. He lead the Jackets and finished in a tie for second in tournament scoring with seven points in four games. He did play on the first line alongside Pierre-Luc Dubois and Vitali Abramov and that factors in to why he did so well, but it also takes a good player to be able to keep up with those players. Thurkauf should be doing well at events like this. He was routinely described as a “man amongst boys… when he was in junior. He has some skill and with his size and strength he was able to dominate when playing with his peers. As he moves up to the pro it will be interesting to see if he can be a “man amongst men… and continue to have the same success. If he can he’s a dark horse to make the Blue Jackets out of camp. He’d be a great fit in the bottom six.
Among the free agent invites Hodgson was one of the best. In four games he scored three goals, which tied for tops on the team with Paul Bittner and Dubois. Hodgson has shown he has the ability to put the puck in the net, scoring 38 goals as an overager in the OHL this past season. He definitely turned some heads with his play in the tournament but he's not a player with pro upside. He’s off to the University of New Brunswick for this season.
The Jackets 2-0 didn’t last long, the Blackhawks scored twice in the second to tie it. The score remained tied through the third and overtime was needed. In overtime, Alex DeBrincat scored to give the Hawks the win.
It would have been nice to have got the win but more importantly with regards to the NHL club, players were able to put themselves on the map and have some momentum heading into training camp. Thurkauf helped out his cause a lot with his play. Vitali Abramov showed once again that he is done with this level and ready to take the next step. He’s put himself into a position where he has an opportunity to make the NHL just a year after being drafted which is very rare for a third round pick. If Abramov fails to make the NHL club, he will reportedly head over to Finland and play professionally there.
Training camp starts tomorrow with off-ice workouts. Hockey is back.
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