Boone Jenner’s leadership and rebirth helped Columbus edge out Arizona in a late night shootout victory, by the final score of 5-4.
The first period was played relatively even on the scoreboard, with the Coyotes getting the advantage early before Columbus came back.
The ex-Blue Jacket, the Miami grad Ryan Dzingel, opened the scoring for the game and for the Arizona Coyotes in their home building with his first goal in a Coyotes’ jersey. Alex Galchenyuk and Kyle Capobianco got the asssits.
Late in the opening frame, the captain evened the scoreboard with his 8th marker of the season. For Jenner, this was yet another power play goal for him this season. Jakub Voracek and Zach Werenski got the assists.
In the second, the scoring ramped up with 4 goals. Arizona started and finished strong, but Columbus dominated the middle portion of the time on ice.
Phil Kessel shot the puck over Merzi for his 3rd of the season.
Captain Boone came back to even the scoring once again for his team with his 9th of the year. Columbus got their first lead of the game with the first career goal from winger Justin Danforth. His first goal was assisted by Vladislav Gavrikov and Jack Roslovic.
In the dying seconds of the period, Clayton Keller knotted the game up with his 4th thus far; Lawson Crouse got the helper on the play.
The final regulation frame, Columbus got ahead on the scoreboard before Arizona could tie it, forcing the game into the extra minutes.
Boone Jenner got the hat trick of his second power play goal of the game, good for his 10th goal on the year. Werenski and Voracek got the assists on the sequence.
Arizona defender Jacob Chychrun evened the scoring with his 2nd on the year. Keller and defensive partner Ilya Lyubushkin got the assists.
No further scoring was done in regulation or in overtime until the 7 round shootout in Glendale.
Arizona got shootout goals from Alex Galchenyuk and Jacob Chychrun.
Columbus got shootout goals from Jake Voracek, Gus Nyquist, and the winner from rookie Yegor Chinakov.
Scott Wedgewood stood tall for the Desert Dogs, stopping 42 of 46 shots faced.
Elvis Merzlikins may have had his worst performance on paper this season, with allowing 4 goals on 26 shots faced from the Coyotes.
Phil Kessel was my player to watch for the Coyotes, and he got his third goal of the season last night to add to his production on the worst team in hockey.
For Columbus, my player to watch was Jack Roslovic, who got an assist on Danforth’s first career goal.
The season series wrapped up, with there being a total of 18 goals in the two games. Columbus got 13; Arizona got 5.
CBJ 3 Stars of the Game
1. Boone Jenner— Hattrick (10)
2. Justin Danforth— first career goal
3. Zach Werenski— 2 assists (7)
Thoughts? Vegas next! More to come...