Final Score: Blue Jackets 5 – Flyers 3
Game Summary Biggest game of the year is being tossed around for pretty much every game the Blue Jackets have played this past month or so. With this Flyers game it was absolutely the truth. This was a massive game one of just three remaining games against Metro opponents and if that wasn’t enough on the line the Jackets entered the game just two points back of Philadelphia for third in the Metro.
The Jackets went out and did their job getting two points in regulation. This time of the year you have to scoreboard watch, the Jackets though have done a great job at keeping their eyes forward, focusing on the teams in front of them not the teams chasing them. With the win the Jackets are tied with Philly with 81 points, though the Flyers have the tie-breaker. They are a point up on New Jersey and four on Florida though both teams have games in hand.
The Jackets got off to a great start in this game. On the road, especially a tough building like Philadelphia you need to start fast and Columbus did. Oliver Bjorkstrand got the Jackets on the board first with his 11th of the season.
Bjorkstrand handles the puck from his knees and puts it into the top corner.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 15, 2018
Very impressive work.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/qIWttQrROF
This is a great play by Bjorkstrand to stay focused and composed while on the ground. He is still able to control the puck and put it up high. They weren’t even done announcing this goal before Boone Jenner made it 2-0 on a great tip.
Jenner does fantastic work with his stick and this slap pass from Johnson isn't too shabby either.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/K2K6Uxv8jn
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 15, 2018
Jenner is a player who I think tends to be a bit overrated in Columbus, but he is playing incredibly well right now. This is probably the best he's played since that 30 goal season. He’s found a home alongside Alexander Wennberg and Thomas Vanek and they have been one of the Jackets most consistent lines since they were put together. Jenner has points in four straight games, and has three goals and three assists over his last six games.
After that Cam Atkinson took over. Every time the Flyers scored to pull within one, Atkinson scored to reinstate the two goal lead. Claude Giroux made it 2-1, Atkinson made it 3-1, getting a piece of this Zach Werenski shot.
It looks like Atkinson got a piece of it here. The Blue Jackets are back to having a two-goal lead.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/CbHMgpa6zp
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 15, 2018
The Flyers made it 3-2 and Cam came right back and blasted one right past Petr Mrazek he didn’t even react.
Lord forgive Cam for what he had to do to Mrazek here.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/eCmKPKy26j
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 16, 2018
Flyers made it 4-3 and Cam with the empty-netter completed his hat-trick.
No one is going to let Atkinson forget this one. It is a hat trick all the same.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/LLHUva9jkY
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 16, 2018
Atkinson is another player who has come on strong these past few weeks. He has points in three straight and five of the last six. Over his last 10 games he has six goals and six assists. He’s been really good, and looks like the Atkinson of old. He picked the perfect time to return to form.
Stat of the Night
Only one #CBJ player has had more hat tricks that Cam Atkinson’s four …
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 16, 2018
The list …
Nash 5
Atkinson 4
Wright 3
Umberger 2
Sanderson 2
Foligno 2
Hartnell 2
Carter 2
KNUTSEN 1
Vyborny 1
Whitney 1
Quint 1
Huselius 1
Berard 1
Calvert 1
Filatov 1
Saad 1
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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