Final Score: Ducks 4 – Blue Jackets 2
Game Summary
A California sweep would have been excellent but alas it wasn’t meant to be. The Ducks ruined any hope of a sweep with a 4-2 win.
Considering this was the second half of a back to back, and considering how tough the last game was against the Kings I thought the Jackets played a strong game. This wasn’t as scrappy as the Kings game but the Jackets did not lose because of a lack of energy.
They lost in part because the Ducks have very good players and their stars awoke having big games. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry each had three assists. I know he's a jerk on the ice but Perry is one my absolute favourite players. He can beat you in so many ways whether it be as an agitator or as a point producer. It’s the same style of play that Scott Hartnell brings.
Hartnell has had a great California trip as you can see below in the Stat of the Night. He's been bringing the physical edge as well as scoring. It seemed like every one of his shifts was resulting in a scrum after the whistle. Hartnell has really been relied upon by Torts. He played 19:08 tonight which was second among forwards behind only Brandon Dubinsky.
Sergei Bobrovsky was given the night off. Curtis McEhlinney got his fifth start of the season. He allowed three goals on 33 shots. Not a spectacular effort but as been the story all season the defence did him no favours. You cannot let Perry get behind you for a breakaway; someone has to be aware of him. Despite some miscues McEhlinney gave the team a chance to win.
Prior to the game Kerby Rychel was sent back down. I wasn’t a big fan of this move; I was really hoping to see him get a shot. Its unfortunate Rychel didn’t see game action but bringing him up isn’t all bad. NHL players are paid by the day so Rychel gets a significant pay boost just by spending a couple days up with the big club. It’s almost like they are financially rewarding Rychel for his strong play thus far in Lake Erie. I don’t think this is straining the relationship between him and the club like some people are suggesting. If anything this is more motivation for Rychel to keep getting better so he can get that shot.
Stat of the Night
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