Final Score Blue Jackets – 6 Sabres – 4
Game Summary
The Blue Jackets made seven call-ups from Lake Erie for this game. Nowadays it doesn’t seem to matter who is playing for them the games all go the same way.
Columbus jumped out to a big lead with three goals and 17 shots in the first period. They scored two more goals early in the second and then recorded just six shots the rest of way. They allowed Buffalo right back into the game as the Sabres scored four goals in the third to make it close.
With that being said this was a very impressive performance from the Blue Jackets kids. The Jackets did not have anyone projected to be in their top nine or in in their top two pairs in this game. Buffalo on the other hand played what looks be their opening night line-up.
Oliver Bjorkstrand led the way with two goals, an assist and a team high five shots. William Karlsson had a good game with one goal and three assists. Markus Hannikainen playing in his first pre-season game since being signed by the Jackets had a goal and an assist.
Defensively Cody Goloubef was the ice-time leader, logging 23:31. Dean Kukan scored a goal and played 16:11. Kukan is someone who wasn’t talked about much this pre-season. I really liked the signing as it added a young defensive prospect into the system, something it was lacking. He will go down to the AHL and give the Monster’s some more defensive depth.
After the game the team sent down the seven players (Bjorkstrand, Broadhurst, Craig, Milano, Sedlak, Thiessen and Tynan) they had called up, back down to the AHL.
The Jackets play their last pre-season game tonight at home versus the Predators. We should see something that closely resembles the opening night lineup.
Stat of the Night
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