Columbus got its first look at the Colorado Avalanche Friday since dropping a 3-2 shootout decision in October. The result was not any more favorable this time around as the Blue Jackets were shut out 5-0.
The final score of the game was a far cry from the effort exerted by Columbus in the opening period.
Blue Jackets’ goaltender Steve Mason was saving goals left and right, gloves flying high and keeping the puck in front of him. The Blue Jackets were playing tough throughout the first period, controlling the puck and creating opportunities. They were up on shots and hits before the end of the first.
But an unfortunate turn of events came at the end of the first period after Colton Gillies rang a shot off the Colorado post. Avalanche winger David Jones took the puck across the ice to beat Mason for a 1-0 advantage with 26 seconds remaining in the period.
“The game started with some promise and I really liked our start to the game,” Columbus interim coach Todd Richards said. “I thought we had good energy, created a lot of chances and didn’t really give them too much. The play right at the end of the first period, to me, ended up being the big play of the game.”
The Blue Jackets looked a little deflated coming in after the first period and could not regain any momentum.
In the second period, Gabriel Landeskog beat Mason top-shelf to give the Avalanche a 2-0 lead. The remainder of the period was quiet until Jay McClement and Derek Mackenzie dropped the gloves with 1:01 remaining in the second period for a scrappy brawl.
But less than two minutes into the third period, Colorado was back at it as Jones registered his second goal of the game to bring the score to 3-0. The Avalanche kept hitting Mason glove side and he kept missing.
Before a fourth goal from the Avalanche side, the crowd stood for a standing ovation as newly acquired Blue Jacket defenseman, Jack Johnson, was interviewed on Nationwide Arena’s video board. His flight was delayed from Los Angeles and had to wait to suit up for Columbus until Sunday against Pittsburgh.
“I’m a Midwest kid,” Johnson said after the game. “I want to be a big part of this team. I’m excited about the possibilities we have here.”
The crowd reverted to silence as Steve Downie scored his first goal as a member of the Avalanche to make the score 4-0.
Later in the period, Matt Hunwick took a lead pass off a turnover and scored on a breakaway for his first goal of the season. The final score was 5-0.
“I think the Chicago game and this game were kind of the same sense where we played better and deserved a little better fate,” Columbus right wing and captain Rick Nash said.
nb155607@ohio.edu
