Blue Jackets Lose More Than Game To Lightning As Sillinger Leaves Ice In Late Third Period- Game Review 1/4/22

At 4:53 and 9:30 we had two scores from Lightning's Palat.  Then, Period 1 would be capped off with another Lightning goal, at 17:27, from Perry.  The Blue Jackets would have no answer to the Lightning, yet.  

Wait till Period 2 though when Kukan, on his first night back in months from a broken wrist, would find that Lightning goal.  It would be very early, at just 0:37 in.  Unfortunately, Point would find the net again, quickly, for the Lightning.  His goal would come at 1:36.  At 4:16 another Blue Jacket would find that Lightning net though, a Blue Jacket by the name of Nyquist!  This would make the score 4-2.  The Lightning would find the goal, yet again, at 12:19 though, this time by way of Maroon.  At the end of 2 periods of hockey, we'd have a 5-2 Lightning lead.  

In Period 3, the Lightning's Bellamare would get a lucky goal, as the puck bounced off a Blue Jacket helmet and went in.  This goal would be at 0:36. At 12:20 the Lightning would notch one last goal, from Killorn.  The final score for this game would be 7-2, Lightning.  

So, you can look at this any way you want, but I'm an optimist.  If we'd had our full team, tonight would've been far different, I believe.  We lost Jake Bean, minutes before the game start, due to illness.  It isn't Covid, but we don't want any of our guys ill, especially when we're already without Werenski and other Defenders.  Merzlikins and Tarasov were also out.  So, this wasn't really a fair fight, but we had to play the game, and the fact this wasn't a shutout is worth celebrating it itself.  This is especially true when you consider who we were playing.  This team won back-to-back Stanley Cups.  So, when you factor that all in, this wasn't too bad of a loss for the Blue Jackets.  Not in my eyes, anyway.  

Next game is away and in New Jersey, as we face thee Devils in their home arena.  This game will be on Thursday, January 6th.  Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST.  This might be too soon to see Werenski back.  However, with Bean and a few other players out for illnesses that are not Covid in nature, we could see the team gain back a few men before this game.  We'll just have to wait and see.  

Another somber note to wrap up this great day full of scratches.  Jeff Svoboda saw Cole Sillinger leave the ice during the third period.  He did not return after he left the ice, gingerly paying close attention to his left ankle after an awkward collision with a Lightning player.  If any developments come available, I will of course pass them on to you.  

Go CBJ!  

Source:

Jeff Svoboda Tweet Sourced:  "Cole Sillinger didn't skate the last 7:40. Certainly hope the #CBJ youngster is all right. You always think that, but Jackets also, frankly, are running out of bodies here."