Blue Jackets Wrap Up 2022 Traverse City With Some Overtime Practice Against Toronto Maple Leafs- 9/18/22

This game today was the final one for the Columbus Blue Jackets Prospect Team in the 2022 Traverse City Tournament.  The Maple leafs had a strong team, just as the Blue Jackets did.  After Period 1 this was proven fact as the teams would trade scores.  The first would come from David Jericek and if you blinked, you likely missed this goal.  It came just 30 seconds after puck drop!  After some fast skating by the Maple Leafs however, they would find a way with Axel Rindell, knotting up the score and this period would close with that 1-1 tie.  

Period 2 would belong to the Maple Leafs, in regard to scoring.  Both teams created good chances with breakaways and strategy.  However, only the Maple Leafs would capitalize, and that's because they were in our end this Period, far more often than we were in theirs.  The loan goal this period would take them up 2-1, thanks to Alex Steeves.  The period would end like this in large part to Jet Graves and Pavel Cajan.  Jet Graves manned the net for the first half of the game, while Pavel Cajan did so to close out the game.  Jet Graves has done well this whole tournament, but Pavel Cajan, having gained some experience yesterday, was able to shine today.  

For the remainder of the game, Pavel Cajan would keep the puck out of his net, well done to him. Due to this, Period 3 would be a lot of good defenses and scoring attempts, then finally at 1:13 remaining, a goal for the Blue Jackets would come!  This goal would come from Jordan Dumais!  This goal into the empty net of the Maple Leafs would close out regulations with a 2-2 tie, meaning each team would get some valuable practice in overtime!  

Most say it's how you finish and today, the Blue Jackets prospects made us proud.  Kirill Marchenko would bring home the W for the team.  With a 3-2 final, the Blue Jackets won 2 of their 3 games in Traverse City, not a bad week's work at all, especially for a group of men who haven't played together as a team.  As for whom impressed me most?  First I'd say Kent Johnson, but after his showing at both World and World Juniors this summer, it's part impress and part expectation.  He raised his bar this summer and I expected him to do well, and i also expect that to continue.  David Jiricek did well, as I also expected from watching him play in World Juniors.  Kirill Marchenko, another one who did well as expected.  I feel this way about Jordan Dumais as well.  Luca Del Bel Belluz, another young player I see potential in and can't wait to see how he builds off this opportunity.  Owen Sillinger, Cole Sillinger's older brother, he had no goals this week, but he was in the game and doing all he could to benefit his fellow players.  Overall, to me, this was a successful tournament.  Now on to the real work as Columbus Blue Jackets Training Camp 2022 begins in just days!  Who will make the team?  Who will go to the AHL?  Who will stand out in pre-season?  Who will start on opening night?  Will Werenski have a new partner on Defense?  Will Laine and Gaudreau play on the same line?  Will I stop asking questions...never!  Get excited 5th Line, I feel the most eventful off season in franchise history is just the start to what this season holds.  Who's ready?  I was in May.  

Go CBJ!