Traverse City Tournament 2022: Game 2 Recap- Blue Jackets Vs. Red Wings- 9/16/22

Today was Game 2 of the 2022 Traverse City Tournament for the Columbus Blue Jackets.  The opponent was a well-rested Detroit Red Wings team, which today played their first game of this tournament.  This was an advantage, but the Blue Jackets were up for the challenge, riding on their 7-1 win over the St. Louis Blues yesterday.  

With that intro setting the icy stage, the Detroit Red Wings would come up with the first goal, from Riley Piercey.  This would give the Red Wings a 1-0 lead, but thanks to Captain Kent Johnson, that lead dissolved quickly.  After Period 1 concluded, the score would be tied yet again, at 1-1.  A note to take away from Period 1, via Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) on Twitter:  "Mikael Pyyhtia has left the #CBJ bench and is being looked at by trainers. Didn't look too serious, but the top-line winger is out at the moment."

In Period 2, just after the game's half-way point would come, Riley Piercey would gain his second goal and point of the game.  This would take the Red Wings back to a 1-goal lead.  Drew Worrad would then add an early Powerplay goal to bring the Red Wings up to a 2-goal lead.  After 2 periods of play the score would be 3-1, in favor of the Red Wings.  Penalties were a problem in this period for the Blue Jackets.  Further, and this is a point Bob McElligott made that I agree with, the players need to shoot toward the goal more and pass a bit less.  I feel like I need a punch card for how often it's said by those who announce and write about this team.  If there's a change, you're telling me there is a chance, and thus you should take it.  Worse comes to worse you don't get a goal, but best case you cut the Red Wings or any team's lead.  Again, as I said last season with all of our young players, this does come with experience.   Another note to make, this period Pavel Cajan is in net, and he's not played an AHL game yet, whereas Jet Graves who stayed in net all day yesterday, has multiple AHL games under his belt already.  Again, it comes with time, but what I've seen so far is still impressive, especially considering that 7-1 win which happened just 24 hours ago. 

Period 3 would get underway and quickly the Blue Jackets would have their second Powerplay of the game, but as with the other, it would amount to anything but a few good attempts.  Later into the period, Riley Piercey would continue his huge afternoon, gaining his third goal and a Traverse City Hattrick.  This would put the game at 4-1 in favor of the Red Wings.  However, don't count out the Blue Jackets yet!  Just a moment later Kirill Marchenko would tack on his first goal of the game.  4-2 lead for the Red Wings at this point.  Towards the end of the game, to the stunning joy of the Traverse City home crowed, Riley Piercey would score his 4th of the game.  This would be the final goal of the game.  The final would be a Red Wings win, 5-2.  Now knowing you can go back and watch the games on YouTube, I encourage you to watch this game for yourself and not just judge it on the final score.  Our young players have some great potential, believe me.  

So, let's wrap up this game.  As I said yesterday, this is the Prospect Tournament and the Red Wings knew they had to build after their last few, lack luster seasons.  As I said in the top of this post, it does likely help the Red Wings a bit to be playing fresh, as this was their first game of said Prospect Tournament, whereas this is the Blue Jackets second.  With the 7-1 win over a good St. Louis Blues team, that does matter in my mind.  Again, the Blue Jackets didn't do bad today, Riley Piercey just helped his team a lot this afternoon, which translated into 4 big goals.  Simple.  With that all being said the announcers who shared the duties with Bob McElligott were amazing, calling the game and knowing our players names.  The two went future by even complementing the Blue Jackets a few times.  A lot of respect to them, even if this is just a Prospect Tournament.    

We have Game 3 on Sunday, September 18th, but this one will begin at 2:00 PM.  Also be aware 5th Line, this is the final game of the Tournament for the Columbus Blue Jackets.  The Blue Jackets will be taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs.  They had a good season last year but were upset early on into the Playoffs.  I expect them to pack a punch with their prospect team.  The good news is that the Blue Jackets will have a day to recover from Games 1 and 2.  It will be a game you surely won't want to miss 5th Line!

Go CBJ!