Vancouver Canucks Vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: 2022-23 NHL Season Game 4 Recap

I'll start this blog with one simple fact, it isn't how you start a game, but how you finish.  I believe that statement sums up last night's second Columbus Blue Jackets home game nicely.  Period 1 would go to the Vancouver Canucks, with a goal from B. Horvat at 7:51 and another goal from E. Patterson at 11:11, they would have a 2-1 lead.  

However, in Period 2 the Columbus Blue Jackets would regroup and cut this goal deficit in half.  At 15:42, Justin Danforth would take a pretty shot and turn it into a beautiful, first season goal.  Vladislav Gavrikhov would gain assist 1 on the season, along with Yegor Chinakhov.  2-1 Canucks lead would maintain after Period 2, but then would come Period 3 and the Blue Jackets were ready for win 1! 

At 6:18 the Blue Jackets would even the score at 2 each, after a goal from Zach Werenski.  This would be goal 1 for him this season.  Boone Jenner would pick up assist 2 on the young season, as would Johnny Gaudreau.  At 7:00 on the nose, the Canucks would gain another goal from B. Horvat, taking them back to a 3-2 lead.  Wait 5th Line, as you know there's more to come still!  At 9:27 Johnny Gaudreau (Johnny Jacket or Johnny Hockey) whichever name you prefer, would have goal two of his season.  Boone Jenner would gain assist 3 for his season, while Jacub Voracek would gain the first assist of his season. This would take us to a 3-3 tie, and you know what that means 5th Line, Overtime here we come!  

The Blue Jackets really put something special together for this extra hockey.  With the exception of 1 shot, the hometown Ohio team would really dominate.  Then, at 3:31, the first win of the season would reverberate with the blast of our beloved cannon.  Vladislav Gavrikov would shoot his first goal of the season, giving the Blue Jackets a 4-3 Overtime win and their first of the 2022-23 NHL Season!  2 points in the net folks!  Yegor Chinakhov is up to 2 assists, picking up another on Gavrikhov's goal, as would Jakub Voracek. 

First star of the game would go to Johnny Gaudreau and second star of the game would go to Vladislav Gavrikhov.  

Elvis Merzlikins would have some stunning saves.  His final total ended up being 32 saves on 35 shots. 

Although the team did very well and got their first win, I feel another player stood out and needs highlighted.  Nick Blankenburg didn't score a goal or have an assist, but what he gave the team was just as valuable: defense.  He was all over the ice last night and in his postgame interview when asked about playing with him, Zach Werenski described it as "easy".  I've been rooting for Blankenburg since we signed him.  I didn't know of him until we signed him the same day we did his teammate, who we drafted, Kent Johnson.  Blankenburg was a bonus, and I was thrilled we got a defenseman toward the end of last season, for our final playoff push.  However, some fans weren't a fan of his, because all they focused on was his 5'9 height.  He wasn't the tallest or most hefty defenseman, but to be a Captain at a Big Ten College, Michigan University, he had to do something right.  I said this from the get-go and now other fans are seeing the potential I had a gut feeling on.  Further, it was amazing to see Werenski and himself really work together last night; something I feel we'll see much more going forward this season.  As idea is great, but all of them don't work out as well in reality as they do in your head.  I'm happy to say this pair together did work as well in both instances. 

Our next game is tomorrow evening, Thursday October 20th.  The Nashville Predators will come to Columbus and my hope is to hear that cannon a lot behind Bob McElligott tomorrow, during his radio broadcast of the game.  Kent Johnson has yet to hear it go of for his own first NHL Goal.  It would've been great to have happened last night on his birthday, but it didn't.  This upcoming generation seems to celebrate the whole week though, so there's still a chance!  (I know this sounds silly but it's the truth.)  I also think it would be great fun to see his former Captain, Nick Blankenburg, be an assist on that first goal.  I know it's a long shot, but if I'm right I'll be a happy 5th Line fan and blogger for sure!  

Puck drop for this game is 7:00 PM.  If there are any other updates between now and then, I'll post them to my social media pages and/or write a blog if possible.  (As I said this blog was delayed due to my being at the game, then working today unexpectedly.)  

Until then: Go CBJ!