Calgary Flames @ Columbus Blue Jackets: 2022-23 NHL Season Game 25 Recap

It's time, Johnny "Hockey" Gaudreau's former team traveled to Columbus and tonight, we got to see the first of what will be many games between the two newly structured teams.  Joonas Korpisalo would take net for the Blue Jackets and with Jacub Markstrom in the net for the flames, this party in Nationwide Arena would get underway.  Period 1 would only see a single goal, and it would belong to us 5th Line!  Patrik Laine with his seventh goal of the season and third in the last two games, would come at just 1:02 into the game.  Assists would go to Jack Roslovic, his nineth of this season and Yegor Chinakhov, his nineth of the season too.  This would put the Blue Jackets up 1-0 after the first 20 minutes of play.  

Period 2 would lead to some questions however, ones we still don't quite have answers to and personally, I'm not looking forward to them.  Elvis Merzlikins would lead the team out onto the ice for this second period of play.  No one was aware, but Joonas Korpisalo did suffer what is being described as only a "lower boy injury" by the team.  He was questionable to return to this competition between the Flames and Blue Jackets, after barely any time had passed in this period.  Of course, I wish him the best.  So, with Logan Davis now backing Elvis Merzlikins, this game would continue.  At 2:52, Eric Robinson would score his third goal of the season, no assists on this goal.  This would, again, be the only goal of the period, resulting in a 2-0 Blue Jackets lead.  

Before the next period would begin, Dylan Tyrer would do a short interview with Zach Werenski.  It's amazing the heart of the players we have in Columbus.  I don't have to tell you this, but I'm going to brag about Werenski for a moment.  $50,000 of his own money went toward the Salvation Army tonight, how amazing is that 5th Line?  He also gave us some encouraging news: his recovery is right on track and going well.  It's also no surprise to me that he's staying as involved as he can in this community, which you can tell he signed a contract to remain a part of.  #8 is a role model both on and off the ice, no doubt.  

Elvis Merzlikins would lead the team out for Period 3 and with Logan Davis still back on the bench, Joonas Korpisalo was still nowhere in sight, sadly.  The Flames would get a powerplay, off Cole Sillinger, but thankfully it lasted 0:06 seconds, before the Flames would have, not just one but two penalties.  The Blue Jackets wouldn't score on this advantage, but the main thing here is that the Flames didn't score and change the games momentum.  Again, another Flames player, at around 10:00 remaining in the period, would get a double penalty.  Sadly, this wouldn't last long before one was called on Blue Jackets Marcus Bjork, due to a tripping call.  A bit more time would pass and then Elvis Merzlikins would make a huge save, but after he'd be in obvious discomfort.  Elvis Merzlikins would be checked out and thankful continued the game.  This play would be reviewed and there was undeniably no goal for the Flames, allowing us to keep out 2-0 lead, continuing this game.  With just over 4 minutes left, another penalty for the Blue Jackets would give the Flames yet another chance to take this potential Shutout away from us.  The Power Play would be killed off, but shortly after M. stone would shoot with a fellow Flames player blocking Merzlikins view of him.  The goal would come at 17:26, resulting in a 2-1, Blue Jackets single-goal lead.  Sean Kuraly would close out this game with an Empty Net Goal, number seven for him this season, at 19:36.  

Joonas Korpisalo was a huge loss tonight, one that hopefully won't be felt for too long.  However, Elvis Merzlikins and this team stepped up and won tonight for him, and also found redemption after that crushing 9-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabers on Wednesday.  Well done Blue Jackets, 3-1 is your final tonight over the Calgary Flames.  We're now 9-15-2.  (I'm sure Johnny Gaudreau and Erik Gudbranson are very happy right now.)

Star One- Patrik Laine 1-0-1

Star Two- Eric Robinson 1-0-1

Star Three- Elvis Merzlikins who stopped 21 of 22 shots on his net, after taking over for Period 2 and 3.

Game 25 of this 2022-23 NHL Season will be Sunday, December 11, as the L.A. Kings come to Nationwide Arena.  Note that this game has a 6:00 PM puck drop.  If I see an update on Joonas Korpisalo I'll share it promptly with you all.  

Enjoy the win 5th Line!

Go CBJ!     




 

    

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