Pittsburgh Penguins @ Columbus Blue Jackets: 2023 Preseason Game 2

Today, while I was working, the Columbus Blue Jackets kicked off the 2023 Preseason at the Pittsburgh Penguins. This game went to overtime, then a shootout before the end result was a 3-2 Pittsburgh Penguins win. 

Tonight, it was finally hockey time for me after work, and this is the game I will recap for you in this blog. At a glance, I think the best thing about tonight is hearing some familiar names we've all missed due to injury or personal situations. Zach Werenski is back from his season-ending shoulder injury early last season, and so is Alexander Texier who had to step away last season to be home in France after a family loss. Hearing their names tonight, along with everyone else's was amazing, especially when it led to the first score tonight! Texier would be the first to score tonight at 4:37 into the first period. Newcomer Adam Fantilli would have the primary assist on this goal, while Patrik Laine would have the secondary. Just before this period would end, though, the score would become 1-1 as Gruden would score for the Penguins. 

At 1:03 into the second period, one of our hometown Blue Jackets would score. Carson Meyer; if you don't know his name, you should!  Martin Rysavy would have the only assist on this goal. Poulin would make it a 2-2, tying this game again, with just seconds left in this period. 

With two periods done for Elvis Merzlikins, he would come out of the goal for us, allowing Pavel Cajan to have his 20 minutes to shine. Carson Meyer would shine first, though, as he'd score his second of this preseason game at 11:01!  Sadly, this 3-2 lead would be foiled again by the Penguins. They would score thanks to Wagner at 13:24, and this 3-3 tie would hold until the end of regulations. Now, since I missed today's first preseason game, I'll take bonus hockey all night!   

Jordan Dumais would put this game to an end early at 2:43 into the first overtime period. This is a 4-3 win and a sweet way to open up Nationwide Arena for the first time this preseason!  Kent Johnso and Denton Mateychuck would have assists on this final goal. 

Overall, this game was a great example of what this team can do. I know it's preseason, but many of our starters played in this game at home tonight. They set the tempo and when the Penguins pushed the Blue Jackets pushed right back. The goaltending was good; Merzlikins only let two goals in two periods, and Cajan only allowed one goal in one period. We got to see Meyer step up again as an Ohio-bred player, giving us two of the four goals tonight, while we saw Fantilli play his first preseason game and watched him gain two assists already! Injured players are back and already contributing; this is a fun season ahead and a fresh start for this team. If tonight proved anything it's this: The injuries, problems, and frustrations of the 2022-23 NHL Season are behind the Blue Jackets.

Our next preseason game is on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. as the team travels to St. Louis to play the Blues. I will have that recap for you here after.  

Go CBJ!       



    

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