The CBJ Writer

Traveling to Dallas to face the Stars always promises to be a good game, and tonight didn't disappoint! This game wouldn't sleep on us either, as Thomas Harley would break through with goal one tonight at just 0:27 for the Stars. The Stars' 1-0 lead wouldn't last long, though, as Dmitri Voronkov would score NHL Career Goal 1 at 4:37! Cole Sillinger would add his third assist on this important goal for Voronkov, while Kent Johnson would add number two to his total. Voronkov wasn't the only Blue Jacket to have his first goal tonight; at 13:41, Damon Severson would score his first wearing our colors, too! Adam Fantilli would have his third assist on this monumental goal for Severson, while Zach Werenski would add his fourth. This would bring us to a 2-1 Blue Jackets lead and the end of period 1.  Period 2 would see the equalizer for the home team, thanks to a goal from Stars' Boope Hintz at 5:52. There would be another goal from them later on in the period, but the...

Tonight's Columbus Blue Jackets Halloween was full of more tricks than treats. In period 1, Kyle Palmieri would score at 15:45 for the visiting Islanders. The second period would have no goals. Then, at 16:39, Matt Martin would score for the Islanders. This would give them a 2-0 lead and, ultimately, the win. Spencer Martin was excellent in the Columbus Blue Jackets net, but it wasn't enough tonight. The same could be said for the blue jacket offense. They had so many powerplays, breakaways, and chances...none just got through the Islanders' stronghold of a goalie, Semyon Varlamov. It's unfortunate because this game was far better than the final score would lead you to believe.  Spencer Martin, our goalie all game, would come away with the second star of the game tonight. He earned this after a .0930 Save Percentage. The Islanders hit him with 33 shots, and he only missed 2.  We must put this game behind us because we go on the road. Monday, we will play the Dallas Star...

Last game, Jack Roslovic and Emil Bemstrom would prove their value to this Blue Jackets team. Bemstrom would have the single powerplay goal, while Roslovic would score the game-winner in overtime. Tonight, the dynamic duo would continue to put up scores for the Columbus team on their first trip to Canada. At 7:46, Jack Roslovic would score the first goal of the evening. Johnny Gaudreau would add his fourth assist this season, while Zach Werenski would add his third. Between this goal and the next, our newest rookie, Dimitri Voronkov, would be welcomed to the NHL early with his first fight as a defenseman. He would take on Arber Xhekaj, and each would be assigned 2 minutes for penalties, in addition to 5 minutes each for fighting. A few more penalties later, Emil Bemstrom would score his first goal of the night and second powerplay goal in as many games! Ivan Proverov would continue dominating the assist category, adding his sixth this season. Jack Roslovic would also have his third thi...

A minor power outage delayed tonight's game by 2 hours, but as always, Columbus Blue Jackets hockey is always worth the wait! The home team would come out swinging tonight with a goal on their third powerplay of the opening period. Emil Bemstorm would have his first goal this season at 16:49! Ivan Proverov is on a roll this season; he has five assists so far, picking up his fifth on this Bemstrom goal. The secondary assist would go to our first-round draft pick this year, Adam Fantill, giving him two so far this season. This would be the only goal in the first 20 minutes, so the Blue Jackets would take a 1-0 lead into the second period.   This second period would have just one goal, belonging to the Ducks. A puck steal would lead to two Ducks against Elvis Merzlikins in net. The first shot wouldn't result in a score but instead deflected off Merlikins' glove and back into play, where Ryan Strone would score at 15:49. So, we'd have a new game going to period three with a...

Before we get into the game recap tonight, I want to give a shout out to Liam Foudy. He was snatched by the Nashville Predators this afternoon when we put him on waver. I wish him the best of luck in his career, and it's been fun covering his one here in Columbus. Now, let's recap tonight's game!   The Blue Jackets would pick up right where they left off, using their win over the Calgary Flames as momentum tonight. Last night was the kickoff to a great weekend for Justin Danforth. He had a goal and an assist, giving him his first NHL Game with more than one point! Tonight, he'd continue his productive weekend with the first goal in this game! This goal would come at 8:55 and give the Blue Jackets their first 1-0 away-game lead. This goal would have a primary assist from David Jiricek and a secondary from Mathieu Olivier. That would be the men's first assist this season.  his would be the first period's only goal, so we'd carry that 1-0 Blue Jackets' lead...

After goals from Shayne Goshisbehe scored at 8:51, and the Blue Jackets couldn't match the goal, we all felt a bit optimistic that the CBJ could bounce back. Then, period 2 led to three more goals from the Red Wings. First came Michael Rasmussen at 7:45, then Dylan Larkin at 11:11, and then Andrew Copp at 12:07. Two of the three second-period goals would come on Blue Jackets' penalties. Aside from more trading of penalties in period 3, we'd see a hearted fight between Assistant Captain Erik Gudbranson and Red Wings'Klim Kostin. (Gudbranson didn't appreciate the hit he put on Cole Sillinger!) Sadly, both players getting five-minute fighting majors still wouldn't urge either team to score again. That said, a penalty shot would be given to the Red Wings for a 'hooking call,' and love it or hate it, Spencer Martin stopped it. Even with that save, one-on-one, the Blue Jackets still couldn't find a spark, and we'd finally seen an end to this painful ga...

The New York Rangers are a high-energy playoff team and a challenge for the constantly adapting Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets met that challenge better than my optimism had hoped tonight! The first goal would favor the New York Rangers, thanks to Erik Gustafsson at 0:50 into the game. I was concerned that this game would quickly get away from us. The Blue Jackets proved me wrong, though, and I'm always happy when they do so! 9:36 would mark when Captain Boone Jenner would tie the game; the captain would have assists from Johnny Gaudreau and Kirill Marchenko. This would be Gaudreau's first this season, but in just two games, Marchenko is already up to 3. Before this period would end, at 17:45, Jenner would put another into the back of the Rangers' net! Even better, this was a powerplay goal, too, meaning it's improved since last season. The score would be 2-1. This game is the first time I've seen three goals taken off the board. The Rangers would lose two ...

There's a buzz in the air, one of a new beginning and a full 82-game NHL Regular Season looming. Players injured last season have returned. Our first-round draft pick from this year didn't just see his first NHL action tonight and celebrated his 19th birthday with a point. With all of that good said, there's plenty to recap; it's a mixed bag, so let's get into it.  Period 1 would see a few goals. First, the Flyers would strike as the Blue Jackets attempted to swap players. They'd pop the puck in on Elvis; that was all she wrote. The goal would come from Joel Farabee and give his team a 1-0 lead at 3:33. The good news is, at 8:24, Jake Bean would be the first Blue Jacket to score a goal this 2023-24 NHL Season! This is where Adam Fantilli, the rookie birthday boy, would achieve his first NHL Point! He would have the primary assist on Bean's goal, and the secondary assist would go to Kirill Marchenko. Unfortunately, the Flyers would break the 1-1 tie at 12:45,...

Tonight was a free game for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals to test their best and undecided. It is already the final preseason game of 2023, and this game was a preview of the competitiveness to come for both teams. Neither team disappointed in period 1, as the score stayed 0-0 after the opening 20 minutes. Elvis Merzzlikins faced 9 shot attempts by the Caps and turned away all of them. We only had 4 on Darcy Kuemper, but there was still plenty of time to increase that number.  For how consistently back and forth period 1 was, period 2 would be the opposite with plenty of action. First, the Blue Jackets would strike at 4:57! Our captain would connect with Emil Bemstrom, the primary assist, and Alexander Texier, the secondary assist. Sadly, the 1-0 Blue Jackets lead wouldn't last long as John Carlson would score for the Capitals. They would then extend on that goal thanks to Alex Ovechkin at 10:34. Ivan Provorov tried to help Elivs Merzlikins keep it out of our ne...

Tonight's game featured a heavier mix of young Blue Jackets than last night. This was evident in Period 1 as they struggled to get on the board. At the same time, the Capitals brought a more developed roster, which also showed by way of two goals. The first came from Beck Malenstyn at 8:14, and the second came from Aliaksei Protas at 12:04. The Capitals would lead 2-0 after 20 minutes.  Period 2 would open with the home Blue Jackets looking like they got espresso over intermission one. At 1:25, Brendan Gaunce would find the net and put us on the board! Justin Pearson would have the primary assist on the Gaunce goal, while Dentton Mateychuk would have the secondary. The Blue Jackets would hold off the Capitals all period, not allowing them to score once. Also, we'd have a fight at the very end of this period. A newly returned Mathieu  Oliver would knot up with the Capitals's Dylan Dylan Mcllrath. The two would deliver enough blows to the other that both would be given 5-minu...

The Columbus Blue Jackets have come out swinging in the last few preseason games, and tonight would be no different. Patrik Laine is back in a big way, not just from injury but acting as a center. He would take the puck to the back of the Buffalo Sabres net at 6:15 into the first period. Johnny Gaudreau would have the primary assist on this opening goal, whereas the secondary assist would go to the newly returned Jake Bean. He was injured for much of last year, then pulled a muscle before preseason could even begin! This is his first game back, and what a way to start. At 9:04, Emil Bemstrom would score yet another goal this preseason! This would take the game to a 2-0 Blue Jackets lead. Ivan Provorov would continue his standout preseason with the primary assist on Bemstrom's goal, while Damon Severson would get the secondary assist. Again, Damon Severson has had a great preseason as well. One last goal this period would come from the opposing team thanks to Zemgus Girgensons at 11...

Period 1 tonight was a Columbus Blue Jackets' Goal-Scoring Clinic. Captain Boone Jenner would get his team off to an incredible 1-0 start at 5:32 into the first period of play. The only assist on this goal would be Alexander Texier's, and it's still so good to be typing that name again! Our next goal would be a beauty from the newly returned Kirill Marchenko at 14:51. It's good to see him back and scoring on the ice after his time away earlier this preseason due to a minor back injury. Patrik Laine would have the primary assist on this Marchenko goal, whereas the secondary assist would come from Damon Severson. So, 2-0 would turn into a 3-0 Blue Jackets lead at 17:24, thanks to a goal from Justin Danforth. Again, this is another player we lost early into last season and never returned, but we sure missed! Dmitri Veronkov would have the only assist on this Danforth goal, and the Blue Jackets would have the best possible start in this game.  Period 2 would continue the sc...