Columbus Blue Jackets @ Minnesota Wild: 10/21/23 Game Recap

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 into the second.  

Period two would have more fire.   Blue Jacket would also score this period's first goal.  t would belong to Kent Johnson at 6:10 after a lovely faceoff win by Cole Sillinger, the only assist on this goal and his second this season. Unfortunately, the Wild would quickly match our two goals after a good fakeout at 7:21 by Dakota Mermis and a takeaway by Mats Zuccarello at 8:15.  his 2-2 stronghold would continue through the end of this period. 

At 4:42, the Wild would add to their goal total and take the lead.  Thanks to Jonas Brodin, his goal would make it 3-2 Wild. Then, at 7:36, our captain would come through with the tying goal! Boone Jenner would make it 3-3 with his fourth goal this NHL Season, with a primary assist from Zach Werensi and a secondary assist from Damon Severson. This is Werenski's second assist this season and Severson's first. Sadly, Boone Jenner would be given a tripping penalty shortly after his game-tying goal, and the Wild would capitalize. Mats Zuccarello would score at 11:54. We would challenge for 'offside,' and in what may be a franchise record, our third challenge this season would go in our favor, same as the first two. The game would return to a 3-3 tie! Best of all, Adam Fantilli would score his first NHL Goal, breaking this tie with undeniable certainty! Ugh, I could cry with joy. I wanted him in the draft since January, and now he's here and scoring for us; I love it! His goal would come at 14:41, with assists from Ivan Provorov and Justin Danforth. Ivon Provorov is already up to four assists this season, and this is Danforth's second 1-1-2 game in his NHL Career in as many days. The back and forth would continue, and Marcus Johansson would match Adam Fantilli's goal at 17:01. Again, we're tied, but this time at 4-4. With how tonight has gone, me saying overtime ahead shouldn't surprise you readers!  

It's funny; many wanted Jack Roslovic traded before this season started, yet he scored the winning goal tonight in OT!  Yes, it would come at 3:07 with an assist from Johnny Gaudreau. This is Rosie's first goal this season and Gaudreau's third assist! 5-4 is your final as the Blue Jackets win their first challenge on the road, marking two wins in two days!  What a beautiful win and two points earned. I can't believe we had 54 shots on goal compared to their 28; simply excellent. I can't wait for our next game Tuesday night as we come home to Nationwide Arena to play the Anaheim Ducks at 6:30 p.m.   

GO CELEBRACE FANTILLI AND CBJ!