Blue
Jackets hang on to top Blackhawks
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[October 22, 2016]
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Led by rookie
defenseman Zach Werenski's tenacious play, the Columbus Blue Jackets
earned their first win of the season by hanging on to beat the
Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Friday at Nationwide Arena.
Werenski ended the night with one goal and one assist in 22:48 of
ice-time in just his third NHL game.
"To fight through against a pretty good team that was coming at us
there in the second half of the game, hopefully it gives them a
notch of confidence," Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella said.
The Blue Jackets got themselves into early penalty trouble, but
gained confidence after killing a Blackhawks 5-on-3 early in the
first period.
Columbus' Nick Foligno drew an interference penalty midway through
the first period, leading to Werenski's power-play goal. After
Foligno dug the puck out of the corner, Alex Wennberg passed to
Werenski along the blue line, who then rifled it past Chicago
goaltender Corey Crawford.
"The thing that's really impressive about him," said Tortorella, "is
that there's not a lot of panic when he's got the puck in the
defensive zone. Forget about coverages; him just looking to get out
of trouble.
"I thought he made a couple of good plays in the middle of the ice
(and) guys weren't ready for it."
At 15:00 of the first period, defenseman Ryan Murray went down the
tunnel to the dressing room, staying there for the remainder of the
period. The team announced at the beginning of the second period
that he had suffered an upper-body injury and would not return.
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The Blackhawks tied the score at 2:29 of the second, when rookie
forward Tyler Motte knocked-in a rebound from team captain Jonathan
Toews off Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. The goal was
Motte's first in the NHL. Motte and Werenski played together last
season at the University of Michigan.
Just over two minutes later, Werenski got his second point of the
night, assisting on Foligno's power-play goal in front of the net.
"It was huge and a big difference in the game," Foligno said about
Columbus' special teams play. "That's big for our club. We didn't
allow (Chicago) much on the power play, as well. We're proud of
that."
Chicago has allowed 11 power goals this season; more than any other
team in the NHL.
"Both plays, it could have been prevented," Chicago head coach Joel
Quenneville said of his special team's play. "Whether it's a block
or a clear, we've just got to be sharper and more determined to stay
out of the box."
Columbus' William Karlsson scored his first goal of the season after
deflecting a David Savard wrist-shot through traffic. This was the
last shot on goal they would have for almost sixteen minutes.
The Blue Jackets took their foot off the gas after building a 3-1
lead through two periods, allowing Chicago to capitalize.
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![](../images/102216pics/sports57.jpg)
Blue Jackets right wing
Josh Anderson (34) collides with Chicago Blackhawks defenseman
Trevor van Riemsdyk (57) and goalie Corey Crawford (50) in net in
the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron
Doster-USA TODAY Sports
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The Blackhawks halved the Blue Jackets lead early in the third
period, as Richard Panik swatted teammate Gustav Forsling's shot
past Bobrovsky.
Chicago controlled the pace of play for long stretches, with the
Blue Jackets unable to clear the puck out of their own zone numerous
times.
At 16:34 of the third period, Crawford left his crease to play the
puck in the right face-off circle. He and Columbus' Matt Calvert's
legs got tangled, with Calvert being whistled for goaltender
interference.
The Blackhawks were unable to score on the ensuing power play, even
with pulling Crawford for the extra skater.
"It's frustrating," said Blackhawks' captain Jonathan Toews. "We
definitely have to just keep pushing to find a solution. Even when
it seems like we're doing a good job, bounces are going against us."
The win ends a nine-game home losing streak in October going back to
October 2014.
Columbus' special teams play was the catalyst for the victory. They
scored on both power play opportunities, and are now 4-for-7 with
the man-advantage on the season.
"Our power play's good," Tortorella said. "It's been good through
the first three games, quite honestly."
NOTES: Columbus F Lukas Sedlak made his NHL debut. ... D Dalton
Prout, C Sam Gagner and D Scott Harrington were scratched for
Columbus ... Blackhawks F Artem Anisimov played his first game at
Nationwide Arena since being part of the trade that sent F Brandon
Saad to Columbus in 2015. He missed last season's trip because of an
injury. ... Friday's game marks the third time Saad has faced his
former teammates. He had a goal and an assist in the season finale
at Nationwide Arena last April ... Blue Jackets D Cody Goloubef
cleared waivers and was assigned to the Cleveland Monsters of the
AHL. ... D Michal Rozsival, RW Marian Hossa and LW Vinnie Hinostroza
were scratched for Chicago.
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