Happy New Years Day Hockeybuzzards! Happy 2025 and save travels to all who may be heading home or preparing to go to work the next day. The Columbus Blue Jackets sent their fans home happy with a shootout winner over the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3 was that final score.

Period I

Columbus opened the scoring with an early even strength goal before the five minute mark. The opener was a wrister from my player to watch, Kirill Marchenko, for his 15th of the season. Sean Monahan had the primary assist. Denton Maeychuk recorded his first career point in the National with the secondary assist.

Ty Smith evened the game for the visitors with his first goal with the Carolina Hurricanes. Smith was originally part of that Jake Guentzel trade last deadline. His powerplay was his first goal in the league since January 5, 2023. My Carolina player to watch, Sebastian Aho, had the primary assist. Martin Necas continues his strong season with the second assist.

Marchenko continued his efforts with his second of the evening and 16th of the year. Dmitry Voronkov had the primary assist; Monahan had the secondary.

Period II

Jack Roslovic tipped in the Seth Jarvis shoot to even up the score at two a piece. The Columbus native’s team leading 17th goal had an Aho secondary assist.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi got the Hurricanes’ their only lead with his sixth of the season from former Blue Jackets’ winger Eric Robinson.

Period III

Voronkov’s powerplay goal is his third consecutive recorded powerplay goal. The final regulation Columbus goal would be sophomore’s 13th of the year from Monahan and Zach Werenski.

Overtime

The goalies each turned away three shots from their opponents. Zach Aston-Reese had a minor penalty for tripping on Aho.

Shootout

Adam Fantilli recorded the only goal in the extra rounds to get the home team the extra points.

Players to Watch

Carolina — Sebastian Aho — the Canes’ center had two assists and drew two penalties against the Jackets.

Columbus — Kirill Marchenko had two goals for goals 15 and 16 of the season, tying his career high in points with 42.

Goaltenders

Pytor Kotchekov stopped 25 of 28 Carolina shots for a 0.893 save percentage.

Elvis Merzlikins saved 32 shots of a possible 35 from Carolina for a 0.914 save percentage.

CBJ Three Stars of the Game

1. Kirill Marchenko — 2 goals (16)
2. Sean Monahan — 3 assists (23)
3. Dmitry Voronkov — PPG (13), assist (11)

Next Game

First game of 2025 is at home against the Detroit Red Wings


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