The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings played in by far the best Stadium Series game I have ever seen. From the in person experience at the Honda PreGrame to the 2:30pm Pep Rally featuring O.A.R. this was the mecca of where the NHL and NCAA meet to promote professional sport and collegiate rivalries. The high risk offense by the Detroit Red Wings in the first was heated up by the hits of Twenty One Pilots during the first intermission. A four goal second period, featuring two goals in 32 seconds gave Columbus a 3-1 lead after two. After a Gaudreau tribute in the second intermission with P.K. Subban and Mark Messier, another four goal third period ended in a 5-3 victory for the Blue Jackets to claim the season series in the Horseshoe.
The Detroit Red Wings show up to the Stadium in Johnny Gaudreau jerseys from his hometown in Gloucester, New Jersey; Team USA; and Boston College, to display the journey of his young hockey days. Columbus arrived led by the Gaudreau family in the Gaudreau "signature" outfit, featuring the Avalon sweatshirt, the hat; black sweatpants; and men UGG boots. The family also led the Jackets out of the locker room to the rink in their Stadium Series cannon jersey. Elite tier sweaters on both sides with the buckets to match.
Period I
Early mistakes in the first period had the momentum swinging toward the visitors, including turnovers to force Alex DeBrincat in on Elvis Merzlikins; who disallowed all 14 shots on net. Columbus only could mustard 6 shots on the beanie and Cam Talbot.
Twenty One Pilots performed an opening song; Kaleidoscope, Ride, Heathens, and Stressed Out. After seeing them perform a full set in 2016 in Hershey, PA, for my first ever concert, it was nostalgia for me to see the duo back on the stage again in front of their hometown.
Period II
A clapper from Denton Mateychuk from near the blue line opened the scoring for the home team to fire the cannon. The Ohio State marching band got the noise pumping in Ohio Stadium for the rookie's third career NHL goal from captain Boone Jenner and record setter James van Riemsdyk. The Flyers' second overall pick earned his record seventh point (3G, 4A) in his eighth career outdoor game.
Alex DeBrincat evened the game at one off a Dante Fabbro infraction for interference to extend his point streak to nine. The former Blackhawks' draft pick earned his 29th goal of the season from his multi-time teammate Patrick Kane, who set up the pass for the winger behind Elvis. Moritz Seider, the ironman of 306 straight games since game 1 of his career, had the secondary assist.
Off the Seider infraction, Dmitry Voronkov answered back for the home team for his first ever 20-goal season off the power play. Kent Johnson continued his point streak with the set up behind the net. Zach Werenski got himself back in the offensive department at home with the secondary assist.
Mathieu Olivier extended the lead 32 seconds later off a backhand shot off the glove of Talbot, and the pump-up celebration down the sheet was even bigger for the enforcer nearing his new extension with the Jackets. The winger's new career high, 12th goal of the regular season was assisted by center Justin Danforth.
The league confirms 94,751 fans are in attendance for the Jackets v Red Wings game; the Johnny Gaudreau banner is crowd surfing through the Buckeyes' stadium. Meredith Gaudreau thanks ESPN and the hockey world for allowing the family to grieve and to celebrate Johnny Hockey.
Period III
Patrick Kane charges the Red Wing's comeback with his 15th goal of the campaign from Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson.
DeBrincat had his second of the evening to bring the game back to even with less than five minutes to go in regulation. His 29th of the regular season was supported by former Hawks' Erik Gustafsson and Kane.
Justin Danforth capitalized on what many say is a missed high sticking call to beat Cam Talbot for the game winner. The fourth Colulmbus goal from Danforth is his sixth of the year from former Red Wings' winger Zach Aston-Reese and rental Ivan Provorov.
After two previously missed attempts by Jenner and Werenski, the former Wolverine, Adam Fantilli, closed the scoring on an empty net goal for his career high 18th goal of the regular season.
Goaltenders
Elvis Merzlikins goalied the Red Wings with 43 saves on 46 shots faced for a 0.935 save percentage.
Cam Talbot had 16 saves on 20 shots against for a 0.800 save percentage.
Players to Watch
Dylan Larkin was pointless with a -1 rating in 21:58TOI. The Wings' captain had 5 shots and hits.
Zach Werenski had two assists to be at 46 assists on the season, and 64 points on the season. He had 29:53TOI with 2 shots and 4 blocked shots.
CBJ Three Stars of the Game
1. Elvis Merzlikins - W; 43 saves; 93.5 SV%
2. Justin Danforth - GWG (6), assist (8)
3. Mathieu Olivier - goal (12)
Next Game
Trip to Florida begins, with a battle against the Lightning.
Rumor Update
Jones and Nyquist off the board after the weekend moves. Same with Provorov and Olivier. Both are staying.
After Ek promoted my post to the top slot over the weekend, this will be posted daily with my Twitter promotion of who may join and depart Columbus
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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