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Third Period Comeback Nets Jackets First Win of Season |
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Trailing by two goals early in the third period it seemed certain the Jackets would drop their second contest of the young season. Columbus looked listless on the ice for much of the game aside from a few quality scoring chances in the first period. The Jackets were playing their second game in two nights and their body language resembled a team that was tired. It would have been easy to pack it in, call it a game and get ready for Thursday's contest in Buffalo against the Sabres. But Columbus, borrowing from the script they read from often last year wouldn't go away that quietly and found a way to come away with the victory.
Mark Letestu would provide the spark, scoring on the PP 7:45 into the third frame. Letestu, playing on the left point, crept in with two Jackets battling for a loose puck in front of the Islanders goal. Brandon Dubinsky eventually worked the puck over to Letestu who beat Islanders netminder Evgeni Nabokov.
Just 4:09 later Nick Foligno was at the right place at the right time for a fortuitous goal to draw the Jackets even. RJ Umberger entered the zone with speed and carried the puck wide on the right wing side. He fired a low shot on goal from a bad angle that Nabokov had difficulties handling. The rebound kicked out and Foligno was the first player to get his stick on it. He chipped the puck toward the front of the net but not on goal and the biscuit bounced in off a backchecking Peter Regin.
It was a lucky goal to be sure but one that resulted from hard work and simply getting the puck on net as well as good fortune.
Both clubs had some chances late but neither was able to tally the game-winner in regulation or in OT.
Both teams squandered a late PP opportunity and each goalie made a critical late save to ensure at least a point for their team.
Bobrovksy stoned Frans Nielsen on the PP with less than a minute remaining in the contest making a terrific right toe save on a snap shot from the slot.
Marian Gaborik had a chance to put the Jackets ahead but Nabokov was equal to the task, stopping a wristshot from in tight.
Cam Atkinson would win it for Columbus with an excellent deke after Matt Moulson extended the shootout on the Islanders third attempt. Letestu had put Columbus ahead after beating Nabokov with a wrister on the Jackets second attempt.
Sergei Bobrovksy earned his first win of the season stopping 28 of the 30 shots on goal he faced.
Columbus can now enjoy a few days off before hitting the ice Thursday night in Buffalo. The hope is that both Fedor Tyutin and Jared Boll will be ready to make their 2013 - 2014 season debuts. I would expect Bobrovsky to again be between the pipes. Since the Jackets do not have another back-to-back until October 19th and 20th it's likely we won't see backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney for a while.