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CBJ P14 — 4 Firsts, Still Fall Short to Isles |
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For the first time in the 2022-2023 season, the Columbus Blue Jackets suffered an overtime loss. This came from the New York Islanders, squeezing out a 4-3 victory for coach Lane Lambert’s first win against Columbus in his head coaching career.
The first goal of the game was not scored until the second period, where Cole Sillinger scored his goal of his sophomore season, just 3 minutes into the frame. Sillinger’s power play goal was assisted by linemate Yegor Chinakov and defenseman Jake Bean.
Moments later, Brock Nelson evens the game for the Isles with his 7th. The deflection was assisted by defenders Scott Mayfield and Sebastian Aho.
Emil Bemstrom got his first of the season off a highlight reel backhand shot, going upstairs to do so. Gustav Nyquist and Jake Bean (again?!) for the helpers on the Bemmer effort.
Nelson does it again for the Islanders for his 8th of the campaign; Captain Andreas Lee and Aho got the assists.
For the final Columbus goal, defender Marcus Bjork clapped one over the Islanders’ goaltender’s shoulder and landed on top of the camera in the netting for his first career NHL goal. Bemstrom got his first assist; Goose got the secondary. Kudos to Bjroky for his first ever NHL goal.
Scott Mayfield’s wicked backhander bested the Columbus defense for his 4th this season; my Isles player to watch, Matthew Barzal, had the primary assist. Barzal’s linemate, Oliver Whalstrom, had the secondary helper.
Zach Parise won the game for the Islanders just 37 seconds into overtime for his 5th of the season; Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Adam Pelech had the apples.
Matthew Barzal was my New York Islanders’ player to watch, putting up his 10th assist of the season on the game tying goal. The first rounder had 2 shots on goal; 4 giveaways; and was a 50% in the faceoff dot with 16:38 TOI. Wasn’t his best night, but was third in forwards time on ice for the Isles’ group behind Pageau and Nelson.
Ilya Sorokin (SoroKING) had a subpar night for the fortunate win, allowing 3 goals on 29 shots for a 0.897 save percentage.
Johnny Gaudreau was my Columbus player to watch, given the connection between the Isles and him this summer. Gaudreau was a -2 with one shot on goal in 21:27TOI; and having 2 giveaways. What an off night. Can’t be perfect every night, and the Isles defense shutout the top guys on Columbus.
Joonas Korpsialo got the overtime loss for a crippled Columbus team, without 4 of their top 7 defenders and 4 of their top 13 forwards. Korpisalo had 42 saves on 46 shots for a 0.913 save percentage.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Marcus Bjork — first career goal (1)
2. Emil Bemstrom — goal (1), assist (1)
3. Jake Bean — 2 assists (5), +1, 2PIM, 3SOG, 1 Hit, 1 BLK, 2TKA, 21:10 TOI
More to come…