InGameBlog 1-22-11: Blues vs Blue Jackets

We’re always trying new things on BlueNoteZone. Our latest is an in game blog with updates throughout the game. It won’t be an every day blog, but we’ll do it as much as possible.

Here is a link to our Gameday Preview for everything you need to know about tonight’s contest.

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First Period

- FYI on D pairs: Brewer-Polak, EJ-Petro, Cole-Strachan.

- Brad Winchester throws down with Derek Dorsett right off the hop!

- Good pace and a few early chances for the Backes line.

- Boll v Crombeen now!!! Boll landed some big ones in a Cam Janssen like endurance match.

- Blues have the better pace and by far better chances in first 5 minutes.

- Blues second effort level prevails with a great transition play to quickly move up ice. Steen puts it behind Mason for an early 1-0 Blues lead.

- Big early PP chance to jump on the Jackets following Steen’s 16th. Helpers from Brewer and Boyes.

- PPG! Berglund walks in and blasts it past Mason from above the circles. Low shot fools him. 2-0 Blues. Helpers from Steen and Pietrangelo.

- Blues were pushing the pace till a little back door play to Vermette. Using pushoff of Oshie to create space. Hellers from Umberger and Huselius. 2-1 Blues.

- Big two/three minutes of game here to not allow the tying goal. Especially having to kill a 2 minute delay of game on Jay McClement.

- Most of Columbus’ PP time was kept to outside. Halak came up big on the one good chance. Just on shot against.

- Columbus picked up their forecheck as the first has drawn on.

- Chemistry between Oshie, Berglund and Sobotka.

- Strachan steps up on Methot after a “questionable” hit. Looks like Methot possibly left his right leg hang out to clip TJ. Strachan lucky to not get an instigator. Credit Strachan for trying to prove his worth in a rare night in the lineup.

- Blues up 2-1 at the end of the first. Columbus leads in shots 10-9.

Second Period

- Blues have good first two shifts by McClement and Backes lines. Columbus has a little pushback, but no real chances.

- Steen’s goal changed to Brewer.

- Polak off for Interference. Not the smartest of plays for Roman. Another penalty by a key PK unit member.

- Oshie and Sobotka make a very effective PK duo.

- Early penalty threatens to let Columbus take over the flow. Happened too many times this month.

- Terrible turnover let’s Boll beat Halak 5-hole on a 1-on-1. The first half of the second has looked like about every other in January. Blues can’t get the game tilted in their favor. Game tied at 2-2.

- Columbus leading 9-0 in shots halfway through the period. 10-0 at 8:00 mark.

- First shot in 15+ minutes came from McClement.

- Pucks not getting deep to out work the defense. In and out when they can get it in.

- Go figure that Sobe, Bergy and Teej get the first real chances on Mason. Getting quick shots through with some traffic.

- Blues are lucky the second period didn’t get out of hand like the others have. Columbus just isn’t good enough to take advantage of the Blues poor effort.

- After 2 periods the game is tied 2-2. Columbus pyramid the Blues 14-5. Now lead 24-14 overall.

Third Period

- Backes line strong to start the period thanks to weak turnovers by the Jackets. Created multiple chances.

- Teams trading chances and a Hejda shot from point goes in. Looks like Murray tipped it in. Clear through a gaping 5-hole. 3-2 Columbus.

- Blues get big PP chance Right after Columbus goal.

- PP struggled to get in and set up. Wasted opportunity. Hard to expect a 2 for 2 bight on the man advantage. Still, no shots on the PP.

- Blues ramping up, but Jackets collapsing in to a shell inside circles.

- Oshie draws a trip. BIGHUGE power play chance coming.

- Bad interference call. How can it be interference if he I trying to stay onside? Lame. Par for the course with NHL officiating. One guys falls, it must be a penalty…right?

- Klesla has a history of getting hurt with odd falls in games against the Blues.

- Columbus is doing a good job of shutting down Blues in the neutral zone and high in the offensive zone. Just no room to make a play. Lots of back pressure.

- Mason has misplayed several pucks. If they could get pucks through there are chances available. Mason not strong.

- “Hooking” called on Cole with 4 minutes left. BIGHUGE kill.

- Nash finally makes an impact and buries the 4th Jackets goal. 4-2 Columbus.

- Very little pushback from the Blues since the start of the second.

- Tyutin hits the net from his blue line for an ENG. 5-2 Columbus. Now tied with Blues in points. This is just a team that can’t sustain their play or the heart to compete.

- McRae gets flipped by Hejda. To little too late heart shown by the Blues. Why does Hejda need to go low? The game is over, why do that? Looks like Voracek’s cheap, intentional interference that lead to Oshie breaking his ankle. Sounds like a trend.

- Blues lose 5-2.