The Columbus Blue Jackets came into Wednesday's game hoping to get a quick rest at home, before heading out Thursday night for a game at Atlanta. The Jackets had had overtimes in their two previous games – a shoot-out loss to Pittsburgh and an overtime win in Washington – and they were hoping to have a game where they could sit back on their heels and get an easy win. San Jose is not the team to try that on, as they took Columbus to their third straight overtime.
Game Recap
With the fans roaring, the Blue Jackets took to the ice with determination and resolve. They checked hard, fought for the puck, and generally played very well. The Jackets were easily outplaying the San Jose Sharks, and they were making sure that it was obvious. Though they were not getting on the board, the Jackets were getting plenty of opportunities, and just barely missing. San Jose, however, was able to take the air out of Columbus' fans, when Joe Thornton (4) scored early in the period. Just three minutes later, however, Jason Chimera (4) lit the lamp for the Jackets, getting the crowd back into the game.
With the crowd back, the Jackets came out in the second looking for blood. San Jose, however, seemed to get a stern lecture in the locker room, as they easily handled the Jackets. The Sharks controlled the puck, kept the pressure on, and were playing like a much, much better team. This paid off for them, when Dany Heatley (10) scored on a power play. It looked like Columbus would lose, and it took the fire out of the team and the fans. Even two fights by Jared Boll didn't help to ignite the fans.
Though the two fights didn't bring the fans back, a power play goal by Rick Nash (10) did. His goal late in the second fired the crowd up, and really got them on their feet. For the rest of the second, as well as all of the third, the Jackets were playing like the better team, and the fans were shouting in admiration. Just like the first period, the men in Union Blue were playing exceptionally well, though they kept missing the goal by inches.
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