WHAT A WIN.
The Blue Jackets defeated the Carolina Hurricanes tonight, 3-2, thanks to late-game heroics from Nick Foligno.
Elvis Merzlikins was outstanding all night, stopping 32 of 34 shots.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| HURRICANES | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Emil Bemstrom (5) got the scoring started with a wicked wrister early in the first period off of a nice feed from Cam Atkinson, who returned from a high ankle sprain and looked dynamic all night.
Bemstrom with the absolute rocket. Sheesh. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/CjLPsQD6oL
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 17, 2020
The Hurricanes dominated play for most of the period, but the Blue Jackets went into the dressing room with a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
The second period wasn't pretty, and the Hurricanes continued to be the aggressors. Just over eight and a half minutes into it, Martin Necas took advantage of a breakaway and made it 1-1, ending Elvis Merzlikins' shutout streak at 166 minutes and 29 seconds. After 40 minutes, the teams were knotted at 1-1.
Did we mention Atkinson looked dynamic all night? With just under five minutes gone by in the third period, Atkinson picked his spot and gave the Blue Jackets a 2-1 lead with a nice wrist shot.
Cam scores in his return to the lineup! pic.twitter.com/5TAPwrf8lY
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 17, 2020
Just over two minutes later, the Hurricanes came right back and tied it at 2-2 off of a deflection from Jordan Staal. As the wild third period continued, the Blue Jackets thought they had taken the lead via a Zack Werenski wrist shot, but the Hurricanes challenged for offsides and the goal was overturned.
Nick Foligno grabbed the winner with just over 90 seconds left. What a finish it was from the captain.
3-2 #CBJ
— Alison (@AlisonL) January 17, 2020
Stenlund with the transition, Robinson with the battle, Foligno with the finish. pic.twitter.com/34zxNcOvms
Injury Update
Atkinson returned tonight after recovering from his high-ankle sprain that occurred on December 19th.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets will host the New Jersey Devils at Nationwide Arena on Saturday night. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m.
