Blue Jackets Fall in Overtime As Sebastian Aho Leads Hurricanes to Victory, 4-3

By Sam Blazer on March 25, 2021 at 9:46 pm
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (28) looks to pass as Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei (76) defends during the first period at Nationwide Arena.
Russell LaBounty - USA Today Sports
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It was beginning to feel a lot like groundhog day.

The Columbus Blue Jackets played the Carolina Hurricanes for the fourth straight night. The result wasn't ideal for the Blue Jackets but at the very least, the team will be happy about seeing a different opponent.

  1 2 3 OT F
BLUE JACKETS 0 1 2 0 3
HURRICANES 0 2 1 1 4

Despite playing so many times you would assume that the feeling out process in these games wouldn't be that big of an issue. You'd be wrong. It was a frame where the Blue Jackets were outshot the entire time but other than there wasn't much to report.

While the first period may have been a bit boring, the same couldn't be said for the second. There were plenty of goals but also plenty of injuries. In the frame, Zach Werenski opened the scoring with an assist from Kevin Stenlund and Seth Jones. Shortly after, the Hurricanes would respond with a goal from Cedric Paquette. Ten minutes or so later, after a stint of dominant play by the Blue Jackets, Martin Necas for the Hurricanes scored one of the quickest wraparound goals you may ever see.

The injuries piled up toward the end of the second when Zach Werenski fell into the boards awkwardly. Not far after him, Nick Foligno would take an elbow to the head. Both players would spend the last minute in the locker room getting their injuries tended to.

Early in the third period, the Blue Jackets would be on the power play twice. In that second power play, Cam Atkinson would score on the man advantage. A fortuitous goal to tie the game at two. The goal gave the Blue Jackets some momentum during the middle part of the frame and shots were trending in Columbus' direction.

The latter part of the third period was starting to tilt the Hurricanes way and it culminated in a goal from Nino Niederreiter to give Carolina the lead. The Blue Jackets weren't down and out just yet though. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored a goal with fifteen seconds left and pushing the game into overtime.

In the extra period, it wasn't long before Sebastian Aho made mince meat of the Blue Jackets defense and gave the Hurricanes the win, 4-3. 

For now, the two sides won't be playing any time soon and that looks to be a welcome respite on both sides.

Injury Update

The Blue Jackets are without Alexandre Texier and Elvis Merzlikins due to a non-covid related illness. Emil Bemstorm is still out with a lower-body injury and Gustav Nyquist still has no timetable to return after shoulder surgery.

Next Up

The Blue Jackets next play on Saturday, March 27 against the Detroit Red Wings at 3:00 PM EST inside Little Caesars Arena.

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