Ducks Edge Blue Jackets In OT

Photo: NHL

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks finished their four game road trip in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. John Gibson got the start in net against Jet Greaves.

Prior to the game Cam Fowler was traded to St. Louis. For the full breakdown visit: Fowler Traded To St. Louis.

Recap:

Mason McTavish got the first goal of the game with just under four minutes to go in the first period. McTavish was cross checked from behind into Greaves, but McTavish ended up being called for interference.

Kirill Marchenko scored on the ensuing power play in the slot area. Columbus then made it 2-1 about 30 seconds later. Anaheim turned over the puck in their own zone and Cole Sillinger scored. The Blue Jackets held a 2-1 lead at the end of the opening period.

In the beginning of the second period, Mathieu Olivier was called for boarding. The Ducks didn’t convert on the power play. Olivier came out the penalty box and was sprung on a partial breakaway. His initial shot was stopped and covered by Gibson. Adam Fantilli then came in and knocked the puck out from under Gibson’s glove and into the net. The goal did not count, but there was no penalty called on the play.

The Ducks tied up the game with about six minutes to go in the middle frame. Alex Killorn scored from the slot beating Greaves glove side.

The Blue Jackets went on the power play and scored, but the Ducks challenged the play for being offside. Upon further review the play was in fact offside and the score remained 2-2. Anaheim killed off the penalty to end the period.

Columbus took the lead with just under nine minutes left in the game. Damon Severson found James van Riemsdyk in front and he redirected the pass behind Gibson.

Jackson LaCombe scored with just under three minutes to tie the game up. He took a point shot just inside the blue line and it deflected on its way through traffic and found the back of the net.

The teams remained tied at the end of regulation and bonus hockey would be needed to determine a winner. In the extra session, Robby Fabbri found Killorn alone for a partial breakaway and he scored the game winner. He beat Greaves stick side as he skated to his left and buried the shot.

Analysis:

This was a wild contest. The Ducks got on the board first with a goal from McTavish, who was pushed into Greaves. Instead of the Ducks getting a power play, they went shorthanded. The Blue Jackets scored with the man advantage and then a second time gaining momentum at the end of the first period. Anaheim was able to tie things up in the second and then again late in the third period to force overtime.

This was a feel good win for Anaheim who had lost all three games on the road trip and five in a row overall going back to December 4th. McTavish picked up his game recently and got a goal tonight. Killorn was a huge factor tying up the game in the second period and then winning it in overtime.

Anaheim played a pretty solid game at even strength through two periods. They had 42 shot attempts to 34 for Columbus. The Ducks posted a CF% of 55.26% and FF% of 58.42% in the first two periods. They did run into trouble in the third period as Columbus put up 34 shot attempts to just 14 for Anaheim. Blue Jackets posted a CF% of 70.83% and FF% of 66.67% in the final frame. It looked like the Ducks would lose in regulation, but a late goal by LaCombe saved the day for Anaheim to force OT. Killorn did the rest in the extra session to get the win.

There are still plenty of things that this team needs to work on, but for now they can enjoy the win until Wednesday.

Team Notes/Stats:

Ducks are 3-for-3 this season with coach’s challenges.

Anaheim is 7-4-1 without Fowler this season and 4-10-3 when he played.

James van Riemsdyk‘s goal tonight was he first against Anaheim. The Ducks were the only current NHL team he had not scored against.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday at 7 PM.

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December 14th, 2024