Columbus Blue Jackets fail in shootout fall to New Jersey Devils 2-1 -NHL Match Update
The Columbus Blue Jackets were determined to get their first three straight wins of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, but failed to keep the momentum in a shootout with the New Jersey Devils, falling 2-1, Wednesday night, November
23, 2011, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, United States.
Still standing at the last spot in the Western Conference with only 13 points, the Blue Jackets continue to struggle in order to improve their team and were on their first back-to-back game winning streak, but it just seemed too good to be true.
"Columbus looked solid, to be honest," New Jersey Devils goalie, Martin Brodeur, said. "They allowed 24 shots and took 36. They earned a lot of power-play time and their big line played well. It was not an easy game by any stretch, let's put it that way."
After a scoreless first period and two missed straight power play opportunities, the New Jersey Devils scored their first of the night and took the lead 4:09 into the second 20 minute round and managed to kill off three consecutive penalties of their own
to keep Columbus down by one entering the third period.
Jared Boll scored his first of the season which was crucial to Columbus’ survival in the match up, a few minutes before the midway mark of the third and final period of regulation, giving them another chance in an overtime extension, which both teams failed
to capitalise on.
As Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise scored both of their teams first two chances in the shootout and Columbus missed on both of theirs, the Devils were declared the winners without any competition.
"I think if I do them the right way and time them right, they're pretty tough to stop and right now," Parise said. "The timing is right and good right now. It's kind of nice going second since I could watch a little bit. I watched when Kovy went in and saw
the replay to see what the goalie was doing."
Columbus luckily has the next two at home against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday and St. Louis Blues on Sunday, while New Jersey will be headed to New York on Friday to play against the Islanders.
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