Columbus Blue Jackets wins 4-3 to make things worse for the struggling Edmonton Oilers
Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the struggling Edmonton Oilers this weekend at the Nationwide Arena. A win was very important for both sides as Blue Jackets were looking to finishing in the play-off position while the Edmonton Oilers were looking to move out
of the last position in the league. However, Blue Jackets won the match 4-3 and resultantly handed the Edmonton Oilers with their fourth consecutive defeat.
This was the 789th game of the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere Series which saw RJ Umberger named the star selection of the match as he scored two goals and made two assists.
Both teams made a decent start to the game which saw them attacking and defending really well. However, Edmonton Oilers much to the surprise of everybody scored the opening goal in the 3rd minute through Magnus Paajarvi. The home team was stunned
through some brilliant play by the Oilers.
Not only this but the Oilers continued to dominate the proceedings and kept on piling the pressure on the opposing defence. Resultantly, they successfully doubled their lead with the second goal in the 8th minute scored by Dustin Penner from a
powerful long range shot.
Columbus Blue Jackets came up with a few attacks after the second goal and scored in the 15th minute through RJ Umberger to cut the lead to just one goal. Both teams managed to stay came and didn’t attack relentless as the period neared its end.
Though there were some more goal attempts made by both teams as the period neared its end, but no goals were scored. The period ended with Edmonton Oilers leading 2-1 with both teams making 10 goal attempts each during the course of the period.
The second period started exactly like the first period. Both teams waited for chances and got them but this time Edmonton Oilers failed to convert the chances they got. There were several occasions where it looked as if they would certainly score but their
finishing was poor. They looked an entirely different time from the first period.
Columbus Blue Jackets fully backed by the home crowd scored in the 15th minute through a brilliant flick shot by Kristian Huselius. Both teams came up with a few goal attempts every now and them but no further goals were scored as the period ended
with the scores level on 2-2.
The final period saw Edmonton Oilers scoring early in the 6th minute to get back into the lead. The goal was scored by Magnus Paajarvi who bagged his second goal. However, Columbus Blue Jackets got strong in the middle part of the period and scored
twice in the 14th and 16th minutes. The first goal was scored by RJ Umberger while the later was scored by Kristian Huselius.
This meant that the Blue Jackets won the match 4-3 in the end. During the final period Blue Jackets made 15 goal attempts while Edmonton Oilers made 8 goal attempts.
"The last time (Huselius) played this team, he had a hat trick and I was hoping he would have that warm, fuzzy feeling against that team," Columbus coach Scott Arniel said. "He was outstanding. He held onto pucks, had patience and made plays. I'm glad the
way he responded. He took control of the situation and was upset about last night and was a big difference in the hockey game."
Tags: