NHL Update: Columbus Blue Jackets lose 3-5 to the Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals were up against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 80th game of the NHL preseason at the Verizon Centre. The game was attended by around 17,000 fans of both teams on the 1st of October 2010. Though the Washington
Capitals almost lost the game in the 2nd period, but were able to score 3 times in the final period which won the match 5-3.
First period
From the beginning of the match, the Washington Capitals were dominating much of the possession and attacking. They broke past the Columbus Blue Jackets defence frequently from the wings.
Though the Washington Capitals got almost 3 open chances to score during the course of the first 5 minutes, they were unable to convert this into a goal. The Columbus Blue Jackets also pressed on in search of a goal but couldn’t manage due to the tight defence.
The chances that came in the Blue Jackets were less and difficult from which they couldn’t score. The Columbus Blue Jackets opted to shoot from long range that resulted in the shot either going well wide or a defender stopping it.
However, the Washington Capitals were able to convert one of the chances into goals in the 7th minute. The goal was result of 25 feet wrist off by Eric Fehr. This put the home team in the lead with 1-0 and there was nothing much during the later
part of the period.
The Columbus Blue Jackets didn’t press forward due to the deadly counter attacking of the Washington Capitals. On the other hand, the Washington Capitals were concentrating on maintaining a good and tight defence rather than scoring.
The period ended with the score 1-0 in favour of the Washington Capitals after they fired 9 shots at on goal. The Columbus Blue Jackets made 6 goal attempts out of which they couldn’t score even once.
Second period
From the start of the second period, the Columbus Blue Jackets were the more motivated and determined team to score. They hit 5 shots in the opening minute of the period but didn’t see the puck netted.
However, with the first shot of the period the Washington Capitals were able to score in the 2nd minute through Brooks Laich. This put the Washington Capitals in a comfortable 2 goals lead. But this time the Columbus Blue Jackets were able to
respond immediately a scored in the very next minute.
The goal scorer was Kyle Wilson who pulled one goal back to take the score to 1-2 when he hit a splendid 36 foot wrist off. From then onwards, with just one goal to their advantage the Washington Capitals were seen making silly mistake at the crucial stage.
Opportunities were coming thick and fast for the Columbus Blue Jackets as a result scored in the 15th minute of the second period when Nick Holden scored from a distance of 45 feet. This levelled the score and the Washington Capitals defence was
seen crumbling even further.
But after a team talk Alex Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Blue Jackets was able to unite his team and good defence was observed from then on.
The period ended with the teams levelled on 2-2 with 13 goal attempts each. The Columbus Blue Jackets scored twice whereas the Washington Capitals scored only once.
Third period
The start to the third period resulted in a bullet shot made by the Washington Capitals but couldn’t be converted into a goal.
The Washington Capitals continued on this and scored in the 2nd minute and take the lead through 9 feet wrist off by Nicklas Blackstrom. The Columbus Blue Jackets responded to this with good plays of their own but weren’t able to score until the
5th minute.
With Chris Clarks 44 feet shot the score was level again on 3-3. But the home team scored in the very next minute to take the lead once again. The goal was score by Eric Fehr and took the score to 4-3. The Washington Capitals sealed the when they scored
in the 18th minute when they scored through Alexander Semin. The Washington Capitals won the match 5-3.
At the end the Columbus Blue Jackets scored once out of the 9 goal attempts whereas the Washington Capitals scored 3 times out of the 16 goal attempts.
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