Steve Mason blocks 35 as Columbus Blue Jackets edge Winnipeg Jets 2-1 -NHL Match Update
Steve Mason had another brilliant performance by earning a near shutout, blocking 35 of 36 shots and leading the Columbus Blue Jackets to victory over the Winnipeg Jets, 2-1, Saturday night, November 12, 2011, at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, United
States.
Winnipeg Jets on the other hand have not been able to win a single matchup for the last five contests, putting them on their worst slump ever since the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season kicked off.
"If he starts to understand that if he does the right things game in and game out, shift in and shift out, he's a permanent member out there", Blue Jackets coach, Scott Arniel, said of Mason.
Ryan Johansen scored the go ahead goal only 53 seconds into the first period which gave the home crowd a reason to cheer for their team. They gave a penalty a few seconds later as Marc Methot was booked for holding with a minor.
"I came in with the mindset going into practice and going into pregame skate today that I had to make a good rebound and play a great game", Johansen said. "I definitely had a good focus coming into tonight's game. It's nice to be rewarded with a couple
of goals".
Remaining scoreless in the second period which involved Chris Thorburn and Jared Boll exchanging fists giving them a five minute major for fighting, it was a pressure filled third period for Winnipeg.
Johansen added the second of the night for his team and his fifth of the season for the game-winner as Mark Stuart potted Winnipeg’s first and put them on the scoreboard, down by one with the team shorthanded with less than four minutes to go, but failing
to score after that.
Losing another game certainly disappointed Winnipeg head coach, Claude Noel, but he still appreciated how his team performed.
"Our guys played OK, but we didn't play as smart as we need to play", Noel said.
Winnipeg Jets have the next three at home starting off with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday while the Blue Jackets play their last game at home against Minnesota Wild on Tuesday before taking off.
Tags: