Spencer Martin makes huge saves in CBJ win
Spencer Martin made 36 saves in a Blue Jacket win on Friday night. Martin looked really good in this win too. There was a bit of a scare after the horn sounded when he was slow to get up, hopefully, he's ok. When he was announced as the first star, he came out and skated around just fine.
Patrik Laine, who was held pointless, was also slow to get up at the end of the game. Rasmus Andersson was given a major and a game misconduct for elbowing Patrik Laine right at the end of the game. Jonathan Huberdeau of the Flames was given a game misconduct, and The Jackets Erik Gudbranson was given a roughing penalty at the end as well.
1st Period
There was very little action in the first and no scoring, but we did get to see a fight. Cole Sillinger interfered with the Flames Nazem Kadri, knocking him down hard to the ice. Kadri was not happy and immediately got up and challenged Sillinger to a fight. The two exchanged a few blows, and that was it.
2nd Period
Sean Kuraly scored on Markstrom 6:29 into the second period to give the Jackets the lead. The Jackets were given a powerplay a little more than halfway through the period, but couldn't cash in.
3rd Period
Justin Danforth scored 8:45 into the third to give the Jackets a 2-0 lead. It felt like the roof blew off of Nationwide Arena too. He took a cross-crease pass from Jack Roslovic and buried it. The pass from Roslovic had very little room to get through, but it worked.
The Jackets were given a powerplay 10:23 into the third when A J. Greer went off for elbowing. Fourteen seconds later, after a cross-ice pass from Johnny Gaudreau left the zone was intercepted by Elias Lindholm, he drove down the ice, with Gaudreau in tow and smoked one past Spencer Martin making it 2-1.
With 2:21 left in the game, and Flames goalie Markstrom on the bench for the extra attacker, Zach Werenski sent a puck 170 feet down the ice into the empty net to make it 3-1. That goal finished off the Flames.
Game Notes
- The Jackets were outshot and outhit but found a way to win the game. These types of games are important for this team.
- The CBJ were good on faceoffs, winning 31 of 54. At one point in the game, they were up 70% to 30%.
- Of the 29 shots the Jackets took, the average distance was 45.3 feet. Compare that to the Flame's 40.6 feet.
- Spencer Martin was named the game's first star. This was his first win in a game he's started since December of 2022.
- Jake Bean continues to play well. Considering Andrew Peeke keeps getting scratched, I would expect Peeke to be the one dealt.
- Adam Fantilli is going to score soon, and the floodgates will open for him. Jacob Markstrom made an unreal save on a one-timer from Fantilli to rob him.
- This marks the Jacket's 20th win against Calgary at NWA all-time.
The Jackets played a pretty good game against the Flames. There were a few mistakes, but nothing so egregious that it would get anyone benched or scratched. The wayward pass by Johnny Gaudreau across the Blue line that went out and led to a goal was the only thing that was glaring.
The Jackets are off to take on their expansion cousin Minnesota Wild on Saturday Night in Minnesota. Elvis Merzlikins missed Friday night due to illness but is expected to start against Minnesota.
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