Blue Jackets Go Toe To Toe With Vancouver And Beat Them In A Shootout

Everything about this game was set up in the Jackets favor. The Canucks didn't even get into town until late Sunday night and were expected to come right in and play a game against a well-rested CBJ team. This was the final game of a seven-game road trip as well. 

Rookie Dmitri Voronkov scored a pair of goals, Yegor Chinakhov chipped in a goal, and Kirill Marchenko scored the only goal in the shootout for either team in the overtime. The "Russian Three" were all the Jackets could hope for offensively. 

Elvis Merzlikins was really good against the Canucks. He made some big saves, and had it not been for a few defensive mistakes that led to goals, this game may not have made it to overtime. When it got to the shootout, Merzlikins stoned the Canucks and earned a win. 

After the game, Merzlikins was understandably emotional. A few days ago he came out and said that his agent and the team were working on a "new scenario". Merzlikins said in the postgame, "It was really difficult to get in the game. It was difficult to feel the puck, but each period I was feeling better and better and more comfortable. Overtime and penalty shots felt good, and I had to make it done. I had to do this, and I'm happy for the win and I'm really happy for the boys."

Merzlikins also said, "I'm mad and I am pulling the monster out of me." It also came out that Merzlikins requested a trade. Even after his "new scenario" comments, it took the CBJ fanbase by storm. It wouldn't be Columbus without a little drama. 

Final Stats

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Team Notes

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Next Up: The Blue Jackets welcome the New Jersey Devils into Nationwide Arena on Friday.

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Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.