Frustration mounts as the Blue Jackets falter against the Wild. Hear directly from players on the persistent struggles plaguing their season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets were back in action last night against their expansion mates, the Minnesota Wild. And, to put it simply, things didn't go as planned and they lost 5-2. Unfortunately, it is a lot of the same storylines with this club that have happened all season. They started out well and ended up losing.
Sadly, this team is too good to be experiencing the issues that they are and the players are getting more and more frustrated per game.
Here is what the players had to say in their post game press conferences.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Dean Evason - Head Coach
- Team needs a little more
- Felt the team was good for 2 periods but then fell off
- Said the team made some pretty silly mistakes
- Echoed what the players feel, that this is getting unacceptable
- Intensity in the third needs work - need to be more intense when behind
- Mentioned that the team is not tough enough in front of their either net
- Need to box out more, and become tougher in those areas
Ivan Provorov
- "We have to figure out how to win games or our season will be done early"
- Seconded what Werenski said, Minnesota didn't panic
- Need to find ways to get to the paint more and score more greasy goals
- Felt that the team had opportunities to take a bigger lead, but failed to do so
- Whether they win a game 1-0 or need to score 5 goals, they need to do better plain and simple
Cole Sillinger
- They way they are losing games is getting tiresome
- No time to feel sorry for yourself
- Need to get better with practice etc.
- Need to look for opportunities to get a bigger lead, can't take their foot off the gas
- Need to find ways to score more goals or stop giving up as many
- Seconded what the rest of the group said, need to find ways to score greasy goals
- "We need to stop being too cute"
Zach Werenski
- Same thing they've been saying, playing well but not winning
- "It's getting old"
- Wondering if they aren't really a good hockey team
- Said that Minnesota is a good hockey team, but doesn't think they are better than them
- On the team, they need to be better
- Need to find a way to score greasier goals
- Didn't feel any panic in Minnesota's game
- "Enough is enough"
Minnesota Wild
John Hynes - Head Coach
- Felt that the team is competing hard
- Praised Wallstedt for his key saves at key times
- Feels that Hughes and Faber have very good chemistry, but expects it to be better as they play more together
- Really liked how his blue line played last night
- Was angry with his group in the second period because they were trying to use skill to win the game, rather than their compete level
Joel Eriksson Ek
- Really liked his team's first period
- Felt their compete level dropped off in the second
- Mentioned that Wallstedt kept them in the game when they were slumping
- Impressed by the minor league call ups coming in and making an impact
- Still shocked by Hughes' skill level
Brock Faber
- Happy to see the AHL players get the chance to show what they can do
- Praised Werenski for his play in the game last night
- Felt that the team turned it up in the third period to secure the win
- Impressed by just how deep their organization is
Vladimir Tarasenko
- Not thrilled by play in the second period
- Felt the team reacted well to Hynes messaging in the second intermission
- Mentioned good teams learn how to manage obstacles (injuries)
Jesper Wallstedt
- Mentioned that he didn't hear Hynes' message in the second period TV timeout
- Also mentioned how impressed he is by the AHL call ups showing they belong
- Confirmed that both Iowa and Minnesota play the same systems so it's easier to adjust to the NHL
- Didn't like how he was playing in the second - felt he was a bit "flingy"
- Praised the forwards and defense for making it easier to shutdown games
Up Next: The Jackets travel to Anaheim to play the Ducks on Saturday.
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