Cannon City Quotables: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Islanders

The Columbus Blue Jackets were back in action after the Christmas break. For their first game back, there was a lot of drama. 

Newly acquired forward Mason Marchment threw a hit at New York Islanders' rookie Matthew Schaefer that caught the ire of the Islanders players and Mathew Barzal landed a huge two-handed chop across the shinguards of Marchment. After that, chaos ensued. Eventually cooler heads would prevail and  the Blue Jackets would go on to win the game 4-2.

Let's get into some of the quotes from both teams regarding last night's game.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dean Evason - Head Coach

• Liked how the team played in the third period
• Wasn't a fan of the team's second period
• Felt that they simplify their game in the final 20 minutes
• Happy that the team finally caught a break and took advantage of it
• Felt that this game will give the team some extra juice
• It'll reinforce that they are doing the little things right
• Team is grinding for wins - it makes the guys feel good in the room
• Thought back to the last time they played NYI and how the games had very similar outcomes
• Thrilled about winning two in a row
• Mentioned that the league will look into Barzal's slash on Marchment
• Crowd gave him goose bumps last night
• Felt that the crowd picked them up, which led to them ultimately winning the game

Mason Marchment

• Said he is use to having the entire team going after him
• Mentioned that he wasn't trying to hurt Schaefer just get in his way
• Said there is no hard feelings, he gets it, you have to protect your guy
• Understands because it is a big part of his game
• Felt that Provorov's goal was huge
• Believes that the team is playing well together
• Mentioned just how skilled Marchenko is
• Good springboard win after the break
• Need to string wins together
• Praised the crowd for their involvement in the game

Kirill Marchenko

• It was important to stay with it and good things will happen
• The team is playing for one another
• Really liked Provorov's goal
• Felt that the pressure in the third wore on the Islanders
• Felt that he was going to score on his second goal, believed it had to do with his speed on the play
• Win is made sweeter considering that they lost against the Islanders in New York earlier this season
• He, personally is looking forward to playing them again two more times
• Praised NYI for being a good team - mentioned that the games are always hard
• Happy to have the Christmas break - good time to spend time with family

New York Islanders

Bo Horvat

• The loss is on the forwards and defense - goalie played well enough to keep them in the game
• Liked the team's PK
• Also really liked the team's second period
• Not easy playing on the second half of the back-to-back, but have to enjoy the day off and get back at it.

Andres Lee

• Couldn't break CBJ's pressure in the third, it was too much for them to handle
• The game was impacted by the CBJ's puck possession
• Praised the goalie for playing on back-to-back nights
• Felt that the team didn't do play well enough and let down the goalie
• Team has to rest on their day off and take the day to get back to winning hockey

Up Next for the Blue Jackets:

The Blue Jackets travel to Ottawa to play the Senators on tonight. After that, they return home for a three game home stand and face off against the New Jersey Devils on New Year's Eve (Dec. 31), Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 3 and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 4. After the three game home stand, they are back on the road and head West to take on the Vegas Golden Knights, San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche and Utah Mammoth.

That kick starts the month of January. Which means there is less than six weeks before the Olympics break comes into effect. This next month of games will be very important in determining the future of this team.

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