Nyquist shines as Jackets stop skid to close out 2022
(Photo by: Ric Kruszynski / Columbus Wired)
Meeting for the second time in eight days the Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks engaged in a New Year’s Eve matinee matchup inside of Nationwide Arena. Both teams came into Saturday’s matchup hungry for a victory and looking to end the 2022 calendar year on a positive note.
The CBJ opened the game as the aggressor, keeping most of the possession in the offensive zone in the early moments of the contest. Forward Sean Kuraly and Kirll Marchenko peppered Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock early and often. The duo combined for two quick attempts that were stopped by the Hawks backstop.
Stalock also had a strong denial on Columbus star forward Johnny Gaudreau. As the puck rattled around the crease, it bounced out to Gaudreau who had an open net at his disposal, or so he thought. Gaudreau uncorked a wrist shot that was denied by the paddle of Stalock as he kept the period scoreless.
The visitors opened the scoring with eight minutes remaining in the first period as Andreas Athanasiou capitalized on a turnover from Mathieu Olivier to give Chicago a 1-0 advantage. The lead didn’t last long as former CBJ defensemen Seth Jones was whistled for holding deep into the first period. His seat barely had the chance to be warmed as Gaudreau connected with Emil Bemstrom for a power play goal to level the game at 1-1.
The goal is Bemstrom’s second in as many games as he fills in for Patrik Laine who is out of the lineup due to COVID protocols.
Columbus looked to move away from physical play in the second period and attempt to establish a lead against the Blackhawks. Both clubs traded chances, but the CBJ collected their first lead of the afternoon as Gustav Nyquist and Jack Roslovic combined to score a shorthanded goal just four minutes into the second stanza.
Roslovic almost extended the Jackets lead to two goals as snuck in behind the Chicago defense for a breakaway, but his shot went high off the glass.
Columbus finally collected its two-goal lead as rookie Kirill Marchenko scored with three seconds remaining in the second period. A pass from Gaudreau sprung Marchenko and the forward snuck the puck inside the far post to extend the lead in the dying embers of the period.
The Jackets had an opportunity presented to extend the lead even further in the third period. Blackhawks defender Connor Murphy was whistled for a hold on Carson Meyer to give the CBJ a powerplay opportunity just 26 seconds into the period. Despite going up on the man advantage, theJackets could not add to their lead.
Chicago tried numerous times to equalize, particularly in the latter portions of the contest but goaltender Joonas Korpisalo was up to the task. The Jackets net minder collected five brilliant saves in the final two minutes of the period to keep the Blackhawks at bay. Gustav Nyquist delivered the final blow with 38 seconds remaining as he scored from the defensive zone on the empty net to deliver Columbus a 4-1 win and claim its first victory since December 11.
All aboard the “Gus Bus.”
What an afternoon for Gustav Nyquist. The Jackets forward was pesky, attacked with purpose, and demonstrated leadership throughout the contest. If he did not win fans over with his performance on the ice, he certainly did following the game. As he was announced as the first star of the game, the Swede skated out wearing an Ohio State football helmet to meet the crowd.
Korpi looks good
It was a great afternoon for Joonas Korpisalo. After allowing an early goal the Jackets net minder finished Saturday’s contest with 26 saves. He remained cool and calm in the crease and always had his team in the mix.
Up next
The Jackets head to Ottawa on Tuesday, January 3 to tussle with the Senators. Game time is scheduled for 7 PM.