One night after playing a complete 60-minute game (which had eluded the team) the Columbus Blue Jackets embarked on the team's first road game against the Minnesota Wild. The Blue Jackets have been searching for consistency and the Wild would provide a means to breakthrough.
Elvis Merzlikins would be between the pipes for Columbus after dealing with flu-like symptoms. Adam Fantilli started his first game at center, something that was coming sooner than later. The Wild much like the Calgary Flames play a heavy game and would provide a good test for the Blue Jackets.
Columbus opened the game playing with the same pace the sustained the whole game against Calgary. Justin Danforth started the scoring with his third goal on the season good for a 1-0 Blue Jacket lead. David Jiricek would provide Minnesota with the game's first power play being called for hooking.
Boone Jenner would draw a penalty and the two teams would skate 4 on 4. As the first period ended, Columbus held an 11 to 10-shot advantage and clung to a 1-0 lead. Like Friday night Columbus needed to come out in the second with the same pace they started the game with.
Starting the second period the Blue Jackets kept the pace they started with which is a step in the right direction. Adam Fantilli looking for his first NHL goal has played very well and is getting good looks at the net, it seems like it is only a matter of time.
Kent Johnson off a feed from Cole Sillinger would make it 2-0 Columbus. Moments later the Wilds Dekota Mermiss would cut the lead to 2-1. Moments later Mats Zuccarello would tie it up a 2-2. Columbus would head to the power play thanks to a goalie interference call. Damon Severson called for a hook gave the Wild their second power play of the game.
Knotted at 2-2 the teams would head to the locker room and both would be looking for the knockout punch in the third period. The Wild would take the lead in the third as Jonas Brodin beat Merzlikings making it 3-2.
Boone Jenner would tie it up with his fourth goal of the season, 3-3. The Wild would have a goal called off for being offsides. Columbus would head to the power play as the Wild was again called for interference.
Adam Fantilli scored his first NHL goal putting the Blue Jackets up 4-3.
The Wild would tie it at 4-4 Marcus Johansson would drive it home. The game would head to overtime, both teams had a chance to win it in regulation. Jake Roslovic would win it in overtime 5-4 Blue Jackets.
For the Blue Jackets who had 54 shots on goal to have jumped out to a 2-0 lead and lost the lead to compete and eventually win was big for the team. Looking for more consistent play that came off and on vs the Wild. The fight they showed will do nothing but help them from here on out.
