Columbus Blue Jackets Preseason Comes To An End: Synopsis And Notes
By Mark Huss
Last night marked the final game of the preseason, which means that the regular season is just around the corner. As you know, the Columbus Blue Jackets played eight games during this preseason, which included four different teams played, twice each. Lets take a look at each opponent faced, starting with the first team they played, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Blue Jackets 5 Penguins 4 (OT)
Sep 15, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray (27) passes the puck in front of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrew Ebbett (25) during the 1st period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports
The Blue Jackets played the Penguins at home in the first preseason game on September 15th, just four days after training camp opened. The game was televised on the NHL Network, and I remember the beginning of the preseason match-up quite well. Within less than a minute the Penguins capitalized from some sloppy Columbus play and James Neal netted the first of four Penguin goals. The Blue Jackets didn’t crumble though, they stayed in the game and returned the favor five times to win the game in overtime. Ryan Murray had the game winning goal in OT, both Artem Anisimov and James Wisniewski scored in the first period, and Mark Letestu and Cam Atkinson scored in the third period.
Blue Jackets 5 Penguins 3
The second game against the Penguins was played in Pittsburgh on September 21st, last Saturday. Again, the game was televised on the NHL Network, odd that both Penguins games were televised during the preseason (pure sarcasm). Boone Jenner was the star for the Blue Jackets in this particular contest, scoring two goals, and ending the game a plus 3. Jenner has worked hard on every single shift he took during the preseason, you always knew when we was on the ice because he was either making a big hit, scoring, or working hard along the boards. He seems like a perfect fit on the Blue Jackets roster.