Cam Atkinson’s Hat Trick Leads Columbus Blue Jackets to Win

 A huge performance from the Columbus Blue Jackets top goal scorer last season leads to a huge win in Philadelphia.

Now this is what the Columbus Blue Jackets were supposed to look like. Scoring coming in bunches from different players across a six game winning streak that has kept the Jackets in the playoff race. Last night it was Cam Atkinson and Oliver Bjorkstrand leading the way.

With an empty net goal to seal the game, Cam Atkinson tallied the team’s first hat trick of the season. His goals were timely and always gave the Jackets some more breathing room in a tough game.

Including this rocket he scored in the second period of the game to give the Jackets a two goal cushion.

Bjorkstrand scored for the first time since February 13th to open the scoring in the first period. Bjorkstrand has been playing well but just not able to find the back of the net. This goal should kickstart him right when the Jacket need him to start scoring.

11 seconds later Boone Jenner potted a goal to extend the CBJ lead to 2-0 early. Two Cam Atkinson goals late in the first and early in the second then prompted they Flyers to pull Petr Mrazek. Mrazek allowed four goals on ten shots in only 23 minutes of ice time. All goals were at even strength as well.

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Mrazek’s shaky play is a big reason why the Jackets have a real chance at getting out of the wild card spot and into the final Metro slot for the playoffs. They are now tied with the Flyers for that last spot but the Flyers own the tiebreaker.

The Jackets held off late pushes from the Flyers to hold on to a 4-3 lead through the third period until Cam put the game away with his empty net goal. The win is the sixth in a row for the Columbus Blue Jackets and have them keeping their heads above water as everyone else in the east continues to win as well.

Game Notes

• Artemi Panarin and David Savard both had two assist nights bringing their point totals to 63 and 15 respectively.
• Sonny Milano assisted on the first goal of the game. It was his first point in five games.
• Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 12 shots he faced in the third period. In a one goal game with massive ramifications, that is the clutch performance a team needs from their goalie.

The Columbus Blue Jackets pick up two points in their sixth consecutive game but still don’t put any distance between themselves and the Florida Panthers or New Jersey Devils. The Panthers won 3-0 last night against the Boston Bruins and the Devils pounded the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.

The Jackets will look to keep the streak rolling Saturday when they return to Nationwide Arena to host the Ottawa Senators.