It was a game with a slow start, followed by two first period goals and then a long bout of “the waiting game.” Both Columbus and Boston efforted patience while anticipating that someone would make a mistake. Unfortunately, that mistake came from the Jackets 33 seconds into overtime, and the home team lost 2-1 to the Boston Bruins.
Let’s take a look at the superlatives.
The Really Good.
Joonas Korpisalo has made the case already for a place in the NHL and he only continues to solidify it with each game. Head coach John Tortorella said tonight that Korpisalo is “impressive every night he’s out there.”
Korpisalo mentioned post-game that growing up Boston’s Tuuka Rask was his biggest idol, and that he tried to model his game after Rask. Yet, when facing each other across the ice, that aura fell away and each goaltender stopped 28 of the shots they faced.
As for the two Korpi let through, on the deciding goal, the young Finn admitted he didn’t know Boston’s Eriksson was to his right on the overtime shot, but that puck in net was more the flub of the players in front of him than Korpisalo.
Korpisalo is currently boasting the highest save percentage of all Jacket’s goalies with .923 in 19 games played.
The Good.
Let’s talk about Alexander Wennberg. Wennberg is not only showing maturity in skill but also high-level performance under pressure.
While the center had gone 12 games without a goal, he had earned two shootout game winners in that span and got a “real” goal tonight on a penalty shot, the first of his career by the way.
Top shelf. Off the backhand. That goal is gorgeous.
https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/699752311690829824
He had a breakaway attempt later in the game, and almost seemed surprised to end up uncontested in front of Rask. It felt like a little more sauce on that shot and the puck would have gone in. Build up that confidence, young Alex!
Couple tonight’s regulation performance, and that penalty shot goal with some continued niftyness in the areas of passing and fighting for the puck and Wennberg continues to round out as a uniquely gifted center.
The Ugly.
But Wennberg giveth and Wennberg taketh away. The aforementioned game winner came off a blown assignment by number 41. “It was my guy that scored the goal,” Wennberg said post game.
In a 3-on-3 situation where players were expected to play man on man, assignments were blown and the Bruins get the winner point.
https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/699786659819343873
Best Ha-Ha-Hartnell (is better than you).
https://twitter.com/ryanreal/status/699756307557945344
Quote of the Game.
John Tortorella: “The thing that pisses me off, is we just give them a free goal. After how hard we worked, how patient we worked, we give them a free one. It’s frustrating. We just screwed it up.”
Stat of the Game.
#Bruins vs #CBJ possession battle.
There's lots to see here but what happened to Kevan Miller. pic.twitter.com/GWP4YCOB8t— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) February 17, 2016
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