The stars shone bright tonight in Columbus.
Zach Werenski did his goal-scoring thing, Elvis Merzlikins kept the title as the hottest goaltender in the NHL, but the appearance of Columbus Special Hockey player Charlie Cook was the highlight of the evening.
Tonight's win against the Detroit Red Wings was special. Let's break it down in tonight's Three Things:
The Charlie Cook Show
Columbus Special Hockey player Charlie Cook was honored ahead of the contest against the Red Wings, and it was quite the sight to see.
You go, Charlie. You go.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/ZnBgR8LvSM
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 8, 2020
Charlie's story is told beautifully by the Blue Jackets. After having a stroke in utero, Charlie was told he had a zero percent chance of survival - but has defied all odds and continues to live life in the fullest way he knows how.
With tonight being 'CBJ Hockey is for Everyone Night', Charlie got to skate out and stand alongside the Blue Jackets for the National Anthem. A memory his family will cherish forever, and an absolute treat for any viewer.
Can't Contain Werenski
Zach Werenski is scoring at an unrealistic pace and is distancing himself by the game from his other defensemen counterparts across the league.
In just 48 games, Werenski now has 17 goals on the season, which is three more than any other blue-liner in the NHL (even with the 22-year-old missing seven games due to injury).
Foligno does the work but Werenski puts it away. What a sequence. pic.twitter.com/2p0JqhVBdJ#CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 8, 2020
This 17th goal tonight broke his own club record for scoring tallies in a single season by a defenseman, shared with All-Star linemate Seth Jones.
Elvis Stays Nuclear
You almost expect it at this point. Elvis Merzlikins added yet another (yawn) shutout to his young career total - his fifth of the season (as a rookie!).
FIVE SHUTOUTS IN EIGHT GAMES FOR ELVIS.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 8, 2020
UNPRECEDENTED.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/jJ3WrxHbLG
Though he didn't face much adversity throughout the night (16 shots against), those are the type of games that can be sneakily difficult for a goaltender. When you face shots so few and far between, you don't get the best chance to establish a rhythm.
A shutout is a shutout, no matter how small (of shots against).
