What a win the Jackets pulled off on Thursday.
Already missing regulars Jakub Voracek, Kent Johnson, and Sean Kuraly, the Jackets were dealt a big blow in the first period of Thursday night's 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers when Zach Werenski left the game with an upper-body injury and did not return.
Per #CBJ, Zach Werenski will not return to tonight's game after suffering an upper-body injury in the first period.
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) November 11, 2022
Midway through the second period, the Jackets were down to just four defensemen after Erik Gudbranson left the game with an upper-body injury that would keep him out for the rest of the game.
Erik Gudbranson was slow to get up but able to skate to the bench on his own power after Nick Deslauriers hit him from behind as he was falling from a Morgan Frost hit. Looked like Deslauriers either boarded him or kneed him. Refs reviewing a five-minute major to Deslauriers.#CBJ
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) November 11, 2022
With the Jackets playing with just four defensemen for nearly 30 minutes, the four defensemen healthy enough to play had to step up. Andrew Peeke played 25:58. Nick Blankenburg played 22:25, exchanged haymakers with Joel Farabee while they were a part of a scrum in front of Joonas Korpisalo, and scored one of the longest empty-net goals you'll ever see.
#CBJ Blankenburg (2) goal pic.twitter.com/zFVdqg636Z
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) November 11, 2022
Jake Bean led all skaters for either team in ice time with 26:12 and blocked six shots. Vladislav Gavrikov played 26:01 and blocked three shots.
Mathieu Olivier got in a fight with Nick Deslauriers that got the bench going, according to head coach Brad Larsen, who said "you have no idea what it does for your bench."
#FueledByPhilly Deslauriers vs #CBJ Olivier pic.twitter.com/8Tz5ISToEU
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) November 11, 2022
Six different Jackets registered a point tonight including 1-2--3 from Johnny Gaudreau, two goals from Boone Jenner, and 1-1--2 from Zach Werenski.
#CBJ Gaudreau (6) goal pic.twitter.com/3r6ShX8Ysj
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) November 11, 2022
#CBJ Jenner (3) goal pic.twitter.com/mkO23I9JOs
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) November 11, 2022
In his second consecutive start, Korpisalo was huge for the Jackets, stopping 32 of 34 Philadelphia shots on goal.
All in all, it was a total team effort by the Jackets and even if it wasn't pretty at times, they got the win, which is most important. Maybe this effort can start a winning streak.
