Five for fighting, nine penalty minutes, and his first NHL point.
It was everything for Dmitri Voronkov as he made his NHL debut for the Columbus Blue Jackets in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss against the Montreal Canadiens.
Welcome to the NHL, Dmitri Voronkov! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/jGI6NjMMYc
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 26, 2023
Kent Johnson was the healthy scratch to make room for Voronkov.
Dmitri Voronkov in, Kent Johnson out for #CBJ tonight in Montreal. Says its not a punishment for Johnson but they need to take someone out for Voronkov to go in.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) October 26, 2023
Elvis Merzlikins in net again tonight.
Voronkov was at left wing on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly at center and Mathieu Olivier on the right wing.
You might recall a couple of battles last season between these clubs as they met twice in less than a week last November, with each team winning one at Nationwide Arena.
And there were battles of the physical variety between Olivier and Arber Xhekaj when they scrapped at the end of the second period on Nov. 17, 2022.
Olivier is 6-foot-1, 222 Lbs., and then you add Voronkov, who is 6-foot-5, 240 Lbs. Kuraly is 6-foot-2, 215 Lbs., and once again leading the charts in hits for the Blue Jackets.
That's a heavy line.
| Corsi For/Against | Shots For/Against | Scoring Chances For/Against | High Danger Chances For/Against | Goals For/Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/5 | 2/1 | 3/4 | 1/0 | 0/0 |
And it took all of 4:39 before Voronkov made an impact as he got into it with Xhekaj. In addition to the fighting majors, Voronkov received two minutes for roughing, which led to the scrap, and Xhekaj was assessed a minor for boarding.
Making statements early. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/wqS4JANxUh
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 26, 2023
Later in the period, Voronkov's screen on Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault during the power play helped create the scoring chance as Emil Bemstrom buried his second power-play goal in as many games.
Second straight game with a PPG for Bemstrom, Provorov gets an assist and Roslovic adds his second point. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/fy7OOsgrD2
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 26, 2023
At 13:34 of the second period, Bemstrom scored his second power-play goal of the night, and third in two games, as Voronkov picked up his first career NHL point with the secondary assist. Jack Roslovic grabbed his third point of the night on the primary assist and has a four-game points streak (two goals, four assists).
Bemstrom has two PPG tonight and three in two games. Roslovic has a four-game points streak and has three points tonight picking up the primary assist on this play. Voronkov picks up his first career point. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/4s2KLu2qR1
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 27, 2023
For the night, Voronkov had one assist, nine penalty minutes, and one hit in 8:21. He played 2:17 on the power play.
What did head coach Pascal Vincent think of Voronkov's first game?
"He spent more time in the penalty box than on our bench," Vincent said. "First shift, big hit. Second shift, big hit, and a fight. It's going to take him some time to get used to the speed of this league but he brings something special.
"He's got an element of physicality, obviously. Goes to the net, 5-on-5, power play. He's got some pretty good hands for a big man. I didn't mind his skating tonight so he's going to get more and more comfortable. I liked his game."
Vincent recognizes he brings skill, too.
"He's not just a physical guy," Vincent said. He's got some skills. He's been producing in the KHL and we know he can do it here."
The Blue Jackets are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 28 when they host the New York Islanders. Johnson will likely return to the lineup.
Will Voronkov make his home debut?
