The Blue Jackets dropped Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series to the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-4, in overtime on Sunday at Nationwide Arena. Game 4 is set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Nationwide Arena.
Here's a collection of post-game comments and reaction from Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella and the players after tonight's game:
HEAD COACH JOHN TORTORELLA
On the difference in Game 3:
"They surged a little bit and we had a hard time catching up to them."
On Zach Werenski and his injury:
"Balls as big as the building, doesn’t he? Doesn’t surprise me with him. It got to the point where he couldn’t see."
On trying to contain Sidney Crosby's line:
"It’s a pretty good line. The key with that line is trying to make a play in their end zone. Tonight they had the puck a lot in our end. I think the winning goal is defendable; we just leave the slot a little bit naked there. We had a tough time getting the puck from them."
On adjusting to injuries:
"Werenski’s probably our best player, sure, but that’s part of it."
On the non-whistled play (Werenski's injury) that led to a Penguins goal:
It’s their call. I’ve seen it called both ways. I don’t think we had puck possession, but I’ve still seen plays like that the refs blow it right away. They decided not to.
On where the Blue Jackets go from here, down 3-0:
"Come to work tomorrow, clear your head. Sure it’s a tough loss. We know the situation we’re in. Play as best you can. That’s all you do. That’s what we’re supposed to do."
CAM ATKINSON
On his two-goal effort tonight:
"I needed to be way better. I had good energy in the first period and I thought we were rolling. They’re a good team obviously, they stick around, and they wait for their opportunities to pounce and they take advantage of it."
On trying to get back in the series:
"We have to stick with it. That’s why it’s a series. It’s still not over. We have one more game here to get ourselves back on track and play the right way."
On Zach Werenski's attempted return from an eye injury:
"He’s an absolute warrior. The fact that he came back out (shows) the type of person he is and (the type) of player."
NICK FOLIGNO
On the Game 3 atmosphere:
"Lots of emotions tonight. I thought we answered the bell the way we needed to. We fed off our energy of our building, our fans were rocking. We find a way to get 4-4 and god, we had our chances in overtime. It’s a tough one to swallow right now."
On the outlook from here:
"You can’t dwell on things you’re not doing well right now. We have to find a way to get through it. There’s really no other answer right now. Our backs are against the wall here, and we have to find a way to get a win, get another one, and keep clawing our way through this."
