After a non-competitive game against the Dallas Stars yesterday, the Columbus Blue Jackets prospects took on the Minnesota Wild prospects tonight at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City. The Blue Jackets ended up coming out ahead in a tight affair, winning 3-1, earning a spot in Tuesday's championship game.
First Period
The period was mostly a feeling-out affair as neither team generated much of anything. A penalty taken by both sides and a possible missed goal for the Wild were the highlights.
Goaltender Ivan Kulbakov, who is signed to an AHL deal made a great save on a Grade-A chance from the Wild.
New AHL signing Ivan Kublakov makes a great save sliding across during the first period of play.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) September 9, 2017
0-0#CBJ pic.twitter.com/LM7PRE0gf1
Second Period
It didn't take much time for the Blue Jackets to take advantage of the power play they had coming into the period. Jordan Maletta took a Calvin Thurkauf feed in the slot and sniped a wrist shot off the crossbar and in to make it a 1-0 game.
Jordan Maletta puts it top shelf on the power play and the Blue Jackets are ahead early in the second.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) September 10, 2017
1-0#CBJ pic.twitter.com/nSzJWCuWJ5
A little while later, the Blue Jackets tacked on to their lead. Free agent invite Hayden Hodgson took a Paul Bittner feed and scored, giving Columbus a 2-0 advantage.
Bittner with a nice pass as Hayden Hodgson slams it home. Blue Jackets getting in a groove.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) September 10, 2017
2-0.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/DEvsxrS9Sz
With just under eight minutes left in the second period, Dante Salituro, a former Blue Jacket scored from in tight to make it a 2-1 game.
The Blue Jackets had to kill three penalties in the first two periods, often playing with fire and giving the Wild too many scoring chances.
Third Period
The Wild pushed early and often against the Blue Jackets to begin the third period. They hemmed the Blue Jackets in the zone multiple times and threatened to get back in the game.
Hodgson made magic once again as he sniped one past the Wild netminder for a 3-1 Blue Jackets lead. That would be the final margin.
Free agent invite Hayden Hodgson is trying to earn a contract in just one game. His second goal of the night.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) September 10, 2017
3-1#CBJ pic.twitter.com/jWch1BsXfc
NOTES: With the point system in use for this tournament, Saturday's win puts the Blue Jackets in the championship game regardless of Monday's outcome against St. Louis. The Blue Jackets were also out-shot 30-24 in the game.
The Blue Jackets are off on Sunday and return to action against the Blues on Monday, Sept. 11, at 3 PM. You can watch the game on Fox Sports Go and BlueJackets.com.
