Columbus Blue Jackets' forward, Boone Jenner, didn't mince words after the Columbus Blue Jackets' 7-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He immediately addressed the team's failure to play to their expected level.
"I didn't think it was good," said Jenner when asked if the second period was when the game started to get away from the team. "Any part of the game...I don't think we played up to our standard."
It wasn't so much the patience or structure the team has preached so far either. According to Boone, effort and the will to compete was what wasn't there for the CBJ.
"Our battle level wasn't there tonight," Jenner said. "You're going to come out the wrong side of those game, if your not willing to compete."
Besides the effort, Jenner addressed the team's failure to fight back and capitalize off big saves from goaltender, Joonas Korpisalo.
"Korpi gave us a chance, and we didn't have any push," he said.
Regardless of compete level, Jenner also spoke on the need to close out a win with a big third period lead.
"It's not good...8,9 minutes left in the game, there, with the lead, you've got to find a way to get it done," Jenner said. "No matter how the game's gone, you've got to find a way to get it done. And we didn't tonight."
The game was a disappointing effort for all involved, but the loss may be most affecting to Boone Jenner, who had two goals on the evening. It's a shame to see a two-goal performance go to waste.
Nevertheless, it's a good sign to see Jenner going after a slow start. But it's hard to see a silver lining in a seven-goal loss.
One positive for the Columbus Blue Jackets is that, according to Jenner, the problem with the performance was lack of effort, something the CBJ can control. It's not talent or structure, it's the battle level that's usually typical of the Blue Jacket club.
Saturday night was a rare no-show in the hard-to-play-against department for the Blue Jackets. The team will have correct their performance if they hope to have success in the long NHL season.
If the Blue Jackets have any hope for the playoffs, they have to ensure that this game was the anomaly, in terms of effort, and not the norm.
