If the Columbus Blue Jackets are anything, they're a group that won't lay down and die so easily.
Throughout a Tuesday night loss to the Minnesota Wild, the Blue Jackets found themselves in a three-goal pit heading into the third period. On the second night of a back-to-back on the road, they gave it all in the final 20 minutes.
Not that any other team would just give up in that position - especially when fighting for a playoff spot, but the Blue Jackets have established a culture of 'all-out-effort till the final buzzer', and it was on full display in a near come-from-behind contest.
Emil Bemstrom and Pierre-Luc Dubois both put up goals within the first 3:16 of the final frame, and the Blue Jackets looked in prime position to knot the game at four apiece. Unfortunately, an unlucky bounce off of a referee gave the Wild a scoring opportunity, and they made no mistake. Another dagger to put Minnesota up two goals with ten minutes left.
Again, though, Columbus wouldn't quit. Zach Werenski's 19th goal on the year brought his team within one with 3 minutes to go, and a furious rally with a pulled goalie fell just short.
We're not here to hand out participation trophies, though. The Blue Jackets lost. However, silver linings can and should be drawn from games, and one was the impact the contest had on newly-acquired forward Devin Shore.
"It's exciting to see the character of this group," said Shore following Tuesday night's game. "A lot of teams, for the most part, play the same and want to stick to a particular brand of hockey: Direct, simple, hardworking - especially this group."
The sooner the better - Shore noticed up close the resiliency of this Blue Jackets team, and how as long as there is still time on the clock or a mathematical percentage still exists for their playoff hopes, they aren't going to back down from any opponent.
"I knew going into this group what they're about. I wasn't surprised by the push back (in the third period). It's contagious, something you want to jump on board with right away and help with any way you can."
