The Jackets were not going to get denied in this game. They did not allow themselves to be pushed out of this game and in fact, did a lot of pushing! Mathieu Garon was the difference for the Jackets and Kris Russell was the overtime hero.
The end result was a spirited win in St. Louis - the first in 9 tries.
STOPLIGHT GAME REVIEW
@ St. Louis
01.30.10
SCORE: Jackets 3 Blues 2
GREEN
* Despite the disappointing season a group of Jacket Backers still made the 6+ hour drive out to St. Louis to take this one in. In fact a hat trick of green lights for all of ya!! Nice to see the Jackets reward you guys with a 'W' which will make that drive home just a little sweeter.
* Garon gets the Jackets two points. He held this team in it in the first and then did what he could in the 3rd -- especially some of those saves he made while the Blues were shorthanded. Then to cap it off was a spectacular save on MacDonald.
* Russell uses that skating and gets rewarded with what I think is his first goal in OT. He also had a team high 4 shots and played 20:36.
* Always great to see a meat and potatoes type player in Dorsett get a goal. Good for him and good for the Jackets to get on the board first in a game for once..
* Nice feed on that goal by Modin.. need him to keep making strong plays like that one to drive his stock up.
* Really good 2nd period and the PP did what it needed to do on that 5 on 3. Nice patience shown by Tyutin on that shot -- we've seen him rush those and/or get them blocked -- he timed that one perfectly.
* Umberger was a warrior. I really enjoyed his game.. the price he paid in front of the net.. the way he was carrying the biscuit...
* Roy had another solid night. I really don't understand why this guy gets the scratch.
* Jackets got physical. They outhit the Blues 24 to 16 and for once, were not pushed out of the game.
* First win in 9 games in St. Louis.
* Brassard's celebration after Russell's goal was priceless. Nice feed up the ice by him and liked his play along the boards. Dude also only lost 1 of 9 faceoffs on the night.
* Crunch win again. Ohio State loses in OT tonight but won last night against #10 ranked Ferris State.
YELLOW
* Did anyone miss Huselius tonight?
* Don't look now but I saw a player in that 22 jersey for this one. Commodore played the way he has to play -- was physical and mixing it up out there. Had a team high 4 hits.
* Maybe its just me but why does Nash always look exhausted after just one swipe down the ice? I watch some of the other elite players in this league and they seem like the energizer bunny and just go and go and go.... He did have his moments creating offense but he did take a couple of minor penalties.
* For those draft watching like me it's actually a good think the Blues got a point.
* As Matt the Mask pointed out to me in a text - sure would be nice if they played a little Pantera during a fight like the do in St. Louis... instead we get the Sound Of Music..
RED
* Officiating was pretty horrendous on both sides... the non-call on that slash Umberger took and then I'm not sure what the Blues did give the Jackets a 5 on 3.... they seemed to call the little crap (Nash interference?) and let whacks and slashes go all night long. If I'm a player on either side I have no idea how to play this game.
* Jackets go into prevent mode in the 3rd period. Roy out on the PP was all the evidence needed and the Blues has more chances than the Jackets on the PP. They need to go for the throat but when you coach plays defensive players in offensive situations it's no wonder the team falls into that shell. The Jackets play not to lose instead of playing to win. Sometimes they get away with it but a lot of times they don't.
* Why hasn't someone flattened Oshie by now? Wouldn't have minded seeing Brewers face used as windex along the glass either.
* Voracek only 12:53 of ice. Have GOT to play these kids more. This team has to go 19-3-3 to make the playoffs -- use these games to play the friggan kids!!
* Fox Sports for not showing Jacket Backers group.
* I don't know how much longer I can take Davidge.. he is not "as good as it gets"...
3 BRIGHT LIGHTS ON THE NIGHT
1 Jackets deliver 'W' for Jacket Backers
2. Garon's game was gorgeous!
3. Jackets the instigators.
Solid win for the guys in union blue.
-LTL
