First game for some, not the first loss for the Jackets
The Odyssey Staff watches the first period of the Columbus Blue Jackets game on January 19 from Section 201. The game has just begun and currently tied 0-0.
February 6, 2023
Columbus Blue Jackets played the Anaheim Ducks, adding a 5-3 loss to their record.
Doors opened at 6:00 p.m. at Nationwide Arena on Thursday, Jan. 19, for a Columbus Blue Jackets (CBJ) home game against the Anaheim Ducks. People filed through the doors in both arena entrances. They placed their phones and keys on the table as they walked through the metal detectors and joined the big crowd inside.
As 7:00 p.m. approached, the introduction video began and fans filed into their seats. As the Blue Jackets came onto the ice, the boom of the cannon rang around the stadium. The players lined up in the center circle for puck drop to begin the game.
Hailey Tessman (11), copy editor of the Odyssey, attended her first Blue Jackets game that night and saw a quick first goal.
“It was very loud and the environment was cool. I love the tradition of shooting off the cannon, followed by the song. It makes it very special,” Tessman said.
The Jackets had goals at 2:17 (Oliver), 6:05 (Roslovic) and 17:43 (Blankenburg). This put the Jackets up 3-0 heading into the second period.
To begin the second period, the Ducks made a goalie switch from their backup goalie, Anthony Stolarz, to their usual starting goalie, John Gibson. The Jackets did not score after this switch with Gibson saving 18 shots.
The Ducks had planned to give Gibson the night off since he had played the previous night and the Jackets were not seen as a threat. After going down three goals, they needed a new plan.
The Ducks scored three goals in the second period. Goals were scored by Adam Henrique, Cam Fowler, and Simon Benoit. This made a 3-3 tie game going into the third period.
The third period began and both teams fought to take the lead. The Ducks took a 5-3 lead with goals by Trevor Zeegras and Max Jones. The Zeegras goal skimmed the right glove of CBJ goalie, Elvis Merzlikins, before hitting the back of the net.
This left the Jackets tasked with coming back from a two goal deficit with less than five minutes remaining in the game.
Kacee Bohan (9) arrived at her first game and described the atmosphere.
“The fans seemed a little disappointed, some were even booing at the end,” Bohan said.
