COLUMBUS, March 7
The Columbus Blue Jackets retired Brampton, Ontario native, Rick Nash’s number 61 jersey prior to Saturday night’s game against the Boston Bruins. He’s the first player from the Blue Jackets organization to receive this honor. Nash was selected first overall in 2002 after acquiring the number one overall pick from the Florida Panthers. He spent nine seasons over a ten-year span with Columbus from 2002-2012. Nash served as captain from 2008-12 collecting 289 goals and 258 assists for 547 points in 674 games. He participated in six all-star games, five as a Blue Jacket. Nash was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy his first season. He is the franchise leader in goals, assists, points, games, power play goals and game winning goals. Nash was a member of the NHL’s All-Rookie team in 2002-03, won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy in 2003-04 and the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2008-09. He currently serves as the Blue Jackets’ Director of Player Development.
Nash’s thoughts on the ceremony
It was a surreal moment for Nash seeing his number go up in the rafters.
“I just started thinking of literally showing up in Columbus, driving down 670, going to my first skate at Nationwide Arena, signing my first contract, playing in my first game, and then you started thinking about all the teammates you had, everyone that was part of your success,” Nash said.
He touched on how he thinks it’s came full circle from when he was traded to the New York Rangers, his return to work for the Blue Jackets and now having his number retired.
First Period
The Blue Jackets entered Saturday’s contest coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at home Friday night to the Los Angeles Kings.
The puck dropped at 7:48 p.m. as the Blue Jackets took on the Bruins after a lengthy pre-game ceremony. With 9:32 left to go in the first period, the Blue Jackets welcomed back former captain, Nick Foligno. After the tribute video, Foligno skated out to center ice to a standing ovation.
Then moments later, the Bruins put it home for a 1-0 lead on a shot from Jake DeBrusk with assists from Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy.
Columbus tied it with 3:03 left in the first on a shot from Gustav Nyquist with assists from Boone Jenner and Patrik Laine. It was Nyquist’s 14th goal of the season.
Then with just a minute left, Columbus went up 2-1 on a shot from down low near the left circle by Vladislav Gavrikov. Assists came by way of Justin Danforth and Dean Kukan.
The first period ended with Boston leading in shots 12-6, but the home Blue Jackets leading on the scoreboard 2-1.
Second Period
Just under two minutes into the second period, the Bruins tied it on a goal from Erik Haula with the lone assist coming from Brad Marchand.
At the 3:26 mark of the second period, Boston got their first power play of the game when Columbus’ Dean Kukan got called for hooking. Fortunately for the Blue Jackets, they were able to kill off their penalty. Columbus got their first power play at the 5:33 mark when Boston’s Craig Smith went off for tripping. However, unfortunately for Columbus, they weren’t able to capitalize on their opportunity.
With 6:47 to go in the second, Columbus got another chance at the power play when Boston’s Charlie Coyle went off for slashing. Columbus capitalized just over a minute into the power play with a goal from Zach Werenski from the right circle. It was his third goal and ninth point in his last eight games. Assists came from Jakub Voracek and Oliver Bjorkstrand.
The second period ended with Boston leading the shots on goal category 19-14, but Columbus leading on the scoreboard 3-2. Tensions ran high with a couple different instances of players getting into it with each other.
Third Period and overtime
Boston tied it at three under five minutes into the period at the 4:40 mark on a goal from Craig Smith. It was his 10th goal of the season. Assists came from Connor Clifton and Nick Foligno.
With 5:37 to go in the period, Boston got another crack at the power play when Oliver Bjorkstrand went off for high-sticking. Boston capitalized on the power play five seconds later with a goal from down low in front by Bergeron. Assists came from Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak.
With under two minutes to go, Columbus got on the power play when Boston’s Foligno went off for two minutes. Columbus then pulled their goalie and tied it with 2.8 seconds to go on a goal from Jakub Voracek. That would send it to overtime where neither team was able to net it, sending it to a shootout.
Shootout and post-game commentary
Shooting first for Boston was Charlie Coyle who came up empty on his attempt. Laine’s attempt for Columbus also came up empty. DeBrusk came up empty for Boston on his shot attempt going second for Boston. Nyquist shot second for Columbus coming up with nothing on his attempt. Pastrnak shot third for Boston and scored. It all came down to Voracek for Columbus, coming up empty. The Bruins would win 5-4.
“Yeah, we got two points, but I don’t think it’s enough, there’s nothing you can do about it, you just gotta keep going,” Voracek said.
He also touched on how you want two to grab two points against Boston, but that they’re one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now. Head coach Brad Larsen however, had a more positive outlook on the team’s effort.
“With the effort we gave tonight, I love what we gave tonight,” Larsen said. “To get one there late was huge and we had our looks in overtime too, we had a couple good looks, just couldn’t get her done.”
Other notes
A sellout crowd of 19,434 took in the special night on Saturday setting a franchise record for attendance at Nationwide Arena.
“It’s a special night and we’re happy to be part of it and I think for our group we’re excited just to go in, see it as packed as it was, excited as it was, just be a part of history,” Werenski said.
