Checking From Behind Pulling No Punches

For the second time this season, one team found themselves way ahead of the game before dropping the ball in a big way. The Columbus Blue Jackets met with the Edmonton Oilers last night and held a 4-1 lead half way through the game. Jakub Voracek and Kristian Huselius led the charge with 2 goals and 2 assists in that span.

17 Seconds later, the Edmonton Oilers charge would pull them back within two as for the second time last night, the new top line of Dustin Penner, Ales Hemsky, and Sam Gagner clicked. They each had 2 points, Oilers down 4-2. Last minute of the period on the powerplay, Hemsky slams it home to bring the Oilers within 1, Penner with an assist on the play.

Six minutes into the third period, Gagner finds Hemsky, he feeds Penner across the slot, and Penner makes no mistake to tie the game at 4 apiece. Latter half of the third, Hemsky sends Penner he, his shot sends out a large rebound that Visnovsky jumps on and sends it home to take the 5-4 lead. Last minute of play, the Oilers secure the win with a powerplay goal to take the game 6-4.

What is incredible about the comeback performance is the work of the Gagner, Hemsky, and Penner line. Together, they combined for 13 points last night, including two powerplay goals, and a +7. Penner went 4-4 on the draw, while Gagner was an impressive 7-2.

It seems the Edmonton Oilers have a new three-headed giant to their franchise to start riding. If the rest of the team can gel, they could be very dangerous as the season progresses and they continue to find more and more chemistry together.

Edmonton will now travel to Vancouver where the two will meet on Sunday night.

Micheal A. Aldred

michealaldred@hotmail.com