*Photo from the San Diego Union Tribune*
This win was a long time coming. Justin Danforth had a goal and an assist, Spencer Martin shined in net, and the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Calgary Flames with a 3-1 victory on Friday night in Columbus.
The Blue Jackets improved to an even 2-2-0 to open the season with the win. Danforth and Werenski were the only multi point players for the Blue Jackets, with Werenski returning to the lineup after an injury.
After a scoreless first period, the Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period. Sean Kuraly started the scoring, giving them a 1-0 lead 6:29 into the period, assisted by Danforth and Ivan Provorov. Danforth started the scoring in the 3rd period, making it 2-0 Blue Jackets with Werenski and Jack Roslovic assisting.
While shorthanded 10:37 into the period, Elias Lindholm scored his second goal of the season, getting the Flames on the board and making it 2-1 with an assist from Mikael Backlund. With the net empty and 2:21 left in the game, Werenski scored his first goal of the season, scoring unassisted to make it 3-1 Blue Jackets.
Getting the start for Columbus was Spencer Martin, making his second straight start with Elvis Merzlikins under the weather. Martin picked up his first win in almost a year, stopping all but one of the 37 shots he saw, good for a .973 save percentage.
Martin said after the game that "I had an idea that there was a chance this morning, but then I got it confirmed this afternoon. They made me feel comfortable in the room right away, but out there on the ice, it takes time to build that chemistry. I think tonight, our communication was better."
Jacob Markstrom was in net for the Flames, getting the loss as he dropped to 1-2-1 on the season in 4 starts. In the loss, Markstrom turned aside 26 out of the 28 shots on goal Columbus had, recording a .929 save percentage.
Calgary head coach Ryan Huska said of the loss that "It was a slow start for us. The first 15 minutes, they were the better team, which is a little bit to be expected when we’re in a back-to-back. We steadily got better as the night went on. At the end of the day, the lack of a little execution on the offensive side, our puck-handling and around the net probably cost us."
The Blue Jackets are back in action on Saturday against the Minnesota Wild, with Merzlikins expected to start. Markstrom is the probable starter for the Flames as they take on the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.
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