New Jersey breaks Jackets hearts with 4-3 loss
By Giles Kennedy, Contributing Columnist

Breaking up is hard to do and it showed early in the Jackets 4-3 loss to the Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils. Earlier in the day, defenseman Darryl Sydor was traded to Tampa Bay for Alexander Svitov, a young Russian star. New Jersey came out and attacked the weakened defense, scoring three goals within 3:23 of the first period to earn the win.

“I thought we worried too much about the names (Stanley Cup Champion Devils). We’ve just got to make sure we don’t do that next time up come up against a top team,” commented league leading scorer Rick Nash.

The loss of Columbus’ defenseman Darryl Sydor showed in the first period, as the defense played flatfooted, allowing 17 shots on goal..

“We give up a great guy,” CBJ Interim Head Coach Gerard Gallant stated, “He competes for us. We are losing a great guy and a great competitor.”

The tone of the game was set by the 3 goal scoring drive midway in the first by New Jersey. A power play goal, a short hander, and a straight even-strength goal; all within 3:28.

At 11:02, former Blue Jacket Grant Marshall slammed a goal past Columbus net minder Mark Denis.

“I have been lucky on the teams I have been on,” Marshall commented on the first period and how he felt coming back after being traded to New Jersey last season. “I have come from great teams. Columbus has a great team. (New Jersey) has a great team, won the Stanley Cup. Good organizations.”

Devils Center Partik Elias continued the Jersey assault with a goal at 12:18. “I tried to score the goal, it was hard,” Elias said. The goalie didn’t move much.“

Soon after Elias’ goal, Sergei Brylin smacked the biscuit pass Denis at 14:10. This was indeed a moral bruiser. 3-0 New Jersey.

Columbus Goalie Mark Denis would hold 35 shots on goal after this melee’; including two breakaway chances by New Jersey, while Devils goalie Martin Brodeur held off 28 shots on goal, earning his 26th victory of the year.

However, the demoralized Blue Jackets made a valiant attempt at a comeback only to lose in the end.

Rick Nash would score his league leading 31st goal; at 4:29 in the second period. Recent call-up Brad Moran gained his first NHL career assist. Coming late in the third, Columbus right winger Tyler Wright also contributed to the fight against the Devils. His fifth goal of the season chimed in at 17:43. After the goal by Wright, Columbus was trailing 3-2.

CBJ Coach Gerard Gallant called a time out, pulling Denis. With six Jacket skaters in the neutral zone, it was hoped that the advantage would be for the home team.

Unfortunately, New Jersey winger Brian Gionta outflanked Columbus’ Duvie Westcott on the ensuing face off. Center Todd Marchant won the draw with the puck sliding behind him, between two Jacket defenders. It appeared that Gionta hooked Westcott, oh so briefly, and was able to beat him to the puck and wrist it into the open net with 1:16 remaining.

Oh-vay!, Devils up 4-2.

Just when you thought the game was finished, just when thought it would end, Rick Nash returned the favor on Brad Moran’s earlier assist. With a pass from Nash, Brad Moran got through to score his first NHL career goal with: 22 left.

In the past 24 hours, Moran felt rushed, but did not show it on the ice. “It’s been a long couple days (coming from Syracuse). Just the bad weather and missing conditions,” stated Moran, “I hadn’t skated in two days and just come in. I went out there and just go, go, go.”

4-3 ends the game. New Jersey leaves the 18, 136 fans in Nationwide Arena looking for their high blood pressure medication.

The loss of Darryl Sydor, a veteran leader, was felt. It was sudden, it hurt, and it showed early on in the contest. At 4:30 p.m., General Manager Doug MacLean made the decision and pulled the trigger.

“We have had the luxury of Anders Eriksson coming up (from Syracuse) when everybody was out. That worked out pretty well. Now, our top six (defense) guys are our top six guys. We are sad to see (Sydor) go. He’s a great guy and fun to be around, “stated Columbus captain and defenseman Luke Richardson.