JACKETS LOSE PENALTY-MARRED CONTEST, 5-2, TO HAWKS
by Steve Sirk, Columbus Wired

On the strength of 3 power play goals, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 on Friday night at Nationwide Arena. The loss dropped the Blue Jackets to 2-2 in the pre-season.

Special teams were the difference. Despite spending over 16 minutes on the power play, the Jackets mustered just one power play goal off the stick of Duvie Westcott. Meanwhile, the Hawks got a pair of power play goals from Patrick Sharp and one from Jim Vandeermeer, while Vandermeer added another goal while the teams skated 4-on-4. For better or worse, Chicago did not score a 5-on-5 goal until there were two minutes left in the game.

"I thought we played a very good first two periods, but then we got into penalty trouble that cost us in the third," said Jackets coach Gerard Gallant. "But in those first two periods, I thought we were forechecking well and the lines were clicking together."

After falling behind 1-0 in the first period on the first of Sharp's power-play goals, the Jackets took the lead in the second period. Barely a minute into the period, Geoff Platt unleashed a quick wrister from the right side of the crease, converting a dish from Eric Boguniecki. Eight minutes later, Duvie Westcott took a Rick Nash feed and one-timed a slapper from the right circle for a power-play goal to give the Jackets a 2-1 lead.

Then came the penalties. And there went the game.

But all was not lost for the fans in attendance, who were given a healthy dose of one of their favorites, Jody Shelley. It was a well-rounded night for the tough guy. In addition to one customary fight and one aborted tussle, Shelley delivered three booming checks, set up a great chance for Joe Motzko, and had two good scoring chances himself.

Gallant was pleased with the play of the Shelley line.

"Jody, Svitov, and Motzko had some great shifts going, but then we took a bunch of penalties in the third period and couldn't get those guys on the ice," he said. "It took our momentum away and that hurt for sure. But those 3rd and 4th line guys have to bang and bump and I was very happy with their performance."