Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – James Wisniewski and Nick Foligno each
scored two goals to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a much-needed 4-3 victory
in Scott Hartnell’s return to Philadelphia.
Hartnell spent seven seasons in Philadelphia before getting shipped to
Columbus in June for fellow forward R. J. Umberger and a fourth-round draft
pick. Umberger, who is in his second stint with the Flyers, spent six seasons
with the Blue Jackets.
The crowd gave Hartnell, who ended with six shots, a standing ovation midway
through the first period when the Flyers played a video tribute of his
highlights in a Philadelphia uniform.
“We got a win — a much needed win,” said Hartnell. “It was real big for our
hockey club.”
Curtis McElhinney stopped 24-of-27 shots for the Blue Jackets, who snapped a
nine-game skid.
Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek and Michael Del Zotto lit the lamp for the
Flyers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Steve Mason, a former
Blue Jacket, made 34 saves.
“Yeah I don’t think it was a great effort,” said Mason. “We needed to be
better, I just don’t think we had the urgency that they did tonight.”
Wisniewski opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 8:23 of the first
period. His blast from the point got through traffic in front and beat Mason.
Giroux got the Flyers on the board with a power-play goal at 12:58. Mark
Streit passed to Giroux and his one-timer from the left circle got past
McElhinney.
Columbus went back in front with another power-play goal at 17:10. Tim Erixon
carried the puck to the bottom of the left circle before passing to Foligno,
who tapped in the puck.
Voracek tied things up 3:21 into the second when he found a loose puck in
front and scored.
The Blue Jackets took a 3-2 lead on Foligno’s second goal of the night at
9:47. He carried the puck to the right circle before beating Mason.
Wisniewski’s power-play goal at 13:37 made it 4-2. He jammed home a rebound
with the Blue Jackets skating on a 5-on-3 advantage.
Del Zotto lit the lamp at 1:10 of the third period to account for the final
margin.
Game Notes
Columbus has won four straight against the Flyers … Voracek extended his
scoring streak to nine games … Philadelphia had won five straight at home
… Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson returned after serving a three-game
suspension for an illegal hit … Columbus activated goaltender Sergei
Bobrovsky from injured reserve before Friday’s game.
