Adam Fantilli shone bright Friday afternoon as he netted two goals to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to a decisive 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames at Nationwide Arena. This win marked the Blue Jackets' fifth consecutive game with at least one point, solidifying their momentum as they navigate the NHL season.
The game was characterized by its intense physicality, featuring six fighting majors, which underlined the chippy nature of the matchup. Fantilli's performance was complemented by strong contributions from his teammates; Kirill Marchenko added one goal and two assists, Zach Werenski scored his fourth goal this season along with two assists, and Kent Johnson also joined the scoring list.
Elvis Merzlikins was impressive between the pipes for Columbus, stopping 27 of 29 shots for the Blue Jackets. The win also extended their streak to four consecutive victories against the Flames, dating back to last season.
It was expected to be an emotional game for the Flames, who were returning to Columbus for the first time since the death of Johnny Gaudreau. They certainly came out swinging, but they could not capitalize on their energy. Blake Coleman opened the scoring for Calgary, and Nazem Kadri managed to contribute with their first power-play goal against Columbus since November 2, 2019.
Despite being slightly outplayed at times, the Blue Jackets still finished strong. The first period saw Columbus take the lead with Fantilli scoring at 11:56, followed shortly after by Johnson's goal at 16:42, putting them at 2-0.
Things escalated when the second period began. Werenski’s goal at 4:43 bolstered the lead to 3-0, pushing the Flames onto their back foot. With both teams occasionally getting tangled up, the physicality of the game spiked and led to spirited confrontations on the ice.
Interestingly, Merzlikins found himself sitting for roughing after retaliatory actions defending his crease, but Fantilli made sure to score again just seconds after returning from the penalty box, demonstrating the team’s determination.
After Fantilli's second goal extended the Blue Jackets' lead to 4-1 early in the third period, the Flames made desperate attempts to close the gap. Kadri scored another for Calgary to make it 4-2, but Marchenko sealed the deal with an empty-netter late to finish the game at 5-2.
The excitement didn't just end with the goals; the fights elevated the energy within the arena, bringing fans to their feet and adding to the festive atmosphere of the Black Friday match-up. The Blue Jackets are now showing signs of consistency, and coach Dean Evason credited the team's improved speed and resilience on the ice compared to their previous game against the Montreal Canadiens.
“We talked about us playing faster than we did the other night,” Evason commented after the game, highlighting the team's efforts to maintain intensity throughout the matchup.
Looking forward, Columbus will aim to continue their strong play as they head to Chicago for their next game, hoping to stretch their point streak even longer.
The victory coupled with notable performances—such as Fantilli’s noteworthy comeback from prior struggles—demonstrates the strength and depth developing within the Blue Jackets' lineup this season. The Flames, on the other hand, are facing hurdles as they work to realign their strategy and tighten their game after a slump.
With both franchises eager for momentum, the Blue Jackets secured their recent glide and left the Flames battling for stability as they prepare for their next encounter against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
