Blue Jackets downed by Flyers in return home

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Playing in its first home game since a November 29th clash against the Calgary Flames, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcomed the Philadelphia Flyers to the friendly confines of Nationwide Arena for a Metropolitan Division matchup. 

Columbus began the contest flat and lacking energy, a perfect recipe for the visitors to influence the contest and set the tone. 

Philadelphia needed just four minutes to find the score sheet as center Noah Cates pounced on a loose puck in front of goal and stuffed it into the net to claim a 1-0 lead. Six minutes later the Flyers added another as winger Owen Tippett beat the glove of Jackets goalkeeper Elvis Merzlikins and the right post to double the lead to 2-0 for the visitors. 

The Broad Street Bullies continued their scoring run in the second period as Travis Konecny collected his first of two goals, the first coming on the powerplay to swell the lead to 3-0. The tally marking the 14th consecutive game the CBJ allowed a powerplay goal, according to the Columbus Dispatch’s Brian Hedger. 

With three minutes remaining in the second period, Columbus defensemen Zach Werenski got the hosts on the board as he uncorked a clapper that kissed off the post and found its way into the net to time the deficit to 3-1. 

Konecny collected his second goal of the goal when he scored with just one minute remaining in the second period to grow the Flyers advantage to 4-1 ahead of the second intermission. 

Morgan Frost kept the momentum rolling for the visitors, scoring roughly two minutes into the final stanza and giving Philadelphia a 5-1 lead. 

Sean Monahan collected his ninth goal of the season as he deflected Dante Fabro’s shot into the net and past Flyers goalkeeper Samuel Ersson as Columbus sought redemption in a lackluster performance following its Western Canada road trip. The Jackets made it interesting in the latter portion of the contest as Damon Severson scored a goal to cut the lead to 5-3 but the comeback fell short as the Jackets fell by that same scoreline. 

‍Up next

Columbus stays in Central Ohio, welcoming the Washington Capitals to Nationwide Arena on Thursday evening. The puck drops at 7 PM. 

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