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NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA Columbus Blue Jackets at Edmonton Oilers Jan 25, 2023 Edmonton, Alberta, CAN Columbus Blue Jacket defensemen Nick Blankenburg 77 checks Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl 29 during the first period at Rogers Place. Edmonton Rogers Place Alberta CAN, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xPerryxNelsonx 20230125_mcd_nb6_136
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NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA Columbus Blue Jackets at Edmonton Oilers Jan 25, 2023 Edmonton, Alberta, CAN Columbus Blue Jacket defensemen Nick Blankenburg 77 checks Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl 29 during the first period at Rogers Place. Edmonton Rogers Place Alberta CAN, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xPerryxNelsonx 20230125_mcd_nb6_136
The ongoing NHL season is providing edge-of-the-seat thrillers almost every day. Yesterday when the Columbus Blue Jackets visited the PPG Paints arena, things were no different. After the Hurricanes vs Canadiens, this was another match that was tied at the end of 3 periods. But before the tie was broken and one team stole a narrow victory, one player had a close call with a severe injury. The incident could’ve potentially broken the jaw of this Blue Jackets player; he was inches away from the speeding puck.
The shot that could’ve broken Blankenburg’s jaw
Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights tweeted, “Close shave for Nick Blankenburg as Jeff Petry’s 97.4 MPH slap shot caught him just under the chin”. Here’s how the incident unfolded.
Close shave for Nick Blankenburg as Jeff Petry's 97.4 MPH slap shot caught him just under the chin#CBJ | #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/9TlGpyJTxX
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) March 8, 2023
It was Tuesday evening and the Blue Jackets had traveled all the way to Pittsburgh to play one of the most closely fought battles in the NHL this season. The first period saw the visiting team take a 3-0 lead on the back of terrific goals by Bemstrom, Pederson, and Laine. The Blue Jackets were charging through the game. However, during the game, there was a chance for a counter-attack from the home team.
Jeff Petry, the defenseman of the Penguins, took the shot with unbelievable force. The puck flew at 97.4 mph toward the goal and went just over the top post. However, it missed something else too. It also flew past Blankenburg, who swerved his jaw just in time to avoid presumably a bloody outcome. The commentator’s voice that narrated the speed echoed the same surprise.
Patrik Laine, Liam Foudy, Kent Johnson and head coach Brad Larsen speak to the media following tonight's game.
🎥 https://t.co/hk51KY82zA@pedialyte | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/odKJgFGIOy
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 8, 2023
The match soon continued with a pretty even second period where both teams scored a goal each. Liam Foudy and Jason Zucker of the Blue Jackets and the Penguins were the scorers respectively. The scoreline was Blue Jackets 4-1 Penguins. However, the Penguins were yet to display their true colors in the third period. A staggering three goals by the Penguins in the third period, saw the scoreline tied at 4-4. The goalscorers were Crosby, Heinen, and Zucker again. Crosby, who had previously fought a Blue Jackets player, did not leave out anything yesterday. And then there was no stopping them from there. With less than 30 seconds to go in overtime, the Penguins sealed the victory by a 5-4 margin.
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The Blue Jackets might’ve experienced an upsetting loss after taking an early lead, but Blankenburg will thank the stars to live to play another game uninjured.
