Blue Jackets 2, Flames 1 (OT)
CALGARY, Alberta -- One night after being pulled in Edmonton, Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky helped his tired team pull one out.
Bobrovsky made 23 saves and defenseman Nikita Nikitin scored the game-winner on a wild scramble in overtime as the Blue Jackets grinded out a Wednesday's 2-1 victory against the host Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday.
Left winger Nick Foligno had the only goal in regulation for the Blue Jackets (8-11-3), while center Joe Colborne replied for the Flames (7-11-4).
Coming off Tuesday's 7-0 thumping from the Edmonton Oilers, and some harsh words from coach Todd Richards after the loss, the Blue Jackets received a much better performance from their Vezina Trophy-winning goalie. Although Bobrovsky, who was pulled after surrendering four goals on 18 shots to the Oilers, didn't have to stand on his head, he didn't give up any softies in Calgary.
At the other end, Reto Berra made 16 saves for the Flames. He denied center Artem Anisimov with a sliding pad save about midway through overtime, but was still out of his crease when Nikitin fired the game-winner into a wide-open cage.
Foligno had the only tally in the opening period, although Flames defenseman TJ Brodie was last to touch the puck. Brodie attempted to block Foligno's shot from the slot area, but the re-direction ended up in Calgary's net.
After a dull second period, Colborne tied it up just 3:28 into the third frame, taking advantage of a crafty setup by linemate David Jones and beating Bobrovsky with a high backhander on a partial breakaway.
The Flames await Friday's visit from the Florida Panthers, while the next stop for the Blue Jackets on this five-game road-trip is Vancouver, where they'll face the Canucks on Friday.
NOTES: Just minutes before Wednesday's opening faceoff, the Blue Jackets announced D Dalton Prout was placed on injured reserve with a strained back. ... Blue Jackets C Brandon Dubinsky suffered a bruised foot in Tuesday's 7-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers and missed Wednesday's date with the Flames. That's more bad news for a squad that's already missing two of its top forwards -- RW Marian Gaborik (knee) and C Nathan Horton (shoulder) -- due to injuries. On a positive note, Blue Jackets LW Matt Calvert, who has missed 18 consecutive games after abdominal surgery, is expected to return Friday in Vancouver. ... The Flames are also without the services of a couple of key contributors, with D Mark Giordano (ankle) and LW Curtis Glencross (knee) on IR. ... Calgary and Columbus won't face off again until the 2014-15 campaign. Their first of two meetings this season was Oct. 4, when the Flames spoiled the Blue Jackets' home opener with a 4-3 victory.
