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Blue Jackets earn comeback win over Panthers in OT

Jan 20, 2011 - 4:40 AM Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) - R.J. Umberger's power-play goal with 54 seconds left in overtime capped a rally and sent Columbus over Florida, 3-2, at BankAtlantic Center.

On the game-winner, Rick Nash used the backhand to dish from the left boards back to Grant Clitsome, whose slap shot from the point was redirected home by Umberger.

"Yeah, we had a simple idea there. We wanted to set up the box, and get the puck to the point and bomb away," Umberger said of the late advantage. "I'm just standing in front to do what I do, and it worked."

Antoine Vermette notched the tying goal inside a minute left in the third period for the Blue Jackets, who won for just the second time in their last nine games.

Fedor Tyutin also tallied, while Steve Mason won by stopping 29 shots.

David Booth and Cory Stillman notched the goals for the Panthers, who have lost two in a row and five of eight. Tomas Vokoun played well in defeat, posting 35 saves.

Just 2:43 after the opening faceoff, Florida grabbed the lead as Booth turned in the slot and ripped a wrister low and inside the left post.

It was 2-0 for the Panthers when Radek Dvorak's shot from the right circle was redirected in front by Stillman at 8:21, but Columbus got on the board with 1:19 to go when Tyutin launched a successful blast from the left point.

Jackets forward Derick Brassard appeared to have tied the game at 17:22 of the second period, when he found a loose puck at the right side of the crease and roofed it. However, a replay determined the shot only skimmed the crossbar and sailed back into play.

Mason was pulled with well over a minute remaining, and the move paid off with 52.7 seconds to play as Clitsome's right-point blast hit Vokoun but Vermette netted the rebound.

"This is a repeat of a lot of other nights," Panthers head coach Peter DeBoer said. "We get the lead, have some opportunities to extend it, we don't, and the other team pushes back."

Game Notes

Columbus has won three in a row and four of five over Florida since January, 2006...The Blue Jackets have also won three in a row at Sunrise in that span...Clitsome notched two assists for the visitors, giving him two goals and three assists in his last four games...Dmitry Kulikov added two helpers for Florida.