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Mason, Blue Jackets blank Red Wings

Feb 5, 2011 - 5:27 AM Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Steve Mason posted 34 saves for his second shutout of the year as the Columbus Blue Jackets took a 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.

Andrew Murray and Antoine Vermette each had a goal and an assist while Jared Boll scored the other for the Blue Jackets, who had dropped four of six coming in.

"These games are easy to get up for," said Mason. "First off, it's Detroit and coming off a poor performance personally. These are games you want to bounce back with. We have alot of work to do the rest of the season and this was just one game of alot more."

Jimmy Howard was touched for two goals on 23 shots for the Red Wings, who had won their previous two.

"Most nights when you give up two goals, I know they got an empty-netter, you got to find a way to win that game," said Detroit head coach Mike Babcock. "They came into our home on a weekend night in front of our fans found a way to beat us."

Columbus scored the only goal it needed at the 12:29 mark of the first period as Matt Calvert left a backhand pass at the top of the left circle where Vermette let fly with a blistering one-timer that sailed past Howard.

Boll's goal at the 13:11 mark of the second frame made it a 2-0 contest. Derek MacKenzie fired a shot on net from the left circle that Murray tried to redirect, but Howard stopped it. Murray then gathered the rebound and used a turnaround pass to the front where Boll one-timed it home.

Mason turned aside eight shots in the first period then made 14 saves in the second.

Murray's empty-netter with 1:12 to play sealed the outcome.

Game Notes

Mason has 17 shutouts in his career...Detroit plays in Nashville on Saturday...Columbus hosts Edmonton on Saturday...Detroit has won three of the five games with Columbus this season.