Red Wings 1 - 4 Blue Jackets
Final
  for this game

Jackets snap skid, beat Red Wings for first win

Oct 26, 2011 - 5:26 AM Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Steve Mason stopped 30-of-31 shots as Columbus snapped its franchise-worst, season-commencing eight-game losing skid with a 4-1 decision over Detroit.

R.J. Umberger, Ryan Johansen, John Moore and Derek MacKenzie all netted their first goals of the campaign for the Blue Jackets, who avenged a 5-2 setback in Detroit on Friday.

Grant Clitsome added a career-high three assists.

"We were able to get pucks behind their [defense] and impose our speed and our will against them," Moore said.

Mason left the game briefly in the early stages with an apparent left shoulder issue, but returned after an absence of just over 2 1/2 minutes. Allen York saw his first NHL action in the interim, but he was untested.

Darren Helm provided the lone offense for the Red Wings, who have dropped two in a row after beginning the year with five straight wins.

Ty Conklin surrendered three scores on 31 shots in defeat.

"It was a disappointing effort. Obviously the preparation as a coaching staff didn't do a good enough job," Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said.

Umberger beat Conklin at the 21-second mark, ripping home an Antoine Vermette rebound from in front. Helm batted a puck in on the short side at 4:54, just after Detroit failed to click on a power play.

Mason departed right after the score and York was called into service for his NHL debut. But Mason returned shortly thereafter, and Columbus forged ahead on a power play.

Johansen netted his first NHL score by banking the puck off Conklin from behind the net at 8:56.

The Jackets led 3-1 with 5:44 left in the second when Moore's left-point blast knuckled over Conklin's shoulder and sailed home under the crossbar. It was also the first-ever pro goal for the 20-year-old suburban Chicago native.

Detroit went to the advantage with 2:12 left in regulation as Derek Dorsett was sent off for holding. Conklin went to the bench to create a 6-on-4, but MacKenzie backhanded a rolling puck into empty net inside the final minute of play.

Game Notes

Columbus previously went winless in six games (two losses, four ties) to start the 2001-02 season...Tuesday's contest marked the return of Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski from a suspension which ultimately cost him the first eight games of the regular season. He was a plus-one in 27:21 of ice time.






Related News