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Voracek lifts Blue Jackets past Predators in shootout

Dec 12, 2008 - 4:55 AM By Dave Holstein PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Rookie Jakub Voracek scored the decisive goal in the shootout as the Columbus Blue Jackets edged the Nashville Predators, 2-1, on Thursday.

Defenseman Mike Commodore tallied in regulation and rookie Steve Mason made 25 saves for the Blue Jackets, who have won three straight home contests.

"We got rewarded for good play," Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We've got to continue to play at this pace. We've played really well against teams ahead of us in the standings."

"We had to play desperate coming in," Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash said. "I thought we played a good game. We had lost the last three on the road, so these are must-wins at home."

Martin Erat netted the lone goal and Dan Ellis turned aside 35 shots for the Predators, who were handed their third straight loss.

"From our standpoint, they've been sitting, gearing up for this game all week," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "We've played a lot of games this week, and this is the least energy we have had in probably a month. But (we're) happy to get a point on the road, and we'll take that."

"It's frustrating when you've got the lead with 10 minutes to go, and we couldn't hold them to it," Erat added. "We played focused, and we had three games in four nights and everybody's tired. It feels good to get one point here."

After the teams exchanged goals in the second round of the bonus format, Voracek put a backhander between the pads of Ellis. Mason stopped Erat on Nashville's final chance to preserve the win.

"As I went in, I knew I was going to try and go to the backhand," Voracek said. "I went there and just put it on net, and it went in through his pads."

"He quickly stretched it out to the backhand and brought it back right away," Ellis said. "A lot of times, guys will either bring it over there and go up or they'll bring it over and keep going. He quickly made the move and slid it right across as I was pushing. I have to get my stick down there."

Nash scored the first goal in the second round of the shootout, moving from his backhand to the forehand and beating Ellis to the stick side. But the advantage was short-lived, as Vernon Fiddler answered by lifting a backhander past Mason.

After two scoreless periods, Erat got Nashville on the board midway through the third with a shot from the left faceoff dot that beat Mason just inside the far goalpost at 9:37.

"Just tried to put it on net and it went in," said Erat, who has recorded eight goals this season.

Just under four minutes later, Columbus evened the game at 1-1 when Commodore scored his first goal of the season. The 29-year-old blue-liner fired a blast from the point that found its way through traffic and past Ellis with 6:51 remaining.

"There were two guys in front," Ellis said. "I was looking around the left side and the puck went to the right side, and I didn't pick it up at all until it was behind me."

It was Commodore's first goal in his last 59 games. He previously tallied on January 22,2008 as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes.

"I don't count," Commodore said. "I just remember the ones where I do score. It was nice. I know it's been a while. I've had some good opportunities, just no finish."