Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – R.J. Umberger and Antoine Vermette scored five minutes apart in the third period, carrying Columbus to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Derick Brassard also lit the lamp for the Blue Jackets, who received 30 saves from Steve Mason. He stopped all 21 shots he faced over the final two periods in Columbus’ third win in four games.
Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews each had a goal and an assist for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who have lost two in a row after winning four straight. Corey Crawford made 37 saves for Chicago.
Brassard scored from in front with 35.7 seconds left in the second and the Blue Jackets evened the contest 1:33 into the third during a five-minute power play. That’s because Troy Brouwer was given a boarding major in the final minute of the second.
Columbus gained the lead 6:29 into the third. Marc Methot blasted a shot from above the right circle. Vermette, who was in the slot, reached and extended his stick to change directions of the puck as it fluttered by Crawford.
The Blue Jackets sent 20 shots on goal in that final period, but Mason had to withstand some pressure in the final minute after the Blackhawks pulled Crawford for the extra attacker. Patrick Kane’s shot from the left side was stopped by Mason in the waning seconds.
Sharp scored 7:23 into the game for his eighth goal of the season. Toews tried a wraparound attempt from right to left before passing in front to Sharp for the tip-in tally.
Toews made it 2-0 with 5:15 left in the first. The rebound goal came on the power play while Derek Dorsett was serving a high-sticking penalty.
The Blue Jackets went 2-2-2 vs. Chicago in 2009-10…Columbus was 1-for-4 on the power play, while Chicago was 1-for-3…Methot assisted on two Columbus goals.