Columbus Blue Jackets lost both of their games in Tampere. Owned 11 goals.
Patrik Laine, who grew up in Tappara, scored 1+1 power points in two Tampere games. PETRI SARELAINEN / AOP
The Blue Jackets have lost five games in a row, and the team is at the bottom of the NHL. On Saturday in the Nokia Arena, the team lost to the Colorado Avalanche with numbers 1–5.
– 1–5 per hair, there’s not much to say. That’s the game in a nutshell, the Blue Jackets superstar Patrick Laine snorted.
The defending Stanley Cup winner constantly unleashed superior attacks at the end of the Blue Jackets.
– There probably wouldn’t be any if we knew what caused them. There is no one to blame here, defending is equally the responsibility of defenders and attackers. Everything was a bit like being in the wrong place at the wrong time all the time today.
Korpisalo returned
Joonas Korpisalo played in goal for Columbus. It was the man’s first NHL game in seven months after the injury.
– It’s a pity for Korppi, the first game back. Such a one graining after that comes back to Änärikiki in his hometown, and there is no help from us. It’s a pity, Laine admitted.
Things were left undone
The Blue Jackets made an unnecessary trip to Tampere, Laine’s hometown.
– You won’t be able to take these with you on the trip. I don’t know if it was even necessary to come here for me. They came here to work, and they couldn’t get the work done. So it doesn’t matter if we had fun off the ice.
– However, this is a result sport. There were two losses, a useless trip in that sense, the 24-year-old attacker stated.
The head coach of the team by Brad Larsen the situation is getting difficult.
In a hole?
The Blue Jackets’ journey is bumpy right now. The team has won only three matches this season.
– When losses accumulate, it gets harder and harder all the time. You have to believe in what you are doing, and so do we. No one is giving up here, even if their confidence is a little lacking right now.
However, the attacker did not dramatize the situation.
– This is not a very good place for a career, we have been in worse. Now let’s focus on next week’s games and the rest of the season.
Good and bad
Patrik Laine put on a better blacksmith again when he arrived for Saturday’s game. PETRI SAARELAINEN / AOP
Tappara was not satisfied with his own games in front of the home crowd.
– There were good moments and then there were worse. And everything in between. It’s hard when you feel like no one is doing well. Put on your work gloves, we can’t wait for someone to come save us here.
At the focal point
Laine was the most followed player in Finland during the NHL week, although Avalanche’s Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen also got their share of attention.
On Saturday night, however, the man was ready to “escape” the media and fans back home to Columbus.
– Can’t handle this all the time. No, I do understand, these are responsibilities and the group is interested.