It wasn't exactly memorable, but the Blue Jackets did play their first hockey game Sept. 21 after a tumultuous offseason, outlasting the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 in a game that required a shootout to start each team's preseason at Nationwide Arena.
After going 65 minutes without scoring, including the final five in 3-on-3 overtime, the Blue Jackets finally won Conor Garland's goal and three saves from Pheonix Copley in the shootout. Even better news is that only three more exhibition games remain before games start to count for the Blue Jackets, who open the regular season Oct. 1 on home ice against the Buffalo Sabres.
As for the preseason opener, it was a snoozer other
than a couple fights.
The first two periods featured Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves (16 saves) and former Blue Jackets goalie Daniil Tarasov (15 saves) for the Red Wings keeping it scoreless, while the third period and overtime were handled by Copley (two saves) and Detroit's Michal Postava (six saves).
Next up for the Blue Jackets is a trip to Buffalo on Sept. 22 for their second of four exhibitions.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro injured
The Blue Jackets only dressed eight veterans, the minimum required preseason games, and one of them, Dante Fabbro, sustained an upper-body injury that forced him out of the game.
Fabbro is projected to play a regular role on the Blue Jackets' third defensive pairing, where he played most of last season. If he's out of action for more than a week or two, it could lead to veteran defenseman Carson Soucy getting a contract after starting camp on a professional tryout offer.
That might happen regardless, but the odds will go up considerably if Fabbro's injury is anything but as minor day-to-day issue.
Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets open preseason with 1-0 win over Detroit Red Wings
