Pro Sports

Werenski scores in final seconds of OT, Columbus tops Stars

Posted March 13, 2021 6:00 am

By NICOLE KRAFT

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Emil Bemstrom, left, checks Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Zach Werenski scored with 4.5 seconds in overtime and Elvis Merzlikins made 27 saves as the Columbus Blue Jackets rallied to beat the Dallas Stars 4-3 Saturday night.

Werenski's game-winner, his first goal since Jan. 23, came off the rebound of a shot by Oliver Bjorkstrand.

'œHe shot it and I just tried to follow the rebound,'ť Werenski said. 'œNot much to it.'ť

Max Domi added a goal and an assist, Cam Atkinson and Nick Foligno also scored, and Jack Roslovic finished with three assists as Columbus snapped a three-game losing streak.

Columbus did not have a second-period shot on goal until 11:33 '“ a drought of 12:48 - but made up for it with a pair of goals in a span of a minute by Atkinson and Foligno.

'œIn a couple games we have found a way to lose after playing some good minutes,'ť Foligno said. 'œTonight we found a way to win after playing some good minutes.'ť

Andrew Cogliano, Andrej Sekera and Denis Gurianov scored for Dallas.

Jake Oettinger had 22 saves for the Stars, who have lost two straight and seven of nine.

The Stars are 1-5 in their last six road games and 1-7 in the last eight games in Columbus.

'œWe played good hockey,'ť Cogliano said. 'œI thought our game was as good as you're going to get. A couple of execution errors, and they're in the back of the net.'ť

The game had just one penalty, with the Blue Jackets Emil Bemstrom missing a penalty shot after being pulled down by Jamie Benn at 10:02 of the third.

'œIt wasn't our prettiest game,'ť Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. 'œWe always talk about how to find a way to get to points, and we found a way tonight.'ť

IRON CAM

Cam Atkinson joined Rick Nash as the only Blue Jackets to play in 600 games. He is second on the franchise's all-time list behind Nash in goals, assists and points with 209-180-389 and set the franchise mark with 16 career short-handed goals. This season Atkinson has the team lead in goals with 11 and leads the league in short-handed goals with four.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

The game marked first goals after long droughts for players on both teams. Cogliano's goal in the first period was his third on the season, but first since Jan. 31, a span of 16 games. Sakera's score was his first of the season after missing four games due to COVID protocols and another with injury. Gurianov's goal was his first in 15 games, last scoring Feb. 2. Foligno had not scored a goal since Feb. 7, a span of 16 games.

GAVRIKOV RETURNS

Vladislav Gavrikov returned to the Blue Jackets' lineup, replacing Gabriel Carlsson. The defenseman missed Thursday's loss to the Florida Panthers due to a personal matter. He has six points in 28 games this season

UP NEXT

The teams wrap up the two-game series on Sunday.

___

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno, left, shoots the puck past Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, March 13, 2021. Foligno scored on the play. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) The Associated Press

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard, top, checks Dallas Stars forward Jason Dickinson during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) The Associated Press

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Max Domi, right, passes against Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) The Associated Press

Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, right, stops a penalty shot by Columbus Blue Jackets forward Emil Bemstrom during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) The Associated Press

Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins, left, stops a shot by Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) The Associated Press

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson, right, controls the puck against Dallas Stars defenseman Jamie Oleksiak during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Hockey NHL Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.