(Photo by Andie Wojciak/MiHockey)

Jones’ OT winner lifts Columbus over Detroit in final clash at Joe Louis Arena

(Photo by Andie Wojciak/MiHockey)
(Photo by Andie Wojciak/MiHockey)

By @StefanKubus –

Seth Jones’ overtime winner at the 3:22 mark of the extra frame gave his Columbus Blue Jackets a 3-2 win over Detroit in the teams’ final game on Joe Louis Arena ice Tuesday night.

Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky also scored for Columbus, while Sergei Bobrovsky allowed two goals on 26 shots. Nick Jensen and Thomas Vanek scored in regulation for Detroit, while Petr Mrazek allowed three goals on 27 shots.

The Jones goal came as a result of a play that saw Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg’s stick slashed and broken. That gave Columbus an odd-man rush the other way, allowing Jones to fire a one-timer from the left circle into the far corner.

The Wings fell to 22-21-10 on the season, tied for last in the Eastern Conference with Tampa Bay and Buffalo.

MORE: Zach Werenski cherishes his final visit to Joe Louis Arena

It was an unusual, but welcome start for the Red Wings, as they came out buzzing in the opening frame. And just 3:22 into the contest, they were rewarded for it.

Work in the corner down low by Riley Sheahan allowed Dylan Larkin to set up Jensen for his second goal of the season.

But six minutes later, the Blue Jackets got on the board, as Brandon Dubinsky beat Mrazek to even things up. Cam Atkinson scored his 26th of the season with just over four minutes to play in the period, sending Columbus off the ice with a 2-1 lead after the first 20 minutes.

The Red Wings climbed back to a tie in the second period, as Vanek’s team-leading 13th from Justin Abdelkader and Mike Green, a power-play marker, made it a 2-2 contest. Abdelkader found Vanek across the slot with a perfect, precise pass, and Vanek had a gaping cage and a tap-in goal.

After two goals in the first period, one in the second and none in the third, the teams headed to overtime to find a winner.

Darren Helm had a great 2-on-1 chance early in the extra period, but Werenski made a brilliant diving poke check to break up the play.

Later in the frame, Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg had his stick slashed and broken, forcing him to drop it and go to the bench. The Jackets came back the other way on an odd-man rush, allowing Jones time to blast a one-timer home high in the far corner.