Call against Jenner irks Tortorella

The Blue Jackets didn’t have Boone Jenner for the final period Thursday against the Penguins after the winger was assessed a 10-minute game misconduct, along with a five-minute major for cross-checking Sidney Crosby, as part of a melee that broke out between the teams when the second period ended.

Jackets coach John Tortorella was frustrated by the call, which led to the Penguins’ tying power-play goal at 2:25 of the third period.

“I don’t get it. It’s barely a two-minute penalty. I hope they take a long look at that. At least rescind it, so we don’t have that on his record,” Tortorella said. “I lose a top-six forward. I just don’t understand it. You can’t guess on those types of plays. In this type of game, with the intensity … it’s a tough job. I know it is. But it’s not even close to a game misconduct for me.”

Said captain Nick Foligno: “I don’t want to comment too much. That was just a weird one. For him to be out of the game, I’m not sure what happened there, but it hurts, (on a) backto-back, especially, with tired guys — he’s a big part of our engine.”

Tortorella said the faceoff violation penalty on the Jackets at 14:46 of the third was accurate, but unwarranted. The Penguins also scored on that resulting power play for a 2-1 lead.

“It’s a rule so the teams can’t decide the games. Other people decide the game,” Tortorella said. “They made the right call, but it’s frustrating that we just don’t let the guys that are supposed to put on a show, put on a show.”

Power surge

Believe it or not, the Jackets scored a powerplay goal Thursday for the third consecutive game and fourth time in the past five games. Artemi Panarin’s laser was the Jackets’ first goal scored in a 4-on-3 situation this season.

“It’s huge,” Foligno said. “The power play is coming up big every time. It’s nice to see them turning the corner for us. We need that going forward. A big part of our team identity is having our power play be lethal. … We’ve got to make teams pay.”

“If someone hits me, I will be glad if someone stands up for me.”

Sedlak steps up

Center Lukas Sedlak fought Penguins enforcer Ryan Reaves in the first period in retaliation for Reaves smashing Markus Hannikainen into the boards. Reaves pounded Sedlak, who earned his coach’s respect.

“He’s dumb to do it, but high marks for doing it,” Tortorella said.

Sedlak’s only other NHL fight came against the Islanders’ Jason Chimera on Jan. 24.

“I was just trying to stick up for my linemate,” Sedlak told Fox Sports Ohio during a first intermission interview.

Roster moves

The Blue Jackets recalled forwards Tyler Motte and Jordan Schroeder from the team’s AHL affiliate in Cleveland on Friday. Left wing Sonny Milano was sent back to Cleveland.

Slap shots

Center Alexander Wennberg did not play the final 13-plus minutes Thursday because of an apparent injury, details of which weren’t immediately known. … The Jackets took Friday off. … Tortorella sent out Jack Johnson with a chance to win the shootout, hoping the defenseman could repeat his gamewinning shootout goal against the Red Wings on Nov. 11. Johnson was stopped, though. Cam Atkinson was the only one of the Jackets’ four shooters to score on goalie Matt Murray.