Jackets rookie goalie Tarasov impressive in unplanned debut
DALLAS — Thursday brought a new challenge for the Blue Jackets, who learned in the morning that both of their goalies, Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo, would miss that night’s game against the Dallas Stars because of NON-COVID illnesses.
So Daniil Tarasov got a call from Chris Clark, the Cleveland Monsters’ general manger, telling him to get ready to make his NHL debut.
“He say, ‘Hey buddy, you’re called up because Korpi’s out … so, get ready to play if you’re needed,’ ” Tarasov said. “So, I just packed my suit and went to the practice rink, grabbed my gear and went to the airport.”
The flight to Dallas was just under three hours, and Tarasov got to the team’s hotel around 3 p.m., with just enough time to get some rest with a quick nap before heading to the arena on the team bus. He was nervous, but it dissipated quickly thanks to a quick goal by the Stars’ Jason Robertson 1:08 into the game and encouragement that followed from his new teammates.
“I had some guys helping me a lot,” said Tarasov, who texted his parents before leaving Cleveland. “Guys just said to me, ‘Hey, keep going … (Keep your) head up and keep going.”
Considering the Blue Jackets’ recent troubles fumbling the puck in their own zone, Robertson’s early goal made it feel like the Jackets’ rookie netminder might be in for a long night. Instead, things settled down and Tarasov got a chance to reset himself.
In the 3-2 loss, the Jackets were outshot 19-6 in the second period and 31-11 in the final two periods, but they stayed just a shot away from tying it thanks largely to their large rookie in goal.
He was beaten twice in the late stages of the second period on goals by
Tyler Seguin and Robertson, but the Russian rookie looked calm in his first official NHL action. He soaked up a lot of shots without allowing rebounds and made a number of impressive stops with the Stars buzzing around the net.
“He’s not a goalie that’s flopping around, that’s for sure,” said Jackets coach Brad Larsen. “He’s very in control of his game. I said it before the game, ‘If he’s nervous, he hides it really well.’ He’s just a really calm kid. I’m sure on the inside he had some butterflies. He’s not human if he didn’t. Your first game
in the NHL, you’ll never forget that and he did a heck of a job tonight.”
Jenner continues torrid scoring pace
Jackets captain Boone Jenner scored his 11th goal of the season Thursday and shows no signs of slowing down.
Entering Friday’s games, Jenner was tied with seven other players for 12th in the NHL in goals, netting as many as John Tavares (Toronto Maple Leafs), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning), Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary Flames) and former Blue Jackets teammate Pierre-luc Dubois (Winnipeg Jets).