Bergenheim's Go-Ahead Goal Stings Blue Jackets, Panthers Win 3-2
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SUNRISE (AP) -- Sean Bergenheim scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period to help the Florida Panthers get a much-needed win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-2 on Thursday night.
Aaron Ekblad and Jonathan Huberdeau also scored for the Panthers, and Roberto Luongo made 30 saves.
Florida snapped a five-game loss streak, won at home for the first time in seven games, and beat Columbus for the first time since a 5-2 road victory on Nov. 21, 2007 - a span of 11 games.
Alexander Wennberg and Jack Johnson scored for the Blue Jackets and Curtis McElhinney stopped 29 shots.
Bergenheim broke a 2-2 tie when he deflected a shot from Dmitry Kulikov into the net with 6:52 left in the third. Kulikov shot from the blue line on the left side, and the puck deflected off Bergnenheim's stick, hit the ice in front and bounced in. The goal was upheld after a video review to determine if it was a high stick. Bergenheim also took a stick to the face from a Columbus player on the play.
The Panthers went ahead 2-1 on a slap shot from Ekblad from the high slot that got passed McElhinney and went high into the net at 11:26 of the second. Ekblad now has 28 points.
The Blue Jackets tied it at 2 on an odd goal by Wennberg, who pushed in the puck off his stick after it bounced off the crossbar with 1:26 left in the second. The play was reviewed and it was determined Wennberg hit the puck below the crossbar and the goal was upheld.
Columbus took a 1-0 lead on the goal by Johnson. His one-timer from the point got past Luongo on the glove side at 1:08 of the second.
The Panthers answered quickly and Huberdeau got the equalizer at 2:49. Brad Boyes passed from behind the net to Hubedeau, who backhanded the puck into the net to make the score 1-all.
NOTES: Florida C Aleksander Barkov has 10 points in his last 10 games after recording a second period assist. ... Panthers D Alex Petrovic played after being recalled from AHL San Antonio on Wednesday. ... D Dylan Olsen was put on waivers by the Panthers. ... Florida forward Shawn Thornton returned after missing 20 games with a groin injury. ... Blue Jackets C Artem Anisimov returned after missing 23 games with a torn triceps.
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