Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent’s decision to bench forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine in the second half of the third period of Thursday’s game is likely to cause much debate, but if we’re to believe it was his Words necessarily diabolical.
In a clash between two teams led by Quebec head coaches, André Tourigny’s Coyotes extended Vincent’s Jackets’ woes with a 3-2 win at Nationwide Arena. Leaving aside the rankings and unflattering statistics, the local favorite’s driver would like to see a more visible performance from some individuals and has sent them a strong message.
• Also read: Patrik Laine and Johnny Gaudreau are punished by Pascal Vincent
• Also read: Adam Fantilli is already angry about the defeat
So the two “fools” sat on the bench for the rest of the game: Laine and Gaudreau were held offside for 9:53 minutes and 6:15 minutes respectively. However, Columbus was behind and would have needed the contribution of its talented hockey players to close the gap on Arizona, a team that is anything but a power in the National League.
However, Vincent clearly doesn’t like what he sees of the two affected athletes running out of fuel. “To ask the question is to answer it,” he told the media on the subject.
However, in defenseman Damon Severson’s eyes, the lack of work isn’t necessarily a problem.
“We can’t be too strict,” he told The Columbus Dispatch. We’ve lost a lot of games in a row and the worst that can happen is that we keep losing. So why not just try to be aggressive and make the next play and make something that can make the difference?
Still unhappy
Meanwhile, rookie Adam Fantilli challenged goalie Connor Ingram 10 times but declined each time. The dissatisfaction is palpable with the third pick in the last draft, who expressed dismay at his team’s failure earlier this week. Admittedly, it’s hard to be positive when the club has a mediocre 4-9-4 record.
“It won’t resolve itself. We have to trust each other to each do their job for the teammate nearby. I think we’ll get through this,” Fantilli said.
“He’s a winner, I can tell you that. He wants to win… this team will do it and win several games. It’s not going in that direction at the moment, but it will come. And he will be one of the main reasons for that,” Vincent predicted.
Last in the Metropolitan Section, the Jackets face the Capitals on Saturday in Washington.