SB Nation Cleveland - Blue Jackets Vs. Hurricanes: R. J. Umberger's Hat Trick Stops Surging Caneshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48841/cleveland-fave.png2012-03-23T21:46:39-05:00http://cleveland.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26628562012-03-23T21:46:39-05:002012-03-23T21:46:39-05:00Blue Jackets Vs. Hurricanes: R.J. Umberger Hat Trick More Than Enough In 5-1 Columbus Win
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<p>R. J. Umberger's third hat trick of his career threw cold water on the Carolina Hurricanes' playoff hopes on Friday night. Umberger powered the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> to a 5-1 win over a Carolina team that entered the game with four straight wins worth of momentum. </p>
<p><span>Vinny Prospal</span> started the scoring with a first period goal. Umberger scored his first goal of the evening on a power play nine minutes into the second period. It would stand as the game-winner. The Jackets' winger struck again about five minutes later with his second goal. He added his third almost 15 minutes into the final frame. <span>Mark Letestu</span> also scored for Columbus in the win.</p>
<p>Hurricanes' goalie <span>Cam Ward</span> stopped 21 of 26 shots on the evening, his first loss since March 13. <span>Steve Mason</span> kept busy, turning away 39 of 40 shots. </p>
<p>Columbus hosts Edmonton on Sunday afternoon. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Columbus Blue Jackets, check out <a href="http://www.jacketscannon.com">The Cannon</a>. For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canescountry.com/">Carolina Hurricanes</a>, head over to <a href="http://www.canescountry.com/">Canes Country</a>. For complete NHL coverage, visit </i><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl" target="_blank"><i>SB Nation's NHL hub</i></a><i>. </i></p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/columbus-blue-jackets/2012/3/23/2898819/blue-jackets-vs-hurricanes-rj-umberger-hat-trickRyan Van Bibber2012-03-23T10:57:24-05:002012-03-23T10:57:24-05:00Blue Jackets Vs. Hurricanes: Columbus Tries To Play Spoiler To Surging Canes
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<p>The Blue Jackets will look to spoil a playoff run by the Carolina Hurricanes in Columbus on Friday.</p> <p>The Hurricanes are on an absolute tear right now with a four game winning streak and a clip of 6-2-2 in their last ten games. They're still only 11th in the East at present with some good teams ahead of them in the playoff race but few teams are hotter than the Canes are right now. It's up to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> to play spoiler to them, a role that teams like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> would be glad to see the Jackets take on.</p>
<p>Following a 5-1 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a>, the Jackets have continued to cement their place in the basement of the NHL. They haven't scored on their last 34 power plays and have set a franchise record for most man games lost to injury with 345 so far this year.</p>
<p>If <span>Cam Ward</span> starts for the Canes, the Jackets might have an advantage; the Blue Jackets are 3-0 in games against Ward all time.</p>
<p>The game will be at Nationwide Arena at 7:00 p.m. ET.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Columbus Blue Jackets, check out <a href="http://www.jacketscannon.com">The Cannon</a>. For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canescountry.com/">Carolina Hurricanes</a>, head over to <a href="http://www.canescountry.com/">Canes Country</a>. </i></p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/columbus-blue-jackets/2012/3/23/2897373/hurricanes-vs-blue-jackets-preview-recap-scheduleChris White