Blue Jackets beat Calgary in first game under Bowness
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
By Kevin Rouch
krouch@cbussports.com
A day after being hired to replace Dean Evason, Rick Bowness was behind the bench as the Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Tuesday at Nationwide Arena. Photo: Kevin Rouch
It was an eventful day for the Columbus Blue Jackets. They met their new head coach, Rick Bowness, prior to their morning skate at Nationwide Arena. Just hours later, they hit the ice against the Calgary Flames with Bowness behind the bench, still working on learning all of the names of his team.
The Blue Jackets gave up a couple of leads during the game, but bounced back in the third period with three goals to capture a 5-3 win. Boone Jenner scored with 1:34 remaining in regulation to give the Blue Jackets a 4-3 lead, followed by an empty-netter from Charlie Coyle.
Boone Jenner earned a “Gordie Howe hat trick” with a goal, an assist, and a fight for the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena Tuesday. The fisticuffs were with the Calgary Flames’ Rasmus Andersson. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Columbus scored twice in the first period to take an early lead. Dante Fabbro got on the board first, just 3:57 into the opening frame, with assists from Zach Werenski and Charlie Coyle. At the 13:54 mark, Coyle scored his first goal of the night with helpers from Jake Christiansen and Dmitri Voronkov.
The Flames matched that effort with two goals in the second period from Morgan Frost and Rasmus Andersson. In the third period, Zach Werenski put the Blue Jackets back in front with a power play goal. Once again, Calgary tied the score, with a goal from Mikael Backlund.
Zach Werenski was the #1-star of the Blue Jackets win over Calgary at Nationwide Arena Tuesday. Photo: Kevin Rouch
As the clock wound down in the final period, Jenner’s goal put the Blue Jackets ahead for good. He also assisted on Coyle’s empty-net shot, giving the captain a “Gordie Howe hat trick”. His goal and assist, and his fight with Rasmus Andersson in the second period allowed him to accomplish the feat for the first time in his career.
The Jackets are back on the ice Thursday, as the Vancouver Canucks come to Nationwide Arena for a game beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Jet Greaves makes a save during the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3 win over Calgary at Nationwide Arena Tuesday. Photo: Kevin Rouch