Jets Spotlight: Zach Bogosian

Zach Bogosian

HIS NUMBERS:

0 goals, 0 assists, 0 pts, 0 PIMs, 1 shot.

HIS ICE TIME:

Twenty-six shifts for 25:38.

First period

Hit the ice, finally, with partner Ron Hainsey at 1:09 of the first period, to a small cheer, then the crowd was loud when he first touched the puck, signalling their approval for his return 10 months after last seeing him in action. Bogosian looked strong on his feet in the first period, was credited with two hits and two shot-blocks. Had a heavy late-period hit on Pascal Dupuis in the offensive corner, sparking a chance for the home team.

Second period

More than nine minutes of ice time in the second period included an iffy pinch that opened a path for Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin to lead a rush that required a good save from Ondrej Pavelec.

Third period

Bogosian added nine more shifts in the third and continued to hold up his end as the Jets slogged through most of the game with five defencemen. He was part of the crew that pressed and succeeded with Pavelec lifted for an extra attacker in the game's final 1:50, earning Andrew Ladd's goal.

WHAT WE LIKED:

Certainly, the loss was difficult, but a good sign for the Jets is that Bogosian looks to be more than ready on his return. It was a tough night -- using five defencemen for almost all of the game and he played more than two minutes above his average per-game time for all of last season -- and he was still in form in the third period, still going quickly up the ice when he thought he could add to the danger of a rush. His strong skating only enhances the Jets' strength on the back end.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE:

Not much to criticize, other than a few gambles on pinches and the like. But all defencemen have those choices to make and none to our knowledge in the history of the game have made the right call 100 per cent of the time.

SYNOPSIS:

That he's back in active form, 10 months after his last game, is a big plus for the Jets. "For my first game back, I think my conditioning felt pretty good," Bogosian said. "At the start of the game, I felt great when I jumped on the ice and everyone started cheering. That kinds of gives you a little more boost than you normally have. In my last year-and-a-half playing here, it's been a pleasure playing in front of these fans. To feel appreciated like that is a special thing."

-- Tim Campbell

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