The NFHL Game of the Night

There has been a lot of negativity surrounding Dale Hawerchuk this year.  Trade rumours seem to have affected his play as he has recorded less than a point per game this season, well off his 109-point season from a year ago and 99 points the year before.  In fact, only once in the past 5 seasons has he recorded fewer than 90 points and that was the year he recorded 76 points in 72 games.  This year, he has 36 points in 40 games.  With the second half of the season upon him, perhaps this game signaled the change in his game he, and the Blue Jackets, needs.  Columbus was hosting the St. Louis Blues and they exploded in the first 20 minutes, putting the game away early.  Hawercuk was instrumental in that, opening the scoring with a PP marker 4 minutes into the game, then scoring 2 more power play goals before the end of the period, giving him a hat trick and the Jackets a 6-0 lead. St. Louis couldn't get on the board until the 3rd period, scoring a power play and shorthanded goal by Nevin Markwart and John Cullen respectively, to make it a final score of 7-2. Danton Cole, Chris Chelios, Doug Gilmour and Michael Thelven scored the other Columbus goals.  Columbus has now won 2 in a row and are just 2 points out of 6th in the Campbell, while holding 2 games in hand.  The Blues trail 8th place San Jose by 4 points and now give up a game in hand.

Three Stars of the Night

	Jim Benning (FLA) - 3 Goals (7), 1 Assist, 8 Shots, 1 Hit
	Dale Hawerchuk (CBJ) - 3 Goals (18), 7 Shots, 3 Hits
	Peter Andersson (HAR) - 2 Goals (4), 2 Assists, +1, 4 Shots, 2 Hits