Kyle Clifford took only one shot on goal in Friday’s 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets – and scored on a low snapshot past Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in the second period. He has now taken 12 shots on goal on the season – scoring on two of them – for a 16.7% shooting percentage. Clifford was also on the ice for 1:12 of the team’s penalty killing efforts.
On scoring the goal that built the team’s first regulation home lead of the season:
“We haven’t had too many home games, so obviously we wanted to get on them early and get going and build off that.”
On Jonathan Bernier:
“He’s an awesome goaltender. We all know that. He did a great job tonight. He did a great job in St. Louis. Good for him.”
On “picking his spot” to score a goal on the rush down the left wing:
“Yeah, I’d like to say that’s where I wanted to shoot, but sometimes I just close my eyes and put it on net.”
On facing Columbus:
“They’re not the easiest team to play. They play a hard style, and we just wanted to match that and build off that.”
On what led to his goal:
“I think it was Nikitin – he was just following the puck. I just decided to jump on it and try and squirt it by him and beat him with speed.”
On preparing for the start of the season by playing in the ECHL:
“Yeah, maybe I should start the year there every year. I think it was good for me.”
On the team getting an insurance goal early in the third period:
“I think it was quite important. When we get the lead, we’re a strong team, so that’s got to be our focus all year.”
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