Blue Jackets beat Malmo Redhawks 4-1 in exhibition
Antoine Vermette scored twice as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Malmo Redhawks 4-1 in an exhibition game on Tuesday.
Jakub Voracek and Mike Commodore also scored for the Blue Jackets, who were 4-4-0 in the preseason and open the regular season against San Jose in Stockholm on Friday.
''It was fun. We haven't played in almost a week and the regular-season opener isn't until Friday, so it was good to get a game here,'' Vermette told the NHL's website. ''It was different, with the big ice and everything. But I actually like it when there's more room.''
Robin Alvarez scored in the third period for for Malmo, the Swedish second-tier team.
Vermette opened the scoring 13:12 into the first period off an assist from Derick Brassard. Vermette made it 2-0 in the first minute of the second period - the first of three Columbus goals in the period. Voracek then made it 3-0 and Commodore put the Blue Jackets by four.
''We started well but backed up a little in the second period,'' Malmo goalie Jonathan Bjuro said. ''Then we had a little bit of bad luck, but I think we were fine out there.''
San Jose beat German team Adler Mannheim 3-2 on Saturday in its final exhibition.
