Oilers Update - Keeping Up with Jones. Jackets downed

Reporting from Castel del Piano, Italy


Led by Ryan Jones' hat trick in the third period the Edmonton Oilers went on to down the Columbus Blue Jackets by score of 6-3 to snap a 3 game losing skid.


Jones who was playing in his 202 nd NHL game scored his first ever hat-trick in his entire hockey career.  The blue-collar forward decided to bring his top game on a night when the Oilers organization saluted Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr, just prior to game time.


"I've never scored two in a game, so just to get the two is pretty special." said Jones of his trick.  "I don't know if you could ever expect that, especially a guy like me just grinding away.  The goals don't come that easy.



After being down 2-1, Jones picked up a kicked pass from Ryan Smyth and then wrapped around his 7th goal of the season to tie it.  6 minutes later Jones hammered a one-time from Eric Belanger's stick to put the copper and blue up.  Finally, with 37 seconds left in the game and with Curtis Sanford out of the net, Shawn Horcoff intercepted an errant pass at centre and unselfishly fed Jones to earn his 3rd of the night.  After the ice was showered with hats, the crowd began to chant "Jones-y Jones-y" to honor the one of the most humbled member of the squad.


"On a night like tonight, especially when we needed them it was something special.  It's one of the highlights of my NHL career so far."


Jordan Eberle, Ladislav Smid and Ales Hemsky also contributed to the slaughter.  Nearly a minute into the first period, the Oilers went on the power-play and Jordan Eberle wasted no time finishing a perfect pass from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins from the half boards.  Smid, rifled his second goal of the season with a blistering slap-shot, while Ales Hemsky, made his mark when walked around Sanford to earn his 3rd goal of the season.


Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' assist now brings his total to 28 points.  The Rookie is now 5th overall in the league for points and is now 4 behind league leader Phil Kessel of Toronto.


The Edmonton Oilers will now host the Calgary Flames for the Battle of Alberta tonight on CBC!


Will be in Rome Italy next folks!