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COLUMBUS -- When Gilbert Brule played for the Blue Jackets, the fans used to shout his name -- which could sometimes be mistaken for a chorus of boos.
Last night, there was little doubt as the Oilers centre got a cold reception on his first return to Columbus.
Brule was selected to take the fourth attempt in the shootout and had his effort stopped by goaltender Mathieu Garon, giving the Blue Jackets a 3-2 victory.
Prior to last night, he had never been asked to take part in the shootout by the Oilers.
"I think it might have been a special circumstance," smiled Brule. "But I think when the crowd boos, that just gets me more pumped up. It gets me more in the game and ready to go. I enjoy it, actually."
Brule, 22, was the Blue Jackets' first pick - sixth overall - in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
The Edmonton native spent his first two seasons with Columbus before being traded to the Oilers for winger Raffi Torres.
After spending most of last year with the Oilers minor-league affiliate in Springfield, Brule made the jump back to the NHL this year.
"It was really exciting to come back here (to Columbus)," he said. "I had lots of energy, and it's always good to come back to this building."
