Merzlikins' goalie mask pays homage to Fifth Line

You can't miss Stinger on the mask of new Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins
The same goes for shoutouts to the Columbus fan base.
In one of the more colorful masks in the NHL, Merzlikins pays tribute to the CBJ mascot and the Fifth Line with a design debuted Wednesday by noted mask artist David Gunnarsson on Instagram.

The design features a number of depictions of Stinger, including large versions on either side of the mask. There is also a banner paying homage to the Fifth Line on the right side of the mask with a union general and Civil War cannon -- much like the one found in Nationwide Arena -- on the left side.

"Elvis knew what he wanted, he wanted a tribute design to the awesome fans of Columbus Blue Jackets!" Gunnarsson posted on Instagram. "Elvis told me his awesome ideas and I just put on the seat belt and started to paint!"
The mask also features a homage to Switzerland, where Merzlikins has played the last decade in the HC Lugano system. Merzlikins, 25, was twice the NLA's top goalie during his time with Lugano and compiled a 105-79-7 record with a 2.63 GAA, .920 save percentage and 15 shutouts in 210 career games. He is also a veteran of the Latvian national team.
A third-round draft pick of the Blue Jackets in 2014, Merzlikins signed a one-year, one-way contract with the Blue Jackets in May and goes into camp set to battle Joonas Korpisalo and Veini Vehvilainen for time in the Columbus net.