The Jacketsblog: An Unofficial Columbus Blue Jackets Blog

The end of the Jackets season has come, but in hand with that are the final few weeks of school, and of course the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With that in mind, last night the Chicago Blackhawks eliminated the Calgary Flames and the Anaheim Ducks eliminated the #1 Seed, President Trophy Winning San Jose Sharks. This sets up some outstanding second round match-ups:

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #3 Vancouver Canucks

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks

All I can say is “QUACK QUACK QUACK!!!”

In case you didn’t notice yesterday Steve Mason was selected as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy awarded to the NHL’s top goaltender during the regular season.

Honestly Mason probably won’t win the trophy he doesn’t have the wins, save % or GAA that Thomas does, but he does have the “wow” factor as well as the 10 shutouts helping him out. There is a good discussion over on Mirtle’s blog about the fact that all 3 goaltenders come from teams with a very defensive minded system. In Mason’s defense he played behind the worst defense of all 3 finalists, and still was able to post the 10 shutouts. Not only did the lack of defensive talent hurt Mason, but also the fatigue of the first NHL season and having a bout with Mono did not help his cause.

I’ll try to get back on a more regular posting schedule… once the weather stops being so freaking nice out.

Well there it is, the last final score of the 2008-2009 season. And yet there isn’t a feeling of complete disappointment, we all knew once we made the playoffs that eventually we were going to end the season with a loss, unfortunately this one ended with 6 straight, including 4 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As disappointing as it is to be the only team besides the Atlanta Thrashers to get swept in their first ever playoff appearance, this was a far different animal than that debacle.

When other teams Presidents say “If they let the call go, nobody would have said a word”, you know you got hosed. The third period of last night’s game was what playoff hockey is all about. I’ve watched the playoffs for a while now, and while I have yet to have a team in a true playoff game, until last night, I do know what it’s about. I will not deny, by any stretch of the imagination that the Jackets did have too many men on the ice, but what will I dispute is the 5+ calls throughout the third period, not to mention the rest of the game or series, that were utterly ignored. If you’re going to put the whistles away, leave them away, do not decide a game because you suddenly want to play things by the book.

Easily the most amusing penalty… not so much after last night

I don’t think its necessary to do a complete recap because absolutely everyone I talked to, even non-tradtional hockey fans, were watching last night’s game. The energy in the Arena was somehow higher than it was for the first home game two nights previous. After the Wings would score the Jackets and their fans would not relent, without being overly dramatic it was an epic scene. While it is disappointing for the season to now be over, the playoffs have whet the pallet of many Ohioans who cannot wait to get back in Nationwide Arena to cheer on the now-relevant-again Columbus Blue Jackets..

Yes, the season is all but over, but there is still one more guaranteed chance to be part of this year’s special Columbus team. Last night the Jackets played their best game so far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but as witnessed, the best still isn’t good enough against this Detroit team. Detroit acquired the best free agent last off-season after winning the Stanley Cup… that says enough. This year’s Detroit team looked beatable in spurts throughout the regular season, but the team that has shown up to take on the CBJ is playing lights out.

The scene was perfect, both outside and inside of Nationwide Arena fans cheered, heckled (few and far between) Red Wings fans, and smiled with giddyness as 8 seasons of frustration was finally about to be relieved. It is unfortunate the game didn’t go the way we all wanted, but that’s the way sports go. The focused machine of the Red Wings was focused to an extreme and got in an early goal after the energy in the arena reached a new level when the Jackets took their home ice. The Jackets were able to get some chances, but Chris Osgood brought his A-game and thwarted the boys in Blue at every turn.

Many memories were made, but not the one that 19,200+ tried to will the Jackets to. The passion was there from most of the players, and the biggest thing to hope for is that the Blue Jackets learn from this playoff experience like the 06-07 Pittsburgh Penguins learned from their near sweep in the first round.

As I’ve said many times, it could be a lot worse. We didn’t trade away the future just to get in, we are no where near the cap, we have some of the best young players in the NHL ready to make their mark, and don’t forget the Management and Coach who have righted this ship in very short order… the real work comes after the CBJ season is officially complete… which it still isn’t. There could be a miracle sent down from Heaven above, and the Jackets could rip off 4 straight wins, I am just trying to help us all realize what a good thing we’ve got going here and it will be here for much much longer.

Someday…

While there is not an official CBJ pull for this, it has been a fan driven attempt to encourage fans to wear their blue jerseys, shirts, etc. tomorrow night for Game 3 vs. the Detroit Red Wings. If it isn’t obvious enough, please avoid wearing read if at all possible, at least as your primary color…

The biggest news of the day came out of the morning skate where it seems Hitchcock and his staff are getting desperate;

The Blue Jackets are on the ice right now and line changes appear afoot. Antoine Vermette has been elevated to the top line with wingers Rick Nash and Kristian Huselius.

Puck-rakers

The reason I believe this is a move desperation is pretty obvious. The Jackets have been unsuccessful when it comes to scoring goals, and frankly not many combinations of players have had much chemistry. It isn’t necessarily the play of Osgood, the Wings’ Defensemen, or the Jackets lack of chemistry, but a large chunk of each. The Wings defense has been all over the Jackets leading scorers, and this is when it is most apparent that the team is lacking in secondary scoring. During the regular season Nash had the support of Umberger and Huselius (even Raffi Torres), but now in the post season the additional support has all but disappeared.

There is a nice article at USAToday.com about our very own Leo Welsh and his reception at Nationwide Arena:

“It’s very flattering,” he said with a laugh. “I walk into (a grocery store) and people used to look at me and say, ‘I think I know who that guy is.’ Now they say, ‘Hey, LEO! How’s it going?”‘

He even hears it when he goes home.

“My family thinks it’s hilarious,” he said. “Any time I walk into my brother’s house, they all shout my name.”

USA Today

The “LEO!” cheer has become widely popular with fans throughout the Arena, and will without a doubt reach a new level of loud tomorrow night. Speaking of tomorrow night, here’s a brief description:

The Columbus Blue Jackets invite fans to celebrate the excitement of the team’s first appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs by visiting the “March On” Pre-Game Plaza Party presented by Nationwide Insurance before the first-round home games on Tuesday, April 21, Thursday, April 23 and if necessary, Monday, April 27. The parties on the Front St. plaza will run from 3:30-6:30 p.m. before the game starts at 7 p.m. Game tickets are not required to attend and admission is open to all fans who want to enjoy the offerings of the bustling Arena District. At each party, one lucky fan will win a pair of tickets to that evening’s game.

In addition to enjoying food, beer, musical entertainment and live broadcasts from Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan and WWCD-FM/CD101, fans can stop by the Nationwide Insurance gazebo on the plaza to have a keepsake photo taken. Those fans will also receive a lanyard and ticket holder along with a Blue Jackets car flag compliments of Nationwide.

Nationwide is further celebrating the team’s postseason appearance by presenting a rally flag to all fans attending first-round games at Nationwide Arena. To compliment the rally flag giveaway, the Blue Jackets are giving fans at the first two home games a commemorative Stanley Cup Playoff ticket.

Beyond all the activity on the plaza, the Dispatch Ice Haus is offering free public skating from 4-6 p.m. Fans may bring their own skates and skate rental will be available.

On top of all that, don’t forget that Huntington Green Seats will go on sale 2 hours prior to the opening face-off and CBJ Rush tickets will be on sale 1 hour prior to the opening face-off.