The Claude Noel era got off to the right start on Thursday night, but will the Jackets be able to sustain the energy found with a new coach?
7:00pm EST, Fox Sports Ohio, High Definition
That Jackets could be without the services of Tyutin tonight as he left practice early on Friday and also the morning skate Saturday morning. If Tyutin sits, the CBJ will be without 3 of their top 4 defenseman, Commodore, Klesla, and now Tyutin. In other “news” winger Freddy Modin is out again with an injury and Mike Blunden is on his way up from the ‘Cuse”.
Very interesting last couple of days with the firing of Hitch, installment of Noel and all that brings, and being able to watch the last couple practices. Friday’s practice was very exciting with lots of break-out practice and some nice drilling of point-shot deflections. Going into Noel’s second game I expect to see a few more subtle differences in the way the CBJ do things.
The biggest difference on Thursday night were two things: Playing time deep into the game and how the Jackets gain the zone. A much more balanced use of all 4 lines was clear and should be able to keep players fresher for longer. There wasn’t a complete abandonment of dumping the puck or pulling back defencemen either, but there were definite times when the “Hitch-Jackets” would have dumped and changed where the “Noel-Jackets” carried into the zone and tried to generate something.
Should be an exciting night tonight in Nationwide as there will be a lot of Buffalo fans in attendance. Word yesterday had Ryan Miller taking a night off tonight, but some sources have Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff sticking with his number one.
As Claude Noel suggested on the radio this morning, its time for the fans to “take another step” in their vocal support of the team at home in Nationwide.
GO JACKETS!!!
