CannonFest 2011 is tomorrow at 2:00pm. I could not be more ready to get back to following my favorite sport and team in the world, free of tattoo scandals, wildly huge fan bases (with mentally handicapped owners, Cincinnati Bengals anyone?), and all the other drama seemingly spreading like an epidemic through the sports world.

Hockey has always been a great escape from the worries of my job and the real world since I first got into the sport, and for the last few months I have certainly been missing it.

Of course, it’s impossible to not be excited with this summer’s acquisitions of Jeff Carter and James Wisniewski, and don’t get me wrong, I am really looking forward to seeing what they can do for the Blue Jackets. But watching the draft, trades, and free agency has still left a certain something missing.

The social aspect of being a hockey fan, and especially a Blue Jackets fan, is what makes this fun. Beyond the goals scored, the big hits, and lame fights (ahem, Jared Boll), the camaraderie makes this worth being a part of and sharing with those around you.

Kudos to the organizers of Cannonfest 2011 for what will surely be another great afternoon in the middle of August! Looking forward to seeing all of you tomorrow at CannonFest.

The Jackets travel to Minnesota for their final tilt with the Wild of the 2010-11 season.

2:00pm EST, Xcel Energy Center

Fox Sports Ohio, High Definition

Well after Thursday’s listless loss to the Red Wings, and the awakening of spring, and the start of the NCAA Basketball tournament, I guess it’s okay if Blue Jackets fans start to let other distractions come before the CBJ.

The Jackets may not be mathematically eliminated yet, but for all intents and purposes, the season is officially over.

There were good moments, there were bad, but the Jackets were usually fun to watch, barring those pesky losing streaks where it seemed all hope was lost.

Here’s what I’m looking for in the remaining games:

NO major injuries

How well (or poorly) will upcoming UFA’s and RFA’s play? (Can you imagine how much money GM SH has saved by NOT resigning Jake Voracek last summer?”

How well will the young guys play on a team that has nothing to play for?

Get outside and enjoy the weather, but take a few minutes to check in on your favorite hockey team.

Go Jackets.

With the possibility of playoffs this spring all but eliminated, the Jackets can still put on a show for their fans and spoil the Red Wangs’ St. Patrick’s Day.

7:00pm EST, Nationwide Arena

Fox Sports Ohio, High Definition

With the recently improved, but not necessarily winning, play of the Jackets, one would have to believe they have a decent chance in tonight’s match-up.

The Wings are coming off or a win last night in Detroit over Washington. The Caps were winners of 9 straight, and now the Red Wings take over with a streak of their own, winning 3 straight.

The Jackets are somewhat known for getting thrashed around by legitimate cup contenders at this time of year. It’s hard to forget what happened against Detroit after the famous 8-2 CBJ win in Motown.

I want to take a second and apologize for the lack of posts in the past week. My teaching duties took over my life through last Friday, and that was immediately followed by a road trip to the CBJ-Carolina game, and then followed by the unfortunate and shocking death of my cat. Not to sound cliché, but it has been a rollercoaster of a week.

Now, get out there, enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, and beat Detroit!

Go Jackets.

The road trip from hell was exactly that. Now the CBJ return to Nationwide for two desperately needed points.

7:00pm EST, Nationwide Arena

Fox Sports Ohio, Standard Definition

The Jackets are desperate. They may have already given up for all we know. But like the unabashed fan that I am, I’m still going to the game, still going to cheer loudly, and still going to have fun.

It is possible that Derick Brassard will make his (hopefully) triumphant return to the line-up tonight. I don’t expect it, especially against a team known for goonery like St. Louis. That is unless everyone around him has his back.

Not a surprise is the expected start of goaltender Mathieu Garon.

I don’t care if it’s a blowout or a shootout win, just find a way to win boys, make the drive well worth it.

Go Jackets.

It almost seems an eternity ago that the Blue Jackets were smashing the Blues in St. Louis to really get their winning ways going. Maybe there’s enough gas in the tank to make things interesting for the final 17 games…

9:00pm EST, Scottrade Center

Fox Sports Ohio, High Definition

Just prior to the All-Star Break the CBJ had lost 7 of their previous 8 games and were limping their way to another lottery draft pick. The dug deep to get 2 points (in OT) in Florida, and then waltzed into St. Louis and smashed the Blues 5-2 on a Saturday night.

The Blues and Jackets are both limping into this game, also losers of 4 straight games.

No word on a CBJ starting goalie, but the Blues are starting Ty Conklin in net tonight.

It’s a very deflating feeling, knowing the season is maybe days away from being over (only about 3 or 4 losses to give)… but as a fan this is when the team needs your support the most.

Go Jackets.

Wait, there was a game last night?

The Jackets lost to Edmonton?

Their playoff chances are next to nil?

Bah.

9:00pm EST, Scotiabank Saddledome

Fox Sports Ohio, Standard Definition

Look people, we all said the season was over, multiple times, back in December and January, and frankly something had to give during this “feel-good” streak the Blue Jackets had put together.

Teams around them kept winning, and the Blue Jackets kept pace. Unfortunately the injuries and slumps didn’t hit the teams around the CBJ in the standings, it hit the Jackets directly on the forehead. The oft-injured Rusty Klesla, the disappointing season of Kristian Huselius, the streakiness of Antoine Vermette, the out-of-nowhere injury to Stralman (right as he picked up his play), and the most unfortunate of all, Derick Brassard’s hand/wrist injury. It shouldn’t have been the shock that it is that the Blue Jackets have all but officially slumped themselves out of it.

The odd thing? 13-5-1 still gives the Jackets a pretty fair chance at making it to the top 8…

I wouldn’t be surprised to see sweeping changes to the line-up and lines tonight, especially after this quote from Arniel last night:

So when asked about the play of goaltender Steve Mason, the Jackets coach lumped it into a whole bag of ugly.

“He was one of 20 guys (who) was awful tonight,” Arniel fumed.

 

I imagine it’s safe to bet that the only 3 guys he says showed up in his own mind were Umberger, Upshall, and either Dorsett or Garon. Kinda hard to disagree with him, too.

The Jackets still have time, but it is fleeting.

They must make the most of the energy of desperation tonight.

Go Jackets.

In Western Canada is where Columbus Blue Jackets Seasons go to die… or find a way to survive.

10:00pm EST, Rogers Arena

Fox Sports Ohio, High Definition

The 2010-2011 season hangs in the balance this week as the Jackets enter the always-tough 3-game swing through Western Canada. Vancouver has been a juggernaut so far this season in the NHL, earning a 39-15-9 (87 points) record, and first place in the Western Conference.

The Jackets meanwhile sit in 12th place and a record of 31-24-6 (68 points), 4 points out of tying for 8th place in the conference.

The big push has to start tonight as SportsClubStats.com predicts a point cutoff of 96 for the 8th place team this season… or a record of 13-6-2 the rest of the season for the CBJ.

I don’t know about all of you, but I’m kind of excited to have REASON to stay up late and watch our team fight and scrap for a playoff spot.

Not to mention, the newly acquired Blue Jackets will almost certainly make their debut tonight!

Exciting times.

Go Jackets.

The streaking Blue Jackets, winners of 5 of the last 6 games, travel to the slumping Predators, losers of 4 straight, and winning only 1 in their last 6, for a place the Jackets seldom find success.

3:00pm EST, Bridgestone Arena

Fox Sports Ohio, High Definition

The 5 game road trip to make or break the season begins this afternoon. Five games, Nashville, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, St. Louis. Finding a way to claim any points today in Nashville would get the road trip going in the best way possible.

The Preds are a banged up and probably pretty pissed off. The Jackets are playing excellent hockey, and even when they’re not, they’ve made up for it pretty easily.

Expect the same line-up as Friday’s huge win over Phoenix, newly claimed Craig Rivet will not make his debut today.

An exciting 24 hours awaits with today’s game and the NHL Trade Deadline coming tomorrow afternoon at 3:00pm EST.

Who to root for today:

CBJ over Preds

Blues over Flames

Avs over Ducks

Coyotes over Blackhawks

Again, overtime is ALWAYS bad and some games have no real “winner” when it comes to “rooting for” versus “needing someone to win”.

Go Jackets.

23 Games to go, 2 of them coming immediately before the trade deadline, but looming even larger is the 5 game road trip that starts after tonight.

7:00pm EST, Nationwide Arena

Fox Sports Ohio, High Definition

The Blue Jackets 16 game run of 10-3-3, and 5 straight games with points, has optimism pouring from nearly every fan, player, reporter, and front office-type in the CBJ organization.

The Jackets have solidified themselves as “buyers” at the NHL trade deadline coming up at 3:00pm, Monday. The lack of rumors floating around, to me, is a good omen. Scott Howson has played things close to the chest from the get go as CBJ General Manager, but maybe the lack or rumors is a sign of no moves to come. DBJ suggest “standing pat” is the way to go for the Jackets.

I would like to see a move made to bring in top 4 defensive help. It’s a need that has been there for a very long time and whether it be a shutdown-type of player or a power play quarterback-type of player, the D-corps could still use some tweaking.

The stretch of very good games being played all-around will come to an end at some point. I’m not calling for a total collapse, but eventually Anton Stralman (or someone else) will return to their questionable-play-ways.

The Jackets must find a way to win tonight before the onslaught of next week’s road trip begins. The Coyotes are coming off one of their worst losses of the season (8-3 in Tampa), but get this, they’ve also lost 6-1 (at Pitt) and 6-0 (vs. Van) this season. To add to that is the CBJ’s lack of success against the NHL’s own team. The Jackets have sputtered along, going 1-8-1 against Phoenix over the last 3 seasons… ouch.

Two hungry teams will go at it, and hard, tonight in Columbus. This is a pivotal match-up to make all in Columbus begin to truly believe, or leave Nationwide Arena muttering “same old Jackets”. A lot of you already believe, but I lump myself in with the aforementioned group. Tonight is decision time, and with Sunday’s trip to Nashville ahead… the Jackets need to win at least 1 game this weekend.

Who to root for:

CBJ over Coyotes

Sharks over Flames

Ducks over Wild

Oilers over Blues

Go Jackets.

With only 3 games remaining before the NHL Trade Deadline, and 2 games with the Nashville Predators looming, the pressure on the team, coaching staff, and front office comes to a head with the final 3 games in February.

7:00pm EST, Nationwide Arena

Fox Sports Ohio, High Definition

In the previous 3 meetings this season the Blue Jackets have won in shutout fashion, lost in a shootout, and lost handily at the hands of Trotz’s Tots. The two games the Jackets have gained points in came in the friendly confines of Nationwide, and the listless loss came in Nashville (no surprise there). With 2 games remaining after tonight, one against the ‘Yotes, and another in Nashville, the necessity of these points cannot be overstated.

In cased you missed it yesterday, the one game that could help the Blue Jackets achieve their “race for 8th” went the wrong way… of course. The Blues lost to the Blackhawks last night 5-3 making last Friday’s win in Chicago by the CBJ that much more important.

Tonight there awaits a slew of games that will impact the Jackets in the standings:

CBJ over Preds

Oilers over Wild

Devils over Stars

Flyers over Coyotes

Red Wings over Sharks

Blues over Avs

Also going down yesterday was a pretty big trade between the Penguins and Stars. The Stars sent winger James Neal and d-man Matt Niskanen to Pittsburgh for up-and-coming d-man Alex Goligoski. One might say Pittsburgh won this trade… by a lot.

Tonight should be a great test of the Jackets. The best news for the Jackets is that Preds defenseman, Ryan Suter, is OUT for tonight’s game. But that doesn’t change the fact that the Jackets just plain suck more often than not against the Predators.

Tonight it gets real. If the last 8+ games weren’t enough to fire you up, then tonight ought to do the trick.

Go Jackets.