Another year outside looking in at the playoffs. Sad finish to the season though there were no real hopes of competing. The simple love of hockey kept fans watching, but the team has worn its good will thin. It's time to improve the team or consider more dire changes. Hamilton anyone?
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Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Friday, April 01, 2011
So it goes
Like a microcosm if the season itself, the Jackets play hard but come up short against the Capitals. Former Jacket Chimera ends the game in overtime with a tap-in.
A few weak plays by Mason lead to the first three Capital goals. Okay, two weak plays and an unlucky bounce in his clearing attempt. Nonetheless Steve has to better control rebounds. The first goal arose from what should gave been a routine glove save. Nice goal by Upshall to tie the game at 3 in the third period. Nash sat out.
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A few weak plays by Mason lead to the first three Capital goals. Okay, two weak plays and an unlucky bounce in his clearing attempt. Nonetheless Steve has to better control rebounds. The first goal arose from what should gave been a routine glove save. Nice goal by Upshall to tie the game at 3 in the third period. Nash sat out.
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Monday, March 21, 2011
The beat goes on
All you need to know: 13 shots on goal against the Devils on Columbus ice. 3-0 loss.
If nothing else Brian Burke, the truculent one, is quotable: “I think people know my feeling on the shootout generally. It’s almost the same as if the NFL decided overtime games by throwing a ball through a tire.” Amen.
All you need to know: 13 shots on goal against the Devils on Columbus ice. 3-0 loss.
If nothing else Brian Burke, the truculent one, is quotable: “I think people know my feeling on the shootout generally. It’s almost the same as if the NFL decided overtime games by throwing a ball through a tire.” Amen.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The way they play the game
By now you have seen the video. Probably have watched it several times - in real time and in slow motion. Zdeno Chara rides Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty into a stanchion and Pacioretty drops to the ice. My first thought at the sight of the video before I knew the result, "Is he dead?" Chara doesn't strike many people as the type of guy who would intentionally injure someone. Intentionally ferociously check, yes. Injure, no.
Did he deserve a suspension? Let's be frank - Pacioretty will not play hockey for a long time, perhaps never again. Hockey is a tough, dangerous sport; no league can legislate complete safety. Without evidence as to intent, it's hard for me to insist on punishment despite the dramatic injury.
By now you have seen the video. Probably have watched it several times - in real time and in slow motion. Zdeno Chara rides Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty into a stanchion and Pacioretty drops to the ice. My first thought at the sight of the video before I knew the result, "Is he dead?" Chara doesn't strike many people as the type of guy who would intentionally injure someone. Intentionally ferociously check, yes. Injure, no.
Did he deserve a suspension? Let's be frank - Pacioretty will not play hockey for a long time, perhaps never again. Hockey is a tough, dangerous sport; no league can legislate complete safety. Without evidence as to intent, it's hard for me to insist on punishment despite the dramatic injury.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Klesla Traded
So ends an era as the original Blue Jacket was traded to Phoenix last night. Rusty Klesla, slid defenseman who has battled the injury bug, was shipped to the Coyotes for Scott Upshall and Sami Lepisto. Upshall has offensive potential from the blue line though he an unrestrcited free agent at season's end. Lepisto adds depth to the defense. Klesla simply did not stay healthy enough in his stay in Columbus. Good luck in the desert, Rusty.
So ends an era as the original Blue Jacket was traded to Phoenix last night. Rusty Klesla, slid defenseman who has battled the injury bug, was shipped to the Coyotes for Scott Upshall and Sami Lepisto. Upshall has offensive potential from the blue line though he an unrestrcited free agent at season's end. Lepisto adds depth to the defense. Klesla simply did not stay healthy enough in his stay in Columbus. Good luck in the desert, Rusty.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Stats
"Big" road win in Chicago as a team record for consecutive road wins is set at 6. After the game Chicago and Columbus have the same record: 29 W, 23 L, OTL 6. cynicism runs deep so I cannot shake the feeling that the champs are winning the tie, so to speak. A peek at the second level stats reveal my concern. Despite the tie in points after 58 games, Chicago have a big lead in goals for with 183-159. The Blackhawks also lead in goals against 174-164. Columbus goals by Calvert, Vermette, Stralman and MacKenzie. Chicago goals by Sharp (2) and Kane. Toews added two assists. Come stretch time, who would you rather have? Enough said.
It's undeniable that the team is playing better right now, but the history of this season tells us that the other side of the hill is coming. Downward again? Only time will tell. Still less than sanguine about the offense, but it's good to see wins.
"Big" road win in Chicago as a team record for consecutive road wins is set at 6. After the game Chicago and Columbus have the same record: 29 W, 23 L, OTL 6. cynicism runs deep so I cannot shake the feeling that the champs are winning the tie, so to speak. A peek at the second level stats reveal my concern. Despite the tie in points after 58 games, Chicago have a big lead in goals for with 183-159. The Blackhawks also lead in goals against 174-164. Columbus goals by Calvert, Vermette, Stralman and MacKenzie. Chicago goals by Sharp (2) and Kane. Toews added two assists. Come stretch time, who would you rather have? Enough said.
It's undeniable that the team is playing better right now, but the history of this season tells us that the other side of the hill is coming. Downward again? Only time will tell. Still less than sanguine about the offense, but it's good to see wins.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Captain
It was one of those games in which Nash asserted himself and carried the team to a win. On a night that marked the first game of the return of Forsberg, it was the Jackets captain who dominated play. After an Umberger turnover led to the opening goal for Colorado, Voracek's beautiful stop and pass to a steep angle shot for Nash led to the first goal. Later in the second period Nash stripped the puck from a defender and slipped a pass to Brassard who scored fronearly as steep an angle, though from the right, off-wing side. An empty-netter capped the win for a very solid Garon.
Forsberg was not much of a factor though his nifty feathered pass that led to an excellent scoring chance, foiled by Garon, gave a bit of a hint that the hands are still there. I like the way he plays so good luck to him in his attempt to stay healthy.
It was one of those games in which Nash asserted himself and carried the team to a win. On a night that marked the first game of the return of Forsberg, it was the Jackets captain who dominated play. After an Umberger turnover led to the opening goal for Colorado, Voracek's beautiful stop and pass to a steep angle shot for Nash led to the first goal. Later in the second period Nash stripped the puck from a defender and slipped a pass to Brassard who scored fronearly as steep an angle, though from the right, off-wing side. An empty-netter capped the win for a very solid Garon.
Forsberg was not much of a factor though his nifty feathered pass that led to an excellent scoring chance, foiled by Garon, gave a bit of a hint that the hands are still there. I like the way he plays so good luck to him in his attempt to stay healthy.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
How the NHL is broken, example 537
Taking a deep breath before starting this post... As many Jackets fans know by now, Matt Cooke hit Fedor Tyutin from behind into the glass. The play was as plainly dirty as can be. We can only be grateful that somehow Tyutin wasn't injured. Cooke gets penalized and later suspended by the league for a paltry 4 games. Not a problem, he's done it before and he'll do it again.
That's the life in the NHL and it will remain that way until The Count and his minions get serious about cleaning up the game. Apparently no one is afraid of 4 days off during a long season. Make it 10 and let's see if there is actually a deterrent created. If not, make it 20.
Idiot Pittsburgh coach Blysma, “The player looks him right in the eye and knows he’s coming and makes sure he keeps his numbers turned towards him, but Matt does hit him there and send him into the boards.” How do these words come out of his mouth without his brain stopping them? Isn't he the coach of the injured Sidney Crosby? Somehow Cooke is exonerated because Tyutin may have seen him? The onus was on Cooke and he ran Tyutin in attempt to plaster him, leaping into the defenseman's back and earning that 5 minute charging major. This hit was completely avoidable... if Cooke had respect for other players. Clearly, he respects no one.
Blysma quote from the Sporting News
Taking a deep breath before starting this post... As many Jackets fans know by now, Matt Cooke hit Fedor Tyutin from behind into the glass. The play was as plainly dirty as can be. We can only be grateful that somehow Tyutin wasn't injured. Cooke gets penalized and later suspended by the league for a paltry 4 games. Not a problem, he's done it before and he'll do it again.
That's the life in the NHL and it will remain that way until The Count and his minions get serious about cleaning up the game. Apparently no one is afraid of 4 days off during a long season. Make it 10 and let's see if there is actually a deterrent created. If not, make it 20.
Idiot Pittsburgh coach Blysma, “The player looks him right in the eye and knows he’s coming and makes sure he keeps his numbers turned towards him, but Matt does hit him there and send him into the boards.” How do these words come out of his mouth without his brain stopping them? Isn't he the coach of the injured Sidney Crosby? Somehow Cooke is exonerated because Tyutin may have seen him? The onus was on Cooke and he ran Tyutin in attempt to plaster him, leaping into the defenseman's back and earning that 5 minute charging major. This hit was completely avoidable... if Cooke had respect for other players. Clearly, he respects no one.
Blysma quote from the Sporting News
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Rare Win in Detroit
Steve Mason stops all shots to earn not only the first Blue Jacket shutout in Detroit, but the first win there in two years. Huslieus is a healthy scratch and his replacement earned an assist on Vermette's goal by slipping him a nifty pass for the one-timer blast. You can't stop him; you can only contain him: Boll gets his sixth goal of the season.
Coach Arniel said it best, "But for us now, it's about putting runs together. [Mason]'s a guy who, along with some other guys, needs to do just that." Dispatch
The hard-fought victory is meaningless if a lackluster performance follows tonight in Edmonton. The season's story has been to fall down at each opportunity to build momentum. We'll see what happens when they play the worst team, by point total, in the league.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Post-break Start
The offense scores four goals and the team loses by 3 at home. Defense was asleep for both Chicago and Columbus, but the Hawks will win the battle of offenses every time. They travel to Detroit on Friday. Good luck with that. I hate to be so pessimistic, but when you get lemons make lemonade. Now if only there were some sugar around...
The offense scores four goals and the team loses by 3 at home. Defense was asleep for both Chicago and Columbus, but the Hawks will win the battle of offenses every time. They travel to Detroit on Friday. Good luck with that. I hate to be so pessimistic, but when you get lemons make lemonade. Now if only there were some sugar around...
Monday, January 24, 2011
All-Star Let-Down
Bored at the break. The team lingers slightly above .500 and has won three of their last five games. Yet no excitement based on the long-term lack of offense. 28th in power play and 2.58 goal per game. 25th in the league with 3.06 goals against shows that the defense is not getting it done either.
Stat that may only interest me: Jared Boll is at 0 +/- rating. Don't get me wrong – I think that's great. Hard to imagine really given his role. The Bollster has surprised this season with periodic scoring: 5 goals and 129 penalty minutes. Klesla leads the team with a +10 rating. For perspective, Andrej Meszaros of the Flyers leads the league with an astounding +29.
Bored at the break. The team lingers slightly above .500 and has won three of their last five games. Yet no excitement based on the long-term lack of offense. 28th in power play and 2.58 goal per game. 25th in the league with 3.06 goals against shows that the defense is not getting it done either.
Stat that may only interest me: Jared Boll is at 0 +/- rating. Don't get me wrong – I think that's great. Hard to imagine really given his role. The Bollster has surprised this season with periodic scoring: 5 goals and 129 penalty minutes. Klesla leads the team with a +10 rating. For perspective, Andrej Meszaros of the Flyers leads the league with an astounding +29.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
0 for 2011
Happy New Year, Jackets fans! We're celebrating the new year just not by failing to win, but the team has decided to look like a poor AHL team. Until the second period goal, the team had surrendered twelve consecutive goals without a tally in response.
They fired Hitchcock almost a year ago. I know - he was holding back Filatov. How has that gone for you, Howson?
Happy New Year, Jackets fans! We're celebrating the new year just not by failing to win, but the team has decided to look like a poor AHL team. Until the second period goal, the team had surrendered twelve consecutive goals without a tally in response.
They fired Hitchcock almost a year ago. I know - he was holding back Filatov. How has that gone for you, Howson?
Sunday, January 02, 2011
2010
What promise 2010 had at it's beginning. Coming off of playoffs and solid play, fans were thirsting for more. What was hope later became apathy as the team's moves addressed no glaring needs and the magical ride was not repeated. 2010 sadly ends with three wins in a row and very few excited about the streak. What a difference a year makes.
Too bad the rain detracted from the annual outdoor stunt. Seemed as if the night game was poorly lit. I have never had trouble following the puck on tv before. Likely due to bad conditions. I hope fans in Pittsburgh had a better view than the home-watching audience.
Too bad the rain detracted from the annual outdoor stunt. Seemed as if the night game was poorly lit. I have never had trouble following the puck on tv before. Likely due to bad conditions. I hope fans in Pittsburgh had a better view than the home-watching audience.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
6 of 7
The Jackets have now lost six of seven after tonight's 4-1 drubbing at the hands of the Blackhawks. They fired Ken Hitchcock for a slump after making the playoffs. Well perhaps it's not the coaching. The league's preposterous points system keeps the team artificially looking like it's in the race, but we should know better. Time to beat the dead horse - No offense means no meaningful playoff expectations. With no prospects for change, its already time to think about next year. Sad.
Monday, December 20, 2010
The Downward Spiral
Four in a row. Losses. Poor play, often masked by superb goaltending, rises to the surface. If the game turns on one play, the team is making the wrong choice. Klesla's gaffe leading to an easy goal in Vancouver, squandering a game full of great saves by Garon, comes to mind. Tuesday is Calgary, in a down year and a Western conference member, in Columbus and it feels like a must-win to me.
Four in a row. Losses. Poor play, often masked by superb goaltending, rises to the surface. If the game turns on one play, the team is making the wrong choice. Klesla's gaffe leading to an easy goal in Vancouver, squandering a game full of great saves by Garon, comes to mind. Tuesday is Calgary, in a down year and a Western conference member, in Columbus and it feels like a must-win to me.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Up and Down
WIn one, lose one. The team beats the Rangers then loses in OT to Calgary. It's a maddeningly inconsistent team. Filatov to minors, Huselius off of injured list. Crowds will not return to Nationwide until the ship steadies and while I hope for success, how does one conjure the belief that the offense will get better? Based on what changes?
We'll see what happens in Vancouver. As always, pray for solid defense, a Nash goal or two and magic from the goalie, be it Mason or Garon.
WIn one, lose one. The team beats the Rangers then loses in OT to Calgary. It's a maddeningly inconsistent team. Filatov to minors, Huselius off of injured list. Crowds will not return to Nationwide until the ship steadies and while I hope for success, how does one conjure the belief that the offense will get better? Based on what changes?
We'll see what happens in Vancouver. As always, pray for solid defense, a Nash goal or two and magic from the goalie, be it Mason or Garon.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Outplayed
4-1 loss in St. Louis where the team inexplicably decided to wait to the third period to show up. Power plays turned this game: the Blues went a remarkable 3-3 while the usually hapless Jackets went 0-8. Still 29th in the league in power play efficiency, the team's struggle with the man advantage is just an extension of the overall poor performance on offense. The penalty kill unit has now slipped to a disappointing 23rd place. Special teams like this will yield no playoffs.
4-1 loss in St. Louis where the team inexplicably decided to wait to the third period to show up. Power plays turned this game: the Blues went a remarkable 3-3 while the usually hapless Jackets went 0-8. Still 29th in the league in power play efficiency, the team's struggle with the man advantage is just an extension of the overall poor performance on offense. The penalty kill unit has now slipped to a disappointing 23rd place. Special teams like this will yield no playoffs.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
OT Win
Last minute goal from Nash with Garon pulled ties the game in the third and the Jackets win the shootout. Great work by someone (Umberger, I think, getting mashed but holding his ground) in front of the net as Nash inched closer before netting the tying goal, his 14th of the season. Early goal for Russell, who joins the rush and converts a nice pass from Vermette. With the offense lagging, the defensemen need to step it up. Garon only faces 16 shots (and gave up a softie on Richard's shot that somehow got through his glove) as Columbus outshoots Dallas 29-16. Wilson's wrister beats Lehtonen blocker side for the win in the shootout.
Last minute goal from Nash with Garon pulled ties the game in the third and the Jackets win the shootout. Great work by someone (Umberger, I think, getting mashed but holding his ground) in front of the net as Nash inched closer before netting the tying goal, his 14th of the season. Early goal for Russell, who joins the rush and converts a nice pass from Vermette. With the offense lagging, the defensemen need to step it up. Garon only faces 16 shots (and gave up a softie on Richard's shot that somehow got through his glove) as Columbus outshoots Dallas 29-16. Wilson's wrister beats Lehtonen blocker side for the win in the shootout.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Stampeded 5-0
Describing the effort against the Sabres in Buffalo as poor would understate the matter. Rick Nash said, "We just didn’t seem ready from the start. It was a poor effort.” Umberger noted, "“Too many guys on vacation. It was probably our worst effort in a while. We’re not going to win any games like that.” The Jackets managed only 19 shots on a bored Ryan Miller. A horrible, horrible showing.
Describing the effort against the Sabres in Buffalo as poor would understate the matter. Rick Nash said, "We just didn’t seem ready from the start. It was a poor effort.” Umberger noted, "“Too many guys on vacation. It was probably our worst effort in a while. We’re not going to win any games like that.” The Jackets managed only 19 shots on a bored Ryan Miller. A horrible, horrible showing.
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