Tough Loss
The Devils make a second period goal hold up as they edge the Blue Jackets 1-0 in New Jersey. Lecalire plays his second consecutive solid game, but this time he is outdone by future hall of famer Martin Brodeur.
Rebounds: The Devils won the faceoff battle by an unbelievable 35-10. Jody Shelley has 4:46 of ice time and 17 penalty minutes. The teams went a combined 90-9 on the power play.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Shut Out
Pascal Leclaire earns his first shutout of the season as the Jackets beat the Kings in Columbus 2-0. Goals by Zherdev and Modin power the team to a much needed victory in a game dominated by Los Angeles and won by superior goalie play. The team gave their confidence in the off-season by promoting Leclaire to starter through the trade of Marc Denis.
Rebounds: Despite winning 2-0 the Jackets were badly outshot, 38-14. Suffice to say that they will not win many other games when they are out shot by a whopping 24. Both teams combine for 0-13 on the power play.
Pascal Leclaire earns his first shutout of the season as the Jackets beat the Kings in Columbus 2-0. Goals by Zherdev and Modin power the team to a much needed victory in a game dominated by Los Angeles and won by superior goalie play. The team gave their confidence in the off-season by promoting Leclaire to starter through the trade of Marc Denis.
Rebounds: Despite winning 2-0 the Jackets were badly outshot, 38-14. Suffice to say that they will not win many other games when they are out shot by a whopping 24. Both teams combine for 0-13 on the power play.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
San Jose 3 Columbus 0
The Jackets lose again on home ice and now four straight overall. The offense looked invisible as there were many players with significant ice time that could not manage a shot on goal. Add to that yielding two power play goals and you have a sad looking loss at home to a better team.
The Jackets lose again on home ice and now four straight overall. The offense looked invisible as there were many players with significant ice time that could not manage a shot on goal. Add to that yielding two power play goals and you have a sad looking loss at home to a better team.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Wild 5 Jackets 0
There's no way (or reason) to sugar coat this one: the Blue Jackets were crushed by Minnesota on the road. Continuing their torrid start, Minnesota moves to 5-0-0 on the season. Best to put this one behind them and move on to the next game. It's a long season and it was a long game tonight.
Rebounds: Shelly had 8:02 ice time and 7 penalty minutes. The formerly hot power play unit went 0-3; Minnesota converted 2-7 power play chances. In the second period rookie Fredrik Norrena made his NHL debut when he replaced a shelled Leclaire after Pascal gave up four goals.
There's no way (or reason) to sugar coat this one: the Blue Jackets were crushed by Minnesota on the road. Continuing their torrid start, Minnesota moves to 5-0-0 on the season. Best to put this one behind them and move on to the next game. It's a long season and it was a long game tonight.
Rebounds: Shelly had 8:02 ice time and 7 penalty minutes. The formerly hot power play unit went 0-3; Minnesota converted 2-7 power play chances. In the second period rookie Fredrik Norrena made his NHL debut when he replaced a shelled Leclaire after Pascal gave up four goals.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Columbus 5 Phoenix 1
Nikolai Zherdev made his season debut and netted two goals, and Duvie Westcott, David Vyborny and Rick Nash had three points each. Leclaire has his first strong game of the season, stopping 23 of 24 shots.
Rebounds: The Jackets were 3-12 on the power play and shut out the Coyotes 0-9.
Nikolai Zherdev made his season debut and netted two goals, and Duvie Westcott, David Vyborny and Rick Nash had three points each. Leclaire has his first strong game of the season, stopping 23 of 24 shots.
Rebounds: The Jackets were 3-12 on the power play and shut out the Coyotes 0-9.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Road Win in Chicago
Rick Nash scored two goals and teh power play unit continued its strong play, scoring three times on four power play opportunities. Defense was limited for both sides, but it was fun to see the offenses go at each other. Duvie Westcott's second period goal was the game winner as the Jackets had to weather the comeback by Chicago in the third period.
Rebounds: Game with 9 goals had only 46 shots combined. While Jody Shelley has played less than 9 minutes in the last two games, last night Adam Foote was on the ice for 30+ minutes.
Rick Nash scored two goals and teh power play unit continued its strong play, scoring three times on four power play opportunities. Defense was limited for both sides, but it was fun to see the offenses go at each other. Duvie Westcott's second period goal was the game winner as the Jackets had to weather the comeback by Chicago in the third period.
Rebounds: Game with 9 goals had only 46 shots combined. While Jody Shelley has played less than 9 minutes in the last two games, last night Adam Foote was on the ice for 30+ minutes.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Jackets Drop Season Opener
In the home and season opener for Columbus, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Blue Jackets 3-2 on an overtime goal by Daniel Sedin. After a good preseason, the Jackets were outshot 44-20 by the Canucks.
The Jackets jumped out to a two goal lead after power play tallies by Mark Hartigan and David Vyborny. Good to see the power play unit start strong by going 2-5.
Nikolai Zherdev and Rusty Klesla did not play for Columbus. Rusty is erving a two game suspension for a hit in the preseason. Bryan Berard and Sergei Federov start the season on injured reserve.
In the home and season opener for Columbus, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Blue Jackets 3-2 on an overtime goal by Daniel Sedin. After a good preseason, the Jackets were outshot 44-20 by the Canucks.
The Jackets jumped out to a two goal lead after power play tallies by Mark Hartigan and David Vyborny. Good to see the power play unit start strong by going 2-5.
Nikolai Zherdev and Rusty Klesla did not play for Columbus. Rusty is erving a two game suspension for a hit in the preseason. Bryan Berard and Sergei Federov start the season on injured reserve.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Zherdev in the Fold
Free agent Nikolai Zherdev finally signed and ended months of negotiations that looked to land him back home in Russia. Zherdev signed a 3-year deal estimated to be worth more than $7 million. It si encouraging to see the Jackets nail down a potential star. Now if he can raise his game as high as his salary, then we'll have something.
Free agent Nikolai Zherdev finally signed and ended months of negotiations that looked to land him back home in Russia. Zherdev signed a 3-year deal estimated to be worth more than $7 million. It si encouraging to see the Jackets nail down a potential star. Now if he can raise his game as high as his salary, then we'll have something.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Preseason: Columbus 4 Carolina 2
The Jackets earn a solid win at home against the champs with a four goal frenzy in the third period. Rick Nash scores two in the final period to go along with goals by Fritsche and Platt. Each team had 29 shots on goal. Carolina was 2-7 oon teh power play while Columbus was a wretched 0-7.
Nikolai Zherdev: the club has offered him $6.9 million for three years, and there were no talks last week. Hard to imagine passing up that much money. We'll miss his scoring even if it did come in streaks. It is looking grim for signing him as the season opener is only two weeks away.
The Jackets earn a solid win at home against the champs with a four goal frenzy in the third period. Rick Nash scores two in the final period to go along with goals by Fritsche and Platt. Each team had 29 shots on goal. Carolina was 2-7 oon teh power play while Columbus was a wretched 0-7.
Nikolai Zherdev: the club has offered him $6.9 million for three years, and there were no talks last week. Hard to imagine passing up that much money. We'll miss his scoring even if it did come in streaks. It is looking grim for signing him as the season opener is only two weeks away.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Preseason: Nashville 8 Columbus 1
Ugly road game loss. The lone Jackets goal in the midst of an avalanche of Nashville offense belonged to Alexandre Picard, who scored on the power play in the second period assisted by Anders Eriksson and Fredrik Modin. That was the highlight. Really. After starting the season with two wins, we should look past this one and move on.Ugh.
Ugly road game loss. The lone Jackets goal in the midst of an avalanche of Nashville offense belonged to Alexandre Picard, who scored on the power play in the second period assisted by Anders Eriksson and Fredrik Modin. That was the highlight. Really. After starting the season with two wins, we should look past this one and move on.Ugh.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Changes Left and Right
So ends the lazy summer as the past few weeks have brought several changes altering the face of the team, including the trading of starting goalie Marc Denis.
On Friday, the Jackets dealt Denis to Tampa Bay for left wing Fredrik Modin and goaltender Fredrik Norrena. A former all-star, Modin adds size (6'4") and needed scoring punch. Denis played solidly for the Blue Jackets despite having less than adequate defensive help throughout most of his career in Columbus. Good luck to Marc.
Shortly thereafter Columbus resigned Pascal Leclaire to a two year deal. leclaire, a former number one pick from 2001, began to supplant Denis last season. The team finished striong and Leclaire was a big part of the turn-around. He finished the season with a respectable 3.23 GAA.
The Blue Jackets followed up the Leclaire signing by resigning defenseman Ron Hainsey. The 25-year-old blueliner set a team record with a +13 rating for last season and was another part of the spirited play that capped the season.
Preceding these important deals were signings that should help with adding needed depth to the roster: defenseman Anders Eriksson, center Alexander Svitov, goaltender Ty Conklin and defenseman Tomas Kloucek. Eriksson comes back to the Jackets after being away for a couple of years, as does Svitov who played the last few seasons in the Russian Elite League. Conklin has been a solid backup for Edmonton (despite committing a notorious gaffe that cost them a game in the finals last season). The imposing Kloucek stands at 6'3" and weighs in at 235 pounds.
Columbus agreed on a contract with 2005 third-round draft pick Kris Russell.
So ends the lazy summer as the past few weeks have brought several changes altering the face of the team, including the trading of starting goalie Marc Denis.
On Friday, the Jackets dealt Denis to Tampa Bay for left wing Fredrik Modin and goaltender Fredrik Norrena. A former all-star, Modin adds size (6'4") and needed scoring punch. Denis played solidly for the Blue Jackets despite having less than adequate defensive help throughout most of his career in Columbus. Good luck to Marc.
Shortly thereafter Columbus resigned Pascal Leclaire to a two year deal. leclaire, a former number one pick from 2001, began to supplant Denis last season. The team finished striong and Leclaire was a big part of the turn-around. He finished the season with a respectable 3.23 GAA.
The Blue Jackets followed up the Leclaire signing by resigning defenseman Ron Hainsey. The 25-year-old blueliner set a team record with a +13 rating for last season and was another part of the spirited play that capped the season.
Preceding these important deals were signings that should help with adding needed depth to the roster: defenseman Anders Eriksson, center Alexander Svitov, goaltender Ty Conklin and defenseman Tomas Kloucek. Eriksson comes back to the Jackets after being away for a couple of years, as does Svitov who played the last few seasons in the Russian Elite League. Conklin has been a solid backup for Edmonton (despite committing a notorious gaffe that cost them a game in the finals last season). The imposing Kloucek stands at 6'3" and weighs in at 235 pounds.
Columbus agreed on a contract with 2005 third-round draft pick Kris Russell.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Draft 2006 - Brassard in Round One
With the sixth pick in the draft's first round Columbus selected center Derick Brassard. Last season Brassard had 116 points (with 44 goals) in Major Junior Hockey League. Brassard will be 19 in September and stands at 6'0" and weighs 172 pounds.
The French Canadian draftee will have a chance to display his strengths: quickness and playmaker ability. The Jackets need strong center play to complement the other young goal scorers like Nash and Zherdev. It will be interesting to see with who Brassard gets paired with next season.
With the sixth pick in the draft's first round Columbus selected center Derick Brassard. Last season Brassard had 116 points (with 44 goals) in Major Junior Hockey League. Brassard will be 19 in September and stands at 6'0" and weighs 172 pounds.
The French Canadian draftee will have a chance to display his strengths: quickness and playmaker ability. The Jackets need strong center play to complement the other young goal scorers like Nash and Zherdev. It will be interesting to see with who Brassard gets paired with next season.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Columbus 5 Dallas 4, OT
The Blue Jackets close out the season with a home ice overtime victory. The team gutted out a third period charge by Dallas as fans saw a 3-1 lead evaporate into a 4-3 deficit. On the power play Mark Hartigan scored the tying goal with less than a minute left in the game. In overtime, Sergei Federov scored on the power play, assisted by Hartigan and Vyborny.
Other Columbus goals scored by Vyborny, Letowski and Pushor. Denis faces 36 shots from Dallas including 15 in the third period.
Good news... Before the game the team announced that Rusty Klesla had been signed to a four year deal. Ron Hainsey ended the season +13.
The Blue Jackets close out the season with a home ice overtime victory. The team gutted out a third period charge by Dallas as fans saw a 3-1 lead evaporate into a 4-3 deficit. On the power play Mark Hartigan scored the tying goal with less than a minute left in the game. In overtime, Sergei Federov scored on the power play, assisted by Hartigan and Vyborny.
Other Columbus goals scored by Vyborny, Letowski and Pushor. Denis faces 36 shots from Dallas including 15 in the third period.
Good news... Before the game the team announced that Rusty Klesla had been signed to a four year deal. Ron Hainsey ended the season +13.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Columbus 4 St. Louis 1
The Jackets continue their strong play shutting down the Blues. Sergei Federov played one of his better games as a Blue Jacket, scoring a power play goal and an assist. Mark Hartigan, Aaron Johnson and Manny Malhotra had the other goals for Columbus. Solid pressure kept St. Louis at bay for the entire game.
Paul Leclaire was again solid in goal. He is an impressive 9-6-2 in his last eighteen games. Leclaire and Denis have not gotten enough ink for their contribution to the second-half turnaround by the Blue Jackets. The team has a solid tandem that hopefully will be back next year to build upon this season's effort.
The Jackets continue their strong play shutting down the Blues. Sergei Federov played one of his better games as a Blue Jacket, scoring a power play goal and an assist. Mark Hartigan, Aaron Johnson and Manny Malhotra had the other goals for Columbus. Solid pressure kept St. Louis at bay for the entire game.
Paul Leclaire was again solid in goal. He is an impressive 9-6-2 in his last eighteen games. Leclaire and Denis have not gotten enough ink for their contribution to the second-half turnaround by the Blue Jackets. The team has a solid tandem that hopefully will be back next year to build upon this season's effort.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Detroit 6 Columbus 5, SO
A hat trick by Rick Nash was not enough to beat a tough Red Wings squad on Detroit ice.
Nash and the Jackets gave the Wings a scare with another third period comeback, but Legace stoned Columbus in the shootout.
Hard to find good things in a loss, but the continued strong play from the offense is fun to watch. While we knew Nash was the real deal, the continued strong play of Mark Hartigan during this late season end run has been exciting.
Misc: Nash's final goal was scored after Denis had been pulled for an extra skater. Detroit won the faceoff battle by a huge margin: 48-26. Zherdev missed his second game in a row with a bad knee.
A hat trick by Rick Nash was not enough to beat a tough Red Wings squad on Detroit ice.
Nash and the Jackets gave the Wings a scare with another third period comeback, but Legace stoned Columbus in the shootout.
Hard to find good things in a loss, but the continued strong play from the offense is fun to watch. While we knew Nash was the real deal, the continued strong play of Mark Hartigan during this late season end run has been exciting.
Misc: Nash's final goal was scored after Denis had been pulled for an extra skater. Detroit won the faceoff battle by a huge margin: 48-26. Zherdev missed his second game in a row with a bad knee.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Columbus 3 Nashville 1
Six in a row! Another impressive road victory for the team that no one wants to play yet will not be in the playoffs. Chimera, Malhotra and Hartigan scored for Columbus. During this late season surge Chimera and Hartigan have been playing very solidly for the Jackets.
Lecalire stops 36 of 37 shots on goal for the victory. Columbus has gotten solid play from Leclaire and Denis and the defense in general in the season's second half.
A sign of the solid team play: in terms of +/- ratio, last night 12 Blue Jackets were at least +1 and no one was negative.
Six in a row! Another impressive road victory for the team that no one wants to play yet will not be in the playoffs. Chimera, Malhotra and Hartigan scored for Columbus. During this late season surge Chimera and Hartigan have been playing very solidly for the Jackets.
Lecalire stops 36 of 37 shots on goal for the victory. Columbus has gotten solid play from Leclaire and Denis and the defense in general in the season's second half.
A sign of the solid team play: in terms of +/- ratio, last night 12 Blue Jackets were at least +1 and no one was negative.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Columbus 5 Chicago 2
Another good win powered by a strong third period. Goals by Hartigan (2), Balastik and Vyborny helped the Jackets to their third straight win. Zherdev had the other goal for Columbus. Mark Denis was sharp in goal, stopping 27 of 29 shots.
Despite being out of the playoff race, it is exciting to see how Gallant has the team playing now: playing strong through the end of the game. I hate to see the season come to a close given the team's strong play. Next season they need to jump out of the gate and build upon this year's finish. I can't wait to see a healthy Rick Nash and Nikolai Zherdev for a full season.
Another good win powered by a strong third period. Goals by Hartigan (2), Balastik and Vyborny helped the Jackets to their third straight win. Zherdev had the other goal for Columbus. Mark Denis was sharp in goal, stopping 27 of 29 shots.
Despite being out of the playoff race, it is exciting to see how Gallant has the team playing now: playing strong through the end of the game. I hate to see the season come to a close given the team's strong play. Next season they need to jump out of the gate and build upon this year's finish. I can't wait to see a healthy Rick Nash and Nikolai Zherdev for a full season.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Columbus 4 St. Louis 2
The Jackets do what they need to do to move to the next level: put away games against teams they should beat. A solid road win powered by two goals from the hot Rick Nash.
Balastik and Chimera had the other goals for the Blue Jackets. Lalime stops 28 of 30 shots for the victory. Good special team play as they went 1-4 (Nash) on the power play and they killed off all seven chance by St. Louis.
The Jackets do what they need to do to move to the next level: put away games against teams they should beat. A solid road win powered by two goals from the hot Rick Nash.
Balastik and Chimera had the other goals for the Blue Jackets. Lalime stops 28 of 30 shots for the victory. Good special team play as they went 1-4 (Nash) on the power play and they killed off all seven chance by St. Louis.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Columbus 4 San Jose 1
The Blue Jackets win another game with hard work through the third period. Like their recent victory over Detroit, the Jackets were powered by third period scoring and defense. This home ice victory against a good team in the same week they beat a tough Detroit squad hopefully will boost confidence. Clearly the Jackets, when motivated, can compete with any team in the league.
Rick Nash continued his torrid streak scoring two goals, one in the second the other in the third period.. Hartigan and Malhotra also scored in the third period.
Mark Denis played well, stopping 28 of 29 shots. Columbus scored four goals on only 23 shots.
The Blue Jackets win another game with hard work through the third period. Like their recent victory over Detroit, the Jackets were powered by third period scoring and defense. This home ice victory against a good team in the same week they beat a tough Detroit squad hopefully will boost confidence. Clearly the Jackets, when motivated, can compete with any team in the league.
Rick Nash continued his torrid streak scoring two goals, one in the second the other in the third period.. Hartigan and Malhotra also scored in the third period.
Mark Denis played well, stopping 28 of 29 shots. Columbus scored four goals on only 23 shots.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Columbus 5 Detroit 4, SO
Great come-from-behind road win for the Blue Jackets capped by a shootout goal by Balastik. The Jackets scored four times in the third periodand Detroit added a late goal to force overtime. Klesla, Vyborny, Nash and Malhotra scored in the third. After a skid, this victory was good for the morale of the players as well as the fans.
Great come-from-behind road win for the Blue Jackets capped by a shootout goal by Balastik. The Jackets scored four times in the third periodand Detroit added a late goal to force overtime. Klesla, Vyborny, Nash and Malhotra scored in the third. After a skid, this victory was good for the morale of the players as well as the fans.
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