Aggressive

The Jackets win again on home ice against a solid opponent. The team downed the Kings 4-2 in a chippy, fight-filled game. Mason faced only 19 shots as the team has hunkered down. Hopefully the inspired play will continue as Columbus has a long way to go to even get to a competitive level in the tough Western conference.

Coach Scott Arniel "When we play with a little bit of any edge, when we play like we're pissed off, when we play in the hard areas and go there first ... that's usually when better things happen for us."

4-2 loss in Buffalo comes down to special teams. While the hapless Blue Jackets went a horrid (even for them) 0 of 6, the Sabres went 2 for 3. Conveniently, the margin of victory. Columbus is an unworldly 10% with the man advantage on the season. Despite peppering Ryan Miller's stand-in for 43 shots, the team just cannot score on consistent basis. Jeff Carter is still out. What a mess.

Off the schneid

The Jackets outhit, out hustled, out scrapped and outscored the Red Wings to earn their first victory of the season. The home crowd was given the rare opportunity to see a focused squad playing with a determination unseen this season. The team wwas desperate and played like it.

It was a game of firsts:

• Wisniewski made his debut after serving an eight game suspension and logged an impressive 27 minutes on the blue line.


• Umberger scored only 21 seconds into the game to net his first goal of the year


• Ryan Johansen's shot knuckled off a Red Wing glove into the net for his first goal


• John Moore joined the "first" party with his goal in the second period

The worst possible scenario

Still looking for the first win of the season. The team looked outmatched, and they were, by the Red Wings. No end in sight as the team is misfiring in all possible ways. The embarrassing 1-on-4 goal given up the other day is just indicative of a rudderless team.

Still think firing Ken Hitchcock was a good idea, Howson?

The same old song

People starting talking up the Jackets based on some exciting off-season signings. The expensive and yet-to-play-due-to-suspension James Wisniewski and Jeff Carter. The signings cannot hide what people who follow the team know. The team lacks scoring punch, the power play is horrid, and Steve Mason is usually the only hope for victory. Less than 9,000 people came to see last night's game, a shootout loss to Colorado.

The power play is 0 for 5. Not in chances, in games. No conversions by the unit in the five games. O for the season... Good times!

Off & stumbling

Would've been nice to get off to a good running start, but Columbus has stumbled out of the gate heading into turn one. The loss at home to Vancouver (and Cory Schneider, not Mr. Luongo) drops the team to 0-3; a solid effort not rewarded with a win. 0 of 5 on the power play... seems vaguely familiar.

8

Free agent pickup defenseman James Wisniewski was suspended for eight regular-season games for a hit to the head of Minnesota forward Cal Clutterbuck. I have no problem with Shanahan's suspension for Wisniewski. At this point the league has to draw a line in the sand. Players who go for the head now know there will be repercussions. The test will be when a top player makes such a hit. Will they get suspended, or will the league turn its back? That is the question.

Howson on Fan Base

On the Fan 590 Prime Time Sports radio program from Toronto, Howson spoke about the free agent moves, especially the signing of Wisniewski.

In response to Bob McCown's question about the relationship between fans and this year's signings, Howson said, "We've been in the league ten years and have only made the playoffs once. And our fans have been really patient. We really needed to energize the market."

Seeing is believing, but at least they are listening. Invest in a better team to attract fans. It's not rocket science. So far it has been a good free agent period for the team. I, for one, am sad to Garon go, but the additions of Carter and Wisnewski plugged vital holes in the offense.

Post-draft

A draft that nets a proven scorer like Jeff Carter cannot be all bad. Rick Nash must feel like a kid on Christmas morning having just received his most wanted gift - a talented center to call all his own. Last off-season the team did little to boost confidence in its fan base. This move can only be seen as a move towards improving the team and its fan appeal. Hopefully Jeff comes to Columbus with a positive attitude. That much will be tough not because he lacks professionalism, but he leaves a team seemingly on the verge of playoff success. Some may argue that Philly lost too much by trading Carter and Richards. We'll see. Once they sign the goalie of their dreams, let's see what's left in the till.

For Howson, improvement is the key. Signing Carter put the fans on notice that he saw the empty seats in Nationwide. What's next?

Seven

Looks to be an exciting game seven for the Cup. Hopefully the game measures up to the moment. I'll be happy with any result. Good luck Canuck and Bruins fans.


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Just like that

Luongo gives up two weak goals followed by a third goal, of all things, a power play goal. Good night Roberto. A few minutes later another goal on a tip in of a shot from the point and it's 4-0 in the first. No chance for anyone in goal on that tip. Drive safely folks.


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On the Edge

Strong game on home ice from the Canucks led by the much maligned Luongo. Roberto shook off criticism and played a solid game shutting out the Bruins 1-0. Thomas played spectacularly to keep Boston in it, but the Canucks looked like the better team on this night. Crisp passing and quality rushes seemed to indicate that they were about to break out, but Thomas kept them at bay until Lapierre banked one in off Thomas after what looked like an intentionally wide shot off the boards. Vancouver is on the edge of a title as they fly back to Boston.

Count me as one who hates the two days off between games. They could have had a good audience on Sunday night, but we get carried over yet another day. It's more of a buzz kill than an interest build.

Game Four

Is it just me or does the Boston anthem singer look like Michael Palin? I was hoping he'd break into the Lumberjack Song in place of the anthems. Goaltending is again the difference. Boston gets a shutout from Thomas as Luongo gets chased to the bench. Scrappy game got a bit ugly at the end. Luckily an all-out brawl managed to never occur. Onto Vancouver.


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11 Seconds

Burrows took a bite out of the Bruins hopes with a gift of a goal only 11 seconds into overtime. Thomas gets caught out of position and it's over just like that. A tough loss to swallow. Luongo has played very well and lets hope he gets to shed the unfair choker label once and for all. Former Bluejacket Manny Malhotra makes the comeback from his serous injury to make the finals for the Canucks. Good to see Manny back on the ice!

Game One

Feisty first period from Vancouver. Tim Thomas continued his stellar play in goal stopping several excellent scoring chances. Fun to see Charra planted in front of Luongo on the power play.

Happiest guy in the league today? My nomination is Colin Campbell. His days as daily scapegoat for all that is wrong with the NHL is over. Good luck Shanny, you'll need it.

Period two is as good as the first. Luongo fights boredom as Thomas faces the lion's share of the action. The replay of the finger bite has gotten enough play. Shanihan will get tested on his first game. Should be a no brainer suspension. My guess is one game, but who knows?

My vote doesn't count, but I'd love to see the Jets back in the league. That or the Rough Riders.


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Boston - Vancouver

Just watched the game TB-BOS game seven. Pulled for Tampa but have no bad feelings towards Boston. Thomas carried that team to the finals. Roloson played valiantly as well, but the Bruins managed to get it done. One defensive breakdown decides a close series. Hard to imagine either team beating the Canucks, but hopefully we'll get a competitive Stanley Cup final.

The one thing

Have enjoyed the playoffs so far. Watching game 6 of the Detroit-San Jose series. Just saw my favorite moment of the season so far: the smile on the face of the serviceman when the Detroit PA announcer mentioned the soldier was back from Afghanistan. The bewildered smile after the roar from the crowd was fantastic. The squid has hit the ice and they're ready to go.

First game with the new cable receiver. HD hockey is so great.

Playoffs

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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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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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.