Light The Lamp - Headlines

Let's see... we've had octo-gate... we've had Blackhawks goal song-gate... nearly commando Commodore makin' it rain-gate.... and now..

logo-gate?

By now most of you have probably heard about Oregon senate hopeful Marc Delphine's rip off of the CBJ's logo.  If not here is a screen shot from his web site before the logo was yanked courtesy of Puck-daddy:

You just can't make stuff up like this folks.

The logo ripoff is one thing but how about Delphine's response - again quotes courtesy of Puck-daddy:

"They were all like, 'What are you doing with their logo?' and I was like, 'I didn't make the logo!' and we pulled it immediately," said Delphine, a Libertarian candidate making history as the first openly homosexual man to run for the U.S. Senate in Oregon. "I'm not interested in any kind of infringement. We don't even need a logo."

Don't need it now eh?  Not my fautl!  Sounds like he'll fit right in as a politician.

He said he hoped his candidacy wouldn't become synonymous with this logo foul-up. "If anything, I hope this raises awareness for the Columbus Blue Jackets," said Delphine.

Raises awareness?  What... are the Jackets some kind of disease?

(Well if losing is a disease then perhaps he's got a point but I digress...)

Is there a # I can text a donation to?

Does this clown think he's doing the Jackets a favor here?  I'm sure the folks in Oregon are about as aware of the Jackets as the folks in Ohio are about an openly gay homosexual running for US Senate in Oregon.

My question is how long did it take for the intern who "designed" this to find a pink slip in their stocking once the Jackets legal department picked up the phone?

The saddest part about this entire thing is this is probably the most national press the Jackets have gotten all season.

..but hey, at least the people in Oregon now know the Columbus Blue Jackets exist.

Man it sucks to suck!

Thanks to Kevin and Tom for the heads up yesterday on this!

-LTL

Be honest now... How many of you actually stayed awake and watched any part of that game last night?

..at this point I'm not sure if it's fair to even call it a game?  I mean don't you have to have players from each side competing against another to call it one?

Shots: 35 - 11

Wow.  Talk about rolling over Beethoven.

I can tell you I didn't watch one second of it.  I had the DVR rolling and I had it tuned in on the bedroom TV but I was out cold the minute I hit the mattress - as was this team the minute they hit the ice.

I can also tell you that the game will be deleted from my DVR as soon as I can find the remote.

You know what though?  I'm not upset they lost.  If fact if you look big picture it's a good thing that they keep losing.

...but...but... how can you root for your team to lose?  We need to engrain a winning culture not a losing one! What kind of fan is that?

Please spare me that BS. 

Somebody should have told this team/management that before they lost 20 of 25 games (or whatever in the hell that was).  After that streak the rest of this season has always been about setting the team up the best way possible for next year.

The best thing this team can do for next season right now is to play the kids and rack up the losses.  That accomplishes a variety of things:

1. Nobody gets the illusion that Claude Noel or anyone on this coaching staff is the answer.

2. It should give the Jackets a top 3 pick and by all accounts the top tier in this draft is 3 players deep.  That's one helluva of an asset to put on the trade table... and who knows, maybe the hockey gods finally grant the Jackets the #1 overall pick.

3. The young players get lots of ice time and management should know exactly where these players stand in terms of development.

4. It puts pressure on Howson and ownership to make significant upgrades to this roster.  Shopping in the bargain bin will not cut it if they really want to compete.

I'll still watch the games and I'll be happy if they win... but believe me I won't be upset if they lose either - in fact, I'll be happy with that too.

What I won't like is that after this season concludes and we are all finally put out of our misery and real changes don't occur.

Coaching staff gone.  Scouting staff gone.  Game ops gone.  A bloated contract or two gone.  Draft picks gone for real players.

I'm not saying to blow the entire thing up but significant changes must occur to this roster and the organization as a whole to get this train back on it's tracks.

Howson has his work cut out for him as does the rest of the organization. 

Tanking is the easy part.

In the meantime sit back, relax and treat the rest of these games like a car wreck.... you know you shouldn't look but you do anyways just to see how bad it is.

-LTL

These were sent in by Roarke:

Thanks for these Roarke!  Nice work.

-LTL

Not a whole lot worth writing about of late but these pictures sent in by Cathy are worth a thousand words.

They were taken from the "Dude Where's My Hair" fund raiser show on February 8th.  This was a show featuring the stories of 6 local kids (the Dudes) who have lost their hair during chemo. Sponsored by the CBJ Foundation. Proceeds benefited the Columbus Wig Foundation. Participation by Derek Dorsett, Jared Boll and Stinger.

There are many videos from this show posted here.

Sadly, as Cathy points out, the disease has stolen the life of another one of these kids.  Seth Jenkins (the boy playing guitar in the green shirt in the pictures/videos) fell into a septic coma the day after the Dude show, suffered extensive brain damage and was taken off of life support sometime this morning. He is/was 13.

My condolences to Seth and his family.  Just isn't fair.

-LTL

LTL Nation,

First off, thanks to all of you for joining in on our trade deadline chat.  It was quite spirited and enjoyable, at the same time.

I want to start off by giving kudos to Eplagge, for his usual stout insight and analysis.  Well done, sir.

Now, onto the analysis.  I wrote a recent article on this very subject, earlier today.  Here is a brief recap:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/357095-trade-deadline-analysis-columbus-blue-jackets

Overall, I believe Howson graded a 'B' - however, that is not to say it would be labeled a rousing success.  This was part cleaning up the mess of the prior on-ice model - the pre-lockout, but not post-lockout, success plan - part scrambling to set the organization up, financially, for the upcoming draft and UFA signing period.

Let there be no doubt - Howson will definitely be on the hot seat.  He's not done with making moves for players who have, to say the least, been dissapointing.  The trick will be whether he can get any value, in return, for the players in question.  A few names to keep in mind:  Commodore, Klesla, Huselius, Pahlsson and Hejda.  Three defensemen, I know, but, it's quite obvious that Howson wants to go with more athletic, speedier, more offensive-minded Blueliners.

As mentioned in the article, this is HIS team, now - no longer is the 'influence' of Hitch - see Modin, Klesla, Commie, Pahlsson, Clark - prevalent.  Gone should be the plodding, defense-first, snoozefest that prevailed in Hitch's regime.  The goal should be to replicate the 'Hawks, 'Nucks and 'Avs blueprint:  Speed, youth and, as Jim Tressell would say, "velocity".

As mentioned in the article, it was on simmer (summer and pre-season), it's now on medium (up to this point of the season), and it will be on high (draft and UFA signing period) for Howson...

Sure, "In Howson We Trust" still applies, but, this summer's task will be make or break time for him, and for the future of the organization.  The status quo that some adhere to cannot, and will not, be tolerated, anymore.

Go Jackets!

- Mase1

 

Here is another 3rd jersey design sent in by Patrick:

Some thoughts from Patrick on his design:

"It's a fairly drastic change as far as layout goes, and I also altered the color scheme, both to replicate a Union Army Civil War Uniform.  Gone is the red and silver, with a light gold and white in their place.  I didn't want to even touch a new logo design so I just stylized some text and used that for now.  Another thing that I really missed on the jerseys this year was the JHM patch, so I brought a new version of it back to my 3rd jersey."

Excellent work Patrick!!

-LTL

The trade deadline came and now it has passed, here are the deals that have transpired:

BUF:

Raffi Torres

CBJ:

Vancouver’s 2nd round pick

D Nathan Paetsch

My take:

The reality is that Raffi’s a 3rd Line PLUS guy flying high after 2 good seasons with the CBJ, he also happens to be in his late 20’s with a family to support. This upcoming UFA will be Raffi’s last chance to cash in. Signing a home discount extension simply isn’t as good as testing the UFA market, just ask Commodore. Paetsch is a RFA defenseman/4th line forward, who is very versatile but at best a depth guy. The 2nd round pick is a late one, but a 2nd rounder none less.

WAS:

Milan Jurcina

CBJ:

Conditional 6th round pick

My take:

Milan was of interest to 6 to 9 different teams according to multiple sources, until they found out he has a sports hernia. The Olympics costs us a 3rd round pick. He was traded to WAS for a 6th, IF he plays x amount of games. The chances are 50-50 we will actually obtain that pick. Given the circumstances, we at least got rid of his salary for the remainder of the season, and we traded him to the only team willing to take him.

LAK:

Modin

CBJ:

Conditional 7th

My take:

Conditional 7th ???? Really ??? Modin is such an amazing player they had to put conditions on a 7th round pick, if that’s not a testimony to Modin’s downfall I don’t know what is.. Anyways we just saved 1M and lost a player who was absolutely terrible for us.

FLO:

Mathieu Roy

CLB:

Matt Rust

My Take:

We traded a 1 year AHL/NHL defenseman with no offense, who had a good year actually, for a 6.5C prospect that’s 12th on the Panthers depth chart. Reading the scouting reports 3 things stand out: Speed, 2-way player, good vision. It appears this kid’s odds of becoming an NHL top 9 forward are pretty good. I like this trade, it adds depth to our organization for a disposable player. He plays his last year of college next year, he will then most likely play for the Crunch.

Phoenix:

Alexander Picard

CLB:

Chad Kolarik

My Take:

We are trading a complete NHL bust in Picard for a guy who might actually make it.. 6.5B that’s 7th on the Phoenix depth chart. I like his resume, hope he does well for us in the future. He’s already playing in the AHL.

Summary:

I don’t understand why so many CBJ fans are livid about today’s trade deadline. The team underperformed this year and we are sellers this year, it’s that simple. Howsen did a good job in my humble opinion. How often can say you obtained a 2nd round pick for a third line player at the trade deadline, or conditional late round picks for players who are virtually unmovable at this point in their career. Not very often, I can guarantee you that. Furthermore we traded in two NHL bust players (Yes I know Roy has had a couple of good performances in the NHL, with Edmonton and the CBJ but he has been an AHL/NHL player his entire career.) for younger prospects who might actually make it. The real challenge will be in the off-season when Howsen will be responsible for shaking up the team and hiring a new coach. Looking at the prospects it appears Howsen is going to draft and sign speed.

 

This is a 3rd jersey design sent in by Sparky which I thought I'd share here.

I've heard through the grape vine that the Jackets gave permission to their designer to swing for the fences on the 10th anniversary 3rd jersey to be unveiled next year.  They want something "totally different" than their primary home/away digs they use today (which I love!).

What does that mean?

We'll have to wait and see but one would think the cannon would be incorporated in some form or fashion.

Just please, no neon green.

If anyone else out there has designs they'd like me to share shoot em on over!

-LTL

The Blue Jackets recalled Clitsome today???

According to my math..

 

Roy - Minors.. Klesla - Injured

However these guys should be healthy:

1.Hedja 2.Tyutin 3.Jurcina 4.Methot 5.Russell 6.Stralman 7. Clitsome 8. Commodore should be healthy after the long olympic break...

This makes me believe that Jurcina is on his way out.... In Howsen I still trust, until he proves me wrong..

Furthermore the Jackets traded defenseman Dylan Reese to the New York Islanders for forward Greg Moore.

A quick assesment tells me that Reese is arguably the more naturally skilled player but his chanches of reaching the big league are very slim. Moore has seen spot duty in the NHL but is one of those classical AHL/NHL 4th line depth guys, and at age 25 his chances are slim of ever becoming an NHL regular. This sounds like a move to please the Crunch and provide them with an AHL regular as well as providing the CBJ with 4th line depth, very similar to the Roy move last year.

 

GO JACKETS

Top 25 Metered Markets for USA-Canada Olympic Gold Medal Hockey Game:

1. Buffalo, 32.6/51
2. Pittsburgh, 31.9/50
3. Detroit, 26.9/47
4. Minneapolis, 26.4/53
5. Milwaukee, 24.5/43
6. Boston, 24.1/46
7. Chicago, 23.5/41
8. Columbus, 22.3/37
9. Denver, 22.2/42
10. Philadelphia, 20.9/35
11. West Palm Beach, 20.3/33
12. Kansas City, 19.5/35
13. St. Louis, 19.4/39
14. Seattle, 19.3/45
15. Cincinnati, 19.2/31
16. New York, 19.0/36
17. Hartford, 18.5/30
18. Providence, 18.4/34
T19. Salt Lake City, 18.3/38
T19. Cleveland, 18.3/32
T21. Washington, D.C., 18.1/33
T21. Baltimore, 18.1/32
23. Ft. Myers, 18.0/34
T24. Austin, 17.1/34
T24. Indianapolis, 17.1/29

Who says Columbus isn't a hockey town?

-LTL

 

Please join me & Eplagge for some NHL trade deadline discussion now!

-LTL

Hello LTL-Nation,

Hope you are digging yourselves out of...ah, the heck with it - I give up!!!!

Here are the latest power rankings I've developed for the web sites to which I contribute. 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/346062-power-rankings-february-15-2010

As you can see, I've moved the CBJ up several places in the rankings, and deservedly so, given their inspired play, as of late.

Just 16 days until the boys are back at it, again...thank goodness for the Winter Olympic hockey games, otherwise, it would be early hockey withdrawl symptoms, something unfortunately will occur in early April

- Mase1

Stoplight Game Review

CBJ Vs. Vancouver

2.12.2010

 

Happy day before Valentine's Day, LTL-Nation!  As you still have one more day before the actual holiday (a marketing ploy devised by women, I'm sure - shhh, don't tell the Missus), get on out there and get her a gift, cheapskate!

It was bound to happen, sooner or later, given the Columbus Blue Jackets were playing their third consecutive NHL division leader, but interim coach Claude Noel experienced his first lost as a Blue Jackets coach, by a score of 4-3, against the prolific, talented and physical Vancouver Canucks.  A total of 16,564 loyal fans braved the winter elements to witness another impressive, solid performance by the Columbus Blue Jackets, albeit in a losing effort.  

 

It was quite an entertaining game which was decided by one of the more fluky goals you will ever witness, by Vancouver's Mikael Samuelsson at 7:56 of the third period, a shot that was redirected by Blue Jackets' center Derick Brassard in the high slot and sent high into the air, which then fluttered approximately 15-20 feet in the air and over the back of the head of goalie Steve Mason.  The game was a very energetic, fast—paced, physical affair, offering lots of ‘back and forth’ action, on both ends of the ice.  

 

While the team experienced its first loss under Noel, there were positives to take away from the loss.  Noel, in his post—game press conference, thought the team not only handled adversity well, but that improvements were made from the prior game, particularly in their skating (relating to their ability to back-check), which he believes will serve them well for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, and will continue after they return from their Winter Olympic break.

 

With that, onto the recap:   

 

 

GREEN:

 

Raffi Torres: Torres netted his 18th goal of the season, which was a set up by two spectacular passes from Derick Brassard and Jakub Voracek, as Torres was coming out of the penalty box, for an infraction.  If anything, besides the ability to mesh with the two second—year players, Torres’ performance was also an impressive showcase for future trade offers (Torres’ contract runs out at the end of this season, and it’s been widely speculated he’ll be traded before the NHL trade deadline). 

 

Jared Boll/4th Line: For scoring a goal, which, at the time, appeared to get Columbus energized and into the game, as Columbus and Vancouver exchanged early goals, rather quickly into the action.  After Boll’s goal, the game settled down for the next period and a half, with Columbus posting a 2-1 lead.  Any time you can get point production out of your fourth line, it’s always a bonus.

 

Handling Adversity: Yes, the Blue Jackets surrendered a fluky goal, as well as surrendering a goal off of a gaffe by goaltender Steve Mason, the description of which will be addressed, later in the analysis—but, after a timeout, the Blue Jackets posted a furious attempt at tying the game up, only to fall short in the waning seconds.  Rather than fall into the usual pattern of sulking, the Blue Jackets dealt with adversity and almost pulled out the victory.  This was the first test that awaited the ‘new look’ Blue Jackets, so, it’s safe to say that this team has not yet quit and will learn and grow from this experience. 

 

Rick Nash: The Blue Jackets captain extended his point—scoring streak to six games.  It was almost the fastest goal by the Blue Jackets to start a game—22 seconds into the game.  The record for the team is also held by Rick Nash, when he scored ten seconds into the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2006. 

 

Claude Noel: For his decision to have Brassard and Voracek out on the ice for the waning seconds of the penalty kill, which resulted in the Torres’ goal.  Putting two of his better offensive players out on the ice in such a situation is not only clever, it’s brilliant.  It’s a pretty shrewd move for a guy coaching in only his fourth NHL game.

 

R Bar Bacon Cheeseburgers:  I have it on high authority from our own Matt The Mask, AKA our 7th Man, that the Bacon Cheeseburgers at the R Bar are outstanding.  So, as you all know, you NEVER doubt the 7th man, so, there's a culinary green light.

 

 

YELLOW:

 

The power play continued to struggle:  Although the Canucks committed only two penalties, once again, the Blue Jackets didn’t capitalize on their Power Play opportunities.  Although there were more prime scoring chances, the continued woes of not enough urgency, not enough spacing, not enough crisp passing and not enough puck movement resulted in a game in which missed opportunities came back to haunt the team. 

 

RED:

 

Steve Mason:  It is safe to say Mason did not have a very good game.  While it was unfortunate that the game—winning goal was so bizarre, his mistake, only seconds after the Blue Jackets posted a 3-1 lead, really changed the complexion and emotions of the game.  To summarize, Mason had the puck slide off his stick behind the net on a clearing attempt, and the result was a Vancouver goal.  Vancouver's Steve Bernier recovered the loose puck and fired the puck on net, with the rebound kicking back to Kyle Wellwood, for an easy goal.  It was simply a tough night for a player who was so spectacular for the previous three games.  This much can be said, however:  Mason owned up to his mistake, something not often heard by him, this season, and his performance, while not his best, was not the complete meltdown he’d often experienced—a solid game followed by a clunker—with such regularity, in his sophomore season.

 

Not holding a 3rd Period Lead:  In failing to hold a 3rd period lead for the eighth time this season, the Blue Jackets are now tied with the St. Louis Blues for the ignominious distinction.  The good teams do it (hold a lead), the bad teams don't.

 

Ugh...some things never change, do they?

  

 

Up next, the Blue Jackets host the Chicago Blackhawks, one of the rising and respected powers in the NHL, for a Sunday evening game, the last before the Winter Olympic break.  So, a victory, against a Central Division foe, would be quite the lift before their two—week break commences. 

No, this is not to be confused with a certain section of a local fish wrap, which regurgitates their beat writers information, two weeks later, but I digress...

Just saw this on Hockeybuzz.com, from our (LTL's and mine) good friend and solid writer/reporter, Eric Smith:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eric-Smith/Free-Your-Mind-And-The-Rest-Will-Follow/96/26235

More Trade Talk

The Edmonton Journal reports that the Blue Jackets are interested in defenseman Tom Gilbert. The Blue Jackets have been scouting the Oilers and the Oilers were in town for the Sharks game to take a look at the Columbus squad. Gilbert is a reliable defenseman that has played all 82 games the last 2 seasons. He showed he could score in the 07/08 season with 13 goals but don't expect that kind of production going forward. He does have a right handed shot.

If this trade is to take place, my guess is that a defenseman will go the other way. The Blue Jackets have 6 d-men signed at least through next year and Anton Stralman and Mathieu Roy are restricted free agents who most likely will be signed. Also, with the play of Milan Jurcina, he will get a long look by GM Scott Howson as he will become a UFA at the end of the year. Not much room to add another defenseman unless another is going the other way. My guess would be Marc Methot. No inside information but just an educated guess. He hasn't had the year that he had last year and the Oilers would get a defenseman that is signed through next year at just over $1 million. Methot will be a RFA after that and the Oilers would then have options. We will see how this unfolds.

This possibility has also been discussed on HFBoards.

From our perspective, this deal makes a lot of sense.

Gilbert is an interesting option, although it still doesn't address a #1 defensive pairing resource.

The bigger question is what/who would go the other way.  There has been some are speculation that it's Methot, which may explain why they are playing the crap out of Methot right now -- thus my point, from a prior article, to "Display the trade bait". 

Then there's the Edmonton connection, a team Scott Howson has strong ties to.

More to follow, I'm sure, but still, an interesting potential development.

- Mase1

This happened a few days ago but if you haven't seen Shelley's TKO of Colton Orr wait no longer!

-LTL

Seems outlets are publishing these about as much as I've been this year.

Not that anyone really cares but three that did publish actually dropped the Jackets despite winning two games (most did not take into account last night's W).

CBSSports.com
Rank: 27 (+1)
Change apparently is good for the Jackets, who have won their first two under new coach Claude Noel.

ESPN.com
Rank: 26 (-3)
The Blue Jackets seem to have been given new life with the firing of coach Ken Hitchcock and have won two straight.

CBC.ca
Rank: 24 (+4)

Mason got hot too late to save Hitchcock.

 

TSN.ca
Rank: 29 (-1)
Is Steve Mason capable of turning his sophomore slump season around, now that Ken Hitchcock has moved on? He's allowed one goal against in the last two games.
Key Injuries: D Rostislav Klesla (groin), D Mike Commodore (hip).

ColumbusDispatch.com
Rank: 25 (+1)
A coaching change has Blue Jackets fans singing "Claude To Joy." Interim coach Claude Noel seems to have lifted a dark cloud of confusion.

FoxSports.com
Rank: 27 (+1)
The Blue Jackets were able to move up one place in the rankings thanks to the play of Steve Mason. The Columbus goalie won both of his starts last week, only giving up one goal on 51 shots.

THN.com
Rank: 27 (-1)
2-0 under new coach Claude Noel; Steve Mason has given up just one goal in those contests

Sportsnet.ca
Rank: Not published

CNNSI.com
Rank: Not published.

Yahoo.com
Rank: Not published

META-SCORE: 26.4

High: 24 (CBC)

Low: 29 (TSN)

Can't hardly wait til next week *snide*.

-LTL

Pic from last night's game versus the Sharks:

Thanks to Tom for sending this in... and as he stated in his email to me...

"WTF... I thought this only happened in LA?"..

-LTL

Stoplight Game Review

CBJ Vs. Sharks

2.10.2010

 

Mase1 here.  Another game, another happy recap.  I love these greenlight-fests! 

Game three of the Claude Noel interim regime - in French, Les Trois Noel (the third Noel) -took place against the vaunted San Jose Sharks, they of the most lethal no. 1 line in the league.  15,234 loyal fans braved the brutal elements to witness another impressive, solid performance.  

 

The Columbus Blue Jackets continued their winning ways with a thrilling 3-0 victory against arguably the best team in hockey.  Once again, the team's energy was outstanding, but it was the play of Steve Mason, who posted his second consecutive shutout - it could have been his third consecutive shutout, were it not for that flukey goal, late in the Dallas game.  

 

With that, onto the recap:

 

GREEN:

 

Steve Mason - simply put, he was 'All World', tonight, stopping 40 shots on goal, many saves of which were spectacular.  

 

Steve Mason – I'll give him a second green light - that's how great he was, tonight, thwarting point-blank scoring chance after scoring chance.  Is there a sophomore of the month award for the NHL, because he's certainly stating a case for February.  If he comes up with great performances against the 'Nucks and 'Hawks, he deserves the no. 1 star for the week, in the NHL, hands down.  

 

Jakub Voracek – Jake got off the schnide, scoring his first goal in 26 games, by attacking the net and following his shot, which crept through Thomas Greiss' wickets, for that crucial second goal.  His energy and effort were outstanding.  Another sophomore of the month candidate.  

 

Rick Nash - the captain scored the opening goal, which was set up by a sweet feed from Juice Huselius, but it was Nash's ability to crash the net which made the goal special.  Crashing the net?  Following your own shots?  Is this really the same team?

 

Chris Clark - no, that's not a typo, that's correct.  Clark, while not specatcular, was a force, all night, on the forecheck, stifling several attempts by the Sharks to get out of their own defensive zone.  Otherwise, the shot total might have exceeded 50 - but, the way Mason played, they could have shot another 20 more, and he would have stopped them. 

 

The Penalty Kill (PK) - You hold prolific lines like the Sharks have to 0 for 3 on their power play?  A definite greenie (green light).

 

Claude Noel – for bringing out Brass and Jake for the game's opening forward line.  They earned that privelege, with their performance against the Sabres - they were, in turn, rewarded.  Wait - young players being afforded a leash, one that actually exceeds elbow length?  Am I covering the Blue Jackets?

 

Claude Noel - yep, another repeat greenlight.  He followed the plan: play the kids, spread the minutes, display the trade bait, simplify the game and lighten the mood to a 'T'.  Bravo, Mr. Christmas!  

 

YELLOW:

 

The power play struggled.  This was a night in which Noel's quip "I thought they were painting, out there" would have applied.  While it didn't factor in the outcome, it far too resembled last season's power play unit (?).  Not enough urgency, not enough spacing, not enough crisp passing, not enough movement.  Again, this didn't factor into the outcome, but, it has to improve against the likes of the lethal 'Nucks and 'Hawks.  

 

RED:

 

The only negative I can report is that Noel's post-game presser was far shorter than the last game.  Trust me, there's nothing like watching CBJ brass figet and squirm at Noel's deep, plodding answers to media questions.  Five-minute time limit be damned.   

 

Up next, the Blue Jackets host the Vancouver Canucks, who are in the throws of the road trip from hell, a 14-game death march, done in order to accomodate the Winter Olympics.  So, this might be an avenue for the CBJ to continue on to their winning ways. 

 

Go Jackets!

 

- Mase1

I just saw this on Puck-Rakers:

http://blog.dispatch.com/cbj/2010/02/salmons_family_suffers_another.shtml

Tragic news,  to be sure.  Please keep your thoughts and prayers to the Salmons family.

- Mase1

 

Stoplight Game Review

CBJ Vs. Sabres

2.6.2010

 

Mase1 here, and boy, is this recap fun to write about! 

Game two of the Claude Noel interim regime took place against the Buffalo Sabres, before a capacity crowd at Nationwide Arena, in large part due to the massive Buffalo contingent in attendance.

 

The Columbus Blue Jackets continued their winning ways with a resounding 4-0 victory.  What was most prevalent about their performance, beyond the score, was the looseness and energy the team displayed.  It’s as if an albatross had been taken off the team’s necks.  There’s a definite jump in the team’s step, a definite ‘have fun’ and ‘devil may care’ attitude.

 

As is often the case when there is a seismic change, such as what took place when Ken Hitchcock was fired, the new/interim coach (Claude Noel) plays ‘good cop’ to the predecessor’s ‘bad cop’.  As a result, there is often a bounce that occurs.  How long that ‘joy- joy’ feeling, as well as the continued winning play, continues remains to be seen, particularly with division leaders such as San Jose, Vancouver and Chicago remaining before the Winter Olympic break.  But, for now, there is a permeable change in the way the Blue Jackets are playing the game.

 

With that, onto the recap:

 

GREEN:

 

The jump in the step of the entire team – it’s gone from Judge Dredd to Club Med in quite a hurry.

 

Steve Mason’s performance – it appears that Mason is actually enjoying playing in goal, something not evidenced by someone who seemed far too serious for someone so young and new to the NHL.  Mason, much like his performance in the last game against the Dallas Stars, is once again using his size by playing more upright and is challenging the shooter by coming out and getting the angle on the attacker.  For the last two games, anyway, it seems like shades of his Calder Trophy winning season.

 

Jakub Voracek – yes, Voracek struggled mightily in Ken Hitchcock’s methodical, two-way, defense-first system.  But, as with his fellow second-year teammate, Derek Brassard, Voracek was playing with the reckless abandon he displayed during his rookie season and at the early part of this season.  Voracek registered three assists, and was a true impact player, all evening long.

 

Milan Jurcina – he of the puzzling two consecutive games of being benched (healthy scratched), Jurcina scored the opening goal of the game, in quite a bizarre way.  Clearing the puck into the corner boards, the puck quickly rebounded – with Jurcina’s massive howitzer, heavy emphasis on the quickly – off of the boards, off the back of Patrick LaLime’s leg and into the net.  What usually happens against the Blue Jackets just happened in favor of the Blue Jackets, and they were on the board.  Jurcina also logged in the most ice time, proof that changes have been implemented, rather starkly.

 

Kris Russell – Recipient of the second most time on ice (TOI).  More than that, Russell was magnificent, to quote Claude Noel’s assessment of his play, in all three sections of the ice.  Here’s hoping that Noel will leverage Russell’s gifts – his supreme skating and puck-moving capabilities – the rest of the way, this season.

 

Anton Stralman – For registering another multi-point game, with a goal and an assist.  Stralman gives the Blue Jackets something they haven’t had since Duvie Westcott was in Columbus, before he became victim of concussive injuries.

 

Claude Noel – for calling a timeout in the midst of the four-minute, double minor power play advantage.  As Claude Noel remarked in his post-game press conference, “For the first three minutes, it looked like we were painting”.  He decided on the timeout to settle the team down and to not over-think.  Result?  Rick Nash scored on a true effort play, diving down as he flipped the puck into the net, and from there, it was ‘game over’.

 

Shutting up those obnoxious Sabres fans.  Big ups to our own Matt the Mask, our 7th man, for starting the chant, "Why so qui-et?" to their "Let's go, Buf-fa-lo!".  It sounded like a morgue, after that first goal, eh?

 

YELLOW:

 

Nothing to note, here, although, at times, the defense was a little loose in their defensive end.

 

RED:

 

For the first time in a long time, there’s nothing to report as negative – that is, unless you consider Noel obliterating the five-minute time limit on the post-game press conference.  Noel’s post-game presser more than tripled the usual limit, at a whopping eighteen minutes.  For those in the press, it’s quite enjoyable – well, maybe it’s the results of the games – to listen to Noel’s quirkiness and observations.  It’s quite a long cry from the five minute – to the second – measured post-game commentary of his predecessor, Ken Hitchcock.

 

This marathon presser prompted one of the best lines of the night, by none other than team Prez Mike Priest, "If Claude's gonna go this long for his conferences, then, the next time he does so, he can clean up the arena, afterwards".

 

Up next, the Blue Jackets host the San Jose Sharks, a team who are arguably the most explosive team in the NHL.  Once again, a stern test for the ‘new Blue Jackets’, hosting another division leading team, one with perhaps the most lethal first line in the NHL.