Game Watching Party - Friday, January 9, 2009

Game Watching Party

When: Friday, January 9, 2009

Where: Jefferson Country Club (7271 Jefferson Meadows Dr., Blacklick, OH 43004)

Time: 6:30pm - Pre-Game

          7:00pm - Drop of the Puck

Cost: $18.00 per person (paid the night of the event)

Food & Drinks: There will be a buffet included, items will include: Cheese & Vegetable Display, BBQ Chicken Wings, Mini Burgers, Chili with Fixings, Potato Salad, Chips, Pretzels, Tortilla Chips, Dips, Nacho Bar, Cookies, Brownies and Soft Drinks.  In addition, there will be a Cash Bar.

Additional Information: We will be in a private room with 3 flat screen TVs.  Jerseys allowed, Jeans okay, not preferred.

Directions:

From the West: take 670 East – Stay straight as 670 ends into Gahanna.  Stay straight through Old Gahanna (do not follow signs for 62 going to left on Mill Street), past Hamilton (Gahanna HS on Right – street is now Havens Corners) .  After crossing Hamilton, stay straight for 2+ miles to Reynoldsburg New Albany Road, take a right.  Within a quarter mile, you will turn Right at the Jefferson gate onto Jefferson Meadows drive.  That dead ends into parking lot at clubhouse.  Enter the Clubhouse (right hand entrance)  and you will be directed to Men’s Grill.

From the South: Take I-270 East (Wheeling) to Broad Street Exit, about two (2) miles North of I-70.  Go right (East) off the exit about two (2) miles to Reynoldsburg New-Albany Road and turn left.  Jefferson Meadows Drive is on the left side of the road, about two (2) miles North of Broad Street.

From the North: Take I-270 East to the Morse Road Exit.  Turn left (East) on Morse Road.  Drive approxiametely six (6) miles east to a 4 way stop (Morse Road and Reynoldsburg- New Albany Road).  Turn right (south) onto Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road and drive three (3) miles.  Jefferson Meadows Drive is on the right side of the road.

If anyone is lost, club number is 759 -7500.

Jefferson Country Club Website: www.jeffersoncountryclub.com

A Message from Membership Chair David Yatsco

Welcome JacketBacker Members,

If I had to summarize the first two months of this hockey season in one word it would be WOW!!!  Can you name our most productive line so far?  If your list includes Rick Nash, I would have to tell you to guess again.  The young guns of Derrick Brassard and Jakub Voracek along with Jason Chimera are really pressuring the opposing goaltenders.  Speed, precise passing, amazing stick handling and cannons for shots have turned this trio into a legitimate threat to score every time they hit the ice.  Congratulations are in order for Derrick Brassard for being named NHL Rookie of the Month for October and to Steve Mason for being named the NHL Rookie of the Month for November.  
 
Most games have been a rollercoaster ride.  We’ve seen our boys out shoot and out play Chicago only to lose in a shootout.  We’ve also had Nicky Zherdev return with the New York Rangers and lead them to a 3 – 2 victory.  The sad part of that game is we outplayed them for 50 minutes only to lose our composure and the lead in the last 10.  We have also seen our boys go into Dallas and Colorado and take it to the home team.  

The latest home stand has been exciting to say the least.  Montreal came into the Wide and for the first period pretty much controlled the game.  However, we held it together and for the second year in a row beat the Habs.  Calgary tried to muscle us out of our game but we were ready.  Our veterans turned up the heat and put a hurting on the Flames.  Washington rolled into town and Ovechkin became NOvechkin.  Our defense and our amazing rookie goaltender sandwiched him and the rest of the Capitals and they left Columbus with no goals and no points.  Division leading Vancouver entered Nationwide and they threw everything including the kitchen sink at our boys.  We were up to the task.  If you were at the arena, you will never forget the last 1:57 seconds of that game.  Fedor Tyutin was whistled for a 2 minute penalty and the Jackets were going to be a man down for the remainder of the 3rd period.  The Jackets had a one goal lead and we all knew the Canucks would pull their goaltender for the 6 on 4 advantage.  At the drop of the puck the entire crowd went to their feet screaming and cheering on the Jackets for the remainder of the game.  Shots were coming from all angles.  Bodies were flying everywhere.  Mason guarded the crease with all he had.  When the final horn sounded, the Jackets held on for the win.  With momentum in our favor, we headed west.  Boy what a difference a week makes.  There is no easy way to say this - we tanked.  We went from being 9th in our conference to being at or near the bottom.  We lost all three games. The Kings recorded the first shutout against us this year.  Time for some home cookin.            

Our road game to Buffalo on Friday (11/14) was a huge success.  Stay tuned for an update on more travel opportunities.  

Tickets for the Penguins game in February are sold out.  More information will follow on how to get the tickets.  

QFM96 and their sports director Arch Madness had a special pre-hockey game broadcast at the Garage Bar before the Montreal game on Friday, November 7th.  The club got some good plugs and our President Julie Maurer participated in a live radio interview.  The next broadcast was December 11th when we faced Nashville. Again, Archie promoted our club on air. We will let you know when the next appearance is.  If you can attend, I recommend you stop by.  There will be good company, happy hour prices and the chance to win some prizes.  

We held a game watching party at the Winking Lizard at Crosswoods on November 3rd when the Jackets faced the New York Islanders.  We had a nice turnout witness the Jackets give up three goals in the second period only to score three in the third.  Unfortunately, we lost it in overtime.  Why Freddy Norrena ended up so far out in front of the net and way out of position has me scratching my head.  If you can find a silver lining, it is the fact that the team did not give up after falling behind.  This time we stole a point.  Congratulations to Anne Little for winning the team signed hockey stick.  
           
The Bluejackets Foundation is collecting new and gently used coats for most of the month of December.  If you would like to donate, please bring the coat to a Bluejackets game in December.  

The club will be raffling off a really cool 3x5 Columbus Bluejackets flag that is signed by the entire team.  I will be displaying it at the Jacketbackers table thru December 18th at the home games.  Tickets are $5 each and the drawing will be on December 18th.  Because we are not able to compete with the Bluejackets Foundation, we are not able to sell any tickets at the arena.   If you are interested in purchasing raffle tickets, Jessica Jones and/or Brian Maurer will be able to assist you.  

Fortunately, the season is not decided in a couple months.  We have had some bad breakdowns and some bad calls against us.  On the bright side, we are pushing back and are starting to gel as a team.  With a little more than 4 months left, there is still a lot of hockey to play.  As the season progresses, we will find out if we have the character to get to the next level.

Here’s to playing hockey in June,

The JacketBackers

Game Watching Party

Game Watching Party

When: Thursday, December 18, 2008

Where: Rooster's (3370 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43202)

Time: 8:00pm - Pre-Game

          8:30pm - Drop of the Puck

Add'l Info: We have the back room reserved for this game watching party.  Check out their menu at http://www.roosterswings.com.

Come see the Syracuse Crunch in Cleveland vs. the Lake Erie Monsters!

Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 7:30 pm

Syracuse Crunch vs. Lake Erie Monsters

 

It’s the middle of the College Bowl Season (the only bowl game scheduled for Saturday is the International Bowl featuring the Big East vs. the MAC), the Blue Jackets are on a road trip, and our farm team is playing up the road in Cleveland at The Q.

 

Tickets are $28 for lower bowl tickets. When we were in Syracuse, the Crunch Corps fan club was planning a bus trip to Cleveland for this game. If those plans are still on, we will try to coordinate seating with their group.

 

We would need your payment  by December 23 (Blue Jackets home vs. LA). We will place the order for tickets and either distribute them in Columbus or have them at Will Call in Cleveland.

 

For more information or to sign up for your tickets contact treasurer@jacketbackers.org.

A Peek Behind The Curtain!

 In only its second year as a club event, the Nationwide Arena tour has become one of our favorite activities!

Click to read more ...

Get Your Chance To Carry The Team-Signed Flag! - Tickets Now Available!

Here's a great opportunity to CARRY THE FLAG with this 3' x 5' beauty!  Flag was purchased by the club this season and the Jackets allowed us to send this item through their first team signing opportunity early this season.

 

Flag is 100% polyester and beautifully signed by your Columbus Blue Jackets in brilliant silver.

 

Tickets are just $5.00 each.  Don't delay - get your tickets soon!  Drawing will be held on December 18th.  We are not permitted to sell raffle tickets in the arena, but we'll bring the flag for display for the next few games - catch us at the JB table in between periods.  You can obtain your chances pre- or post- game at the Garage Bar - just look for one of the JB officers - or email Brian Maurer at treasurer@jacketbackers.org to arrange to purchase your chances to Carry This Flag.  With your help, we can make this drawing a success.  Good luck to all!

Game Watching Party

Officer Meeting / Game Watching Party / Memorabilia Swap

When: Sunday, December 7, 2008

Where: The Garage Bar (147 Vine St. Columbus, OH)

Time: 5:00pm - Officer Meeting

          7:30pm - Pre-Game

          8:00pm - Drop of the Puck

Add'l Info: Bring your favorite covered dish to share with the group or order directly from the menu (http://www.thegaragebar.net/columbus-menu.html).

Memorabilia Swap: Have any extra Jackets stuff you'd like to trade for different kinds of Jackets stuff?  Some of us do...  So if you like, search your closets and corner shelf.

Bring your extras and search for someone else's hidden treasures!

Pittsburgh Sold Out - Buffalo/Syracuse trip a Success

Watch for Details about trips to Detroit, St. Louis and to see the Crunch play in Cleveland!

The Buffalo/Syracuse trip was a huge success.  The Jacket Backers were met in Buffalo by members of the Crunch Corps fan club.  We were treated to a phenomenal 6-1 road victory by the CBJ.   Buffalo fans were surly and it felt great.

With the help of Buffalo legend Danny Gare and a couple of Buffalo natives we had the inside scoop on the nightlife in Buffalo.  Nancy and the crew at the Croc Bar graciously invited us to join them for free cover, drink vouchers and happy hour buffet pre-game.  Some of us returned to the Croc Bar post game.  Incidentally talking to friendly strangers, we met Fedor Tyutin's brother-in-law.  He's now a Jackets fan!

Some of us went to look at Niagara Falls through the clouds, then it was on to Syracuse.

The Crunch played an excellent game against the defending AHL champions the Chicago Wolves, winning 5-3.  It seemed like we had been here before, as Slap Shot was filmed in the Syracuse War Memorial.  A tribute to Reggie Dunlop aka Paul Newman hangs in the rafters.  Going undefeated for the weekend was only icing on the cake.  Thank you to the Crunch Corps for treating us to dinner and drinks post game at the Ale 'n' Angus Pub.

A little snow and a detour to the Jell-O Museum (where there were jello puck molds on display, making it a hockey-themed destination after all...) closed out a fantastic weekend as everyone arrived safely back in Columbus.

Meeting Notes: 11/6

We apologize to everyone who was able to attend for the change in location! We will try to make sure the meeting room is not double-booked with a birthday party for the next meeting!

Travel Update: If you are looking at going on the Buffalo trip, the Crunch Corps would like to meet you! They will be attending the Buffalo game with us, and have offered to host us for a dinner after the Syracuse game! Please contact Jeff and Anne Little if you would still like to go but have not purchased your ticket yet!

We Want Your Pictures!: The Technical committee has created a Flickr account for the Jacket Backers for photos of our game watching parties, trips, and other events! If you have photos you'd like to share, please contact Brian Maurer, Matt Wagner, or another member of the Technical Team!

Community Service: This month's service project will be a food drive for the Canal Winchester and Lancaster food banks for this holiday season. Our goal is to provide a complete Thanksgiving meal to each food bank. Please contact Kelly Patterson if you'd like to help!

Show Your Spirit!: Our new Jacket Backers temporary tattoos have arrived! Get yours for FREE today at the JB Table in the arena behind section 115, or at any Jacket Backers event!

Are You Ready To Deck The Halls?: Look for the Jacket Backers Holiday Mini Tree which will be displayed in arena soon for the Blue Jackets Foundation Auction, featuring the Past, Present, and Future of the Blue Jackets! A number of officers have donated their favorite memorabilia - this will be one tree you don't want to miss! Your bid on our tree will help us help the foundation - you're guaranteed to find the perfect place for it in your home!

What Is WINTERGATE? You'll just have to keep watching www.jacketbackers.org to find out...

Arch Madness

Hey Jacket Backers - wanna talk hockey?

 

This Friday, November 7 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

 

Join Arch Madness from QFM96 at the Garage Bar - located at 147 Vine Street, Arena District

 

 

Per QFM96 - Join Archie at the Garage Bar located on 147 Vine Street in the Arena District "for your chance to win some kick ass QFM96 prizes & more..."

Archie is planning to broadcast 2 shows per month from the Garage pregame talking about Jackets Hockey and hoping we'll join him to promote the fun!

Get out the word... just good hockey talk for Jackets fans by a fan!  We're also hoping to turn on the listening community to our trips and events.