The First Time Is The One You Always Remember: Blue Jackets Clip Detroit's Red Wings

The first time is supposed to be filled with magic and beauty. It's supposed to be that one moment you'll never forget. Last night that was the case for the Blue Jackets. Their first win of the season was full of magic and beauty. It was a night they surely will never forget. A night filled with firsts.
James Wisniewski came back from an 8 game suspension for his first game with the Jackets. A game where he didn't make any known sexually inappropriate hand gestures. Which, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that's a first.
Within the first minute of the first period RJ Umberger scored his first goal of the season. He is also the first guy from Pittsburgh who I have no problems rooting for. 
Also in the first period our handsome little first round draft pick, Ryan Johansen, scored his first career goal. Since his goal broke the tie and the Red Wings didn't score again it became his first game winning goal. That boy must be tired from all the firsts he experienced in one night.
John Moore scored his first NHL goal in the second period. How great that must of felt to prove to the Jackets that he was worth the 1st round pick of the 2009 draft.
Towards the end of the third period Derek MacKenzie scored his first goal of the season on a Red Wings empty net. The first time an empty net approach ever worked in the Blue Jackets favor.
Thanks to goalie Allen York this was the first time all season that Steve Mason was able to take a moment and breathe during a game.

And Finally we must take a moment to thank someone who also helped the Blue Jackets out with the win. To them I have written this letter.

Dear Baby Howard,
Your daddy is a solid goalie and I feared him in the days leading up to this game. You should be proud of him. Right now, I must take this moment to thank you for pushing your way out of the womb at just the right time causing your daddy to miss the game. We all know daddies never want to miss their first born. You are one of my favorite firsts of the night.
sincerely,
elaine grace


Hopefully this night of beautiful firsts will be the beginning of a beautiful season.

I SCREAM

YOU SCREAM

WE ALL SCREAM FOR MEMORABLE FIRSTS!

Dear Fox Sports Ohio

Dear Fox Sports Ohio,
Are you Red Wings fans? Do you not want people to be hyped up about the Blue Jackets? After the past few games i've watched on FSO I feel like you are having dirty nasty love affair with all our opponents. Please stop parading your lack of love for us around and keep it to the nearest trash hotel. Emphasis on the HO in hotel. On Fridays game against the Red Wings I learned more fun facts about Lidstrom than my pretty little head could hold. Yes, yes, he's a great guy, a great player, and not a douche canoe like Bertuzzi but COME ON! Where are my Nash facts? He's been on this team since 2002. He's been there through it all. Shouldn't you be drooling over him like announcers do over Toews, Crosby, and Lidstrom. I rarely ever hear fun facts about the Blue Jackets except for the fact that they are really good at losing. That my non friend is not getting me pumped up for future games.
In the game against the Stars it took you five minutes to announce that Brassard's goal was the 2000th goal in franchise history. Not just that you said it like "o no big deal". IT IS A BIG DEAL! Brassard not only scored a goal that got us back into the game but he made franchise history for something good. If I was announcing I'd be flipping out. For three reasons. 1) We scored b) Brassard is a beast and finally triangle) 2000th goal !! who would of thought a NHL team in Ohio would live to see a 2000th goal. Next time I want to know who scored the first goal in CBJ history and who it was scored on. I watch television to learn so feed me some knowledge. Don't make me do all the work I'm quite lazy sometimes.
Now next game I expect you to be oozing lovey goodness all over the screen about the Jackets. I expect screaming and happiness when they score. I expect fun facts. If not I will begin to put you on mute, make my own commentary and send it to you after every game. If you know me that means singing, giggling, and corny lame jokes that make Edzo and Foley look sober. You're move.
Love always 
One of the few NHL fans who loves the Jackets
Elaine Grace

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISTA SAVARD

Happy 21st Birthday David Savard!

What a way to celebrate your 21st by getting to play your first season in the NHL.

It's been a pleasure watching you this season. 

2 Assists and 4 PIMs!

I hope you party like you play: HARD!

May the Jackets give you the best birthday present ever.... 

A WIN! 

I scream

You scream

We all scream HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

We Finally Made History For Being Good At Something : Columbus 2 - Detroit 5

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT! THE BLUE JACKETS ARE GOOD AT SOMETHING! LOSING!

Oh man last night was a little rough to watch. I could just feel the Jackets life slip away. Lets get this over with. Oy.

1st Period:
Within the first 57 seconds of the game there was a scuffle in front of the Wings net. Both teams looked a mess. No one was flowing, everyone was throwing sticks around and passes were being missed. Then with 11:35 left Umberger got caught hugging a Detroit player and was sent to the box. Right as time was winding down on the power play Franzen was all by himself, something we didn't want, and scored. In an effort to get back in the game Mackenzie had a great point blank shot attempt. Note I said attempt because Howard made a beautiful save. Puck goes back into the Jackets end and then Nash breaks away. Exciting right? No! Nash outskated everyone on his line and caused an off-sides. Ugh that's such an Ohio sports scenario. With 5:59 left in the period Mackenzie gets sent to the bin for slashing. Do you want to guess what happens just as that power play winds down? Another Franzen power play goal. It's ok though because my boy Brassard scores on a rebound less than a minute later. Don't worry Detroit you can breathe easy because with 1:46 left in the period Brassard gets thrown in the box for 2 minutes on a B.S. slashing call. Period ends and I'm still semi optimistic. Jackets:1 - Red Wings: 2

2nd Period:
Who doesn't love to be thirty seconds into a period with a man down and the other team scoring? That's right the Wings scored 27 seconds into the period. There was so much crowding that Mason didn't even see Datysuk coming until it was too late. Heart wrenching I tell ya. Shortly after that Dorsett and Ericsson got into a fisticuffs. Both thrown into the box with five minute majors. At this point Mason begins to slow down. Slow to get up. Slow on the block. A minute after the wasted four on four Franzen goes to the box for hooking (2 minutes). The Jackets try to make magic happen on the power play but alas power play wasted. With 2:43 left in the period Jiri Hudler picks our fearless captain up and throws him on the ground. Both Nash and Hudler are thrown in the bin for roughing (2minutes). The Period ends with no score by the Jackets and Lidstrom sent to the box for holding.

3rd Period:
The period starts out exciting and full of positivity for the Jackets. With 18 seconds left in the power play Prospal passes to Johnson who slaps one in the goal. Just as the Jackets get it together Tyutin gets called for interference. Thrown in the box for 2 minutes and can you guess what happens next? The puck sails over the glass at the hands of Johnson. This causes a 5 on 3 and now my attitude has entered the land of half empty. As Tyutin steps on the ice Lidstrom sees an opening and fires it in the hole. With  8 minutes left Nash is crosschecked by Franzen. In typical Jackets fashion the power play is wasted. With about 2 minutes left in the game Jackets pull the goalie. Clitsome causes a turnover which leads to Filppula scoring on an empty net. Wings up 5 to 2. With a minute left Russell lays one of the most beautiful hip checks on Bertuzzi. Of course Bertuzzi is a little bitch about it, chases him down, and tries to fight him. They both get 2 minute minors. Game ends with me wondering why I put myself through this three times a week.


3 Stars:

• Brassard : First to score for the Jackets gets my love. All game he did his best to rally the troops. He handled most of the cheap shots and bad calls with grace. More than I can say for the people providing those cheap shots.
• Johnson: The second scorer of the night gets my love too. He just seemed to be in the right place at the right time all game. I guess it got on the nerves of the refs because they called him for a B.S. penalty later.
• Franzen: The Red Wings have found themselves a ninja on ice skates. He knows how to break free so he can collect himself right before the kill. If he wasn't a Red Wing I would profess my love to him. 

Random Observations:

• Do you think the beer vendors have really good life insurance? They wear these bright yellow shirts that just scream "HIT ME WITH A PUCK!! HIT ME!!"
• I like the Jackets leaving Franzen alone with the puck as much as I like my little cousins accepting candy from a stranger. 
• Of all the songs in the world Detroit has the same goal song as the Jackets?! Its time for the Jackets to get a new song because I refuse to share a goal song with the ugliest team in the NHL. Plus, we don't even hear the song all that much so it wouldn't be missed right?
• Franzen is a Ninja
• Lidstrom is old but faster than most of the Blue Jackets. I shake my head in shame. 
• The Jackets fill up more seats in their venue than the Red Wings. 
• Nash needs a good massage or get laid. He's so tense. I know a lot falls on a captains shoulder but breathe man. You'll make mistakes if you don't. 
• Fox Sports Ohio spent most of their time fawning over Detroit. I'm sorry I thought I was watching Fox Sports Ohio NOT Fox Sports Michigan. 
• During the third period they had to stop the game because fans were throwing coins on the ice. Either Obama was in the building or Detroit is a rich town now. 
• Do Detroit fans realize that the song "Don't Stop Believing" is about getting out of that rodent infested smelly city? 
• Bertuzzi will never out grow being a scum bag succubus. 

At this point we might as well just lose all our games from here on out so we can make history. 

Tonight We Make History: Columbus vs Detroit Preview 10-21-2011

Puck Drop: 730pm

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Ohio/ 97.1 and Bluejackets.com

Tonight, no matter the outcome, we make history. The question is will it be laughable history or honorable history. Will the Jackets ruin the Red Wings win streak? Will the Jackets continue their lose streak and enter the franchise hall of fame for worst start to a season? 

Tonight the Red Wings take the ice at home after six games off and a week long of running around thanking the town. There is no doubt they are well rested and itching to play. The question is will the time off from competition make them hungry for a win? Or will they take tonight lightly because the Jackets have a win less season? With the Red Wings defense being spot on this season I fear for yet another loss for the Jackets. Especially since the Red Wings play the same regardless of who is on or off the ice. Also, you can't forget the fact Swede Johan Franzen is on fire. 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points the Jackets need to watch him. Anytime Franzen has an opening it's going to be bad news. He will seize the opportunity and fire one into the hole faster than Jackets fans can find the nearest bridge. The only downside for the Red Wings is Todd Bertuzzi. A player known for cheap shots that helps rally their opponent to a win.

Tonight the Jackets take the ice beat down yet hopeful. Tonight they look to turn it around. Can they do it? I believe they can but then again I'm biased. I grew up right outside of Chicago and my whole family is Ohio State lovers. Therefore, I loathe everything Michigan. False, I like Ford pick up trucks, Motown music, the sand dunes and the fact I can get to Canada. The real point here is I dislike the dirty stinky armpit of the United States also known as DETROIT. I don't like Bertuzzi as a player. He scares me. I'm afraid he's going to take out one of my babies tonight. So tonight I look forward to seeing the Umberger, Brassard and Nash line. Towards the end of the last game they started to flow better. They started to connect. Tonight I believe they will finally come together and light it up. Out of all of the lines Arniel has put together the first line of Umberger, Brassard, and Nash is my favorite. Hopefully the excitement and dedication that line brings to the ice will trickle down to the rest of the team. Even though Russell is -1 look for him to bring some energy tonight. His goal last game set the Jackets on fire. I look for Russell or Brassard to score first tonight. 

What needs to happen:

• Nash needs to calm down. He's so amped up about having to win these next few games it's affecting his game play. He cannot whiff 2 inches away from the net tonight. 
• The Jackets need to learn the Goal Post is NOT your friend. 
• Mason needs to watch his glove side. It's been what kills him the past few games. 
• The Jackets need to score first and hold off all the Red Wings advances. 
• Franzen needs to be watched. One man needs to be on him at all times.
• And obviously the Jackets need to win. It's sad to say it already but it's DO OR DIE TIME

I scream

you scream

we all scream for some history. 

We're #1 ! We're #1! We're #1 at losing! : Columbus -2 to Dallas-3

Well guys here's the Bad News: the Jackets lost. Good News: we're the best at losing and it's feels great to be the best at something right? RIGHT?! RIGHT! Let's just get this sadness over with.

First Period:

Fourty seconds in the Jackets were almost scored on and were called for off sides. Just the way anyone dreams of starting a game. The next four shifts consisted of four different lines. Then five minutes in the Jackets got a glimpse of hope. Johansen  fired a clean shot into the goal. Happiness and cheers all around until the refs disallowed it because Dorsett was in the crease. With 11:05 left in the period Nash was set up for a great shorter and just when we all got excited he whiffed. Yes, he whiffed right there in front of the net. During the next shift, in comedic Jackets fashion, not only did a Stars high stick Mason so did Martinek. Good thing the high stick went without notice or else that would be the most embarassing penalty in the league. With 8 minutes to go Ott take a trip to the sin bin for tripping and shocker a wasted power play. A little over 3 minutes left in the period and both Dowell and Bass were handed five minute majors for getting in a knock down wrestling match. Period ended with no goals and the Jackets out shooting the Stars 12-4.

Second Period:
The period started off slow with a bunch of missed connections from both teams. Until about four and half minutes in when Ott wins the face off and scores on Mason. The Jackets first line did a great job on coverage and Mason just missed it on the glove side. First time I have ever seen Mason falter so bad. About six minutes in Johansen gets pushed into Lehtonen and was sent to the sin bin (2 minutes) for interference. Yet again another dumb call the refs made. Then Robidas high sticks Paulson and gets sent to the sin bin (2 minutes) nullifying the power play. In a moment of craziness Dallas puts too many men on the ice. Morrow takes the penalty and gets two minutes in the box causing a 4 on 3 which after twenty seconds turned into a 5on 3. Yet again, POWER PLAY WASTED for both teams. The rest of the period plays out like this: no goals, the post got a lot of action, a few scuffles in front of the Jackets net and more wasted power plays. Period ends with the Jackets down 0-1 and out shooting the Stars 12to7.

Third Period:
Within the first two minutes of the period Jamie Benn knocks the puck out of the air, bounces it off the boards to himself, laterals, and the scores for his second goal of the season and Dallas' second of the night. They should have credited Benn with the assist for his goal because that was just one of the most beautiful utilization of the boards I have ever seen. 2 minutes after that Souray heads to the box (2minutes)  for cross checking Nash. This lead to a beautifully executed pass from Nash to Brassard for the Jackets first goal of the season. Shortly after that a shot attempt by Souray is deflected by Ryder and tipped in past Mason giving the Stars a 3-1 lead. Souray holds Nash on the next shift and is sent to the box for 2 minutes which of course leads to nothing. With 3 minutes left in the game Russell fires and scores on a lateral move. At this point the Jackets are getting fired up. With 1:28 left in the game the Jackets pull their goalie. The frenzy begins. Shot after shot after shot is fired upon Lehtonen. Denied, wide and posts. 18.5 seconds left Jackets call a time out to make one last attempt at winning this game. Umberger wins the faceoff but the Stars went hard blocking every attempt at a perfect pass or shot. Thus the game ended with Columbus falling to the Stars. This game with haunt the Jackets for awhile. There were too many near misses and almost made shots in this game.





3 Stars
Lehtonen: I was really hoping to have all three stars be Jackets but alas Lehtonen is just too beastly to not be allowed on this list. He only allowed 2 goals after being shot at 40 times.
Brassard: You have to give props to the man who first got past Lehtonen. He really stepped in for Carter last night. Also, with that goal Brassard scored the 2,000th goal in franchise history. Multiple stick taps to you buddy.
Russell: A beautiful unassisted wrister in the third to helped set the team on fire. A little too late for the fire to happen but Russell's goal definitely pumped up the whole team, something that Nash was trying to do all game.


Random Observations

• I like the Umby, Brassard and Nash line it just took them a while to get their flow on. 
• If you take a shot everytime the announcers say "Jackets, yet again, missed the mark" it makes watching more tolerable
• Does anyone really know how to pronounce Lehtonen?
• I dislike Ott immensely but he and the puck have some weird creepy love affair. They always seem to find each other. 
• The Refs of tonights game are the Stars dirty sleazy skank
• I really like the Jackets new goal song (the whip by locksley) unfortunately think it's been used by other teams.
• The way Nash constantly sacrificed his body for the team was hot. I've never been attracted to Nash in anyway until that game.
• Nash's mouth guard looks like a grill. "SMILE FOR ME DADDY"
• Fox Sports Ohio always zooms in on the Jackets play board. Apparently all the other teams are paying the cameraman. O who am I kidding no one wants to know what the Jackets next move is.
• I'd really love to see a cage match between Ott and Dorsett. Dorsett got under Otts skin and it made me about as giddy as a kid on christmas morning.
• My wrap up is a little disjointed and not flowing together.... don't worry that's just an homage to the Jackets

you gotta reach up and grab that star if you wanna shine: Dallas vs Columbus preview 10-17-2011

Puck Drop: 7pm eastern
Tv: Fox Sports Ohio

*DISCLAIMER* If you can't handle flowery happiness you should just leave right now. This preview is the stereotypical Ohio sports fan preview. That fan who at the beginning of the season is overly optimistic and eventually turn to the bottle while they cry themselves to sleep after a loss.

Well folks here we are beginning of the season, last in the league, and no wins. Couldn't get worse right? The only place to go is up, right? RIGHT! So ladies and gentleman it's time to put on your positivity pants and join me on this wonderful ride.

DALLAS:

• Lehtonen : He may be a beast of a goalie. He may not of lost a game yet. He's only allowed 6 goals in the past 4 games he's played. Guess what? the BJs scored two of the goals. For all you non math majors that's 1/3, that's 33ish%, that's the same amount of goals as "better" teams like Chicago and Phoenix scored against him this season COMBINED. No one can be perfect all the time.  :)
• Not including shoot outs, in the past eight meetings Dallas hasn't allowed the BJs to score over 2 goals. Don't get negative on me now guys. Didn't your momma ever tell you one goal is all you really need to win a game?

COLUMBUS:

• Carter: He was placed on IR on a week to week basis with a foot injury. HEY THAT'S OK! Now Brassard will be moved to the first line where he seems to flow the best. Which then shifts Prospal to the second line alone with Vermette. Two things happen here. The offensive scoring opportunities open up immensely and my dream of a Vermette/Prospal bromance begins to come into view.
• Prospal has 3 goals this season. Nash has 2 goals this season. We are only five games into the season! Combined that's a goal a game! All you really need to win a game is one goal.
• Tonight will be our night to break our losing streak. Tonight will be the night to show the NHL we shall overcome and NOT be the joke of the league. Hey guys if we lose at least we are number one at something and that something is losing. So good luck boys and show those Stars what you got. 

I scream

You scream

We all scream for an end to a losing streak.  

What the NBA lockout could do for the Blue Jackets

With the 2011-2012 lock out looming above basketball fans heads everywhere it means good things for hockey. Many Ohio State fans are falling off the bandwagon and looking for somewhere to go. Why not welcome them into the loving arms of the NHL? The Indians missed the playoffs, again. Why not welcome their fans into the loving arms of the NHL? Where are all those angry, woe is me Browns fan going to go after they "just" miss the play-offs? They usually run straight into the arms of the Cavs but wait the Cavs won't be there. Ohioans can try and not watch sports until spring training. Will they? No, because sports is every Ohioans oxygen. Unfortunately Hockey might not be where these fans run. Lets roll through the Good News and Bad News this possible full season NBA lock-out brings us.

Bad News:

• As I stated earlier, sports = oxygen. Which means people invest their lives in college sports and high school sports. With the MAC finally starting to show they are a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA basketball tournament all those jumping off the BIG 10 bandwagon will now be climbing on the MAC bandwagon. High Schools like St. Edwards, Walsh Jesuit, Moeller, Xavier, Whitmer, Cardinal Mooney and Glenville are constantly in the National spot light for wrestling, basketball and football. If any of these teams have a good year that will be enough to satisfy the sports bug for most Ohioans. 
• If people do decide to run into the arms of the NHL the North East and North West fan base is shot. In the North East Pens, Sabres,Bruins, and Canuks fans run rampant. The Avs farm team, Lake Erie Monsters, is located in Cleveland. With inexpensive games and a fun atmosphere new hockey fans will probably end up at Quicken Loans Arena instead of Nationwide Arena. In the North West you have farmers and fans of all things Detroit, Cincinnati, and Ohio State. It's the place where all the Division 6 High Schools hail. People eat, sleep and breathe high school sports here. Being without the NBA could possibly be a breeze for them. 
• The lock-out won't make the Blue Jackets magically a better team. It won't make them have the team chemistry they need to even dream of making the playoffs.

Good News

• Last year a good amount of Blue Jackets games were not shown in half of the state because they aired at the same time as the Cavs. If the whole NBA season is locked out you won't have to miss a single Blue Jackets game on Fox Sports Ohio. 
• If the Blue Jackets start to do well the news will ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT THEM. The news loves to talk about their sports teams. Usually hockey gets overshadowed by the Cavs, LeBron, and Snowstorms. An NBA lock-out will lead to zero talk about the Cavs and minimal talk about LeBron. Therefore, the Blue Jackets can now wiggle their way into the hearts of Ohioans. 
• You will NEVER go a game with out laughing. I love the BJs BUT when you have a team that has very little chemistry hilarity will ensue. I can't even tell you the amount of times someone had a breakaway and passed it to a member of the other team. What's even better are the fan reactions. They range from "o my please take my life now" to "if i wanted to see someone play like this i would have watched the Browns lose" to "HEY REF THERE HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF FOUL OR SOMETHING THERE". That last one is my favorite one. Cute little overly optimistic fans who blame everything on everyone else.
• Even though the BJs mascot, Stinger, is a bit on the creepy looking side you have nothing to fear. He won't molest you like some teams mascots will. *cough* Tommy Hawk *cough*

So boys, you know what to do. It's time to show Ohio that hockey is where it's at.

I scream 

You scream

We all scream for a possible NBA lockout

Slow Start for the BJs

Right now there is as running joke with some of my friends that I am the reason why the Blue Jackets have yet to win a game this season. They claim my lack of blogging and abandonment of this blog has been a jinx for the team. So in an effort to prove them wrong I'll be blogging yet again.

When you look at the roster you've got Nash, Vermette, Umberger, Carter, Prospal, Wisniewski, and Mason. I get all giddy and giggly when I see those names on one team. They SHOULD be lighting it up. They aren't. In fact they have yet to win a game this season. To make it even worse they lost in a shootout to the AVS. THE AVS!!


Blue Jackets get your shit together and prove my friends right that I am a jinx for not blogging.

I SCREAM

YOU SCREAM 

WE ALL SCREAM FOR A HOPEFULLY BETTER SEASON... please