Welcome to the 500 club

          On October 10th 2002, the Chicago Blackhawks rolled into Nationwide Arena for the first game of the season. In the locker room a young rookie put on his pads and laced up his skates in anticipation of his first NHL game. This will be the first time he walks down the tunnel to the bench. The first time he high fives the fans surrounding the entrance of the tunnel. The first time he sets foot onto the ice for warm ups. This will be the first time he will look into the crowd after the National Anthem and hear them cheering for his team.This game is his chance to prove to everyone in the NHL why he was drafted above all other players in the draft that year. In the second period the young rookie did just that. At the 7:35 mark of the second he redirected the puck with a backhand and watched it sail in pass Blackhawks goalie Jocelyn Thibault. The crowd rose to their feet in jubilant fashion and deafeningly cheered for their new favorite hockey player Rick Nash.

          9 years and one month later Captain Nash made Blue Jackets history again. Yet again the Chicago Blackhawks got to be apart of the moment. In the third period Nash passed to Letestu who then scored on Crawford. Letestu's goal gave Captain Nash his 500th career point. The crowd didn't go quite as crazy for him but I teared up a little because I was proud of my Captain.

Congratulations Rick Nash!

Welcome to the 500 club! 

Are we playing the same sport? Blue Jackets fall to the Blackhawks 6-3

Blue Jackets you don't get an awesome wrap up. You just get one question asked. Are you playing the same sport as everyone in the NHL? The University of Akron hockey team has better chemistry than you and they are a club sport.  I know little girls that skate better than some of you. Arniel what's with the scratching the boys who produce? Is the new goal song "FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK WE SALUTE YOU now go sit down because you are going to be scratched next game as a thank you for scoring"? Oh my dear sweet CBJ I love you but you really need to go to rehab before you end up the joke of the NHL. O wait....


3 Stars:
1) Clitsome: The man scored two goals one of which was scored on a power play something the Blackhawks fail at epically.
2) Nash: 500th career point. I live in Ohio and like Ohio sports teams therefore I have low standards.
3) Montador: Gordie Howe hat trick. An incredible feat involving scoring, assisting, and fighting. Sounds like just another night out for my family. 



Random Observations:

* The crowd is quiet during the national anthem which leads me to believe not many Chicago fans traveled for this game
*In the first period Kane started staring down fans pounding on the glass. Looks like Bolland and his trolling is rubbing off.
* Every time someone gets sent to the penalty box Nationwide Arena feels the need to play the punk version of why can't we be friends. If I was on the ice during that song I would start throwing punches until the song stopped. So annyoing.
* Just when I thought Carcillo couldn't get any uglier he takes a puck to the mouth.
* Before the game Jared Boll said he wouldn't play as physical as last season since he's returning from an injury. So obviously he gets sent to the sin bin for roughing in the first period and tries to fight John Scott in the second.
*Mackenzie either needs to learn how to skate or stop hitting the bottle before periods.
* There always seems to be some sort of eye injury when these two teams meet at Nationwide Arena.
* When your team is down 5-1 doesn't it seem like a good idea to put in a goalie? O wait this is an Ohio sports team we are talking about THEY LIVE FOR THE PAIN!
* Fox Sports Ohio is the bane of my existence for three reasons: 1) they cut away to commercials during powerplays. 2) They talk about random stuff while the refs are announcing a call. 3) With five minutes left in the game they go to a half screen so they can interview a veteran. I love the military and all they do for our country but maybe that interview should have been saved for in between periods when you were having a raging boner for Patrick Kane. 
* The arena decided to play songs written by great american songwriters, about america, or about american songwriters. I'm a music nerd so this was highly entertaining for me.

To those who have departed during the Frenzy WE SALUTE YOU

Today we say goodbye to eight BJs who didn't make it through the free agency frenzy alive. Some of them I will miss and some of them I barely knew. I have written each of them a letter.

Dear Mathieu Garon,
You stepped up when Mason was out and gave a few top teams a run for their money. You didn't have the best record but you had heart. Tampa Bay is lucky to have you. If you don't play much this season take the chance to be a mentor and leader from the bench.


Dear Chris Clark,
You played more than half the games in the season yet you didn't stick in my mind. Constantly your injuries held you back. If you don't retire take this time and nurse your battle wounds.


Dear Jan Hejda,
O dear Jan when I saw Colorado signed you to a 4 year contract I was not shocked. Over the past few years you have not produced. I am not quite sure why the Avs signed you but I hope you take this second chance as an opportunity. Good Luck. Make the BJs proud.


Dear Anton Stralman,
You claim to be a defenseman but you only produced offensively. I truly wish I could say wonderful and beautiful things about you but I can not. I haven't followed your career enough to miss you. May you find your way in this crazy NHL world.


Dear Craig Rivet,
Craig, Craig, Craig, 14 games you played and 23 minutes you spent in the sin bin. Craig, Craig, Craig. When you came from the Sabres I had such high hopes for you. I was like this "Old Man" he is going to rock my world. I can feel it. Craig, Craig, Craig. O how wrong I was. It pains me to say this, since I've been following your career since you were on the canadiens, but maybe it is time to retire. Take all you have learned and become a coach. It seems as though you have the heart and passion to do so.


Dear Ethan Moreau,
What happened to you? Where did you go this season? I've loved you since your two year stint with the Blackhawks. You were an alternate captain and you had one goal and five assists. ONE GOAL AND FIVE ASSISTS?!?! I can't ice skate so I shouldn't judge but come on buddy we all know you can do better. With that being said, What is going to happen to you this off season? I hope someone picks you up. I hope a scalding hot fire has been lit under your ass because it'd be a shame to leave the league on such a low point in your career.

Dear Sami Lepisto,
I can't exactly be sad because you are now playing for one of my favorite teams. Soon you will be in the black and red. Soon you will be playing with the likes of Toews, Hossa, and Kane. Soon you will be getting interviewed by one of the best reporters in the league. I hope you have thick skin because Chicago sports fans are ruthless and undying. Here is a hint if you get scared there are two places to hide : Behind John Scott or Coach Qs mustache.  Although we know you won't hide. You are a warrior who goes into battle swinging. You are a spectacular defenseman who has barely been to parties in the sin bin. The Blackhawks are lucky to have you. I hope the fans shower you with love and fangirls.


Dear Scottie Upshall,
I went through the seven stages of grief when you signed with Florida. I was at a Buffalo Wild Wings when I saw your name flash on the screen. My chicken wings dropped in shock and I immediately denied it was you who had signed. I kept telling myself "Wow Scottie Upshall must be a popular name".  Which slowly went into pain and wondering if I was a good fan. Then I became very angry and started saying "Florida take the whole team but leave scottie alone." Quickly I became very depressed. My heart shattered into a million hockey pucks. Why Scottie Why? Did Scottie even know? I haven't actually hit the happier stages of dealing with grief. I refuse to accept this. Beam Scottie back to Columbus right now! You hear me? Granted you didn't produce like we thought but you were here only a short amount of time.  You seemed like a leader. I specifically remember the moment when the Blue Jackets were losing against the Blackhawks and your demeanor was positive. You truly believed the Blue Jackets would win the game. You and your positivity will be missed. I loved you on the Coyotes. I loved you on the Blue Jackets. I'm sure I will love you on the Panthers. Farewell my sweet scottie, farewell.

For those who have been BJs

WE SALUTE YOU.

The Magical BJs

Some people have asked me why I started a Blue Jackets blog since I grew up right outside Chicago and popped out of the womb a Blackhawks fan.

Honestly I didn't see my love of BJs coming. My whole life I have been strictly a Blackhawks and Sabres fan. The rest of the teams in the league could just go pound salt.

On Friday April 1st 2011, my mom and I, all decked out in our Blackhawks gear headed down to Columbus from Akron to root on our lovely Hawks.

The moment we walked through the doors of Nationwide Arena I could feel the magic of the arena. If you know me then you know that when I go to any sporting event the first thing I do is find my seat and scope out the nearest bathroom. I didn't do that this time. I had the urge to walk around and explore. Nationwide Arena is basically a museum for all things Blue Jackets.

 

You can tell that this venue is strictly a hockey venue. In fact I've never even been to a venue for any sporting event that takes this much pride in their team. This is the kind of venue that will make little kids become hockey fans. After being fascinated with each exhibit, including the drawings on the wall :) , I took my seat directly behind the Blue Jackets bench. The sweetest little kids were standing right in our seats waiting for their favorite players to come out. They made my heart turn into a puddle of gooey happiness. What was even cooler was the amount of players who acknowledged the kids. I've never seen so much love coming out of the locker rooms in my life. 

The best part about sitting within reaching distance of Voracek's beautiful locks is getting to see how the team reacts to the game. Yes there were often times i was distracted because a few guys didn't quite master the art of getting in and out of the bench.....sometimes you just have to use the door. It's ok, just do it, you won't look like an ass lol. I have to tell you these Blue Jackets have heart. I truthfully thought with Mason and Nash out they were going to die a slow painful death on the ice. Boy did they  bring it. In fact I think it's a good thing both of them were out. The Jackets have a lot of talent and now that the season is almost over they need to spend the summer molding that talent into something beautiful. Once this team clicks they will be contenders for the Stanley Cup. I can feel it. 

Here's the other great thing about the team: They are in Ohio.

See I've lived in the Akron/Cleveland area for 15 years. I've tried to get out multiple times and everytime I get sucked back into Ohio. So I figure if I am being held hostage in this state I might as well make the best of it. 

So from here on out I am supporting the Blue Jackets.... well as my number 2 team. 

                                <3 I scream, you scream, we all scream for BJs <3