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. 

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