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.

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

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.  

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

Welcome to Ohio Carter!

After a full nights rest and a margarita I am excited to have Jeff Carter on our team. Let me be frank with you for a moment. Last night I was pulling my hair out and very angry that Voracek was traded. Voracek, I love you man so please if you are somehow reading this do not take offense. Moving Carter to Columbus is the best move they have made since signing Nash. Thinking about the Nash-Carter dynamic makes my heart pitter patter. This past season stats for both of these guys is so similar you would think they were the Sedin twins except less creepy and not related. Let me break it down for you. 

GOALS

Nash: 32

Carter: 36

ASSISTS

Nash: 34

Carter: 30

PARTIES IN THE SIN BIN (aka PIMs)

Nash: 34

Carter: 39

POWER PLAY GOALS

Nash: 6

Carter: 8

GAME WINNING GOALS

Nash: 7

Carter: 7

SHOTS

Nash: 305

Carter: 335

They are clutch players who attack the goal constantly. With Carter's impeccable defensive skills the Blue Jackets franchise will no longer rest solely on the shoulders of Nash. This season will be action packed and I forsee a shot at the Playoffs. Maybe we will even get a new bromance out of this trade. Who doesn't love a good bromance?

I scream

You scream

We all scream FOR BJs!!!