Game 14 Recap: Shark Bait Hoo Ha Ha
Sometimes 3-2 losses don't taste too bad. When we compete at a high level against the best teams in the league, I'll never be disappointed. The Jackets fell in a shootout to the Sharks (who have won both of our encounters this year), but the overall play left me feeling content. I thought we played a complete, well rounded game. The only glitch in the game was the beginning of play in the third that I thought was carried by the Sharks, but we finished strong down the stretch
The play of the Nash - Vermette - Umberger line was solid tonight. All night they were matched against the Thornton line and played well. It almost seemed as if these lines duked it out. One shift went to the Sharks, the next to the Jackets. Vermette and Nash continue to be strong 5 on 5. I'd love to see this pair stick for a while. This takes the pressure off of Brassard and allow him to solidify a 2nd line. The creativity and chemistry of Nash and Vermette has been a sight.
1 for 1 on the powerplay tonight. It might have been the best powerplay in Blue Jackets history. The Cannon has to do a major cap nod to Rob Blake. Dude was jacked up in the corner and he drug himself to the front of the net. He had to play out about another 45 seconds of our powerplay that ended up in their net off the stick of Nash. A lesser man would have stayed crumpled in the corner and waited for a whistle. The puck movement may have been highlighted by the fact it was basically a 5 on 3, but I'll take it. Wish we could have drawn more penalties tonight.
Lets just say Jared Boll was visible tonight. I still don't think he is an NHL player, but he was game tonight. 2 fights, one drawn penalty, and one missed check into our bench. He got the crowd jazzed. I'm not sure what took the refs on the second fight so long to break it up. Boller could barely get his gloves off and balance. The incident led to our goal.
Derek Dorsett filled in at center tonight after Blunden's injury and didn't look out of place. The guy is a glue guy. He, Filatov, and Torres played a pretty decent game.
Voracek continues his strong, beastly play. He was more physical tonight than I can remember seeing. That's good news. I'd love to see him add that element to his game. It is the missing piece right now.
Tyutin and Stralman have consistently been a strong pair for us this year. Tyutin's slap-pass to Chimera got us on the board tonight. Offense from the backend is a must. This may be the best offensive pair the Jackets have ever put together. Neither guy will kill you in their own zone and they can get pucks through.
A major welcome back to Jan Hejda. Notice we didn't allow 5 goal tonight. That's the Hejda effect. He was positionally strong as always and he didn't look out of shape. Right where he left off.
Steve Mason continues a mini roll. He has eliminated the softies recently. It does wonders for his and the team's confidence. Now he needs to start stealing a couple games for us.
Mancrush of the Night goes to Jan Hejda. Welcome back 8. He got the loudest pop in the opening lineup (including Nash). Maybe Columbus hockey fans are really starting to catch on. Maybe we'll see a couple of Hejda #8 jerseys... umm probably not (he doesn't score goals!!!!OMG!!)
Whipping Boy takes a pass tonight. I thought we played a pretty solid game. I thought it was officiated pretty well. Sometimes it just doesn't pan out.
I took a friend who I introduced to true Blue Jackets hockey during Game 4 last year with an extra ticket. He has become a Jacket addict and like any good crack dealer I gave him another hit tonight. He's learning and loving it. So lesson #1 Jackets Fan, adopt a friend... give them crack... oh wait, no give them Blue Jackets hockey.
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Good game and I'll take the point
can we keep Dorsett for a while I think he is one of those guys who might not have the talent to be in the NHL but has the heart and desire to be in the NHL and want to prove people wrong that he can play in the NHL and play well
"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature. The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu
we need 12 derek dorsetts
or rather, 12 forwards with as much heart and drive as this guy. could you imagine what juice’s numbers would look like if he played as hard as this kid? i enjoy watching him on the ice more than anyone (except nash, duh.)
"yo this is a great sig and imma let you finish, but i've had the lulziest quotes of all time, OF ALL TIME!"
Boller
“2 fights, one drawn penalty, and one missed check into our bench.” Hahaha that sentence made me laugh. He is my boy, but those stats are the only way he gets noticed during games. Wish he had more upside for being my favorite player. Enjoyed the crack part too because i did that with my best friend. The blue jackets part, not the crack.
Overall I was pretty pleased with the effort. Mason made some huge saves in the 3rd period and you could tell his confidence was way up. Nash’s goal was from about the sharpest angle you could shoot from, sick (like we would expect anything less from our captain). I also thought Filatov had a great game and I was happy to see him in the shootout.
Speaking of which, I was a little surprised about Stralman being in the shootout. I know he was a wicked fast shot but its a scenario where you need your finesse guys in there. If we ever put defensemen in a shootout, why not Tyutin? Who can forget him roofing that shot against Chicago last year? I’ll take the one point but think we played well enough to get two.
As for Atlanta, this should be an easy two points but I won’t make any promises. They will be without the services of Ilya Kovalchuk who is one of their highest point producers. As of right now, Rich Peverly is their primary goal scorer. They’ll also be without Kari Lehtonen in goal. He just recently had another back surgery and is out 6-8 weeks. Expect to see Ondrej Pavelec between the pipes.
March On and Carry The Flag!!!
Go Jackets!!!
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
2 player fights, one shootout and a player flying in his own bench...
Great game! Guys played well all night and didn’t relax late in the game. Seemed like the biggest question in the arena was why Hitch chose which guys when for the shootout?
Speaking as the “new addict” last night was some quality goods. I will definitely be back for more…

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