What it Feels Like to Win in the Playoffs

by Mike MacLean on Apr 28, 2010 11:56 PM EDT

I've been behind the Jackets for a long time, over ten years. The day before the expansion draft, in fact. I had a 50/50 shot at being a Minny fan, but the coin flip came up Columbus.

Here we are over ten years later, and I am still a Columbus fan. It's been tough though, I have had many chances to bail on the Jackets, but I have stuck with them through thick and thin.

Tonight, I watched Montreal defeat the Washington Capitals and take the series 4-3. The Habs have decades of history, an NHL record number of Stanley Cups, and a ton of hall of famers. I watched the game tonight with a handful of Montreal fans, and I felt myself envious of them. They just witnessed history in the making- their team became the first eighth seed to come back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the number one seed.

My team has only made the playoffs once, and were summarily swept in four games. I don't know what it's like to celebrate a playoff win. Not even a series win like my Hab-loving buddies- just one game. I, along with every Jackets fan, can't wait for the day when the Columbus Blue Jackets are a consistent contender. Until then, we watch as the teams around us defy the odds and win in the playoffs.

This post however is born out of jealousy and envy. I want to feel what it's like to have my favourite team win a playoff game.

I'm sure it feels amazing.

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Well maybe if we were in the Eastern Conference

we would have made it past the first round last year

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
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by WVPiratesfan on Apr 29, 2010 12:01 AM EDT reply actions

I am weary of using the fact we are in the West as a crutch, but I am confident that if the Jackets were an Eastern Conference team, they would have made it to the post-season more than once in their history.

Follow me on Twitter! Mike MacLean

Manager of The Cannon, a Columbus Blue Jackets Blog

by Mike MacLean on Apr 29, 2010 12:05 AM EDT reply actions

We always play the EC teams very well

but thats not the conference were in, so we just have to play the cards we were delt by the NHL

by WVPiratesfan on Apr 29, 2010 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly. It is what it is. At the end of the day though, I remember feeling strange when the Jackets made the playoffs last year. I was so used to thinking about the draft after 82 games that it was almost awkward knowing Columbus was still alive. It was all over so quick- a shame, really. I didn’t take the time to enjoy it. I wish to hell it wasn’t Detroit that we played last year.

Follow me on Twitter! Mike MacLean

Manager of The Cannon, a Columbus Blue Jackets Blog

by Mike MacLean on Apr 29, 2010 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I too...

Felt some jealousy last night as I watched Montreal move on. I didn’t become a fan quite the way you did Mike, I’m a long suffering Columbus hockey fan. I followed our ECHL team the Chill for a number of years just to see them fail in the playoffs. At least they made it more than once though. I have faith that the Jackets will do what is necessary to become a contender year after year. The frustrating thing is that there is a guy at work who calls us the worst franchise in pro sports. Even though I disagree with him wholeheartedly, it’s tough to argue when he says “Zero playoff wins in 10 years”. Add to that the fact that a guy a few rows over on my hall is a Wings fan and I hate going in to work this time of year. I will continue to support my Blue Jackets but man wouldn’t it be nice if this time next year we were moving on to the second round?

P.S… Mike, I forgot to mail the hat. I’ve been busy but it’s coming soon, I swear. :)

by doug32674 on Apr 29, 2010 7:26 AM EDT reply actions

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