As much as it pains me to say it, I am more excited to watch tonight’s game than I have been in a long time. There are a few reasons, namely the Tyler Wright pre-game ceremony, the #MoneyOnTheBoard drive, and the opportunity to beat a Red Wing team that kick-started the team’s recent tumble down the standings.
Admittedly, my favorite original Blue Jacket was Geoff Sanderson. I did always like Tyler Wright though, he was all business on the ice and a show of class off it. He’s great for the organization, serving as a mentor of sorts for the organization’s younger players and prospects.
As for #MoneyOnTheBoard, I put forth my pledge about 15 minutes before writing this post. I am pledging $50.00 to the QEII foundation, a local non-profit here in Halifax that aims to improve health care for Atlantic Canadians. If Jake (a former Halifax resident himself, from his days with the Mooseheads) scores the game winner, I’ll donate another $10.00. This is a fantastic undertaking, as of this time the pledges are currently over $5000! I’m sure the players are going to do whatever it takes to give the home town fans, and charities around North America, something to smile about.
As for the game itself, I am looking for the line of Nash-Brass-Voracek to do some damage. The lines oozes skill, but the mentality needs to be shoot-shoot-shoot. Too often the last move is a pass, when a shot would have stood a strong chance of going in. I thought Sammy Pahlsson showed more offensive flair last game against Phoenix than I’ve seen yet-great to see. Contributions from the bottom-six are going to tell the story.
A big pat on the back to CBJ fans everywhere, for showing so much generosity with the MoneyOnTheBoard campaign!