Last CBJ post for a bit
Apr. 24th, 2009 12:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bzarcher(Well, OK, not counting the twitters that will show up tomorrow)
Part of why I've been talking a lot less Blue Jackets here is that I got asked to start writing for Fanbase.com, doing game recaps, players to watch, etx. Unfortunately, the site is still in closed beta so a lot of what I'm writing, you can't actually -see- yet.
However, I thought I'd cheat a little and post my writeup of the final playoff game here, too.
Western Conference Quarterfinal Game 4: DET @ CBJ - The End of the Beginning.
This is, without question, probably the hardest game recap to write, because even now, I have trouble recalling distinct events from this game. It's a blur of emotion, from joy to frustration, to exhilaration, to rage, to destitution, to a warm glow of pride and a sort of wistful acceptance.
The crowd was jam-packed, another standing room only sellout, and the seats we lucked into to for this game couldn't have been more perfect. Clear sightlines of the defend twice zone, a good loud group of fellow fans around us, and we were off to the races.
It seemed for a heartstopping moment like we were in for a repeat of game 3 when Detroit once again scored first, off of another poorly cleared turnover, but the Jackets came back, with Nash drawing a penalty on a rush up the ice, and Kristian Huselius breaking his playoff scoreless streak (seriously, 27 playoff appearances with 0 points! From a guy who gets 60 points a year like clockwork!) by scoring a powerplay goal (similarly unheard of!), off a nice feed from Nash to tie the score and get the building roaring back to life.
Sadly, the Jackets found themselves unable to stay out of the box afterward, and Detroit registered two quick tallies to silence the crowd again as the first period wound down.
However, life returned quickly into the second frame, first on a beautiful sharp-angle shot by Rick Nash to pull the team within one, then a SECOND powerplay marker by R.J. Umberger, continuing his clutch performance again. The crowd was back in it, the building roaring like a wild beast....and then Marian 'Mercenary' Hossa scored two more tallies.
But then....
First Kris Russell shook loose of the Detroit defense, slashing in on a breakaway for his first playoff goal (and one of his first this season, in fact). Then, as the Jacket offense swarmed Chris Osgood like a cloud of angry hornets, Freddy Modin would clean up a nice juicy rebound to tie it right back up, and the chants of "OS-GOOOOOOD! OS-GOOOOOOD!" would chase Osgood out of the net at the end of the second, and dog him throughout the third as both teams grappled for advantage, but were unable to convert.
With less than two minutes remaining, my heart pounded in my chest as I screamed my lungs out, expecting that, perhaps, we might just get a chance for Playoff OT.
....and then the ref made what I think might just be the worst call of the entire series. In 4 games where nearly every game seemed to be called exceedingly tight against the Jackets, and exceedingly lenient against the Wings, this stood out as incredibly egregious. The Jackets were called for too many men on the ice with less than a minute and a half left in the game, and for the first time I can recall in 8 years of hockey at Nationwide Arena, the ice surface was SHOWERED in bottles, glasses, cans, cups, anything that people could get their hands on, aimed squarely at the officials. Play was called and the teams sent to their benches until the avalanche halted and the debris could be cleared....and unfortunately, after play finally resumed, the Red Wing powerplay was just too good, pressing the Jackets in, and unable to clear the puck, finally crumpling as Franzen scored the game winner with only 40 seconds left. The adrenaline left in a heartbeat, and my mouth filled with ashes.
The Jackets attempted to rally, to tie the game one last time, to give us one more chance, but it didn't happen. Thankfully, no octopi would hit the ice afterwards, perhaps a sign that the ushers and screeners did a better job...perhaps just a sign of respect for a hard fought battle.
After the teams shook hands at center ice, the Jackets assembled to salute the crowd, and the crowd recognized this record-breaking season, this step forward, by showering them with cheers and praise. "LET'S GO JACKETS!" was chanted over and over and over again until they left the ice and beyond, with the cheer sparking back to life in the stairwells and the concourses, even in the plaza outside the arena as fans made their ways out and back to their cars.
I'm proud of my team. They didn't roll over like Montreal, or fall apart like St. Louis. We went out, but we went out fighting, challenging, battling, and the improvements that Hitchcock talked about seemed to finally appear, the team no longer intimidated or afraid of the Wings, but sending themselves out with a fire and fury, finding the gaps and holes to break through in the zone and move the puck as they needed to.
It may have been a little too late for this year, but as I talked it over with my friends, we all agreed this felt like a game that the core of the team could take to heart and use as a base to grow from This was the first trip to the playoffs, but with a game like this to drive them into next year, I strongly doubt it will be the last.
There's work to be done. There's the draft coming up, there's free agency ahead, and there's a lot of question marks in our farm system of who is going to challenge for a roster spot, and who might end up in Syracuse, or perhaps moved to another team.
No complaints about any players. They all earned my respect and my admiration tonight.
I suspect this will be the last time we see some of them in a Blue Jacket uniform - that's a simple reality of the cap era...if I had to make a wish list, I feel like past the obvious priority of extending Nash, keeping WIlliams and perhaps extending Vermette should be the next two internal priorities.
It's obvious that we still need a better offensive defenseman...I can't be the only person wondering if Andrei Markov might fit into Columbus. I think Kris Russell is showing signs of blossoming, but he needs to add more muscle to his frame - something I hope to see happen this summer. I have to wonder if we'll see Russell, Voracek, Filatov, Brassard, and other borderline hopefuls like Legein and Sigalet here this summer working with Barry Brennan to get stronger and in even better shape for next season.
I think Mark Methot and Derek Dorsett showed a great deal of maturing during this series - I think both will be permanent additions to the squad next year. I do wonder if perhaps fan favorite pugilist Jared Boll may have lost his roster sport to Dorsett, though. Derek has a lot of the same edge and scrappiness, but seems to have a lot more skating and offensive ability. Perhaps training camp will tell us more.
If rumors that Manny Malhotra wants a significant raise are true, I suspect he will be wished well for his time here, but allowed to explore the market. Similarly, though I liked the veteran presence he provided, I think Michael Peca is likely to be gone as well - while he was able to keep a good pace last year, he's spent a lot of this season looking just a few steps behind. He might well fit as an excellent 4th line centerman, but I don't know if he'd accept that role. Freddy Modin, while he scored a huge goal tonight, has spent so much time injured since he signed his last contract that I have to wonder if he'll be offered a buyout.
We will see - one thing, though, seems certain: The Central Division is going to be one of, if not the, best divisions in the NHL next year, and the Blue Jackets are on their way up.
It's been a hell of a year. It's been a hell of a season. I can't wait for next year - I'll have a lot of administrative stuff to do with the Jacket Backers prepping for the Draft, for Free Agency, and for the club's elections for new officers and a transition for the next officers to come in and take over. (Though I have this suspicion that I'll be asked to run again for Secretary at the very least...Julie keeps making little noises about how I might make a good President, which should terrify everyone)...but I think things are going to settle down a bit for me, and I'll get a bit more time back to put into M3, EVE, and whatnot.
I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm excited, my throat hurts, my heart feels like it stopped 8 times tonight.
It was terrifying, it was disappointing, it was amazing, it was perfect.
It was the best Jackets season yet, and I cannot wait for the next one to start.
Carry the Flag.
Part of why I've been talking a lot less Blue Jackets here is that I got asked to start writing for Fanbase.com, doing game recaps, players to watch, etx. Unfortunately, the site is still in closed beta so a lot of what I'm writing, you can't actually -see- yet.
However, I thought I'd cheat a little and post my writeup of the final playoff game here, too.
Western Conference Quarterfinal Game 4: DET @ CBJ - The End of the Beginning.
This is, without question, probably the hardest game recap to write, because even now, I have trouble recalling distinct events from this game. It's a blur of emotion, from joy to frustration, to exhilaration, to rage, to destitution, to a warm glow of pride and a sort of wistful acceptance.
The crowd was jam-packed, another standing room only sellout, and the seats we lucked into to for this game couldn't have been more perfect. Clear sightlines of the defend twice zone, a good loud group of fellow fans around us, and we were off to the races.
It seemed for a heartstopping moment like we were in for a repeat of game 3 when Detroit once again scored first, off of another poorly cleared turnover, but the Jackets came back, with Nash drawing a penalty on a rush up the ice, and Kristian Huselius breaking his playoff scoreless streak (seriously, 27 playoff appearances with 0 points! From a guy who gets 60 points a year like clockwork!) by scoring a powerplay goal (similarly unheard of!), off a nice feed from Nash to tie the score and get the building roaring back to life.
Sadly, the Jackets found themselves unable to stay out of the box afterward, and Detroit registered two quick tallies to silence the crowd again as the first period wound down.
However, life returned quickly into the second frame, first on a beautiful sharp-angle shot by Rick Nash to pull the team within one, then a SECOND powerplay marker by R.J. Umberger, continuing his clutch performance again. The crowd was back in it, the building roaring like a wild beast....and then Marian 'Mercenary' Hossa scored two more tallies.
But then....
First Kris Russell shook loose of the Detroit defense, slashing in on a breakaway for his first playoff goal (and one of his first this season, in fact). Then, as the Jacket offense swarmed Chris Osgood like a cloud of angry hornets, Freddy Modin would clean up a nice juicy rebound to tie it right back up, and the chants of "OS-GOOOOOOD! OS-GOOOOOOD!" would chase Osgood out of the net at the end of the second, and dog him throughout the third as both teams grappled for advantage, but were unable to convert.
With less than two minutes remaining, my heart pounded in my chest as I screamed my lungs out, expecting that, perhaps, we might just get a chance for Playoff OT.
....and then the ref made what I think might just be the worst call of the entire series. In 4 games where nearly every game seemed to be called exceedingly tight against the Jackets, and exceedingly lenient against the Wings, this stood out as incredibly egregious. The Jackets were called for too many men on the ice with less than a minute and a half left in the game, and for the first time I can recall in 8 years of hockey at Nationwide Arena, the ice surface was SHOWERED in bottles, glasses, cans, cups, anything that people could get their hands on, aimed squarely at the officials. Play was called and the teams sent to their benches until the avalanche halted and the debris could be cleared....and unfortunately, after play finally resumed, the Red Wing powerplay was just too good, pressing the Jackets in, and unable to clear the puck, finally crumpling as Franzen scored the game winner with only 40 seconds left. The adrenaline left in a heartbeat, and my mouth filled with ashes.
The Jackets attempted to rally, to tie the game one last time, to give us one more chance, but it didn't happen. Thankfully, no octopi would hit the ice afterwards, perhaps a sign that the ushers and screeners did a better job...perhaps just a sign of respect for a hard fought battle.
After the teams shook hands at center ice, the Jackets assembled to salute the crowd, and the crowd recognized this record-breaking season, this step forward, by showering them with cheers and praise. "LET'S GO JACKETS!" was chanted over and over and over again until they left the ice and beyond, with the cheer sparking back to life in the stairwells and the concourses, even in the plaza outside the arena as fans made their ways out and back to their cars.
I'm proud of my team. They didn't roll over like Montreal, or fall apart like St. Louis. We went out, but we went out fighting, challenging, battling, and the improvements that Hitchcock talked about seemed to finally appear, the team no longer intimidated or afraid of the Wings, but sending themselves out with a fire and fury, finding the gaps and holes to break through in the zone and move the puck as they needed to.
It may have been a little too late for this year, but as I talked it over with my friends, we all agreed this felt like a game that the core of the team could take to heart and use as a base to grow from This was the first trip to the playoffs, but with a game like this to drive them into next year, I strongly doubt it will be the last.
There's work to be done. There's the draft coming up, there's free agency ahead, and there's a lot of question marks in our farm system of who is going to challenge for a roster spot, and who might end up in Syracuse, or perhaps moved to another team.
No complaints about any players. They all earned my respect and my admiration tonight.
I suspect this will be the last time we see some of them in a Blue Jacket uniform - that's a simple reality of the cap era...if I had to make a wish list, I feel like past the obvious priority of extending Nash, keeping WIlliams and perhaps extending Vermette should be the next two internal priorities.
It's obvious that we still need a better offensive defenseman...I can't be the only person wondering if Andrei Markov might fit into Columbus. I think Kris Russell is showing signs of blossoming, but he needs to add more muscle to his frame - something I hope to see happen this summer. I have to wonder if we'll see Russell, Voracek, Filatov, Brassard, and other borderline hopefuls like Legein and Sigalet here this summer working with Barry Brennan to get stronger and in even better shape for next season.
I think Mark Methot and Derek Dorsett showed a great deal of maturing during this series - I think both will be permanent additions to the squad next year. I do wonder if perhaps fan favorite pugilist Jared Boll may have lost his roster sport to Dorsett, though. Derek has a lot of the same edge and scrappiness, but seems to have a lot more skating and offensive ability. Perhaps training camp will tell us more.
If rumors that Manny Malhotra wants a significant raise are true, I suspect he will be wished well for his time here, but allowed to explore the market. Similarly, though I liked the veteran presence he provided, I think Michael Peca is likely to be gone as well - while he was able to keep a good pace last year, he's spent a lot of this season looking just a few steps behind. He might well fit as an excellent 4th line centerman, but I don't know if he'd accept that role. Freddy Modin, while he scored a huge goal tonight, has spent so much time injured since he signed his last contract that I have to wonder if he'll be offered a buyout.
We will see - one thing, though, seems certain: The Central Division is going to be one of, if not the, best divisions in the NHL next year, and the Blue Jackets are on their way up.
It's been a hell of a year. It's been a hell of a season. I can't wait for next year - I'll have a lot of administrative stuff to do with the Jacket Backers prepping for the Draft, for Free Agency, and for the club's elections for new officers and a transition for the next officers to come in and take over. (Though I have this suspicion that I'll be asked to run again for Secretary at the very least...Julie keeps making little noises about how I might make a good President, which should terrify everyone)...but I think things are going to settle down a bit for me, and I'll get a bit more time back to put into M3, EVE, and whatnot.
I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm excited, my throat hurts, my heart feels like it stopped 8 times tonight.
It was terrifying, it was disappointing, it was amazing, it was perfect.
It was the best Jackets season yet, and I cannot wait for the next one to start.
Carry the Flag.
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no subject
Date: 2009-04-24 09:57 am (UTC)The crowd last night was incredible. They never let up, even when when down two goals. Top marks to the fans.
no subject
Date: 2009-04-24 01:01 pm (UTC)Ah, well.
The crowd was incredible to be a part of. If we can get the crowds to put that kind of energy into it for regular season games next year, there will be NO questions about 'Is Columbus a Hockey Town?'