The Win Heard Around Columbus

2010-01-11T14:42:00.000-08:00

The win in Edmonton changed the direction of the entire season, declared Hitchcock in the post-game press conference after Sunday night's victory over the Dallas Stars. This must be true considering we have seen "the real" Blue Jackets in the past three games. Three straight wins have tallied in the Jackets favor starting with the win in Edmonton. Columbus was host to the Dallas Stars last night at Nationwide Arena, in a crucial game for the Jackets. Raffi Torres put the Jackets on the board immediately, as Brassard set him up at 8:02 in the first period. It was a physical period after that as each team ended the period with 3 minor penalties a piece. Besides the 1-0 lead at the end of the first period, the best stat to stand out was the Blue Jackets leading the Stars in shots on goal 16-6. It didn't stop there as the Jackets ended the game out shooting the Stars 41-26. Matthieu Garon played an exceptional game, stopping all 26 shots on goal and making saves that we were used to Steve Mason making this time last year. My star of the game goes to Raffi Torres, who scored 1 goal, had 2 penalty minutes, a rating of +1, and led the team with 8 shots on goal. I believe with a little more ambition from Nash and his line, the Blue Jackets could climb back into the playoff race in no time. It would be nice to see the win streak continue. The Blue Jackets have a chance to gain some ground in the next weeks of play. Tomorrow they face off against the St. Louis Blues who set just 2 points back from the Jackets. Then Thursday Columbus travels to Chicago before heading home to play Chicago again on Saturday. Another three straight wins is not out of the question---

Vermette, Garon Reach 100

2010-01-09T18:05:00.000-08:00

Columbus Blue Jackets fans can finally breath again. After a long drought of wins the Jackets visit Alberta and escape with back to back wins. In Saturday's action against the Calgary Flames, two Blue Jackets reached milestones in their careers. Antoine Vermette scored his 100th career goal and Matthieu Garon walked away with his 100th career victory. The Blue Jackets wasted no time shushing the 19,000 in attendance as Raffi Torres scored with just 1:25 into the game. Calgary tied the game with 15:47 into the period with a goal from Mark Giordano. Antoine Vermette wouldn't stop with just one assist on the night as he set up Jan Hejda to fire a rocket, the only goal scored in the second period. Vermette obviously ate his wheaties as he came out in the 3rd period to fire a wrist shot, scoring his 100th career goal. The Blue Jackets were able to hang on from there only allowing one more goal from Rene Bourque, giving Garon his 100th career victory. The Blue Jackets seemed more energized in the last 2 games than they have since the start of the season. With 13 straight road losses, back to back wins sound great! Hopefully we will see this energy continue as the Jackets try to dig their way out of the burial plot they have fallen into. The Blue Jackets host the Dallas Stars tomorrow at Nationwide Arena. It's the third meeting between the two teams this season, splitting the series 1-1 so far. The Blue Jackets currently rest with 43 points, Dallas holds 49, The eighth place LA Kings have 53 points with Detroit close behind at 50. The Red Wings face San Jose tonight at 10:30 with a chance to gain 2 points (hopefully not). If the Blue Jackets can get a streak of W's going, things could turn around quickly. Let's not jump the gun too quickly here but I sense a comeback in Columbus....

The Jackets March

The Win Heard Around Columbus

Vermette, Garon Reach 100