Columbus Blue Jackets (Official Thread)

[jimotis4heisman]

fritsche has been recalled from syracuse.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

4/7/06

Jackets know Wings will be ready this time

Shootout in Detroit shocked hosts, gave win streak momentum

Friday, April 07, 2006

Aaron Portzline
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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The Blue Jackets were down 3-0 after two periods, not to just any old NHL club, but to the Detroit Red Wings. Game over, right? The Red Wings must have thought so. Maybe, deep inside, the Blue Jackets did, too. What followed was the most improbable, unbelievable, had-to-see-it-to-believe-it comeback in the Blue Jackets’ brief history.
The Jackets scored four goals in the third period on March 25 and went on to win 5-4 in a shootout, stunning a Joe Louis Arena crowd that has come to know the Blue Jackets as little more than schedule fodder during the past five seasons.
"We definitely caught them off guard," right winger Trevor Letowski said, smiling.
The Blue Jackets, who have won a franchise-record six straight games, return to "The Joe" at 7:30 tonight, playing the Red Wings in the first game of a home-and-home series.
The two clubs will play in Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. Saturday.
"We know they’re going to be ready for us," Blue Jackets defenseman Ron Hainsey said. "We beat them in their building in the third period and they won’t forget that.
"They’re going to come out flying, looking to exact a little revenge for what happened last time."
To be certain, the Red Wings have more on their minds these days than the Blue Jackets.
Detroit is preparing for the playoffs, which begin later this month. They’re also making a push for the President’s Trophy, awarded to the NHL club with the best regular-season record.
The Red Wings are a proud franchise. They are 32-0-3 this season when they lead after two periods. They don’t blow threegoal leads but every few seasons or so.
And they have long memories.
"They’re going to be ready for us, there’s no doubt about it," Blue Jackets coach Gerard Gallant said. "There’s a lot of veteran players over there, a lot of proud guys who aren’t used to losing games like that.
"They’ll remember it, absolutely. They’ll be waiting for us."
The key for the Blue Jackets is getting off to a fast start, perhaps weathering what figures to be a fast and furious storm by the Red Wings in the first 10 or so minutes.
Last time, Rostislav Klesla, David Vyborny, Rick Nash and Manny Malhotra scored in a 7½- minute stretch of the third period to give the Jackets a 4-3 lead.
The Red Wings came back to tie it on Pavel Datsyuk’s goal with 1:50 left, but Columbus’ Jaroslav Balastik scored the only shootout goal for the win.
The Jackets can’t rely on such heroics tonight or Saturday.
"We have to be ready to go right from the start of the game," Letowski said. "We can’t expect to do that again, come back on them like that.
"The switch has to be on right away. They’re going to be looking for a little payback."
The Jackets will need to play physical, aggressive, disruptive hockey.
The Red Wings will hold on to the puck all night if the other team doesn’t confront them.
"Their defense controls the puck so well," Hainsey said. "They move it, they look you off. It starts with their ‘D’.
"Then you get to their forwards. If they aren’t the most skilled group in the league, they’re in the top two or three."
The Blue Jackets already have set a franchise record for consecutive wins. Up next is the longest stretch in the NHL this season. New Jersey, Detroit and Carolina (twice) each won nine straight earlier this season.
The Red Wings figure to make that tough.
"It’s a huge test for us," goaltender Marc Denis said. "But that’s good.
"We’re up to the challenge. It’ll be a great atmosphere. Especially after what happened last time we played there."
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

4/8/06

RED WINGS 6 | BLUE JACKETS 5 (SO)

Jackets push Red Wings to limit

Holmstrom wins it in shootout; Nash has hat trick

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>PAUL SANCYA | ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>The Blue Jackets’ Dan Fritsche (49) scores past the glove of Red Wings goaltender Manny Legace as Chris Chelios looks on. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>

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DETROIT — Two weeks ago, the Blue Jackets came from three goals down and beat the Red Wings, in a shootout, in Detroit. What the Jackets did last night might have been more impressive. They gave legitimacy to their previous performance, took it out of the realm of miracle.
In one of the more rousing games of the season, the Blue Jackets squeezed a point out of Joe Louis Arena. Rick Nash finished off his first career hat trick by scoring with 32 seconds remaining in regulation to cap another remarkable comeback. The game went to overtime, then to a shootout — a prolonged shootout. Tomas Holmstrom, not a noted dangler, scored the only goal on the 10 th shot to give the Red Wings a 6-5 victory and let loose a celebration in the stands. Phew.
The Red Wings pushed their unbeatenin-regulation streak to 12-0-3. The Blue Jackets had a franchise-record, six-game winning streak snapped.
"We showed character," Blue Jackets coach Gerard Gallant said. "I wish we’d won and pushed (the winning streak) to seven games. But we got the next best thing."
The shootout was titillating. Red Wings goaltender Manny Legace looked very smooth in stopping Jaroslav Balastik, Nash, Mark Hartigan, Trevor Letowski and David Vyborny.
Blue Jackets goaltender Marc Denis (31 saves) thwarted Jason Williams, Steve Yzerman (hammered the crossbar), Robert Lang and Mikael Samuelsson before Holmstrom got his chance to score the winner. Holmstrom deked and deked, backed up Denis — and lifted a backhand onto the top shelf.
"It was a great hockey game," Denis said. "After all the effort and the great resiliency our guys showed, I wish we’d pulled this one out. I wish I’d made that one last save. Give Holmstrom credit. He got it up there."
Samuelsson scored just 61 seconds into the first period and from there it appeared the Red Wings would have the puck forever, and win by 100 goals. Then the Blue Jackets scored on the first power play of the game, with a minute and a half remaining in the period. Nash took a centering pass from Vyborny and, from the right hash marks, put a low snapper inside the far post.
So, it was 1-1 heading into the second period. Then the Red Wings erupted. Niklas Kronwall, Brendan Shanahan and Williams scored in a span of 5:04 to give the Red Wings a 4-1 lead.
Gallant called a timeout. What did he say?
"I don’t remember," Gallant said. "A little yelling."
Hartigan and Dan Fritsche scored hustle goals before the end of the second period. They didn’t give up on their forecheck, they took advantage of takeaways and they scored in close quarters. Hartigan’s goal was a wrist shot from the slot. Fritsche’s was pure effort on his own rebound.
Early in the third, Nash scored on a rush — his attempt to pass cross-crease to Fritsche went off the skate of Wings defenseman Jason Woolley and into the net — and suddenly the score was again tied. The fans were choked with disbelief. Could this be happening, again?
Kris Draper eased the fear in the building when he scored on a partial breakaway, midway through the third period. It was a nifty goal, too, set up by a backhand saucer pass from Shanahan. Draper came in alone, Denis committed and Draper deposited a forehand. Take that, pesky upstarts.
Just when the Red Wings thought they’d averted another embarrassment, Nash scored. He intercepted a clearing pass in the slot and snapped a shot that pinged the underside of the crossbar. There it was, 5-5, with 33 seconds remaining in regulation. It came on Nash’s 10 th shot of the game, a franchise record. The Jackets had come back. Again.
The teams will have a rematch tonight in Nationwide Arena.
[email protected]

 

[jimotis4heisman]

tonite again vs det, at the nat.


anyone else catch the game last night? wowzers. of note nasher got his first ever hat trick.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

rick nash was named the nhls second star for yesterdays performance.

 

[Golferdow01]

tonite again vs det, at the nat.


anyone else catch the game last night? wowzers. of note nasher got his first ever hat trick.

I saw the whole thing...great game.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

I saw the whole thing...great game.

yeah, i want to the bar with a couple of guys (didnt drive). and people were like jackets losing as usualy, blah, noone in columbus cares about hockey, blah. nash buried his third goal the place focused in on the tvs. during ot and shootout the place was mesmorized. i really really have become a fan of the so, i think it really draws people to the game.

 

[Golferdow01]

yeah, i want to the bar with a couple of guys (didnt drive). and people were like jackets losing as usualy, blah, noone in columbus cares about hockey, blah. nash buried his third goal the place focused in on the tvs. during ot and shootout the place was mesmorized. i really really have become a fan of the so, i think it really draws people to the game.

The problem is no one around this city really understands hockey. I know without the aid of my roomate who grew up in toledo and is a huge Red Wings fan, I wouldn't understand anything going on.

Give it some more time. We have tons of potential and could make the playoffs next year. With one trip there, you'll hear a different tune sung here in Columbus.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

could, you mean we better

youre right understanding the game is the key to enjoying any sport

 

[jimotis4heisman]

http://hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=8583

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--></td> <td class="text">Columbus Blue Jackets
» Message Board
» Rankings (8)
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<center>[SIZE=-1]Top Prospects
[/SIZE]</center> [SIZE=-1] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1] [/SIZE]
<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="90%"> <tbody><tr><td class="text12Gray" bgcolor="#46455d">1. Gilbert Brule, C
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">2. Pascal Leclaire, G
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray" bgcolor="#46455d">3. Alexandre Picard, LW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">4. Dan Fritsche, C
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray" bgcolor="#46455d">5. Adam Pineault, RW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">6. Aaron Johnson, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray" bgcolor="#46455d">7. Adam McQuaid, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">8. Kris Russell, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray" bgcolor="#46455d">9. Joakim Lindström, LW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">10. Geoff Platt, C
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray" bgcolor="#46455d">11. Ole Kristian Tollefsen, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">12. Daniel Lacosta, G
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray" bgcolor="#46455d">13. Kyle Wharton, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">14. Marc Methot, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray" bgcolor="#46455d">15. Trevor Hendrikx, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">16. Tomas Popperle, G
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray" bgcolor="#46455d">17. Petr Pohl, RW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">18. Tim Konsorada, RW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray" bgcolor="#46455d">19. Steven Goertzen, RW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">20. Arsi Piispanen, C
</td></tr></tbody></table> [SIZE=-1]
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<center>[SIZE=-1]Other Notables
[/SIZE]</center> [SIZE=-1] [/SIZE]
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<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="80%"> <tbody><tr><td class="text12Gray">Jared Boll, RW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Grant Clitsome, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Philippe Dupuis, C
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Mark Flood, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Jeff Genovy, LW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Matt Greer, LW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Kevin Jarman, LW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Tyler Kolarik, C
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Dimitri Kosmachev, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Jaroslav Kracik, RW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Greg Mauldin, C
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Brian McGuirk, LW
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Andrew Murray, C
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Rob Page, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Andrew Penner, G
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Lennart Petrell, C
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Andrei Plekhanov, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Jekabs Redlihs, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Derek Reinhart, D
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Raffaele Sannitz, C
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Kirill Starkov, C
</td></tr><tr><td class="text12Gray">Justin Vienneau, D
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<center>[SIZE=-1]Graduated
[/SIZE]</center> [SIZE=-1] [/SIZE]
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<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="80%"> <tbody><tr><td class="Blacktitle"> Nikolai Zherdev, RW
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[FONT=verdana,helvetica,arial]Blue Jackets CHL prospects update[/FONT]​

[FONT=verdana,helvetica,arial]Written by Chris Leary on 04/08/2006 [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Gilbert Brule, C -- Vancouver Giants, WHL
Height: 5’11 Weight: 175 lbs.
D.O.B: January 1, 1987 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]The most exciting prospect in the system, 19-year-old center Gilbert Brule turned the lemons of a January demotion out of Columbus into hard lemonade. Plagued by freakish (and severe) injuries in his first tour of duty with the Jackets, Brule managed to appear in only seven games with Columbus this season, posting two goals and a pair of assists in a somewhat unfocused trial by fire. In an effort to get the freshman regular playing time while easing him back from the time missed due to injury, Columbus sent Brule back down to the WHL on Jan. 18. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Back with his junior club in Vancouver, Brule has spent the better part of the past two-plus months tearing through the WHL, rolling off 23 goals and 15 assists in just 27 regular-season games. Viewed as something of a work-in-progress after his brief seven-game look with the Jackets this past winter, the sixth overall pick in last year’s NHL draft has done everything in his power to dispel that notion in the Giants’ march towards the post-season. Twice named the WHL Player of the Week, most recently for his four-goal, seven-point effort in Vancouver’s first round rout of Prince George, Brule has looked the part of a potential impact scorer. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Still only 19 years old, Brule has the steep upside of a top-tier NHL prospect and has shown flashes of the brilliance that captured the attention of scouts and the Blue Jacket front office. Barring another stint in the medical ward (a place he became all too familiar with over the first few months of the 2005-06 season), it would be difficult to see the Jackets holding Brule back from competing hard for a permanent role on the Nationwide Ice come September. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]
Kris Russell, D -- Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL
Height: 5'10 Weight: 167 lbs
D.O.B: 1987-05-02 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Perhaps the fastest-rising player in the Jacket system after his selection in the third round of the 2005 draft, gritty defenseman Kris Russell turned in another stellar campaign for the Tigers this season. Following up an impressive 2004-05 season with Medicine Hat, Russell continued to impress at both ends of the ice, tallying 14 goals and 33 assists, good for the team lead from the blue line and seventh overall in defensemen scoring in the WHL. Named team captain entering the current season, Russell led the Tigers to 47 wins and the best record in the circuit. In addition, the teenager turned in a solid effort for Team Canada at the World Juniors this past winter in Vancouver, teaming with Medicine Hat defensive partner (and highly-touted Blackhawk prospect) Cam Barker. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]While Russell may be looking towards his future in professional hockey, he is currently embroiled in the heat of the WHL playoffs. Coming off an opening-round sweep of the Swift Current Broncos, Russell and the Tigers are now preparing for a second-round showdown with Saskatoon. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]
Derek Reinhart, D -- Regina Pats WHL
Height: 6'3 Weight: 204lbs
D.O.B: 1987-04-20 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Having already made a name for himself in his rookie camp with the Jackets last September thanks to a pile-up with Rick Nash that landed the franchise winger in the pressbox with an ankle injury, young defenseman Derek Reinhart has a long road ahead to avoid becoming a footnote in Columbus hockey history. In his third season on the Regina blue line, the physical Reinhart spent another campaign honing his defensive capabilities and further growing into his large 6'3 frame. His offensive output was another story, as he failed to improve upon his 13-point effort in 2004-05, posting only five assists and zero goals in 49 games this season. Reinhart did, however, record 104 penalty minutes, which is a leading indicator as to his skill-set. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]With the Pats 4-2 series loss to Saskatoon, Reinhart’s junior campaign with Regina is at an end. At this point, it seems highly likely that Reinhart will return to the Pats next season, and will need to show marked improvement at both ends of the ice, as well as further physicality, to have a realistic chance at a turn in Syracuse down the road. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]
Trevor Hendrikx, D -- Peterborough Petes, OHL
Height: 6'2 Weight: 205 lbs
D.O.B: 1985-03-29 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Another season, another year of improvement for a player drafted twice by the Blue Jackets. Originally thought of as an aspiring fighter, Trevor Hendrikx’s all-around game and strong physical presence at both ends of the ice has come as a revelation for the Peterborough Petes. The 21-year-old led the first-place Petes in scoring from the blue line for the second straight season, posting nine goals and 47 assists in 60 games this year. Those 56 points were good for seventh in the circuit on defense. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]With the final games of his amateur career directly in front of him, Hendrikx is taking every opportunity to make a lasting impression. Hendrikx currently sits atop the leader board for defensemen scoring in the playoffs, already accounting for a pair of goals and seven assists in the Petes seven post-season games so far. The highlight was undoubtedly his game-winner in the second overtime of Peterborough’s opening-game win over Ottawa. While it’s difficult to imagine Hendrikx vaulting over the ECHL and straight to Syracuse next year, his current run in leading the Petes towards an OHL title may be a sign of his upward potential for a professional career. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]
Jared Boll, RW -- Plymouth Whalers, OHL
Height: 6'3 Weight: 195 lbs
D.O.B: 1986-05-13 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]A rugged, physical presence on the wing, this North Carolina native enjoyed a strong rookie campaign this season with Plymouth. A veteran of the USHL, Jared Boll declined a spot with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, opting instead to sign with the Whalers. In 65 games this season with Plymouth, Boll tallied 19 goals and 22 assists, good for tenth in rookie scoring in the OHL. It wasn’t just his offensive game that opened eyes, however, as he also managed to record 204 penalty minutes on the season, the seventh-highest total in the league. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Favorably compared to Brendan Shanahan, albeit by a former coach, Boll has to continue to mature on the ice, both physically and emotionally, before he can be considered a top prospect in the system. This season has seen a good deal of improvement, and Boll logged regular ice time in Plymouth’s first-round win over Windsor, in which he contributed a goal and three assists. Next up for the Whalers is Guelph, where Boll may get the chance to mix it up with fellow Blue Jacket prospect Kyle Wharton. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]
Dan LaCosta, G -- Barrie Colts, OHL
Height: 6'3 Weight: 195 lbs
D.O.B: 1986-03-28 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]After three seasons of league-average goaltending in the OHL, Daniel LaCosta turned a corner this season in establishing himself as one of the top netminders in the league. A tall, lanky presence in the net, LaCosta’s technique had never quite matched his talent in three seasons with Owen Sound. Moved to Barrie in the middle of the 2004-05 campaign, LaCosta laid claim to the starting job in the offseason and turned in the best performance of his career. In 59 games this season, LaCosta has posted a 36-17-1 record, with a 2.55 GAA and .915 save percentage, stats which place him in the top handful of goalies in the league. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]While a minor injury forced LaCosta to the sidelines for Barrie’s first-round sweep of Toronto, he has returned to the nets for the Colts Eastern Conference semi-final showdown with Brampton. If he can prove that the gains made this season are tangible through a solid showing down the stretch over the next two weeks, the Jackets may have the eventual backup to Pascal Leclaire in the system already. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]
Kyle Wharton, D -- Guelph Storm, OHL
Height: 6'2 Weight: 189 lbs
D.O.B: 1986-03-3 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Playing for his third team in two seasons, offensive-minded defenseman Kyle Wharton has yet to establish himself as the type of top-tier prospect the Blue Jackets were hoping they acquired with their second pick of the 2004 draft. What Wharton has done in the two seasons since being picked up by the Jackets is make continual gains on the stat sheet, topping out this year with an eight-goal, 30-assist, 90-PIM season between Sault Ste. Marie and Guelph. While these totals can be considered a modest improvement over previous seasons, the talent behind the numbers is still tantalizing enough that Wharton may eventually play a role in Syracuse. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]
Adam McQuaid, D -- Sudbury Wolves, OHL
Height: 6'3 Weight: 210 lbs
D.O.B: 1986 -10 -12 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]One of the better defensive defensemen in the OHL, 19-year-old Adam McQuaid spent the 2005-06 campaign manning the blueline for the Sudbury Wolves. Taking a regular shift with highly-touted NHL prospect Marc Staal (NYR), McQuaid turned in another strong season, in spite of a slight downturn in his offensive output. In 68 games this season, the Prince Edward Island native accounted for three goals and 14 assists, just off his 19-point effort last season. As McQuaid was originally targeted by the Jackets for his sound defensive ability and stature at a young age, those totals are not unexpected. Of some concern was his -3 plus/minus rating this season, but that may be indicative of Sudbury's rocky regular season campaign, and not an indictment of McQuaid's talents. Currently pitching in on the Wolves' postseason run, which included a six-game victory over Kingston in the first round, it seems highly probable that he will return for another season in Sudbury blue and grey before attempting the jump into the professional ranks. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]
Philippe Dupuis, C -- Moncton, QMJHL
Height: 6'0 Weight: 195 lbs
D.O.B: 1985-04-24 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]One of the most exciting players in the QMJHL this season, center Philippe Dupuis has developed into an offensive force on former NHL coach Ted Nolan's Moncton Wildcats. Coming off an eye-opening 34-goal, 50-assist effort last season with Rouyn-Noranda, Dupuis has stepped up his all-around game this year under the exacting eye of Nolan, while markedly increasing his offensive output. The Laval native finished the year with the ninth-highest point total in the circuit, including 32 goals and 76 assists, in spite of missing 10 games to participate in the World Junior Championships. In the first round of the QMJHL playoffs, Dupuis managed to step his game up even further, tallying seven goals and 10 assists in the Wildcats five-game victory over Victoriaville. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]The fourth round selection of the Jackets in the 2003 Entry Draft, it remains to be seen if Dupuis can translate his recent gains with Moncton into a long look in the Columbus system. The flourishing of his offensive game in the grinding, gritty system preached by Nolan may be a leading indicator as to the overall development of Dupuis' game. The uptick in production may, however, be the function of Dupuis' advanced age for the QMJHL. Regardless of where Moncton's fortunes take Dupuis in this season's playoffs, this will most likely be his last season in the amateur ranks. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]
Adam Pineault, C -- Moncton, QMJHL
Height: 6'3 Weight: 202 lbs
D.O.B: 1986-05-23 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Another young Blue Jacket prospect who has flourished under the leadership of Ted Nolan this season with Moncton is American-born Adam Pineault. Perhaps the most complete power forward currently in the Columbus system, Pineault followed up an impressive rookie campaign with Moncton last year with a 29-goal, 30-assist effort in 55 games this season. In addition, the imposing forward spent 94 minutes in the sin bin this year, evidence of his aggressive, attacking style of play. Already enough of a talent to earn an invite to the Jackets training camp this past September, Pineault has the size and upside to challenge for a spot with the parent club down the road, especially if he has absorbed the solid work ethic necessary for success in the Nolan system. Given the progression of both Pineault and sometimes linemate Philippe Dupuis this season with Moncton, the Jackets owe Nolan a hearty thanks for his mentoring of the two youngsters. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]
Peter Pohl, RW -- Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL
Height: 5'11 Weight: 170 lbs
D.O.B: 1986-08-28 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]A true work-in-progress after making the jump from the Czech Republic three seasons ago, shifty winger Petr Pohl may finally be adding to his improving finesse game. Posting almost identical offensive stats this season with Acadie-Bathhurst, Pohl may need to add to his repertoire if he is to have a legitimate shot at a professional career on this side of the pond. After scoring a respectable 27 goals and 32 assists in 62 games with Gatineau last season, Pohl matched his goal total in the exact same number of games this year with the Titans, while slightly increasing his assist total up to 43 on the year. Somewhat surprisingly, his penalty minutes nearly tripled in his third time around the circuit, as he found himself in the penalty box for 44 minutes this year. That marked increase may be the tangible evidence of a developing physical game to match his offensive package. To have any chance at a future with the Jackets, Pohl needs to continue developing his all-around game and eventually make the transition out of the QMJHL. [/FONT]
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[scarletandgrey]

Well Hopefully we get to the playoffs next year....

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

4/10/06

Players applaud decision

Assurances that Gallant will get new coaching contract lifts cloud of uncertainty

Monday, April 10, 2006

Aaron Portzline
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>MIKE MUNDEN | DISPATCH </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Gerard Gallant has guided the Blue Jackets to a 23-16-3 record since Christmas. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


On Saturday, before the Blue Jackets’ 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, president and general manager Doug MacLean made it clear that coach Gerard Gallant will be back next season, calling Gallant’s soon-to-expire contract a "nonissue."
To the players, who spoke after the game, the news was met with support, even relief.
"You can’t imagine the roller coaster we’ve all been on (this season), but especially Gerard," left winger Jody Shelley said. "The coach is always the first guy in the line of fire (for criticism), and it hasn’t been an easy year for Gerard, I’m sure.
"But he’s been able to keep the respect in the room. The guys love him. He’s just been steady, he’s stuck with the message. And it seems like finally we’ve come around and listened to him. That’s why we’re getting some results."
It has been a long season for the Blue Jackets, but in their five NHL seasons they’ve never played better for a longer stretch than the past 3½ months. They are 23-16-3 since Christmas.
"We’re becoming the competitive team we sought out to be at the beginning of the season," center Manny Malhotra said.
The Blue Jackets have five games left this season, including their 8:30 p.m. game Tuesday against the Dallas Stars in the American Airlines Center.
With four more points, the Jackets will break the franchise record of 71, set during the inaugural season of 2000-01.
MacLean said Gallant and the coaching staff — associate coach Dean Blais, assistant coach Gord Murphy and goaltending coach Rick Wamsley — would get new contracts during the summer after MacLean had a chance to meet with the ownership group.
If Gallant needed to save his job, he might have done so in the past few weeks.
With the playoffs long since out of the question, Gallant has somehow kept the Blue Jackets motivated and playing hard.
Last month, when the Jackets lost five in a row and seemed to be playing out the string, Gallant turned up the verbal heat, not just in the dressing room but on the ice during practice and in games. The message was clear: Status quo isn’t good enough anymore.
Gallant also juggled forward lines and instituted a back-and-forth goaltender rotation between Marc Denis and Pascal Leclaire. Both have worked.
"Gerard’s a passionate guy," Shelley said. "He’s a stand-up guy. He was a battler when he played, and that’s the kind of guy you want. We feed off of his passion.
"He’s pushed the right buttons at the right time."
The Jackets had won a franchise-record six in a row before losing back-to-back games to Detroit.
In recent years, the Jackets’ ability (willingness?) to compete was inconsistent. Since the early part of this season, they seem to have steadied.
"Gerard’s the backbone behind us all," left winger Rick Nash said. "He keeps us focused. He keeps us on track."
[email protected]

 

[Folanator]

I am going to be in the US Bank box on Saturday night. First game of the year. Psyched!

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

4/11/06

In Chimera’s view, it’s a wonderful life

Blue Jackets winger loves job, keeps teammates smiling

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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Blue Jackets left winger
Jason Chimera has the
face of a beat cop, with a touch of Tigger, a dash of Popeye and a hint of Bruce Willis thrown in.To his teammates, this is the face of fun.
"He’s our sunlight on the team," goaltender Pascal Leclaire said. "He’s the reason I get up every day."
Leclaire was half-joking.
"There is no one story that can define him," center Manny Malhotra said. "There’s a new chapter every day, he’s so full of energy. We all have our ups and downs, but he manages to hit a peak every day."
Malhotra was half-joking.
"A pot of coffee and two Red Bulls," left winger Rick Nash said, describing Chimera’s energy level.
Nash was half-joking.
"A week after he got here, you could hear him," coach Gerard Gallant said, pointing with a thumb down the hall, toward the locker room.
Hear what?
"Everything," Gallant said. "Country music commentary. (Needling) his teammates. Everything, before games and after practice. All the time. It never stops."
Chimera is just one of those ebullient people who can’t go long without laughing. His secret?
"I’m high on life," Chimera said after practice yesterday. "I’m not just high-strung, I’m high on life. I enjoy life. I get up in the morning and go play with my buddies. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and I’m playing hockey."
Chimera was half-joking, but only half.
He has fallen into a good thing since the Blue Jackets acquired him, with Mike Rupp and Cale Hulse, from the Phoenix Coyotes for Geoff Sanderson and Tim Jackman on Oct. 8.
With five games remaining in the season, including a game tonight against the Stars in Dallas, Chimera has 17 goals and 27 points, both career highs. He has found a rhythm with checking-line mates Trevor Letowski and Malhotra.
The trio have combined for 13 goals and 30 points in the past 16 games. They’ve also pulled hard duty against the Joe Thornton and Brendan Morrison lines of the hockey world, which is their primary job. (Note: Letowski has been pulling scoringline duty of late, after Nikolai Zherdev suffered a knee injury.)
Chimera, who turns 26 in May, will be a restricted free agent this summer. But he’s more focused on Letowski and Malhotra, who are potential unrestricteds. Chimera wants them back by his side next season, if possible. He already has begun recruiting.
"You see these lines play together for years and years, and hopefully this is one of them," Chimera said. "You never know what can happen in this business, but I think everyone involved wants to keep it together. I’ve been selling for a couple of weeks now. We’ve got the chemistry, this is a great place to play, the fans are into it and once we make the playoffs, I think this city will go pretty berserk."
Chimera’s pitch?
"They get to hang with me every day, that’s my pitch," he said. "Sometimes it doesn’t go that well, but other times . . . "
Other times it’s a hoot.
"What could be better?" he said. "I’m loving every day coming to the rink. No matter what’s going on, life all seems to go away for a couple of hours. No matter how much money you make, it’s still a fun game. It is. My friends come into the locker room and their eyes pop out and they go, ‘Woooo.’ Even my dad’s like that. You’ve got to realize, this is awesome."
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

4/12/06

STARS 3 | BLUE JACKETS 2

Jackets come back but fail to reel in Stars

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Aaron Portzline
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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DALLAS — Given the way the first 57½ minutes went last night, nobody among the 18,543 in the American Airlines Center could have imagined they’d be holding their breath when the final horn sounded.
The Dallas Stars led 3-0, and they seemed to be treating the Blue Jackets as practice fodder, a means to get ready for the Stanley Cup playoffs beginning later this month.
The Blue Jackets, though, nearly pulled off a Texas-size stunner, scoring two goals — and nearly a third — in the final 2:27, before losing 3-2.
"Almost," Blue Jackets coach Gerard Gallant said. "We just got started a little bit too late."
Defenseman Duvie Westcott scored on a slap shot through traffic with 2:27 to play. It was 3-1.
Center Sergei Fedorov scored off a Trevor Letowski feed with 1:34 remaining. It was 3-2 and the Stars started looking at the clock.
How much time is left?
The Blue Jackets took a timeout with 1:12 to play, then pulled goaltender Marc Denis for an extra skater.
Nothing much materialized until 1.1 seconds remained, when Jackets left winger Rick Nash got free for a wraparound on goaltender Marty Turco.
The crowd gasped. Both benches leaned over the boards for a closer look. Turco looked behind him, into his net, not realizing the puck was underneath him.
The horn sounded. Game over.
"The puck was rolling," Nash said. "It didn’t really have much of a chance."
Letowski assisted on both of the Blue Jackets’ goals. On the first, Westcott’s, Letowski absorbed a crushing hit by Steve Ott just as he sent the puck into the slot.
"We kind of feel like we’re always in it," Letowski said. "Especially when we got that second goal, you start to get a pretty good feeling.
"We’ve had a lot of games like this lately, and we’re pretty confident."
The Blue Jackets have lost nine straight to the Stars, and they’re 0-9-0-1 all time in this building. Turco is 9-0-0 against the Blue Jackets in his career.
Last night, Columbus looked sorely overmatched for most of the first two periods.
In recent days, the Stars have talked about cleaning up their game in advance of the playoffs. They’ve taken too many penalties lately, played too sloppy for the liking of coach Dave Tippett.
Last night, they appeared fine-tuned, at least in the early going.
The Blue Jackets took five minor penalties in the first period, seven in the first 40 minutes.
"When you’re chasing the puck, you’re going to get those type of penalties," Gallant said. "They were the better team in the first two periods, absolutely."
The Stars went up 1-0 on Jason Arnott’s power-play goal at 3:13 of the first period. It was a pinball goal, almost impossible to follow thanks to the passing of Mike Modano and rookie Jussi Jokinen.
The lead grew to 2-0 at 8:13 of the second period. Janne Niinimaa sent in a wrister from the left point that made its way through traffic and past Denis.
With 28.9 seconds left in the second period, the Stars took a 3-0 lead when Jaroslav Svoboda — skating away from the net in the left faceoff circle — turned and shot in one motion, the puck beating Denis to his glove side.
"We don’t want to get into the habit of falling behind like that," Letowski said. "You make it pretty tough on yourself like that.
"But at the same time, I think we showed a lot by coming back. We never gave up on this game. And we almost got it."
[email protected]