LTL-Nation,
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I post this rant, but, here it is:
For those of you who attended the game, on Saturday, you witnessed perhaps THE most embarrassing moment, and that’s saying something, for the Blue Jackets Game Operations (AKA Game Ops) personnel.
After Marian Hossa scored, just seconds after the Blue Jackets scored a goal – it went from 2-1 to 3-1 in a hurry - the Blackhawks' goal-celebration song -- the one that is played after Blackhawk goal in the United Center -- blared throughout the building. Besides demoralizing the Columbus Blue Jacket (CBJ) faithful, it also whipped the Blackhawk's fans in attendance, and there were plenty, into a frenzy.
As we speak, days after, there’s been no apology or statement from the CBJ brass. Many ardent followers have threatened to not renew their season tickets. I have a different approach/solution:
Stop going to the games. There, I said the unthinkable – and, trust me, this pains me to no end.
Much like the penny-pinching ways of the CBJ brain trust – a word that’s loosely defined, these days – it’s another in a long line of signals sent by the organization: We don’t give a rat’s (insert expletive, here) about the on-ice, or off-ice, product, and, in essence, we don’t care about the fans. You know, those faithful, from Day 1, who endured those awful teams, broken promises and endless losing.
They keep a coach who’s gone 6-17-7 over his last 30 games – anywhere else, just look to Philadelphia and St. Louis for an example, for far less ineptitude, and they’re gone, long ago.
They let the top prospect in hockey leave the team, 19 games into the season, without as much as a sliver of remorse.
The team has no descended to 14th out of 15 teams, in the Western Conference. Welcome back to years 1-8!
And, they allow this game ops gaffe to occur, but, no clarification, nor apology – not even a mention of it. Then again, for those of you faithful who are subject to the garbage that is the game ops “experience” – this is status quo.
So now, I ask all of you to do the following: Stay away from the games.
A signal has to be sent to those inept, arrogant folks in charge – to quote the greatness that is Dee Snider, “We’re not gonna take it, anymore”.
The team has been in freefall, yet we have sellout crowds – before, during and after the swoon. No more, I say.
It is time to send that signal to the organization’s coffers: Improve the product, both on and off the ice – otherwise, we stay away.
By staying away, I’m talking about crowds that rival Phillips Arena in Atlanta, and Jobing.com Arena in Phoenix – sub-10K crowds. They have no excuse, in their case – at least their teams are competitive. But, if we, as season ticket and other ticket buyers unite, WE will send a message, loud and clear.
As I was once taught, when I was in public accounting: Hit them in their back pockets, and their hearts and minds will follow” – well, it’s THAT time.
If you continue to support this ineptitude, it is similar to staying in an abusive relationship – it will not change, it will go on and on. In fact, it will only get worse.
So, I so deeply apologize for this article/rant, but I, and so many other faithful followers have had enough. It is time to respond!
So, I'm so sorry to have come to this point, but, enough is enough...
