It Never Comes Easy, Does It?
Stoplight Game Review
CBJ Vs. Nashville
1.26.2010
SCORE: Jackets 3 Predators 2
Mase1 in for LTL. Well, the CBJ finally found a way to get past Darth Vader - sure, it took five games against the Preds - this season, not to mention previously going 22-2-2, since 2006-07, to break through and do it, but all is well, again. Or so we've been told, by CBJ brass.
So now, per Hitch, comes our "playoff push" - hey, going 8-2, for a team who also went 3-14-7, not too long ago, shouldn't be much of a tall order, should it?
I know, I know, I'm being cynical - unlike what the CBJ brass (AKA myopians) are telling us, I'm not buying this notion that this team will flip the switch and get on a roll, getting them back into the playoff race. Nope, I'm not gonna drink the Kool-Aid, Hitch!
With that, onto the Recap:
GREEN
* The fans - the 13,775 more-than-faithfull fans, which is at least 3,775 more fans than this team deserves. While the crowd was generally quiet during the first period - heck, given the play, during that period, it's a miracle any of them stayed awake - but, they picked up the intensity when the CBJ bolted out to a 3-0 lead, and really picked up their support during the last minutes of the game. You all deserve so much more! (I feel a triple green light is in order, personally)
* Steve Mason - yes, starting him drew quite a bit of skepticism, particularly after yet another horrendous performance, including one of the softer goals you'll ever witness, against the Wild, but Mase stepped up and delivered a performance reminiscent of last season's Calder Trophy winning season, stopping 29 of 31 shots on goal. While I don't believe it will last - every solid game or two is immediately followed by a clunker - but, for one evening, Mase made the big saves, when he had to, and hung onto a victory.
* Derek Brassard - Brass broke the scoreless snooze-fest, by scoring a goal similar to those he's scored, recently. Basically, a garbage goal off of a howitzer shot from the point by Milan Jurcina. I really believe Brass has essentially shut out his overly old school, endlessly berating coach and decided to have fun and play the game his own way. I mean, what's the harm - is Hitch gonna demote him to the 3rd or 4th line? What else is new? Don't forget: It's easy to bail out on the young guys...
* Defensive Scheme - They held Arnott and Sullivan scoreless. Name the last time that's happened...yep, I couldn't either.
* Risto - the CBJ's Finnish Super-Fan, for his berating Pekka Rinne. Well, I think he was berating him - actually, I really don't know what he told him, during the 3rd period.
YELLOW
* Hitch - For going with his gut and playing the percentages, in starting Mason. Now, do I believe this is another example of Hitch playing favorites? Absolutely - but, Mason has also had a better track record against the Preds than Garon has had. Now, about all those other mindless starts, as well as rewarding Juice's season-long, inept play in placing him on the top line...
* Juice - Huselius, for the first time in...well, quite a long time, actually shot the puck, directly on the net, rather than the usual skating around, attempting fancy passes, being a turnover machine - basically, Juice hockey. I'd have given him a green light, but, seeing he's accomplished a red light lifetime achievement award, this season, I'll split it in the middle and give him a yellow light.
* Freddie Mo - Modin scored a goal that turned out to be the game winner. Modin also had a key blocked shot, late in the contest. I guess I could have given him a green light - after all, $1.75 million/goal really is realizing return on his salary, isn't it? So, this goal could be the one that justifies that long-term extension Hitch will madly pimp for. I mean, we can't let this man-crush die, at the end of the season, can we?
* Jurcina - His massive hammer from the point resulted in the opening goal. I give it a yellow, more to the coaches for not letting him unleash it, more often.
RED
* The near comeback by the Preds, after the CBJ bolted out to a 3-0 lead. As mentioned above, can this team EVER hold a lead? It just feels like a repeat of, oh, the prior eight seasons.
* Game ops - Actually, they were fine, but, this one's for the debacle during the game against the 'Hawks. I'm not letting that one go quite so easy, including that absolute garbage of an explanation (as to how it happened).
So, in summary:
1. They held on - thanks for keeping us all up later than we should have, given the stress of near blowing yet another near victory.
2. Mase's performance - enjoy it while it lasts.
3. The loyal crowd.
Up next, the Los Angeles Kings, one of the up and coming powers in the Western Conference. They ended a slide, last night, by blasting the Maple Leafs. So, if the Kings have found their scoring prowess, once again, this game could prove to be a true test of how much the CBJ have returned to form.
GO JACKETS!
