Well, the CBJ got into a track meet and a loss fell out...this is my version of the old addage, "I went to a hockey game and a fight broke out", or vice versa.
Either way, after Chicago brought their expected push to knock the CBJ out, early, and succeeded, posting an early 3-1 lead. The CBJ, to their credit, fought back with three unanswered goals. Thus, the Blue Jackets did what has been so often warned against, when playing the Blackhawks, "Avoid the track meet".
Result? While gritty, and exciting, it's another loss, this time by a score of 6-5.
STOPLIGHT GAME REVIEW
Vs. Chicago
01.16.10
SCORE: Chicago 6 Jackets 5
GREEN
* The crowd - Attendance: 18,378. Now, I will also say that, as it was a Saturday Matinee, the Standing Room Only Crowd (SRO) was boosted by a sea of Blackhawk fans. I'd claim some serious bandwagon-jumping, but, it appeared they traveled en masse to cheer on their squad. Take that, "alleged" Red Wing fan - you know, that 3rd shift guy, who's born and raised in Grove City, who doesn't know who the coach or any players are. You know who you are. So, props to their fans for supporting their team! I would have estimated that at least 5K fans were 'Hawks fans. Frankly, given the slop that comes with losing 23 of 29, props also to the CBJ faithful, those remaining 13K, plus, who deserve so much more.
* The Captain, Rick Nash, FINALLY getting off of the worst goal-scoring drought of his career, 11 games, with two goals, both of which helped the CBJ not only get back into the game, but take a lead into the third period. Welcome back, Cappy!
* I can't believe I'm actually giving this guy a green light, but, Juice (Huselius), with a goal to open the CBJ's scoring, two assists, and a +2 +/- rating. Oh, and get this: Juice actually blocked a shot. So, while he's earned a lifetime achievement award, in the red light category, I have to give Juice his due. Maybe a few more games on that 3rd line might just be the wake-up call that he needed - no wait, it's too late, isn't it?
* Antoine Vermette - Two helpers, sure, but, 16 of 20 wins in the faceoff circle? Wow!
* Jan Hejda - sure, he didn't register a goal or an assist, and yes, he only finished with a +1 rating, but, Hejda blocked 5 shots and, more than anything, gave Patrick Kane a vicious hit, which prompted the best line of the game, by none other than our own, Matt the Mask, "Hejda's hit was on behalf of the cab driver Kane punched, over the summer." Epic (both Hejda's hit and MTM's analysis)...
YELLOW
* The team's ability - dare I say, grit? - to come back from a 3-1 deficit, take the lead, fall behind by two goals with 5 minutes to play, score a goal to bring it to within 1 goal, only to run out of time, at the end? At least it looked like this team actually cared, from the 12:24 mark of the 1st period, on.
* RJ Umberger with a sweet feed, through the 'Hawks neutral zone traffic, to set up Raffi Torres' goal, late in the game, to give the CBJ a chance.
* Nice to see Kris Russell score another goal; however, Russ was a bit weak on the defensive end.
RED
You'd better grab a Snickers - this might take a while...
* The plodding, unathletic defense. Oh yeah, this team's "built for the playoffs".
* The defense - yes, I've already given them a RED, but, for all those times they left Steve Mason, helpless, they deserve, at least, another Red Light.
* The execution - actually, the lack, thereof - of slowing down the 'Hawks desire to knock the CBJ out, early. The CBJ were down, 2-0, seven minutes into the game. You knew it was coming, and you couldn't stop it. No excuses...
* Being outshot, by the 'Hawks, 12 to 5, in the final period. Way to grab victory by the horns, boys...
* Steve Mason - yes, so many of those goals couldn't have been stopped by Patrick Roy, on his greatest night, Mase is not exactly stating a case for getting his starting netminding job back. The sophomore slump continues...
* The game ops. What in the bloody hell were you thinking when you played the goal scoring music, after the 'Hawks scored their 3rd goal? Overall, it was back to years 1-8...
* Allowing the 'Hawks fans to take over the chanting, for their team, in our house. As Ari Gold so often says on the hit TV show, Entourage, "Never Again!"
OK, that wasn't a lengthy as it could have been. But, the goaltending "stylings" of Cristobal Huet - the great equalizer, for 'Hawks opponents - as well as the 'Hawks missing on 1st period goal scoring opportunities - the score could have easily been 5 or 6, to 1, in the first period. So, credit goes to the CBJ for making it an exciting, competitive game.
The bottom line, however, is that it's another loss, and now, after winning three games in a row, the CBJ have now lost three games in a row. So, we've solidified our stronghold on that 14th position, out of 15 teams, in the Western Conference. Yipee...
So, can we now end the charade and start planning for both a total re-build and this summer's draft party?
- Mase1
