When Lakeside Toys originally developed the game in 1965 using S-shaped hooks made from rubber and wire, they had intended to name it "Barrel of Fun," but found that both that name and "Barrel-O-Fun" were already being used by other game manufacturers. Subsequently, the company decided to name their game after the related phrase "more fun than a Barrel of Monkeys" and remodeled the S-hooks into plastic monkeys. Original inventor was named Leonard Marks of Roslyn, New York.
Just finished watching this game back and let me just say, the Jackets weren't the only monkeys in this barrel tonight. They had plenty of company.
1. The biggest monkey off all was the ref who called DD for goalie interference. Did it decide the outcome? Naw, but that still does not excuse it. I'm trying to think of a worse call made against the CBJ than this one. The "too many men on the ice" call in game 4 was pathetic. The "puck in the pants" goal in Minnesota a few years back was criminal. Manny Malhotra waive off was a shit sandwich. But this tops them all. A total abomination. The ref who made this call should not have a job after this game. To top it off, one of the very few players on this team who have given it their all this season got hurt on the play - looks to be serious.
2. Jacket got the first 2 goals of the game. They got a PP goal. The guys who need to score scored in Nash, Carter and Umberger. Thomas went out in the 3rd as did Chara. Seemed like a recipe for a victory. BUT this is your Columbus Blue Jackets, finding new ways to lose since 2000. In typical fashion the Jackets started monkeying around at the end of a period and next thing you know -- the B's scored two quick goals in less than a minute with less than 2 minutes remaining to tie it in the 1st. Then their PP took over and game over.
3. This game changed on the 4 minute minor by the 2nd biggest monkey in this game - Lucic. If that is a winning team, they make the Bruins pay by buring at least one in the span. The Jackets, instead of continuing to kick their opponent while down, lifted their foot and allowed these guys to get back in the fight. Helluva save by Thomas on Prospal and next thing you know the game is tied at 2 at the end of the 1st. The ice tilted in the Bruins favor from that point on. Somehow, someway, this team has to develop that killer instinct. It's been said over and over and over again how fragile this team is. Hell, they make an egg look like teflon.
4. Sold out crowd. Granted 3 or 4 thousand of those were Bruins fans. Welcome to the Stanley Cup effect.
5. Sanford coming back down to earth. He's been making those saves though traffic like both goals scored by Corvo. The 2nd goal the team defense was horrendous -- can't give Horton that kind of time in the slot without at least getting a body or stick on him. 3rd goal by Chara was just a damn good hard shot. I couldn't have stopped it even with FoxXMo. Just a .828 save% in this game for the Sandman.
6. Ohio State men's hockey split their series against Miami with a 3-2 OT win last night. Each team won at the other's building. The wins keeps the men's team in first in the CCHA with an overall record of 10-3-1-1. In other LTL household news, just got the green light from Mrs. LTL to attend the Frozen Diamond Faceoff at Progressive Field on January 15th. That's what I call, taking me out to the ball game!
EXTRA SHOTS:
Speaking of more monkeys, no call on that Thomas slash? I'm shocked RJ still has two functioning legs. Pathetic. The losing is contagious in this org it seems, after a fast start, the Springfield Falcons are spending a lot of time in the tank of late. They lost another game last night 3-2 and are now dead last in the Northeast Division and the 3rd worst team in the Eastern Conference. Really needed Nash to score off that dish from Prospal after the Bs when up 4-3. Vermette and Umberger looking better although just a tad late fellas. **Fail4Nail Watch** With the loss, the Jackets still find themselves in the league cellar with just 20 points. Anaheim, Carolina and the Islanders hangin tough with 21, 22, 24 points respectively. That 2 games thus far on this 5 game home stand with 2 losses. The CBJ now have the league worst PK, killing at just 73.7%.
Things don't get any easier with Vancouver, LA and Tampa in here next week.
Til Tuesday!
-LTL
