The term Connect Four originated as a registered trademark of Milton Bradley, who published this game in 1974.
Connect-Four is also known as The Captain's Mistress. There is a legend on a story that said on his three major voyages, in the H.M.S Endeavour, and two in the H.M.S. Resolution, Captain James Cook was absent on an evening so the crew joked that he must have a mistress in the cabin. Then the crew recognized that he was playing this game with the ship's naturalist Sir Joseph Banks and botanist Daniel Solander. Cook spent excessively amounts of time playing this game; it became known as "The Captain's Mistress". Connect-Four has also been commonly called connect 4, and 4 in a row. However, it is rarely called "The Captain's Mistress".
After Washington connected on 4 goals in a span of 6 minutes and 40 seconds, another 3rd period CBJ collapse had all but been completed.
It was just another stunning collapse in a season full of em.
1. Got to love the ole "no gas in the tank" excuse from the coach. I'm sure this has already been said but I'll post it anyways:
Blue Jackets last four games:
Mon Dec 26th - 4-1 (loss)
Tues Dec 27th - 2-1 (SO loss)
Thurs Dec 29th - 4-1 (win)
Sat Dec 31st - 4-2 (loss)
Washington Captials last four games:
Mon Dec 26th - 4-2 (loss)
Wed Dec 28th - 4-1 (win)
Fri Dec 30th - 3-1 (win)
Sat Dec 31st - 4-2 (win)
Not only did the Caps also play 4 games in 6 nights like we did, but they had a back to back in there as well.
That excuse is an absolute embarrassment and it's no wonder we are where we are when this is "leadership" from which our team draws from.
The short end of it is we got beat by a team that competed for 60 minutes. Beat by a team that plays better as a team. Beat by a team that knows how to draft. Beat by a team that knows how to develop. Beat by a team that doesn't give up. Beat by a team that doesn't make excuses. Beat by a team that has skill that actually produces.
Somehow, someway, I bet the majority of those CBJ players found enough "gas in the tank" for some post game partying on New Year's Eve.
2. What else can be said about another 3rd period collapse that hasn't been said before? The team played well for 40 minutes and then they just apparently called it a year. Again it wasn't just one player but everyone. I'm out of superlatives to describe it.
3. What a tremendous crowd last night - at least for 40 minutes. Electric doesn't do it justice. There is nothing like a packed Nationwide. So much fun. Last night's crowd gave us yet another reminder of what the atmosphere in Nationwide could be like game by game if this franchise could just give this city something to get behind.
4. Game ops was terrific. I thought the post game tribute to Columbus was very well done and highly entertaining. The in-house DJ continues to kick some ass. Playing Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" after the John Moore goal was genious. I think game ops has been figured out and had the place rockin last night. Now they just need some help from the team on the ice.
5. Ovechkin did what superstar players are supposed to do. He lifted his team to this win. Where were the big goals from our supposed superstars in Nash and Carter? Sure Nash made a decent play Moore's goal but it isn't nearly enough. They get paid to score goals and it just isn't happening nearly enough. Our next draft pick has to be an impact guy who can lift this team to wins.
6. Arniel walking out on the post game presser (for basically getting mad at himself for not knowing his team) just puts a final exclamation point on the CBJ misery that was the year 2011. He's just another in a long line of folks that have either checked out or already walked out on this organization.
EXTRA SHOTS:
It's coming down to a 2 horse race for that #1 pick. Anaheim lost again last night and even though they have a game in hand, only one point separates them from us. The good news is that the gap between the bottom two is widening as the next closest team is Carolina who is 6 points up on Anaheim. Do not get the Ovechkin boos at all. Rick Nash now tied for team lead in points with 27. That is good for 68th overall in the league. Despite the fact that Arniel has obviously lost whatever grip he had left on this team, I don't expect any changes between now and the next game @ San Jose on Thursday. Again (and I'll keep hammering on this), I'm fine with that AS LONG AS sweeping changes are made in the offseason. Replacing just a coach now does absolutely nothing at this stage. Now if they fire everyone and slap "interim" tags on folks to ride out the season I'm down with that. I'm also not sold on Craig Patrick being the solution -- but he should be able to assist in finding the right solutions.
This post will put the final wrapping paper on the classic Christmas toys theme for December. Thanks to Ted, Chris, Nitro and my sis for some great suggestions!
The month of January will be all about texting acronyms. I think my "new hat" sums up this month's theme as well as this season perfectly.
Happy new year everyone! Here's to hoping for a better hockey year in 2012!
-LTL
