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Time For A Deep Breath . . .

So Games 1 and 2 have not gone according to plan, from the Blue Jackets’ perspective.  In fact, pretty close to as far from plan as could be expected.  Detroit has played like, well, Detroit.  When Detroit does that, virtually every other team in the league becomes spectators, to one extent or another.  The Jackets [...]

April 20th, 2009 | | 2 comments | Continued
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Retribution Day!

A new day has dawned, and the bad taste left after Game 1 is gone. We have taken our initial hits, and know what we need to do. This is not an insurmountable task — we have beaten the Wings 3 times this year, and played a strong 1st half on Thursday.We are about to [...]

April 18th, 2009 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Lessons Learned

As the commercials for the PGA Tour say — “These guys are good. . . ” Detroit fired on all cylinders tonight in a 4 – 1 victory over the Jackets, aided by deflections off of Manny Malhotra and Jan Hejda. For the first thirty minutes, this was a breathtaking hockey game. 27 shots fired [...]

April 17th, 2009 | | 3 comments | Continued
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The Time Has Come!!! — Some Playoff Day Ramblings

Hard to believe that after 82 regular season games, 226 goals and 2,363 shots on goal, the playoffs are about to begin!!!  Hitch has had several days to review his options and draw his battle plans, we have had the chance to get the bumps and bruises healed, rest up and get in shape for [...]

April 16th, 2009 | | 1 comment | Continued
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JacketBackers Get Some Love In The Dispatch!!!

Check out this article in the Dispatch!! Liberally quoting from JB Treasurer Brian Maurer, President and spouse Julie, and yours truly, among others. We are starting to get noticed for our travels (remember the Code of Conduct folks!!) I have a feeling this will be the largest, loudest and proudest group to haunt the friendly [...]

April 15th, 2009 | | 1 comment | Continued
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Jacket Backers Promoting Tix For Detroit Games 1 & 2

The JacketBackers are announcing potential ticket deals for Games 1 and 2 of the 1st Round playoff series in Detroit.  We have the chance to get $60 seats for $45, provided that we get at least 20 participants.   We are getting the word out on this any way we can, so that Jackets fans [...]

April 13th, 2009 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Playoff Schedule Announced

Here are the days and times for the Round 1 series vs. the Red Wings.    Times for games 6 and 7 are yet TBD.   GAME 1: @Detroit, Thu. 4/16, 7 p.m.GAME 2: @Detroit, Sat. 4/18, 6 p.m.GAME 3: @Columbus, Tue. 4/21, 7 p.m.GAME 4: @Columbus, Thu. 4/23, 7 p.m.*GAME 5: @Detroit, Sat. 4/25, 7 [...]

April 13th, 2009 | | 1 comment | Continued
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Game Day Ramblings

Still basking in the glow of the clinching victory in Chicago, here are a variety of random observations, tidbits and trivia as we get ready for St. Louis tonight: Team Records — As a team, the Jackets are poised to set a number of franchise records for the regular season, including Most Wins (currently 41, [...]

April 10th, 2009 | | 0 comments | Continued
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GO REDHAWKS!!!!

As I type this, the puck is dropping on the first game in this year’s Frozen Four, featuring the Miami University Redhawks against Bimidji State.  Vermont takes on Boston University in the nightcap,  with the winners vying for the national championship. This is the first Frozen Four appearance for the Redhawks, who appear to be [...]

April 9th, 2009 | | 1 comment | Continued
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Clinch!!!!!

In what was likely one of the most improbable victories of the 80 games played thus far, the Columbus Blue Jackets achieved the goal that had been in existence since Robert Kron won the first-ever faceoff for the Blue Jackets (over Alexei Zhamnov of the Blackhawks) in October 2000 — a seat in the Stanley [...]

April 9th, 2009 | | 1 comment | Continued
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New Writing Gig

As if I don’t have enough to keep me occupied, I have joined our own Hitch Rules (aka Ed) as a columnist covering the CBJ for Inside Hockey. They gave my piece on tonight’s game a nice link on the front page, so check it out when you get a chance. Ed will be covering [...]

April 6th, 2009 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Updated Stretch Performance

By popular demand, the following is the updated list of performance over the course of the Dirty Dozen last 12 of the season: Anaheim 8 – 2 – 0 16/20 possible points .800 points percentage Chicago 6 – 2 – 0 12/16 possible points .750 points percentage St. Louis 6 – 2 – 1 13/18 [...]

April 6th, 2009 | | 0 comments | Continued
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What A Battle!

Who did not know that this one was going to be a war??  With Nashville having its back very much against the wall after a loss last night in Chicago, they were in a “must win” situation to keep their playoff hopes realistically alive. Every write-up leading up to this game focused on the first [...]

April 5th, 2009 | | 1 comment | Continued