Happy New Year!
- Updated: October 10, 2014
I went into last night’s Blue Jackets game pretty nervous. Not because I expected a game 1 letdown against Buffalo, but because I didn’t want the current narrative to continue. When the Jackets got their two points for the win it was nice to take a deep breath and enjoy it. My timeline on twitter was full of “Jacket’s Win!” and #CBJ, and not filled with contract talk, injuries, and conversations about getting off to a slow start. The rookies played a hell of a game, with Alexander Wennberg getting his first NHL point and Marko Dano getting a good natured ribbing from his teammates. He absorbing a big hit from Mike Weber and then finished his shift with an attempt to return the favor against the much bigger player. Sergei Bobrovsky was all over the place making amazing saves and keeping the team in the game, and Jack Skille’s return to the CBJ was marked with him exploding the goalie’s water bottle on the first goal of the season. Add to that, Cam Atkinson being everywhere and Ryan Johansen looking good and everyone went to bed feeling great about the way everything played out. I was particularly happy Buffalo put up a good fight so Head Coach Todd Richards can coach up the team, and tell them where they need to improve to beat the Rangers on Saturday.
I know one game doesn’t make for a hot start, but its two points closer. The Rangers come into Nationwide Arena Saturday for a huge early season game that could set the tone for the rest of October. The schedule in the next month includes games against both teams that played in the Stanley Cup Finals, two back to backs, and a West Coast road trip. I don’t want to see a team that limps into November needing another sprint to the finish to make the playoffs, praying that Boone Jenner and Brandon Dubinsky swoop in and save the day. I want this team to pull together and put up a good record in October for the first time in years. Notching a regulation win in game 1 on the road lets us enjoy the moment, breathe a little easy, and enjoy the return of hockey.
The offseason is supposed to be a time for every team to be optimistic about the chase for the Stanley Cup, and the last month took that away from hockey fans in Columbus. After last night’s win, Blue Jackets fans can finally feel a sense of hope. We can look forward instead of back and it feels good. That’s why we’re fans and invest so much into this team and this sport. I can’t wait to see what this team can do next. I want to see Scott Hartnell play in front of Henrik Lundqvist and just torture the Rangers. I want to see Ryan Johansen score his first goal of the year at home to a standing ovation. I can’t wait for the first game I’ll attend this year on next Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. I want to hear Leo Welsh sing the Anthem, and hear the cannon fire, and chant C-B-J over and over. The cloud of this offseason has lifted, and it finally feels like hockey season. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Go Jackets!
About Jamie Grube
