Some of you may have heard about the creation of the PHBA, or the Professional Hockey Bloggers Association. This was created by one of the savants over at The Royal Half, of which this blog has an awkward kinship. We like to think the Kings and CBJ twitter accounts are just copying us. Happy Besties Day, TRH. Honestly, thanks to The Royal Half for putting this together. This was no small undertaking and it turned out really well.
As the invitation email explained, the PHBA was created to give hockey bloggers across the country a voice and to see how our results stacked up against the actual hockey writers. You know, the heralded professional hockey writers, who are either blathering about some super hero movie or are reminiscing about the Leafs 1967 Cup run. Those same folks who sometimes nominate Crosby for the Vezina and Chara for the Selke, but I digress. The purpose of this post is to make my votes public and explain them to you the readers.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Gallos Doles Out Some Brewskis
And as always we thank "Light the Lamp" for the CBJ beers meme. LTL disappeared down the rabbit hole of parenthood, and is off spawning and rearing future Blue Jackets Fans. We know what that means in these parts, because that is part of the whole Columbus thing. It is, without any doubt, a great place to raise your family.
But, as is fairly normal, I digress.
What a season! What a playoff run! Yes, losing to the flightless seabirds of yinzer land is ignominious, but our team did it in a style and fashion that forced a better team to take a look in the mirror. And, that's the beauty of the playoffs. You know your team got a fair shake at proving they were better than the other guy. There is an upper tier of teams that are ready to compete for a Stanley Cup, and the Penguins are one of those teams, sporting two of the best players in this era of hockey, and having already won a Stanley Cup. It would be foolish to suggest that our beloved CBJ run in those circles. We are, however, firmly entrenched in that next tier that is ready to compete for making the playoffs each year.
I want to celebrate this position, because these things can be fleeting. 2009-10 is a good reminder that a return to the playoffs is not automatic. Just ask the Islanders, who made the playoffs in 2012-13, but lost their starting goal tender to injury in mid-season, and their star player to injury in the Olympics. These are long seasons fraught with uncertainty, and organizational depth, and a willingness to have an unparalleled work ethic are hedges against that uncertainty. And, fortunately, the key to the CBJ fans heart! If the work is there, and you ain't got it, so be it. But if you put the work in, and get the results, this fan base will back you a long way. So with all that said, let's dole out a few brews!!!
1. My first CBJ Beers go to the 2013-14 Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey Club. A team is more than a collection of individuals. It is an opportunity to be greater than the sum of your parts. And this team was able to accomplish that. The beauty of a team, is that it helps to absorb the vicissitudes of adversity, and where adversity at times singles out an individual, the team is a safety net to help absorb that shock. This team exemplified this dynamic throughout the year, and certainly had more than their share of adversity. Yet they came out of the year as the highest performing team in franchise history on so many, many fronts.
As a fan, this was a fantastic year. It was extremely entertaining for the vast majority of the season, and the playoff chase was scintillating. You may have a better team Yinzers, but I bet we had more fun this year! And the playoffs? Mama mia! That was some kinda fun! Not without its stressful moments, but that is what makes is so fun!
2. My second CBJ Beers go to Jarmo Kekalainen and John Davidson. Because now you know. Last year, at the Nashville game, they came away thinking that was a loud barn, and what a good thing they had here. And I bit my tongue. Because I knew how much better it really could be, and they got a very, very graphic exhibition of everything that Nationwide Arena can be. So, I'm not sure if you guys like beer or not, so to help you out, these CBJ brewskis are redeemable for a pair of socks. Cause I know Nationwide Arena blew yours off.
3. My third CBJ Beers is given in gratitude to the CBJ fans. I really, deep down, felt this team had earned the ovation that you gave them at the end of Game 6. At perhaps the hardest moment for the players, you came through and rewarded them for what they had accomplished. The hurt of that final loss will diminish for the players over time, lost in the wash of new competitions, but they will never forget that sound. They earned it. Thank you for having my back on this, because you delivered in the biggest way possible.
4. My fourth CBJ Beer goes to Nick Foligno. Late last May, when I was on the last day of rehabilitation from serious knee surgery, I came down to a 'Front Street Friday', and you were signing autographs. I was in line behind Dancing Kevin, and after you had signed 'the belly', it was my turn. I thanked you, as a season ticket holder, for the run at the end of the truncated 2012-13 season. And your response to me was to get that fire in your eyes, and say emphatically 'we'll be better next year!!!' Good call there Nick. You guys were better, and then some. So once again I say to you Nick Foligno, as a season ticket holder, I'd like to thank you for all you did this season. You guys were really fun to watch and it was great to be part of your season. And I hope you answer me the same way.
5. My fifth CBJ Beer goes to Ryan Johansen. 33 goals Joey. What, 2 in the playoffs? You had a great year Joey. But Crosby and Malkin got to you in the playoffs. So you know where you need to aspire to get to. It took them awhile to get to the level they are at, it will take you a bit too, so don't be impatient. But don't be content either. We know well here in Columbus that one superstar does not a team make. But you are a part of the fabric of this team, and you did what you did in the context of the team. Hold on to that. It will take you far.
6. My sixth CBJ adult beverage goes to my comrade in arms, Tom, The Dark Blue Jacket. Speaking of disappearing down the rabbit hole of parenting. That rabbit hole represents a very worthwhile endeavor, one that is worthy of your time, energy and thought. You give a lot of yourself, yes, but that never defines who you are. It is a stage of life, just like being an old fart. So there it is. Do what you need to do, but never lose sight of who you are, and don't miss those opportunities to remind yourself of who you are.
I'm sure I'll be doling out more beers soon. I'm in a good mood. This team was all one could ask for as a hockey fan. I am content. For now. But there is some sort of silvery shadow in the back of my mind that is making me restless......
GO JACKETS!!
Monday, April 28, 2014
Pride
But there it is. Our CBJ are out of the playoffs, falling to a team that upped the intensity ante over the last two games that our young team could not answer. Credit to the Pens for how they played the last two games. Credit to our guys for never quitting. I feel very good about what our team has accomplished this year, and it was a very fun year to be a Blue Jackets fan.
At the end of the day, I am proud to be a Blue Jackets fan. I went into tonight's game vowing not to get cheated. I left it all out there, as did many other fans. THAT is what Nationwide Arena is supposed to sound like. And it is great to see it back.
I need to go nurse my wounds now. But in the upcoming days/weeks we will start exploring the many accomplishments of this team. Keep in mind that John Davidson just views this as a brick. A big, and gratifying brick, but just a brick, nonetheless.
Congratulations Blue Jackets players and coaches. You did us all proud. Well done! Well done indeed!!
GO JACKETS!!!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Progress In Pittsburgh
Before the game, I wondered to myself if there was something to the notion that we might lose the battle, yet win the war. Indeed, we lost that battle, with the Penguins pouring 50 shots on Sergei Bobrovsky. They were the better team, they deserved to win. Which creates an interesting dynamic, because they beat us by playing the same type of game that we do. It stands to reason that Pittsburgh, with superior talent on its top lines, should be able to play Blue Jackets hockey better than we do, so long as the bring the same intensity and commitment to the hard work that our system entails. And they did that Saturday night. But I wonder if they can sustain it?
The long term impact of Saturday's loss is that the CBJ have managed to dictate the terms by which this series will be won. The winning team will win by playing a Blue Jackets style of hockey better than the other team. Pittsburgh certainly ramped up a Blue Jackets style of hockey Saturday night. Our team played that style to win its way into the playoffs, and also managed to take the style on the road, winning a franchise record number of road games. In short, Columbus has shown that it can sustain Blue Jackets hockey over a whole season under a variety of conditions. So far the Pens have cranked that style up for game 3, and game 5, but otherwise have been unable to sustain the level of commitment. Whereas Columbus has shown that it can sustain that level of play under pressure.
So the take away message is that the team that plays Blue Jackets hockey (high intensity, strong forecheck, tight defensive checking, great goal tending) will win this series. It should be interesting to see if Pittsburgh can repeat their feat of Saturday night on the road, in a hostile arena.
On the other hand, this Pittsburgh team was expected to win multiple Stanley Cups. They have only won a single Cup, and thus are under achievers. Ironically, if they really think to get by Boston in the Conference final, they need to be able to perfect 'Blue Jackets Hockey', because that is the only hope they have to prevail in that series.
On a personal level, I am going to go out and cheer this team tomorrow with all that I have. No more worries, no more neuroses, just hard core support for our team. No matter how it turns out, I will be proud of what this group has done. But it's not over yet. No, not by a long shot.
GO JACKETS!!
Friday, April 25, 2014
The Hits Keep on Comin'
Like many Jackets fans I spent yesterday basking in the glow of Game 4. The improbable comeback. The unbelievable crowd. Just everything surrounding the fact that this series sits at 2-2 after the happenings at the corner of Front and Nationwide on Wednesday evening.
As you can see, things are pretty close through the series, with the exception of hits where the Jackets are just running away with things. (We'll get to that in a bit.) In this case, pretty close seems to favor the Jackets a little bit. If shots and face offs and were lopsided towards the Pens, they'd be getting their way a lot more and the series probably wouldn't be 2-2. No big secret, if the Jackets want to win this series they can't get in an open ice skating contest with the Pens.
Shots and hits seem to get a lot of focus in this series. Shots are a pretty good indicator of possession, you can't shoot the puck if you don't have it. Hits are also a pretty good indicator of possession, but in the opposite way, more hits usually means less puck time. Since the Jackets are a dump it in, punch you in the face, "Gimme that puck," kind of team they are naturally going to have more hits than the Pens. With that context, looking at the hits each game compared to the shots...the Jackets had the puck very little in Game 3, and had it a whole lot in Game 4.
This series is now a 3 game sprint to the end. If the stats continue to be close, the Jackets have a real good chance to get 2 wins out of the last 3 games. They have to continue to forecheck and get pucks to the net. Now that this is at least a 6 game series, the hitting and puck possession should wear on the Pens more - physically and mentally.
Not to mention throwing pucks at the net from the blue line just might go in.
That entailed reading a number of articles and blog posts, and even taking in a podcast or two, from all sources: Columbus, Pittsburgh, and national media types. A rather generalized summary of each:
Columbus: "That was AWESOME! We're 2-2! You've waited 14 years, is this fun or what!?!?!!"
Pittsburgh: "OMG Fluery! FLUERY!! WTF? Where are Crosby and Malkin?? Why? WHY?"
National: "This is a nutty series. Nobody can hold a lead. And Fluery has gone and screwed up...we told you it would happen!"
Both fan bases are equally correct in thinking the series could easily be 3-1 in their favor right now. So, how exactly are the Jackets keeping pace with the Pens?
The Jackets are doing it with possession and in forcing the Pens to play the full 200 feet. I've just started to understand the advanced stats movement, but I'm not going to include them here. Instead, let's look at good, old fashion, "traditionalist" stats on getting and keeping the puck. In other words, old-timey possession stats.
Here are the shots, hits, giveaways (GV), takeaways (TK), and face off percentage (FO%) for the first four games:
| Shots | Hits | GV | TK | FO% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | |||||
| CBJ | 34 | 48 | 2 | 5 | 44% |
| PIT | 32 | 27 | 10 | 5 | 56% |
| Game 2 | |||||
| CBJ | 45 | 51 | 3 | 5 | 57% |
| PIT | 42 | 28 | 13 | 2 | 43% |
| Game 3 | |||||
| CBJ | 20 | 65 | 4 | 5 | 57% |
| PIT | 41 | 32 | 4 | 6 | 43% |
| Game 4 | |||||
| CBJ | 46 | 51 | 10 | 5 | 57% |
| PIT | 25 | 37 | 11 | 3 | 43% |
As you can see, things are pretty close through the series, with the exception of hits where the Jackets are just running away with things. (We'll get to that in a bit.) In this case, pretty close seems to favor the Jackets a little bit. If shots and face offs and were lopsided towards the Pens, they'd be getting their way a lot more and the series probably wouldn't be 2-2. No big secret, if the Jackets want to win this series they can't get in an open ice skating contest with the Pens.
Shots and hits seem to get a lot of focus in this series. Shots are a pretty good indicator of possession, you can't shoot the puck if you don't have it. Hits are also a pretty good indicator of possession, but in the opposite way, more hits usually means less puck time. Since the Jackets are a dump it in, punch you in the face, "Gimme that puck," kind of team they are naturally going to have more hits than the Pens. With that context, looking at the hits each game compared to the shots...the Jackets had the puck very little in Game 3, and had it a whole lot in Game 4.
This series is now a 3 game sprint to the end. If the stats continue to be close, the Jackets have a real good chance to get 2 wins out of the last 3 games. They have to continue to forecheck and get pucks to the net. Now that this is at least a 6 game series, the hitting and puck possession should wear on the Pens more - physically and mentally.
Not to mention throwing pucks at the net from the blue line just might go in.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Best. Game. Ever!
What a game. What a game! The Penguins asserted their will early, jumping up to a 3-0 lead. I remember thinking early about the goal that bounced in off Wisniewski's butt in the last game, and thinking it would be great if we got a GOOD bounce off Wiz's butt. No. It bounced right to the Pens, and Adams comes down and scores a shorty to open the scoring. The Pens continued to exert their will, and ended up going up 3-0 before 12 minutes were done in the first period.
With the officiating continuing the absolutely brutal trend of the last game, Neal gets whistled for his second interference call in consecutive games for checking the guy with the puck after a prior brutal call by the officials. According to NHL rules, a clean hit after a lousy call is called for interference. But the CBJ capitalize, and get one on the board before the first period is over, making it 3-1.
The game slogs on until a little over half way through the second period, when the Penguins Stempniak gets whistled for a double minor high sticking call. Shortly thereafter, the officials determined that Sutter lofted the puck over the boards, and the CBJ were awarded a full two minute 5 on 3. In spite of great pressure, the CBJ were only able to score one, so the score at the end of two periods remained 3-2 Penguins.
Personal confession. I have watched so much brutal hockey in that arena, that at times I forget about hope. Fortunately, the players could care less about my neuroses, and believe in themselves. Sure enough, with 24 seconds left in the third and the goal tender pulled for an extra skater, Brandon Dubinsky buries a goal to tie the score at 3 all. To say that the building erupted would be a masterful understatement. The CBJ kill off the last 24 seconds, take a break, and come out in the first overtime on fire, and Foligno (see the back of the Jersey I wear. YEAH!!!) buries a shot for the game winner. Four unanswered goals by the CBJ and they have their first home playoff win in franchise history. More importantly, Jarmo and John Davidson now know how loud Nationwide Arena can really be.
I've had season tickets since the 2006-07 season. This is the best game I have ever witnessed in Nationwide Arena. The crowd met the same kinds of challenges that people faced in Game 4 against Detroit, but in this case the team came back and won the game in dramatic fashion. The team was rewarded with the thunderous ovation that they richly deserve. This one was a beauty.
The series is tied 2-2 on the strength of four 4-3 games. Too weird.
This team continues to show its great resiliency. Now its a best of three series. Funny things can happen.
This team continues to lift us up with great moments. Well done. Well done indeed.
GO JACKETS!!!
Monday, April 21, 2014
Game Three: Pens Push Back
Take aways from this game are that the Penguins played Blue Jackets hockey from midway through the second period through the end, and baited the Blue Jackets into attempting Penguins hockey in response. The result of course, is predictable. Poor team discipline lead to Pittsburgh taking over the offensive zone, and dominating the last half of the game, much like the CBJ did in the last game in Pittsburgh. I thought it was an unusually poorly officiated game for a playoff game, however the refs had nothing to do with Pittsburgh putting 41 shots on the net. That was more related to the fact that they won the face offs and puck races and puck battles for the majority of the third period.
These Blue Jackets now know what Nationwide Arena can really be. Great crowd tonight, great atmosphere. These teams will be looking fairly evenly matched if the CBJ can respond on Wednesday with a win. The Penguins were sure to respond after Saturday's loss. We need to respond after tonight's loss.
This is fun. This is awesome. My day long meeting should be interesting with this voice tomorrow. But strap it on, and bring it again Wednesday. We get a day to heal. I gotta run, I am on the road all day tomorrow. Our boys played well enough to win, but fell down in the team discipline department. That can be fixed.
Lather, rinse, repeat!
GO JACKETS!!
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Game Two Recap: It was a tale of two overtimes
 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets 4 - Pittsburgh Penguins 3 - 2OT Series tied at 1-1 |
After the first 5 minutes of tonight's game, if you had told me the CBJ would win convincingly in overtime I would have laughed at you - after having spit beer out my nose and then slapped you about the head and face. There is getting scored on early, and then there is getting OWNED in the first 20 minutes of a hockey game. It was like the Penguins had the cheat code to "The Blue Jackets - the video game." To watch the first period was like watching a train driver over a cliff. The Penguins had reached into the soul of the Blue Jackets, bathed in their insecurities, and then played them like a break-up tape from an ex-girlfriend on slo-mo repeat. The first period was tough to watch, and full marks go to Dan Bylsma for exploiting the Blue Jackets. You don't often see a mismatch like that in the Stanley Cup Playoffs - that kind of blatant one-sidedness typically happens in Pee Wee tournament on the north side of Detroit.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Seeing The Elephant
The Pittsburgh Penguins played like a superior team. They scored through the tiniest cracks in the Jackets defense. In fact I'd suggest that they scored at times when there were no cracks. They brought their game, and they played well. Likewise, the CBJ brought their game, and they played well. I think it would be fair to say both sides would like to have a couple of plays back. At the end, it was tied going into the third period, Pittsburgh made a good play, and they won. Credit to them. But this was no blow out of inadequately matched teams. There is, however, the possibility that Pittsburgh will regard it as such.
The dynamic of these playoffs is that the home team has to hold their serve, to use a tennis analogy. You need to win your home games. You have an advantage in the face off, and you have the last line change. Technically, you should win your home games. By virtue of being the higher seed, Pittsburgh only has to win one road game to prevail, while the CBJ need to win two. Johnson, Letestu, and MacKenzie score tonight. Dollars will get you donuts that different players score on Saturday. That is the strength of the CBJ. Likewise, the Pens can say their secondary scoring won the battle, which is true. But will they win the war?
I tried to explain to my Dad that dumping the puck, and grinding possession is like running the football. It conveys benefits down the road. The Jackets did some good grinding tonight. They need to do more on Saturday. But they had a couple those shifts in this game, the first game. Can they have more in the second game, and more in the third?
Pittsburgh won tonight, 4-3. They are 25% of the way out of this series. The next percentage points may be harder to earn. Will they elevate their game to earn them? They may. Or they may not. It remains to be seen.
I am content. It was fun. Our guys played well, yet they lost. That's hockey. The other guys are good. Make no mistake. But you don't win them on paper. We lost the battle, but we are undeterred. Next Saturday should be interesting.
GO JACKETS!!!! BATTLE ON!!
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
It Comes Down to Bob
Second, Bob has to win the goal tending match-up by a pretty good margin. He has to emerge from the series with a sub-2 Goals Against Average. Fortunately, that's how he played down the stretch. But he probably has to play better than he did down the stretch to maintain that level in the playoffs. And as long as it's not the first game, we can probably afford one of those games where the Pens really roll. But if the bulk of the games are pretty tight, and it comes down to the goal tending, than we have a chance. A slim chance, against a powerful opponent. But they don't play them on paper.
So we go into this series with the best team we ever had. Which makes for an interesting dynamic. Have fun with this, ignore the Penguins fans, and cheer the Blue Jackets on. These guys have earned that from us, and you never know, they may surprise us.
I don't know about you, but there is something really cool about having a pass for a Stanley Cup final sitting on your kitchen table. Whether or not it is THE Stanley Cup final remains to be determined. The hard way.
GO JACKETS!!
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