Bethany's Hockey Rants
50 Minutes is Not Enough
by Bethany on 10/28/08 at 11:52 AM ET
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The Blue Jackets can play 50 minutes of great hockey, but they haven’t proven that they can play a complete hockey game. Here’s Hitchcock on the game.
“For us to win we had to play 60 minutes full out of great hockey and we played 50 minutes (tonight), just like we did in Minnesota. It’s not good enough - you’ve got to win games 2-1.”
We controlled most of the game. The Ducks got on the board first, and then Andrew Murray got a shorthanded opportunity, he missed, but given another opportunity he gave the puck to Novotny, and we scored our first shorthanded goal of the season. Then, the goat line went to work, Brassard scored with assists going to Chimera and Voracek. We were winning 2-1 until halfway through the third period, then our world collapsed, or so it seemed.
Corey Perry scored to make it 2-2, it was Perry’s second goal of the season. The Blue Jackets seemed to have given up by the time that Anaheim was on the power play. Freddy Norrena made a bad decision, instead of covering up the puck he gave up a rebound that went right to Teemu Selanne who buried his chance, putting the Ducks up 3-2. It wasn’t all Freddy’s fault though, everyone in a Blue Jackets uniform is at fault.
Derek Dorsett had two fights on the game squaring off with Kent Huskins and Brian Sutherby. Dorsett may not be playing big minutes, or putting up points, but he is quite enjoyable to watch, and with the way we have been playing, it is a good thing. RJ Umberger had a better nightt, at least I thought, he seemed to be getting more opportunites, but he was able to get six shots on net, but he still couldn’t capitalize. Andrew Murray and Derick Brassard seemed to have everything going for them tonight, but unfortunately we were only able to get two goals.
The Blue Jackets were given plenty of opportunities on the power play to score, but were unable to capitalize on any of our chances.
“I’m not looking for answers; I’m looking for better play from people (on the point of the power play).”
“It’s not good enough. We’re not entering the zone with any speed.”
We HAVE to get better, immediately. Norrena played well, but the mistakes he made resulted in goals. He definitely can’t be blamed for tonights loss, and watching him in the locker room interviews, makes you realize how seriously he takes all of his losses. I keep saying this over and over, and it’s getting old, but I still feel like we have the players to win, we just need to get down, and do it. It seems like we’re scared of success, I know we’re not, but that’s the only thing I can think of. The Blue Jackets were treated to a nice amount of boo’s coming from the fans who were able to attend last night, they deserved it. Here’s a great bit that sums up last nights game from Michael Arace at Puck-Rakers.
Last night, it happened in front of an announced crowd of 10,494, the smallest crowd (by more than 1,300) in the seven-plus season history of the franchise and the arena. There were boos after the final horn.
“We take pride in saying we have the best fans in the league,” Rick Nash said. “Right now, we’re not showing them the effort. We’ve got to do a better job, and we will.”
I hope that Nash lives up to that, because the games this season, aside from the win against the Predators, have been a disappointment. Here’s Hitch and his opinion of the game.
“I hope the players are like I am, frustrated and (ticked) off. To play this well and then give it away if I was them, I’d be frustrated and really (ticked). That’s how we want them to be when they show up for practice (today). If they’re down, then we don’t really want them around.”
Moving on.
Nikita Filatov has been moved to Syracuse. Good for him, he’ll be playing in tomorrow’s game and hopefully will be able to log some good minutes.
And, did anyone see Adam Mair in this clip?
Filed in: Columbus Blue Jackets, Nikita Filatov | Bethany's Hockey Rants | Permalink
Tags: Anaheim+Ducks, Columbus+Blue+Jackets, Nikita+Filatov,
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