Bethany's Hockey Rants

A point lost

by Bethany on 02/17/09 at 09:52 PM ET
Comments (1)

The Jackets lost in a skill competition last night. RJ Umberger was an absolute beast for the Blue Jackets last night. He set a franchise record by scoring two goals 89 seconds apart. It was a game that the Jackets should have won. We had every opportunity to win, but we didn’t capitalize on our chances - shocker, I know.

The Jackets, aside from the first thirty seconds played a decent first period. They played a great second period, and I have to agree with Hitchcock, it was one of the best periods of hockey I have seen the Jackets play. They outshot the Stars 22-7, and they outworked them. Everyone looked great.

Here’s some thoughts on the game:

*Derek Dorsett is absolutely amazing. He brought energy to the Jackets and worked hard every shift.

*RJ Umberger is hot right now, I can’t tell you how many he had last night. He played probably his best game as a Blue Jacket.

*Yes, we got a point, but I hate the shootout. We would have won that game if OT had kept on going.

*We had too many breakdowns during the game. They resulted in Dallas scoring, we have got to be better.

*Listening to Hitchcock’s press conference and hearing him say that we are going to be proactive makes me think that a trade is coming sooner rather than later although the Dispatch seems to think that it just means some line changes.

“We’ve been dancing around this issue and we’re not going to dance anymore,” he said. “There are people who can give us more and we need them to. We keep thinking certain guys are going to perform and they don’t. So as coaches, we have to be proactive.”

Hitchcock may not make the trades but he has input, and I could definitely see it as trades. Talking to other fans they feel the same way as me, but one never knows with the Blue Jackets.

We are going to do more, just I don’t know when, what or who. I can say who isn’t going anywhere, but then again you never know.

Mike Commodore has a NTC. Rick Nash, untouchable. Derick Brassard, Jake Voracek, Nikita Filatov, and Kris Russell aren’t going anywhere.

OKT or Backman could possibly be moved. Malhotra’s contract is up at the end of the season, but I highly doubt he’s going anywhere, he’s way too important on faceoff wins.

I would hate to be in Scott Howson’s position right now.

We know we aren’t going to win the Cup this season. But we are building a team that will be a contender, we’re doing it the way the Caps and Pens have done it, except we are having to fix what Mr. MacLean broke.

*In the last five games the Jackets are 4-0-1 and Hitchcock didn’t seem pleased with it. To be honest, I am not either. We had them, we outplayed them, we deserved the two points, but because of a few slip ups they win.

I will say it again, I hate shootouts.

Things are not going to get easier for us. We have the Blues in town on tomorrow. They’re another tough team for us to play against, we need the two points, we have to stay focused and keep getting points if we want to stay in this. The season is slowly but surely coming to a close and the goal is fifth, we are currently at 8th and without the services of one of our leaders for at least a week in Freddy Modin.

Go Jackets.

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Tags: Columbus+Blue+Jackets, Dallas+Stars, Steve+Mason,

Comments

I agree with your assessment of the game. Marty Turco was playing out of his mind and was lucky on more than one occasion. That win for the stars was absolute highway robbery. If you guys continue to play like that you will not only make the playoffs, but you may win a series or 2. You HAVE to get the Power Play working though.

Good luck. I would like to see the jackets make an appearance in the postseason. next year looks even brighter. Again, good luck.

Posted by Aaron from Fort Worth, TX on 02/18/09 at 12:44 AM ET