Bethany's Hockey Rants
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Eight Points
by Bethany on 01/10/09 at 11:59 AM ET
Comments (7)
The make or break roadtrip is over. And, I am proud to say, that this team, missing quite a few regulars including Brassard, Nash, and Huselius, made it! The Jackets finished the six game road trip that took them from California to DC, with a 4-2-0 record. Not too bad, I honestly, couldn’t be happier with the way everything came together. We are still in the playoff race, sitting one point out, and in 10th place.
Our starting goaltenders for last night…one was injured and the other began in Syracuse. Our forwards, half of them are AHL guys. How this team, got out of Washington with a 3-0 victory is beyond me. But, I will take it.
We got goals from Boll, Umberger, and Tyutin, and two of those goals were on the power play. Shock.
I found this in the Capitals game recap, and thought it was really interesting:
Mason is now 6-0 with four shutouts against Eastern Conference foes. He has fashioned an otherworldly 0.66 GAA and a .976 save pct. in those half dozen games against the opposite conference.
Wow. What else can you say? Mason was questionable for the game last night, so for him to come out and pitch a shutout, that is impressive. He made 45 saves on the Capitals. That’s a huge night for any goaltender. Mason is the real deal, and is the best goaltender in the NHL, hands down.
I do have to agree with Hitchcock though, I would never want to play the Capitals again with this lineup. But, the team did what it had to do. Hejda and Commodore kept Ovechkin in line…for the most part, he still managed to get 12 shots at Mason. Mason stopped everything that came his way. He even made some saves, that I have no idea how he did it.
I will have more…before the game, or during the game, depending on how my journey to get my books for school goes.
Filed in: Columbus Blue Jackets, | Bethany's Hockey Rants | Permalink
Tags: Columbus+Blue+Jackets, Steve+Mason,
Comments
Not too bad, I honestly, couldn’t be happier with the way everything came together. We are still in the playoff race, sitting one point out, and in 10th place.
I love that sentiment, Bethany. In fact, it could be the litmus test for determining the difference between a BJ fan and a Wings fan. You’re basking in the glow of actually getting within striking distance of being a playoff contender. A Wings fan seeing that their team was “sitting one point out, and in 10th place” would be on suicide watch. 
And let me just say that, even though the Wings handed the BJs one of those road-trip losses, Steve Mason is scary good. He’s everything Wings fans thought Jimmy Howard was going to be (and may yet turn out to be). But to be that good and that poised at 20 bodes well for the BJ fans hopes of finally making it to the playoffs.
If the BJs do make it there this year, I sincerely hope the Wings don’t face them in the first round because Mason is just the kind of goalie that could steal a series.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 01/10/09 at 12:27 PM ET
I couldn’t agree with you more OlderThanChelios. Bethany, as good as they are playing now (still keeping us in the playoff hunt), just imagine, if you will, what these kids will be like with a little more seasoning. I know alot of people weren’t real excited with the length of some of the contracts that were signed last summer. But, dare I say, Howson is a very smart man, who along with Hitch, prepared the path of this team going into the future. For all of us Jackets fans that have lived with the ups & downs over the years, I’m almost more excited for what the next couple of seasons will bring!
Posted by Rick on 01/10/09 at 03:09 PM ET
Hitch’s goal of 6th is starting to feel like a real possibility.
I think a matchup between Columbus and Calgary could be a -very- interesting series.
Posted by BZArcher on 01/10/09 at 10:47 PM ET
OlderThanChelios I agree, Mason is so frightenly good. Jackets fans have waited a long time for a goaltender like this, and now that we finally have one, it’s time for us to get into the playoffs. Also, Wings fans need to learn to love their team win or lose…that’s what makes you a real fan 
Rick I was thinking the same thing earlier. In even two seasons, with a healthy Brassard, a seasoned Mason, an older and bigger Nikita…the future…is bright. Not even mentioning the fact that Nash is only 24.
BZArcher, a Calgary series would be great for me, my cousins live in Calgary, and I would do everything in my power to get there and support my boys.
Posted by Bethany on 01/10/09 at 11:28 PM ET
Wings fans need to learn to love their team win or lose…that’s what makes you a real fan
Oh, you have soooooo much to learn, my dear. Real fans root for real teams. Loving a team because it’s in your city or your state, whether they win or lose, gets you nowhere. But you’ll begin to understand that once you get past the “Gee, we’re just a point out in 10th place” mindset.
Not even mentioning the fact that Nash is only 24.
Well, now you’re really starting to scare me.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 01/11/09 at 01:00 AM ET
For the record OTC, Jackets are not in my city…and they’re not in my state either!
Posted by Bethany on 01/11/09 at 02:15 PM ET
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I was very nervous going into last night’s game with all the injuries we have right now. But boy was I pleasantly surprised. Mason was incredible. The team worked together fantasticly…I was impressed and relieved. I love this team and I believe they will make the playoffs this year. Go Jackets.
Posted by Jeannie from Cincinnati on 01/10/09 at 12:23 PM ET