Bethany's Hockey Rants

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I must be dreaming!

by Bethany on 10/18/08 at 12:05 AM ET
Comments (4)

Wow. That’s all I can say after the home opener against the Nashville Predators. But, before I get into the game, I have to thank Alanah for posting about Peca’s suspension for me (I will have more on it tomorrow), while I was away. I really appreciate it.

The game started off great, with an amazing tribute to Mr. Mac. It was a little sad, but I think it definitely got the boys, especially those who have been here for a while motivated to get the win for him. Mr. Mac would have loved tonights game, everyone (aside from Preds fans I’m sure) left happy. Hitch described the game best when he said:

“It felt bizarre. It was entertaining as hell and wildly exciting and that’s probably what it’s going to be for a little while - a few more like this and they are going to put us in the loony bin. It’s exciting. We’re never going to be out of a game with this team.”

The Blue Jackets started off really slow, and I was worried that the Predators were just going to give it to us. But, the Blue Jackets came out on top with Rick Nash scoring the opening goal of the game. Followed by our outstanding rookie, Nikita Filatov scoring his first NHL goal, in his first NHL game. He received a standing ovation from Blue Jackets fans. He was noticeable most of his shifts, in a good way. Here’s Hitch on Nikita:

“He’s got great skill and great speed, he’s really dynamic. You have to fast track him without overwhelming him. He brings his youthful enthusiasm and energy, and all he needs his one crack at it and he’s going to score. He’s played four professional hockey games and four goals – that’s impressive.”

Eight seconds after Filatov scored our other rookie, Voracek scored to make the game 3-0. Nashville goaltender Peka Rinne was chased from the net, and replaced by Dan Ellis. Derek Dorsett and Jordin Tootoo attempted to drop the gloves and go at each other, but the refs quickly separated them and they received roughing penalties. Tootoo wasn’t a factor the rest of the game, and actually I felt kind of bad for him as he struggled to stay up on his feet, okay, so maybe not. The fans were nuts, and were extremely happy with the way things were going, including me. It was between the first and second parents I called to gloat to my cousin, the Preds fan.

The second period started well with Rick Nash getting his second goal of the night. Then the Jackets fell off the wagon a bit. Here’s Captain, Rick Nash on the win:

“Yeah, it seems like every game we’ve been having periods where we’ve been uh…slacking, having mental breakdowns and it happened again tonight but the main thing is we got the two points.”

The Predators were allowed to score two goals. The crowd was extremely nervous, myself included. The Jackets were able to kill off all of their penalties, which was a great thing. I don’t remember what period it was in, but I believe second, the puck was getting ready to trickle into the net, and one of our defensemen knocked it out of the way which received a thunderous applause from the fans.

The third period was probably the most entertaining. The Predators scored one more goal to make the game 4-3 and I think all the fans expected the typical Jackets break down, which always seems to happen against the Preds. However, Chimera scored a goal making it 5-3 Jackets, and Alexandre Picard got into a fight with Nashville’s Jerred Smithson, and that set the tone for the rest of the game.

Pascal Leclaire was injured in the third period, and was replaced by Fredrik Norrena, who received an extremely warm welcome from the crowd, who began chanting “Freddy, Freddy, Freddy.” He may have had his mask on, but you could tell that he was pumped and there was not a chance he would let us down. Christian Backman also was injured in the game, which I didn’t notice, but in Hitch’s press conference he said that he had a lower body injury, and wouldn’t be playing tomorrow. So expect Marc Methot or Ole-Kristian Tollefsen to play. As far as Pazzy, he will not be making the trip with a bruised thumb, we are recalling Dan LaCosta from Syracuse.

I will have more on the game tomorrow, but dang, it feels so good to start off the season series against Nashville with a win!

Filed in: Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators, Nikita Filatov, Rick Nash | Bethanys Hockey Rants | Permalink
Tags: Columbus+Blue+Jackets, Jordin+Tootoo, Nashville+Predators, Nikita+Filatov, Rick+Nash,

Comments

So pumped to start out the Nashville series with a W. I only caught the 3rd period, but looking back at the highlights, they killed it in the first!

When the team looks good, they look GOOD. They’ve just gotta look good for 60 minutes now.

Posted by Shagy from Toledo, OH on 10/18/08 at 07:28 AM ET

The Jackets absolutely needs to be ready to battle hard tonight. I can just see the Preds seething for the opportunity to annihilate them at home.

I hope Freddy has the momentum he started last night to finish the job.

Posted by Pam from Indiana on 10/18/08 at 09:15 AM ET

Wow is right, that’s the sort of dynamic play we’ve been searching for. Freddy Mo really clicked with the rookies: Filatov, Voracek & Brassard. Chimera did too. How great is it to say that… scoring from somwhere other than the 1st line and the 2nd PP unit no less!

FYI… that defensive save was from Fedor Tyutin, that was a game changer for sure (you get a pass on that one, we’ve got a lot of new numbers to remember this year). Rimmer & Tickets made it the save of the game.

Personally, I’d have to give it to Pazzy for his bare handed grab. GET OFF Paz you BAMF… stick… padding -he don’t need no stinking padding!!!

Here’s hoping that carries over to tonight as well, four shut out periods Freddy No!!!

Posted by Flash from Columbus on 10/18/08 at 12:29 PM ET

Shagy, you missed a great first and second period!

Pam, it’s going to be a tough tough tough game tonight, but I think we can do it.

Flash, I actually had it in my phone who it was, but by the time I got home, and began writing, I forgot about it. Thanks for the pass though As for Pazzy with the bare hand, that was brutal, and he was in so much pain, poor guy. Freddy is up for the challenge, I am sure!