Bethany's Hockey Rants

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Jackets Breaking Franchise Records

by Bethany on 03/13/09 at 02:18 PM ET
Comments (6)

The records just keep falling for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

They had the biggest crowd in the history of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a whopping 19,167 people witnessed the Blue Jackets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in a shootout.

“Somebody let in these other people today with the funny-colored sweaters,” Hitchcock said, referring to the thousands of Penguins fans. “And it screwed the sound up.”

Jackets fans are starting to believe in this team. This really is our year to make the playoffs.

The Jackets goaltender, Steve Mason, also broke the record for the most goaltender wins. The previous record was set by Marc Denis in 2002-2003 with 27 wins, Mason earned his 28th win last night.

The last three games the Jackets have beat the Wings 8-2, Bruins 2-0, and the Penguins 4-3 in a shootout.

Antoine Vermette is an absolute beast. He had a goal and an assist last night. He’s making the difference, and I am loving every minute that he is on the ice. Great acquisition by Scott Howson.

Huselius scored the lone goal in the shootout to give the Jackets the victory.

“It felt like we were playing in Canada,” Huselius said. “It was unbelievable. Hopefully, we can pay back the fans by making the playoffs.”

But the story was really the story of the night. He played amazing in the shootout, and stopped all shooters in the shootout. The kid was battling a cold, and still had a huge game. He battled the entire night, and even took some abuse from Malkin when he knocked Mason’s helmet off.

The Jackets gave up a 3-0 lead, and the fact that they were able to pull out the victory is outstanding.

Tonight the Jackets play the Chicago Blackhawks it’s not televised so head out to the bars or if you’re lucky enough flip on center ice, and cheer the boys on. They have the chance to break yet another franchise record for most wins in a season.

Methot is out tonight with a possible concussion. Rome or Backman will go in for him, I am hoping for Rome to go in.

Wade Dubielewicz is starting tonight for the Blue Jackets, it’s his first start since February 6. I’m pretty happy Mason is getting a break, he needs rest for the game on Sunday.

The Jackets are still sitting in sixth place a point behind Vancouver.

Filed in: , Columbus Blue Jackets, Rick Nash | Bethanys Hockey Rants | Permalink
Tags: Columbus+Blue+Jackets, Pittsburgh+Penguins, Steve+Mason,

Comments

How can you have a road game that isn’t televised.....? That’s like the Bill Wirtz era Blackhawks...I think Columbus has a ways to go before its a “hockey town”. I bet they televise OSU football practices, though....... As for the 20,000 fans...its interesting that in these “tough economic times” people will still shell out money for even a halfway decent hockey team. Proving that 1. people still need to be entertained 2. the economy ain’t as bad as the doom & gloomers insist 3. hockey is way more popular than people want to admit and 4. maybe hockey will survive in Columbus...it’s definitely better than New Jersey

Posted by kevin from conlin on 03/13/09 at 01:50 PM ET

If/when Columbus and Pittsburgh ever become divisional rivals, you might as well get used to Penguins fans flooding that place....

Great atmosphere from what I could see, though....

Posted by Tony F from Virginia Beach, VA on 03/13/09 at 01:52 PM ET

I’m almost willing to admit that the Pens are the NY Yankees of the NHL...they have fans everywhere....ok after Detroit I suppose...I’m not quite sure why

Posted by kevin from boston on 03/13/09 at 02:15 PM ET

We’ll just adopt the Capital’s policy.

Posted by Steve J from Columbus, OH on 03/13/09 at 02:22 PM ET

LOL, you get me with my own article....

Well, contrary to what you’d read from other team’s fans, it’s not the city itself, but rather the economy in the ‘70/’80’s forced hundreds of thousands of that area’s people to move away…

The DC/MD/VA area is loaded with them… My area in Norfolk/ VA Beach due mostly to being in the military at one time or another.... The Carolinas has the tech corridor in Raleigh area, lots of Burghers down there as well…

Florida, Texas, Arizona, California.... You’re right, they’re all over.....

Posted by Tony F from Virginia Beach, VA on 03/13/09 at 02:24 PM ET