Blue Jackets: 4 ... Sabres: 1
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Even though it is only two games in to the pre-season, you can't help but be pretty excited about things after how tonight's game went. Once again I was only able to follow so much due to the game being on the radio and not on the television (I am a much better visual guy than a verbal guy), but I was able to draw from several things just from listening:
-3 for 6 on the Power Play. After an abysmal 0 for 10 or so the other night against the Predators, this was definitely a pleasant surprise. Rick Nash scores on the 5-on-3, followed by a 5-on-4 tally by Jaroslav Balastik. The two other goals were by Syracuse staple Geoff Platt, and new top six forward Anson Carter (I think it was Carter with the third PP goal).
-Ty Conklin and Fredrik Norrena are going to be fighting neck and neck for the backup role for the rest of training camp and the upcoming pre-season games. To be honest I had some serious misgivings about the two of them working the tandem during tonight's game, mainly because of the stigma concerning Conklin, and then Norrena having no NHL experience. But as it turned out, despite the Jackets being severely outshot (26 to 41), the goalies were who stood on their heads and kept them in this one.
The shot differential is still a concern. Last season the Jackets had the same problem, where they would simply not shoot the puck. Ironically it seemed like when they did shoot the puck, it actually hit home. So the question is if they can start putting more shots on the net.
-Fedorov went down early in the1st 2nd period, and never came back. Definite concern there. There's been no word on anything new since he left, but apparently it involved an injury to the shoulder. Here's hoping we don't find ourselves down an injured, key player at the start of the regular season. Lord knows we don't need that happening yet again.
With this win under the Jackets belt, they're now 2-0 so far this pre-season, and tomorrow training camp resumes. After that, the team heads down to Nashville to play the Preds, as they begin a four games in four nights bum rush that sends them to Nashville, back to Columbus for the Blackhawks, then to Chicago, and once more back to Columbus to meet the Hurricanes. This'll definitely be an exciting long weekend!
-3 for 6 on the Power Play. After an abysmal 0 for 10 or so the other night against the Predators, this was definitely a pleasant surprise. Rick Nash scores on the 5-on-3, followed by a 5-on-4 tally by Jaroslav Balastik. The two other goals were by Syracuse staple Geoff Platt, and new top six forward Anson Carter (I think it was Carter with the third PP goal).
-Ty Conklin and Fredrik Norrena are going to be fighting neck and neck for the backup role for the rest of training camp and the upcoming pre-season games. To be honest I had some serious misgivings about the two of them working the tandem during tonight's game, mainly because of the stigma concerning Conklin, and then Norrena having no NHL experience. But as it turned out, despite the Jackets being severely outshot (26 to 41), the goalies were who stood on their heads and kept them in this one.
The shot differential is still a concern. Last season the Jackets had the same problem, where they would simply not shoot the puck. Ironically it seemed like when they did shoot the puck, it actually hit home. So the question is if they can start putting more shots on the net.
-Fedorov went down early in the
With this win under the Jackets belt, they're now 2-0 so far this pre-season, and tomorrow training camp resumes. After that, the team heads down to Nashville to play the Preds, as they begin a four games in four nights bum rush that sends them to Nashville, back to Columbus for the Blackhawks, then to Chicago, and once more back to Columbus to meet the Hurricanes. This'll definitely be an exciting long weekend!
I am interested in text link ads on your site - please email me, I can't find your contact info. kristy@ticketking.net