Behind The Box Score

Tuesday night was my first Columbus Blue Jackets game, a crucial playoff-type game in which they beat the Predators 2-1. The game itself was awesome, and it was the first hockey game I’d seen in person since the old Columbus Chill in the early to mid 90s. I like hockey alot, and not just being a bandwagoner because the CBJ are pretty much in the playoffs thanks to that win last night. I remember the inagural season, and watching those games on FSN and watching them get hammered night after night. I was a big Marc Denis fan, and the goalie is my favorite position in hockey. Current goalie, Steve Mason had one heck of a night, stopping shot after shot, 22 in all. They hung on to win, started by a great penalty kill.

The emotions in the arena were certainly ones of excitement and elation. We’ve never been to the playoffs, or even close for that matter. The arena wasn’t packed, but very very full. Sorry Crew fans, but this is the first time the city has really had a pro team that they get fired up about. I know the Crew won the MLS cup, but no one was up in arms about it, none of my friends really had thoughts about it. I’m not anti-soccer, but it’s not something that interests me.

Anyways, I’m really excited to see a pro playoff team in Columbus. Hitchcock really has this team playing well, and Mason is a great goalie. Hopefully Nash brings home a playoff series or two. Just as long as we don’t finish second, we know that all too well.