OFFICIAL Columbus Blue Jackets Thread

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Predators are most immediate challenge for Jackets
Reversing ugly trend of losing to Nashville supersedes playoffs
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 3:10 AM
By Aaron Portzline


The Columbus Dispatch

Last week was Hell Week for the Blue Jackets, with three games against the Red Wings and another against the Flames.
This week, the Blue Jackets get two chances to face their ultimate demon: the Nashville Predators.
The Blue Jackets play the Predators tonight in Sommet Center, then meet them again Friday in Nationwide Arena.

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Jackets notebook: Zherdev trying hard, but his slump goes on

Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:54 AM
By Tom Reed


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

During the season's first five months, there was one constant regarding problems that plagued the Blue Jackets: None of them involved winger Nikolai Zherdev.
He was a model citizen on and off the ice, enjoying a breakout season and much-improved relations with teammates.
Although Zherdev continues to play nice with others, his production has slipped in recent weeks. He heads into tonight's game in Nashville with one goal and two assists in the past eight games.

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Predators 3, Blue Jackets 0: It's all for naught

Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:28 AM
By Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Mark Humphrey Associated Press
A third-period tussle between the Blue Jackets' Jason Chimera, on ice, and the Predators' Jordin Tootoo is broken up.



NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock closed the dressing room to reporters after the 3-0 loss to the Nashville Predators last night, then ordered players and the equipment staff to be ready to leave the Sommet Center in 15 minutes.
The Blue Jackets couldn't get out of the Music City quick enough.
They were mad enough about losing the game, their 14th loss in the last 15 games against the Predators.

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Blue Jackets notebook: Tollefsen's year may be over

Wednesday, March 26, 2008 6:03 AM
By Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Blue Jackets defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen could miss the rest of the season because of a cracked vertebra in his neck.
"It's serious in that his injury is a potential surgery situation, depending on what the doctors say," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said.
Tollefsen did not travel to Nashville for last night's game.

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Jackets bounce back from ugly loss
Norrena rebounds with shutout effort
Thursday, March 27, 2008 3:29 AM
By Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
SHARI LEWIS Dispatch
Blackhawks goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin makes a save moments before the Jackets' Clay Wilson scores his first NHL goal in the third period.



Most of the Blue Jackets' wrath after Tuesday's 3-0 loss in Nashville was directed at Predators agitator Jordin Tootoo, but Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock also had another name on his "most-wanted list."
If Tootoo was No. 1, a close No. 2 was Blue Jackets goaltender Fredrik Norrena, who, in Hitchcock's words, gave up "two weak goals" in the frustrating loss.

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Blue Jackets notebook: A day later, Hitchcock dismissive of Tootoo

Thursday, March 27, 2008 3:06 AM
By Tom Reed


The Columbus Dispatch
SHARI LEWIS Dispatch
The Blue Jackets celebrate one of their three goals in the third period against the Blackhawks. Clay Wilson, David Vyborny and Michael Peca scored in the period to help stop a three-game losing streak.



Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock conceded yesterday that there are members of the Nashville Predators who have badly hurt his team this season.
Agitator Jordin Tootoo was not at the top of his list, or by the sound of things, even on his front page.
"To me, he's not a relevant player," Hitchcock said.

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Jackets all too eager to face Tootoo again

Friday, March 28, 2008 3:26 AM
By Tom Reed


The Columbus Dispatch

Unable to throw punches, Blue Jackets defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen resorted to pillows.
Sitting in his Columbus living room, watching Tuesday night's 3-0 loss, the injured Tollefsen became so enraged by the actions of Nashville antagonist Jordin Tootoo that he hurled sofa cushions at the television screen.
"Ask my girlfriend," Tollefsen said. "I was (ticked) off watching him run our players."

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Jackets notebook: Wilson gets a chance to showcase his skills
Former Ducks prospect escapes minors
Friday, March 28, 2008 2:58 AM
By Tom Reed


The Columbus Dispatch

Blue Jackets defenseman Clay Wilson probably can relate to what it was like being an Atlanta Braves pitching prospect in the 1990s.
No matter how much development you showed, the parent club was set with Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Greg Maddux.
It's a similar predicament for defensemen in the Anaheim Ducks organization, where Wilson and fellow Jackets blue-liner Aaron Rome toiled for several seasons behind Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer.

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[Brutus1]

Forget about giving TooToo a beatdown. The Preds are fighting for their playoff lives. A win tonight would really hurt them.

Anyone care to guess how soon into the game someone takes a run at Tootoo? I wouldn't put it past him to start something on his first few shifts to get it over with.

I wish I was in town for this game, it's going to be a good one.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

NHL
Predators' 1-2 punch too much
First gloves come off, then Nashville scores two goals
Saturday, March 29, 2008 5:16 AM
By Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

KYLE ROBERTSON | DISPATCH
The Blue Jackets' Jared Boll and the Predators' Jordin Tootoo went toe to toe early, with Tootoo ending up on the ice as Boll was led to the penalty box.



Last night's marquee event -- Jared Boll fighting Jordin Tootoo -- played out to thunderous applause and a standing ovation not even three minutes after the puck dropped in Nationwide Arena.
After that, the Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators got down to playing hockey, and when that happens against the Predators, it rarely bodes well for Columbus.

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Boll does what role calls for vs. Tootoo

Saturday, March 29, 2008 3:03 AM
By Tom Reed


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Blue Jackets forward Jared Boll spent part of yesterday morning ramming his aching hip into the boards and glass in Nationwide Arena.
Time after time, the rookie winger skated into the corner and slammed his side into the wall. It was like testing the flexibility of a stoved finger by hitting it with a hammer.
"It was a little sore," Boll confessed. "But I had to find out if I could handle it."

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Notebook: Jackets need tough guy, Hordichuk says

Saturday, March 29, 2008 2:59 AM
By Tom Reed and Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Kyle Robertson Dispatch
Nikolai Zherdev tries to get the puck through the legs of the Predators' Shea Weber.



Nashville enforcer Darcy Hordichuk spent part of yesterday morning debating financial options with teammate Alexander Radulov.
Hordichuk is a proponent of real estate instead of stocks in these turbulent economic times. Speaking of portfolios, he also thinks the Blue Jackets need to invest in the tough-guy market.

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Blue jackets notebook
Missing playoffs tough for Hitchcock to swallow

Sunday, March 30, 2008 3:11 AM
By Tom Reed


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

On a night Nashville enforcer Darcy Hordichuk was driven headlong into the bench and two Blue Jackets defensemen were possibly concussed, the hardest check came courtesy of reality.
For several minutes it left coach Ken Hitchcock reeling.
After the Predators' 2-0 victory Friday, a resigned Hitchcock stood at the lectern and conceded what so many others acknowledged several weeks ago: The Jackets will miss the postseason. It was a difficult moment for a proud coach used to playing well into spring.

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[CCI]

Originally Posted by CCI

Most CBJ fans wasnt a sniff of the playoffs?? We have a great fan base, incrediable arena/atmosphere, and excellent local TV & radio support. Every year, same story, same apologies and the same assurance this team is moving in the right direction.

Another good season, but not good enough......
I will still be a fan of our CBJ, no matter what!


What has to take place in Colunbus for this team to get to the next level?

[h0bb3s]

Originally Posted by CCI

Another good season, but not good enough......
I will still be a fan of our CBJ, no matter what!


What has to take place in Colunbus for this team to get to the next level?

They desperately need to go out and find a good top line center, maybe even 2 of them. Probably some more D-man as well. Team is close, just need a couple more players to put them over the top and in the playoffs.