More schedule talk . . . only 79 days till opener!

As I make my LTL debut please be gentle, this is my first ever post on a blog. But I'm honored to post on the most informative Jackets site out there.

I must say I am pleased with how the schedule turned out. People are going to always complain about West Coast road trips and the mileage but that's what happens when you are in the Eastern Time Zone and play in the Western Conference. It could be a lot worse, trust me. We don't have any reason to complain when you see Vancouver being on the road from January 30th until March 13th. The Canucks will embark on an NHL record 14 game road swing because of the Winter Olympics.

GM Scott Howson made two requests to the league about this year's schedule that were listed in today's Dispatch. 1) Home games on the back end 2) Reduce the number of back-to-back games. The NHL came through in a huge way with both requests. As was previously posted, the Jackets received a boatload of Saturday home games, and the mileage was reduced. So let's not criticize the schedule too much. I think its fairly reasonable and much more manageable than last year.

As was mentioned before, the CBJ will be going head to head against 3 OSU football away games. Being that they are away games they shouldn't interfere as much as a home game will, but here are some things to still think about. The first head to head happens to be the season opener on October 3rd. Both teams start at 7pm and there should be around 20,000-30,000 Buckeye fans making the trip to Bloomington, IN to watch OSU vs. Indiana. Now, if you are one of those people that are going to this game or watching it on tv instead of attending the Jackets season and home opener please turn over you Jackets sweater and memorabilia. I expect a sellout regardless for the season opener. The second match has the Jackets vs the Kings, and OSU traveling to Purdue on October 17th. Both games should be at different times, and there should be no problem there. The one game that might cause a problem is on November 7th. Jackets play an Eastern Conference foe in the Carolina Hurricanes, while OSU plays what will probably be the Big Ten Championship that same night at Penn State. Now while I understand this is a huge game and will be a tough choice for some of those Jackets fans who are just as loyal to both teams, I would encourage all to fill up the 'Nat. Support Columbus' true professional team (believe it or not OSU is actually considered amateur) and enjoy a night out at the game. The Jackets game is set for 7pm that night. If the OSU game begins at 8 or 830, folks will still be able to catch the second half of the game later on at the R Bar or wherever your favorite watering hole is. Once again, no excuses to watch a college team on tv versus going to a live, exciting, professional game at home in downtown, especially when you can essentially watch both. If you consider yourself a Jackets fan I will see you in downtown Columbus that night. If you do not choose wisely I will personally send this cold-blooded man to your doorstep

Speaking of which, did anybody notice the Jackets get to host the only Friday the 13th game this year? Coincidence, or is the NHL aware that the CBJ own this day now? Regardless, mark Friday the 13th of November down on your calendars. I will definitely have a few things in store for those innocent, little Ducks of Anaheim when they come waddling into Jasonwide.......err Nationwide that night.

Just a couple of random notes to finish this off. Marc Methot arbitration is set for July 23rd which you probably have heard by now. The Jackets have never sent a player to arbitration before according to the Dispatch. And John Moore is expected to play in the Juniors according to Puck Rakers. Probably more competition there for him, playing for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL as opposed to play collegiate hockey for Colorado College.

MattTheMask (MTM) aka "Jason"