All-Blogs.net directory Light the Lamp - a Columbus Blue Jackets blog: More schedule talk . . . only 79 days till opener!

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Thursday, July 16, 2009

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"

13 comments:

LTL said...

Great first post "Jasonwide"... err Matt!

-LTL

eplagge said...

Great post MTM,

I agree all things considered we have one of the best schedules in the west.. although I still really hate the last couple of weeks.. The reason being they are predominantly central division foes, foes which have been difficult for us to defeat.. do I hate St.LouisE ......

Anyways the schedule is all fine and dandy, but right now I am just anxious to see if we can somehow snatch up that defenseman.. we desperately need that piece..

roadman said...

Welcome to the blogashere. A well done first post!

There is NO CHOICE between the CBJ and the Buckeyes.

Carry the Flag!!

Anonymous said...

Love the viewpoint on OSU; spoken as a true hockey fan!

All in all I'm pleased with the schedule (not as thrilled about the home and home against Detroit to finish the season, but can't win them all). Absolutely thrilled that I can see them play in the Garden this year against the Rangers as that may be my only chance to see them this season.

Just counting the days now until training camp....

Lane said...

glad to see you posting, and posting quality stuff - nice job!

Dutchman1350 said...

Nice work Matt.

The Penn State game will be a 3:30 start most likely, since 8pm games we already announced. This should make the pre-game for the CBJ nice an exciting.

Unknown said...

Great post, Matt!

While we have a long way to go before we get there, I believe that five game homestand in early February could be huge. A strong showing in that homestand could give the CBJ some much needed momentum heading into the Olympic break. Right after the break is one home game and a three game western swing.

Bobby Alan said...

Great job, Matt...I mean Jason.

-Bobby Alan

patrick said...

job well done. very glad to see you as a contributor. the jason mask is one of the best trends for a sports franchise (much better than throwing dead cephalopod on ice) and i hope i can make that friday the 13th game.

Mase1 said...

Great work, 'J-Wide'!

THIS is why you're the face and the conscience of the franchise...I don't know where people get the notion that this Nash guy or this Umberger dude have this role...

J-Wide RULES!

Unknown said...

we need 18,000 plus all wearing the Jason mask on that Friday the 13th game! Forget white-out T-shirt night. This would be much better! Or do you want to be the lone "Jason" at the game?

MattTheMask said...

@ Stephen,

Even though ABC decided all their 8pm Sat games, ESPN and ESPN 2 could still pick the OSU-PSU game for an 8pm slot right??

MattTheMask said...

@ Tricia,

Not sure how I feel about the whole Mask thing yet. I like being original and unique with the mask idea but I think maybe down the line a mask out idea might be a pretty cool event.