Game 1 recap and more!

Like a lot of you out there I listened to the Jackets first pre-season game via Al Gore's internet last night.

Typically I would roll out a stoplight game review but that's virtually impossible to do only listening to George's call (as I have no idea what is happening on the ice most of the time) so I'll just make a few comments.

* Ladies and gentlemen, we have a legit backup goaltender! By all accounts Garon was phenomenal last night not allowing a goal through 40 minutes of play.

* Two powerplay goals. For a team that finished 30th in the league last year it's a good start.

* On the other hand, LaCosta appeared to struggle. I'm sure not all 5 goals were on him as Pittsburgh dominated the final 20 and OT but 5 goals allowed is 5 goals allowed.

* I keep tellin myself it's just pre-season.. it's just pre-season.. it's just pre-season.. but blowing a 3 goal lead in the 3rd? Reminds me of the last time we played Pitt at Nationwide.. fortunately we came out of that one with a shootout win and 2 very important points.

* Say hello Maksim Mayorov. Two goals for the lanky Russian... that should open some eyes.

* Didn't hear Umberger, Vermette or Filatov's names called too often... Filatov did register an assist. Again though.. it's just pre-season.

* Blunden went 6 of 11 in the circle... not bad for a winger converted to center. He also led all players with a team high 5 shots.

* Russell led all players in ice time with 24:03 minutes played and finished a -1. Clitsome was 2nd with 22:19 played.

* Mayorov, Picard and Murray all finished with a team high +2 while Clitsome, Voracek and Brassard finished with a team high -2.

* That Crosby kid is pretty good.

* Voracek saw 2:58 in penalty kill time... Brass saw just 28 seconds. Does that tell us anything about who Hitch trusts more in those situations? Probably too early too tell.

* Hitch did put Filatov out there quite a bit.. he played 14:49 which for comparison's sake was just a little less than Brassard's 15:08.

As Hitch has stated these first 4 games are all about evaluating individual performances so the final score doesn't matter much... Garon obviously shined while LaCosta appeared to struggle but it will be interesting to hear whose games he liked/disliked.

Giant Eagle is running a new promotion this season. It's not quite the bargain last year's was but still a pretty good deal:

COLUMBUS, OHIO — Pepsi and local retailers are teaming up to give fans the opportunity to get tickets for select Blue Jackets games at Nationwide Arena. Starting tomorrow through Sunday, Sept. 27, Columbus area shoppers who purchase four 12-packs of Pepsi or Diet Pepsi (regular or caffeine free) in a single transaction can receive two tickets to selected home games when they bring in an on-pack peel off sticker and their register receipt showing proof or purchase.

Customers should look for the specially-marked packaging on Pepsi & Diet Pepsi at any central Ohio Giant Eagle or other participating grocery and convenience stores. Purchasers will need to bring in the on-pack sticker and register receipt to Nationwide Arena Ticket Office for two tickets to a designated Blue Jackets home game, courtesy of Pepsi. Tickets may only be redeemed at the box office between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 10a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, while supplies last.

Most of the games available are of the weekday early season variety that are typical hard sells. You can find the games available and more details at this link.

Heard yesterday on my way home that Hitchcock's radio show will start September 30th and get this, will be moved to 6:00 p.m.!!

That is great news and should draw a lot more listeners than the previous 3:00 o'clock slot. Heck I won't even have to block my calendar at work anymore.

Looks like Zherdev is officially KHL bound according to Puck Daddy.

The saga of Nikolai Zherdev(notes) and his search for a new club may come to an end tomorrow. I have learned that Zherdev has agreed to terms with Atlant of the KHL. I contacted my sources in Russia who told me that the team will make an announcement about Zherdev tomorrow. The team neither confirmed nor denied the reports that Zherdev has signed.

Zherdev's agent also approached the Rangers about accepting his qualifying offer but was rejected.

Just glad he is no longer the Jackets' headache.

Thanks to Rob, Kevin & Ryan for sending those details in.

It looks like former Jacket Marc Denis has called it a career according to this French RDS article.

For those French challenged (like myself) apparently he will be the goaltending coach for a Canadian Hockey League team. Apparently he lives there and will not travel with the team so that he can spend time with his family.

Denis always was a class act. I wish him the best of luck.

Who says Columbus isn't a hockey town? Just judging from this site I'd say we have some hungry CBJ/hockey fans out there. This particular blog has averaged over 1000 hits each of the past two days alone. I have no idea how that ranks to the big boys (and really don't care) but personally I think it's pretty damn cool.

Just want to say thanks to everyone who checks this thing out and for all of you who send in stuff (pictures, articles, news, etc)... this small little stop in cyberspace is for the fans and to get folks excited about hockey in Columbus... and you all make this place a lot of fun!

I'll have some reaction to the Vermette deal a little later today.

-LTL