We got your back Mase!

That was the message that rang out loud and clear as the Jackets made it 3 straight against a Foote-less Colorado Avalanche and 3 straight overall in a very entertaining 4-3 victory at Nationwide Arena.

On this night however it was not the Steve Mason show. The story of this game was the Blue Jackets veterans. Mike Peca, RJ Umberger, Kristian Huselius Freddy Modin, Jan Hejda, Mike Commodore and Fedor Tyutin all had fantastic games and really carried this team through to a victory.

It wasn't just them either though as young guys like Kris Russell (how about that feed to Umberger!) and Voracek (huge first goal to get the Jackets back in it) certainly contributed as did the line of Picard, MacKenzie and Dorsett.

Hey Steve Mason is going to have some off nights.... so it was fantastic to see this team respond for him and give him some goal support to squeeze out a regulation victory. Heck even his "off night" wasn't that off as he made some fantastic saves through traffic early and late in this game.

STOPLIGHT GAME REVIEW

GREEN
* 3rd period! This period has been real kind to the Jackets of late. They threw up 3 goals last night and if you recall that is when the broke the Minnesota game open as well with 3.

* Veterans step up. I in particular am loving the way Michael Peca is playing... unlike earlier this season he is doing more than checking and is really creating offense out there. Really the same can be said about Malhotra.

* Great to see Huselius grab his first 3 point game as a Jacket. We need him on the scoresheet and he certainly provided that last night.

* I love this Picard guy we've found. Dude looks like he can carve himself out a niche on the 4th line in the league now be it with us or another squad. He's playing with a lot of confidence and making solid NHL plays.. Would absolutely love to see him get his first goal out there.

* Russell with over 17 minutes.. Voracek with 15+... think the light's gone off with these two? They have both really elevated their games over the past couple of weeks.

* Fans were FANTASTIC!! GREAT atmosphere last night.. that's what I'm talkin about. The Jackets give this city a product to cheer for and the fans will react!

* PP with a key goal.

* I thought Derek MacKenzie looked decent last night. Loved his energy and work along the boards. MacDonald also made a great play to keep the play alive in the offenive zone which I believe lead to the 3rd goal. Those veteran callups are doing their jobs.

* Jackets are winning games against teams right in competition with them. To grab those two points and leapfrog Colorado into an 8th place playoff position is huge and cannot be overlooked. They are answering the bell when it counts the most right now!

YELLOW
* Rough game for Nikita. At first I was like why isn't Hitch playing this kid more but after discussing it with some friends after the game they made some good points. The Avalanche seemed to be targeting him early and often in a similar way Hitch handled Voracek earlier this season, he was protecting him. He still squeezed him in for some PP time and some even strength. Next year is really the year for this kid but we all know the talent is there. After the way Brass, Voracek, Russ, Mason, Dorsett and Methot have all been brought along.. In Hitch I Trust.

* Mase was human. As mentioned he wasn't bad.. he did let in that soft goal and he didn't play the rebounds as well as he usually does. He did make some key saves and certainly this kid will bounce back.

* Commodore put it best... you aren't going to have a Picasso every game and this was one of em. The key though was the boys found a way to get two regulation points.

* Slow first with two early penalties but they slowing got the engine reved up.

* PK gave up a goal.

RED
* Honestly I thought for once the Jackets got away with a few penalties last night. We know how you feel Av fans..believe u me.

* Too many Western Conference teams beat the East last night... the only help the Jackets got was Vancouver losing to the Devils (whom we face on Friday coincidentally).

3 BRIGHT LIGHTS ON THE NIGHT
1. Veterans carry the flag.
2. Crowd was circa de honeymoon years! Great energy especially considering it was a week night with an OSU basketball game going on right down the road. Way to represent Cbus!!
3. 3rd period flury!

The win bumps the Jackets into sole possession of the 8th place. They are now 21-18-4 for 46 points and are winners of 7 of their past 10 games.

In this tight Western Conference no time to waste as Minnesota, Colorado and Edmonton are all on the Jackets heels with 45 points. This thing is going to come down to the final puck dropped.

This is fun isn't it?!

GO JACKETS!

-LTL