Blue Power

[hoxltc]

Quote: Originally Posted by HeroWorship

Struggling to start the season for the Blue Jackets, but losing to the Habs and allowing Travis Moen to score the game winner is a bad sign of things to come.

The last four games have made me want to throw my controller through the wall. I'd almost rather get blown out then continue to lose one-goal games.

[hoxltc]

Blue Jackets, Arniel Looking For Answers

Columbus drops fifth straight at Atlanta




(Sammy Pahlsson (26) battles for the puck
in the Blue Jackets 3-2 loss to Atlanta)

ATLANTA (AP) – It wasn't pretty when Columbus head coach Scott Arniel stepped in front of reporters following his team's 3-2 loss against Atlanta.

He refused to answer any questions, he just made a statement and quickly left the interview room after watching the Blue Jackets drop their fifth straight contest.

“I'm disappointed, angry and disgusted,” Arniel began, his team now 5-7-0. “We are all professionals, we get paid to coach and play this game we all dreamed about playing since we could lace up skates. What I saw out there tonight on the ice was unacceptable. We showed no heart, no trust in each other, no fire. It's going to be a long year if we think that effort was good enough to get to the top.”

Arniel gave backup Mathieu Garon the start in goal in hopes of snapping the prolonged losing streak, but Garon's give-a-way six minutes into the opening period to Thrasher youngster Bryan Little made it 1-0. Atlanta (6-6-1) had a goal taken away minutes later on a goal scored on a deflection by Rich Peverley, but his stick was ruled to above the crossbar.

Rookie defensmen Bryan Hoxsey tied the score late in the first period on a rebound tally, then Sammy Pahlsson gave the visitors a 2-1 advantage with his fourth goal of the season at the 16:12 mark.

“They had all the momentum after their Sammy's goal, but we were able to get the crowd back in to it quickly,” said Thrasher Ben Eager, who scored just 48 seconds later to make it 2-2. “We did a great job of limiting their chances from that point on. You could see them put their heads down and when you get a team to do that your in the drivers seat.”

Nik Antropov sealed the win for the hosts by scoring his fifth goal of the season off assists from Niclas Bergfors and Zach Bogosian just under five minutes into the third.

Atlanta played a physical game as they out-hit the Blue Jackets 19-9, held a slim margin in shots on goal of 25-23, while each team was 0-for-2 on the man advantage.

MY GAME: Scored my second goal of the year, but when you lose it doesn't matter. Had a +1, took 5 shots in 25:58 on the ice.

Blue Jackets vs Thrashers
Nov 4, 2010 1 2 3 F CLB (5-7-0) 1 1 0 2 ATL (6-6-1) 1 1 1 3 Three Stars Nik Antropov - Atlanta 1 goal (GW) Ben Eager - Atlanta 1 goal Bryan Little - Atlanta 1 goal	Team Stats Comparison CLB ATL Shots on Goal 23 25 Hits 9 19 Faceoffs Won-Lost 19/17 17/19 Penalty Minutes 11 11 Power Plays Converted 0 0 Power Play Opportunities 2 2 Time on Attack 6:36 5:19
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD ATL Little (2) (unassisted) 6:09 CLB Hoxsey (2) (Hejda, Voracek) 16:43 SECOND PERIOD CLB Pahlsson (4) (Voracek, Huselius) 16:12 ATL Eager (3) (Slater, Hainsey) 17:00 THIRD PERIOD ATL Antropov (5) (Bergfors, Bogosian) 4:49
Blue Jackets - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Garon 25 22 88% 2.00
Thrashers - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA C. Mason 23 21 91% 2.88

[hoxltc]

Columbus Holds Player Only Meeting

Blue Jackets, Nash look to change fortunes



COLUMBUS – After opening the 2010-11 season with five wins in their first seven games, the Blue Jackets have fallen into a tailspin that has resulted in five consecutive defeats.

Obviously the streak hasn't sat well with fans, players or coaches, especially head coach Scott Arniel, whose post game statement following the latest loss to Atlanta was one of frustration.

Prior to practice this morning, Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash called together a players only meeting in hopes of clearing the air on some issues that have arose during the past five games.

“We as a whole needed to get back on the same page,” Nash said following a spirited workout in preparation for there game verses Minnesota. “We have no one to blame but ourselves for the last five games. It was a positive meeting, guys let each other know how they felt. It was calm, there wasn't any finger pointing and there shouldn't have been, we all need to play better.”

Arniel said the team had one of their better practices of the year. He feels his club has all the talent to be contenders, but said things are going to have to change if that is to happen.

“We need to wear our hearts on our sleeves,” said Arniel. “This team has a great makeup of veterans and young players who want to learn and win. We have gotten away from the things that got us those first five wins, toughness and a willingness to give up the body for the team. I see us coming out against Minnesota with a complete effort.”

Nash also talked about his personal play through the losing streak and says it will be doing the little things better that will get things turned around.

“I'm not playing the way a captain should play,” admitted Nash. “I have no excuses, I'm just not getting it done on the ice (just 2 goals in 12 games) or off the ice as a leader. As a team the key for us is going to be not being satisfied with just being mediocre or just making the playoffs. It's going to take an extra effort on every players part, sucking it up when things don't go our way and doing something to make it go our way. It's time to get this thing turned around.”

(Source: bluejackets.com)

[bthomp05]

Yikes. Good call on the player meeting front...

[HeroWorship]

Jesus, you need a win. Big time.

[hoxltc]

Columbus Ends Losing Streak With Shootout Win


(Rick Nash and Derick Brassard celebrate Jakub
Voracek's second period goal)

COLUMBUS (AP) – The crowd at Nationwide Arena held their collective breath as Minnesota's Mikko Koivu skated towards Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason.

The shootout had already seen Mason make spectacular stops on Martin Havlat and Pierre-Marc Bouchard, as well as a Rick Nash tally for the home team. Koivu's shot trickled just wide, thus sending the faithful into a frenzy and snapping the Blue Jackets five-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory.

“Granted it is just one game, but it was one we badly needed,” said Mason, who made 23 saves in regulation and overtime and earned the first star of the game. “After getting together yesterday as a team, we came out and played very well. The defense was solid in front of me and Rick gave us a huge boost by putting us up on top to begin the shootout. We did all the little things tonight, it was a team win.”

After an even first period, Columbus took a 1-0 lead just 48 seconds into the second as Jakub Voracek, who has struggled this season, put home a power play tally off a scramble in front of Wild goalie Josh Harding.

“It's been a while hasn't it,” chuckled Voracek when asked about his first goal since last season. “The defensemen did a great job all night of just getting the puck on net. Harding had it for a second, but as he fell the puck squirted loose and jumped right on my stick.”

The lead was short lived however as a Blue Jacket give-a-way led to Andrew Brunette's fourth goal of the year just four minutes later to tie things at 1-1.

“Tonight was different. We did what we said we needed to stop doing and that's putting our heads down when we face adversity,” said Nash of recent games in which his club has lost leads. “Instead we seemed to play even more focused and more physical. Mason came up with some great saves, especially in the shootout. His play was the main reason we won this game.”

The Blue Jackets had numerous quality chances in the third period and overtime, but Harding was able to keep the puck out of the net, until the shootout. The hosts held the advantage in other key statistics besides the scoreboard, 18-12 in hits, 32-24 in shots on goal, and they won 29 of 45 faceoffs.

“It was a complete turn around from the other night in Atlanta, we played with a lot of heart and we got that monkey off our backs,” said Columbus head coach Scott Arniel. “The veterans stepped up their game and the rookies played solid as well. We can celebrate tonight, but then we need to get ready for St. Louis in a couple of days and they have won five straight. I'll sleep a little better tonight that's for sure.”

MY GAME: Had a -1 rating, 4 shots and a season high 4 hits in 38:36 of ice time. Misplayed the puck that led to the Wild's only goal, but we won so I guess the guys won't be too upset.

Wild vs Blue Jackets
Nov 6, 2010 1 2 3 SO F MIN (7-5-1) 0 1 0 0/0 1 CLB (6-7-0) 0 1 0 0/1 2 Three Stars Steve Mason - Columbus 23 saves Josh Harding - Minnesota 31 saves Jakub Voracek - Columbus 1 goal	Team Stats Comparison MIN CLB Shots on Goal 24 32 Hits 12 18 Faceoffs Won-Lost 16/29 29/16 Penalty Minutes 6 2 Power Plays Converted 0 1 Power Play Opportunities 0 2 Time on Attack 4:22 8:36
Scoring Summary SECOND PERIOD CLB Voracek (1) (unassisted) :42 (PP) MIN Brunette (4) (Havlat, Zanon) 4:45
Wild - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Harding 32 31 97% 3.18
Blue Jackets - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Mason 24 23 96% 2.76

[hoxltc]

Blue Jackets, Mason Blank Blues

Nash scores twice in second consecutive win


(Steve Mason earned first star as he made 21 saves in a shutout effort verses St. Louis)

COLUMBUS (AP) – On any NHL team the captain's job is to sometimes take the heat for the entire club when things aren't going well, even if they don't get the same credit when things are running smooth – that's Blue Jacket's Rick Nash.

Nash has taken a lot of flack because of his and his club's slow start this season, but that last two games the heart-and-soul of the hockey club has elevated his game. He followed up his eventual game-winning shootout goal against Minnesota with a pair of power play tallies in a shutout triumph over a red hot St. Louis Blues team.

With the 4-0 win Columbus evens their record to 7-7-0, captured a second straight victory, while snapping the Blues five-game unbeaten streak. Steve Mason was again brilliant in net, stopping all 21 shots he faced, while posting the teams second blanking of the year.

“We took advantage of what the Blues gave us tonight,” said Nash, who doubled his season goal output in the game. “Mason was solid again and (Fedor) Tyutin made some really terrific setups. It was a good win.”

Columbus scored what would eventually be the only goal they would need late in the first period as Antoine Vermette scored from Tyutin and Anton Stralman with a man advantage. In the second, Jakub Voracek made it 2-0 off an assist from Kristian Huselius and Nash pushed it to a three goal game with a score a man up at the 14:51 mark with Tyutin and Vermette picking up helpers.

“The key was that we added to our lead, that's something we have had trouble with so far,” said Mason, who was the first star for the second straight game. “We controlled the neutral zone, we never allowed them too many good chances in close and the few they did have the guys in front of me did a good job of clearing the puck out of danger.”

Nash netted his second of the night, again on the power play, just under midway through the final period.

The Blue Jackets were 3-of-4 with the man advantage and won 18-of-27 faceoffs

“It was another nice win, probably the best game we have played so far this season,” Scott Arniel. “Maybe the light has gone on for some of these guys. The last two games we have done a good job of not trying to do too much. We have played our game and it has brought good results.”

MY GAME: I had a +1 rating, but didn't dent the scoresheet. Took 3 shots, had one hit in 37:24 on the ice.

Blues vs Blue Jackets
Nov 10, 2010 1 2 3 F STL (9-4-0) 0 0 0 0 CLB (7-7-0) 1 2 1 4 Three Stars Steve Mason - Columbus 21 saves, shutout Rick Nash - Columbus 2 goals Antoine Vermette - Columbus 1 goal, 1 assist	Team Stats Comparison STL CLB Shots on Goal 21 30 Hits 15 6 Faceoffs Won-Lost 9/18 18/9 Penalty Minutes 10 2 Power Plays Converted 0 3 Power Play Opportunities 0 4 Time on Attack 3:28 7:17
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD CLB Vermette (2) (Tyutin, Stralman) (PP) 16:04 SECOND PERIOD CLB Voracek (2) (Huselius) 3:29 CLB Nash (3) (Tyutin, Vermette) (PP) 14:51 THIRD PERIOD CLB Nash (4) (Tyutin, Stralman) (PP) 8:31
Blues - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Halak 30 26 87%
Blue Jackets - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Mason 21 21 100%

[bthomp05]

Great little streak going on there.