March 22, 200619 yr What I like about Nationwide Arena is that it was PRIVATELY financed. I think the fact that Nationwide has invested so much money, has forced them to care about the area and do everything they can to spur growth in the Arena district for the benefit of the arena.
March 22, 200619 yr and the fans are still waiting for the bluejackets to do something for columbus. And you are correct sir.
March 22, 200619 yr When did the Blue Jackets enter the league? Have they ever made the playoffs and how are they doing this year?
March 22, 200619 yr The Blue Jackets entered the league in the 2000-2001 season and have never had a winning record. Their best season came in 2002-2003 when they finished 29-42-8-3, and they finally finished somewhere other than last place in their division the year after that. This year they are in third place in their division but are 14 games under .500 and out of the playoff picture. They have 13 more games this season and need 4 wins to set the franchise record.
November 14, 200618 yr Blue Jackets fire Gallant as coach By Michael Arace and Aaron Portzline The Columbus Dispatch Monday, November 13, 2006 6:07 PM Blue Jackets coach Gerard Gallant has been fired and will be replaced by assistant Gary Agnew, sources close to the team told The Dispatch today. Gallant, 43, has been with the team since its inception. After a 45-game stint as interim coach in 2003-04, he was given the job in the summer of 2004. His record in his tenure, which spanned 142 games, is 56-76-10. The Blue Jackets (5-9-1, 11 points) have fewer points than any other team in the league except for Phoenix (eight) and Philadelphia (eight). Another poor start has drawn consternation from fans and impacted attendance. http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=226458
November 23, 200618 yr Blue Jackets hire Hitchcock as Coach COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)-- The Columbus Blue Jackets, seeking an experienced hand to develop their young players, hired veteran Ken Hitchcock as head coach Wednesday. Hitchcock, fired this season by the Philadelphia Flyers, was to be formally introduced as the team's fifth head coach at a news conference Thursday. Team president and general manager Doug MacLean announced Hitchcock's hiring shortly before the team took the ice against St. Louis. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2672815 Blue Jackets sign Hitchcock to 3-year contract as coach By Michael Arace The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday, November 22, 2006 6:52 PM The Blue Jackets cut short their search for a coach today and hired Ken Hitchcock. The news was announced before the Jackets met the St. Louis Blues in Nationwide Arena tonight. Hitchcock has agreed to a three-year contract. Although terms were not announced, it's likely he will receive approximately $1.2 million annually, which was the value of his last contract. The Blue Jackets now have one of the league's elite coaches in their employ. Hitchcock has a 408-249-100 record in eight-plus seasons with the Dallas Stars and the Philadelphia Flyers. His playoff record is 66-51. He won a Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1999 and a year later lost in the Cup final. Read more at http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=228485
November 23, 200618 yr Jackets fans cheer Hitchcock New coach says Columbus has players and commitment to get better quickly Thursday, November 23, 2006 Michael Arace THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The Blue Jackets’ search for a new coach ended yesterday when Ken Hitchcock, among the league’s elite bench bosses, agreed to a three-year contract. Hitchcock has a 408-249-100 NHL record. The search took 10 days. Hitchcock was one of two candidates interviewed, and the decision was announced last night to cheers from fans in Nationwide Arena before the Blue Jackets-St. Louis Blues game. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/print_template.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/23/20061123-A1-00.html
November 24, 200618 yr I was acctually hoping that McClean would coach during the interim period of coaches like he did the last time they fired there head coach. They acctually started picking up some wins at that time. All I know is that they need to get there act together. There is no excuse for them being in last place in the league. All the teams that joined the league the same year as the jackets have all fared really well and some have even made it to the playoffs. I've gone to a number of games myself. Maybe eight games. (That's a lot for me because I am not huge on sports). Every game that I have gone to has been a blast, all except for the last one I went to. We played the Avalanche and lost. I can deal with that, a bit. My biggest problem was the lack of a substantial crowd and there lack-luster cheering. We were voted the number one sports fans in the country! The Blue Jackets need to get there act together if they want keep there fans.
November 25, 200618 yr They played a solid game last night in Philly even though they didn't get the 'W'. Give Hitchcock a little time, this team will be a good one.
January 4, 200718 yr NHL BLUE JACKETS Zherdev is stuck in neutral on the ice Hitchcock says lack of competitiveness at root of problem Wednesday, January 03, 2007 Aaron Portzline THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Since Ken Hitchcock took over as coach of the Blue Jackets six weeks ago, almost every player has increased his productivity. The exception would be the enigma, left winger Nikolai Zherdev. In his past 13 games, Zherdev has no goals, two assists and a minus-10 rating. Remarkably, the Russian wunderkind, with only six goals and 14 points this season, is 10 th on the club in scoring, lagging behind the likes of third-liners Dan Fritsche and Jason Chimera and defensemen Ron Hainsey and Anders Eriksson. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/bluejackets/bluejackets.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/03/20070103-C1-01.html
January 4, 200718 yr Interesting that this article was written from El Segundo, CA. That's the city I work in! Probably was because the BJs played the Kings last night.
January 6, 200718 yr Interesting that this article was written from El Segundo, CA. That's the city I work in! Probably was because the BJs played the Kings last night. and got crushed. Damn it!
January 6, 200718 yr But damn, what a game last night, on the road against the best club in the NHL. Go Jackets. :-D
January 7, 200718 yr And then a loss to San Jose, but that's an incredibly tough back-to-back. And what's with the all the bad calls against the Jackets? They've already been screwed out of at least a point in 3+ games this season due to very questionable goal reviews, and the refs made absolutely an incorrect call with the Malholtra/Klesla/Clowe penalty situation last night. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered, but being down by one goal is a lot easier to overcome than two. Carter will be back Tuesday, and hopefully Nash and Federov's injuries aren't too serious.
January 10, 200718 yr BLUE JACKETS NOTEBOOK Jackets back at home, minus key personnel Wednesday, January 10, 2007 Michael Arace THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The Blue Jackets patched together a lineup for their game against the St. Louis Blues last night in Nationwide Arena. Three of their workhorses — center Sergei Fedorov, winger Rick Nash and defenseman Duvie Westcott — did not play. Nash developed back spasms after he was cross-checked in Anaheim on Friday night. Fedorov (elbow) and Westcott (upper-body injury) were injured in San Jose on Saturday. Westcott’s injury remains undisclosed, which might point to a concussion. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com
January 13, 200718 yr BLUE JACKETS NOTEBOOK Injuries leave Jackets a little short-handed Saturday, January 13, 2007 Michael Arace THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Defenseman Adam Foote, captain of the Blue Jackets, sat out a 2-0 loss last night to the Nashville Predators. Foote suffered back spasms of late, but it was a flu bug that got him last night. He is only the latest casualty in a growing list. Left winger Rick Nash (back spasms) and defenseman Duvie Westcott (concussion) were placed on injured reserve Thursday. Nash’s injury is retroactive to Jan. 5, Westcott’s to Jan. 6. The import of Nash’s date is he is eligible to return tonight when the Jackets and Predators meet in Nationwide Arena. Center Sergei Fedorov (elbow) and left winger Jody Shelley (scratched eye) also sat out. They are listed as day to day, as are Nash and Foote. Westcott is out indefinitely, according to the team, but indications are he could be ready sooner rather than later. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com
January 15, 200718 yr Playoffs are pretty well out of reach now. :cry: Jackets just sent 2 back to Syracuse, so I wonder who's ready.
January 15, 200718 yr ^ I don't think there is any way they will make the playoffs. Even the very often made fun of St. Louis Blues are ahead. I guess we are going to have to look ahead to next year.
January 17, 200718 yr Much-needed win Chimera’s goal in overtime ends Blue Jackets’ losing streak Wednesday, January 17, 2007 Michael Arace THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH CHICAGO — The United Center was more than half empty for this matchup of two of the league’s more win-starved franchises. But there was also a tinge of desperation, and it made for some theater. The Blue Jackets, winless in their previous four, and the Blackhawks, winless in six, were scratching for a bone in the basement floor, and they scratched hard. The Blue Jackets prevailed 5-4, in overtime, on a goal by Jason Chimera, who capped a crazy evening of less-than-perfect hockey. The Blackhawks had a two-goal lead midway through the second period. The Jackets scored one goal on two shots in the third period. The Blackhawks scored with 93 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game to OT. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/bluejackets/bluejackets.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/17/20070117-E1-00.html
January 20, 200718 yr BLUE JACKETS 3 RED WINGS 1 Jackets raise game Win over Red Wings eases sting of pounding the night before Saturday, January 20, 2007 Michael Arace THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH There they are. The Blue Jackets punched in last night. They blocked 18 shots, delivered 17 hits and their goaltender, Fredrik Norrena, made all the saves, save one. The Jackets posted a workmanlike 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on the eve of the All-Star break and provided a glimmer of hope for a sellout crowd in Nationwide Arena. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/bluejackets/bluejackets.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/20/20070120-E1-00.html
January 23, 200718 yr ^ I hope not. :x Heheh, Columbus still has very good attendance, averaging 91.5% or 16,500 per game. That's very good, especially after five losing seasons. Tickets will be hard to come by and Nationwide will be a-rockin' if they ever make a playoff run.
January 27, 200718 yr Damn, what a game last night against Buffalo. Nationwide had to be LOUD. :clap: :clap:
January 27, 200718 yr Apparently it was quite the game, not only on the ice but in the stands. Must've definitely been a fun night. BLUE JACKETS 3 SABRES 2 Jackets make noise Third-period comeback silences large contingent of Buffalo fans Saturday, January 27, 2007 Michael Arace THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Blue Jackets center Manny Malhotra looked out a restaurant window yesterday afternoon and saw a passing car with a Buffalo Sabres flag sticking out a window. Then, there was another one. "I thought, ‘Oh, there’ll be a few Sabres fans at the game,’ " Malhotra said. "And then, on the way to the game, there they were — hordes and hordes of them." Not since the days of the old Ohio State Penitentiary has there been as textured an evening on Front Street, and the game lived up to the decibels. The Blue Jackets scored twice in the third period and beat the Sabres 3-2 in front of a sellout crowd of 18,136. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/bluejackets/bluejackets.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/27/20070127-E1-00.html
January 28, 200718 yr I was at last night's game...another complete sell out, and the team rewarded the fans. Special teams really won that game for us. It's good to see us starting to capitalize on power plays!
January 30, 200718 yr This Canadian road trip is key if the Jackets want to keep sniffing the playoffs. If they can pull off at least 2 wins in the 3 games they should still be alright. Looks like Conklin is going to be playing at least one full game though, then Norrena should be back, and hopefully Leclaire and Berard next week maybe?
January 30, 200718 yr So there is still a slim chance that the Blue Jackets can make it to the playoffs? I havn't been able to follow as of late.
January 31, 200718 yr So there is still a slim chance that the Blue Jackets can make it to the playoffs? I havn't been able to follow as of late. Yeah, they're not quite out of it yet, they're 11 back of Minnesota with a game in hand. Win streak is at 4 and they'll be even harder to beat when Leclaire, Norrena, Berard and Wescott are all healthy within the next couple of weeks.
April 8, 200718 yr Time for MacLean to be held accountable for mess he's made Sunday, April 8, 2007 3:42 AM By Bob Hunter The Blue Jackets made "big strides this year." I know that, not from the NHL standings, but because team president and general manager Doug MacLean said that on his radio show. I learned about how long it takes expansion teams to make the playoffs (is forever one of the choices?), about the "major change" we'll see in the team at the start of next season now that "this coaching staff is in place" and much, much more, but I've got to stop. The smell of all this bull dung is getting to me. Read more at http://dispatch.com/dispatch/content/bluejackets/stories/2007/04/08/hunter08.ART_ART_04-08-07_E1_PF6ATBH.html
April 12, 200718 yr ^And to think, several years ago people would write to sports page to complain that the Dispatch was not critical enough of the Blue Jackets because the newspaper (corporation) was a part-owner of the team.
October 6, 200717 yr COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 2007-2008 SEASON OPENER BLUE JACKETS BEAT STANLEY CUP CHAMPS 4-0 :clap:
October 6, 200717 yr I was at the game last night and the Jackets looked better than I've ever seen them! The cannon was a great addition to the atmosphere of the game, along with the guys dressed up in Civil War uniforms. The pre-game scoreboard video also stressed the connection between the Blue Jackets and the Civil War.
October 11, 200717 yr Blue Jackets shutout the Phoenix Coyotes 3-0 last night. Goalie Pascal Leclaire records his second straight home shutout. I think if the Blue Jackets played all their games at Nationwide Arena, then we'd have a good shot at winning the Stanley Cup!
October 11, 200717 yr I was at the game last night and the Jackets looked better than I've ever seen them! The cannon was a great addition to the atmosphere of the game, along with the guys dressed up in Civil War uniforms. The pre-game scoreboard video also stressed the connection between the Blue Jackets and the Civil War. As wonky as it is, I like the historical clarification; Ohio's role in the Civil War is often overlooked.
October 16, 200717 yr I was at the game last night and the Jackets looked better than I've ever seen them! The cannon was a great addition to the atmosphere of the game, along with the guys dressed up in Civil War uniforms. The pre-game scoreboard video also stressed the connection between the Blue Jackets and the Civil War. As wonky as it is, I like the historical clarification; Ohio's role in the Civil War is often overlooked. maybe i'm underestimating columbusites, but i'd be willing to bet less than 50% of the metro knows what the team is named fer.
October 16, 200717 yr I would think that a lot of people would know why the Columbus Blue Jackets are named such, especially since the town is pretty much Scarlet and Grey.
October 16, 200717 yr I was at the game last night and the Jackets looked better than I've ever seen them! The cannon was a great addition to the atmosphere of the game, along with the guys dressed up in Civil War uniforms. The pre-game scoreboard video also stressed the connection between the Blue Jackets and the Civil War. As wonky as it is, I like the historical clarification; Ohio's role in the Civil War is often overlooked. maybe i'm underestimating columbusites, but i'd be willing to bet less than 50% of the metro knows what the team is named fer. What? You mean this isn't a "Blue Jacket"? :wink:
October 17, 200717 yr I'm just glad the season's back. If only they'd get any media coverage here in Cincinnati.
October 18, 200717 yr Blue Jackets lose in a shootout after the Dallas Stars tie score with 1:11 left in regulation. It was the first home loss of the season for the Jackets, now 2-2-1. Thrilling when the Jackets took the lead early in the third period. Frustrating when they blew the win with only 1:11 left. This is the disappointing pattern every year with the Jackets - losing a win or tie very late in the game - over and over.
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