Last Saturday night I watched the Columbus Blue Jackets in maybe their most disgusting moment in their decade of hockey misery. On the road in Ottawa, having played a solid game throughout, the CBJ held onto a 3-2 lead with under a minute to play. With about 35 seconds on the clock, the Jackets surrendered a power play goal to the Senators; it was the second time this season they had given up a one-goal lead in the final minute of regulation. (In the previous instance, Columbus went on to lose a shootout to the Colorado Avalanche.) Rather than hold on for the last half-minute, gain a much-needed point and live to play in OT, the Jackets decided to make a quick exit from Canada’s capital city. Yes, that’s right, with only 0:03 on the clock, the Senators fired a shot past goaltender Steve Mason to seal the Jackets’ demise.
Two goals. Thirty-five seconds. A win squandered. An 0-7-1 record on the season. And at least one faithful Blue Jacket fan, yours truly, ready to call the whole thing off. My 12-year-old son just down the stairs and within earshot is the only thing that saved a profanity-laced tirade that would’ve made a drunken sailor with a stubbed toe blush. I said then, and I swear I truly meant it, that I refused to watch another CBJ game until they got their act together.
Fast forward to this evening, when the Blue Jackets — the NHL’s only winless team — taking on the hated Detroit Red Wings. I had declined an invitation to join Fire That Cannon Editor Mary O’Malley and her son Ethan at the game due to a previous commitment; and informed her of my intention to avoid the television entirely. When the team pulled its collective head out of its collective behind and once again cared about winning hockey games, then I’d re-consider spending my time and my money in support.
But we know better, don’t we, sports fans? Because no matter how much our teams struggle, no matter how frustrated we become, we love them. They’re part of us, whether in the best of times or the worst. We identify with them. We care about them. We support them. And sure enough, by the time I arrived home this evening, I found myself on the sofa following along with the action just like the first eight games — and particularly that meltdown in Ottawa — had never happened.
Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s game against Detroit. RJ Umberger scored his first goal of the season only 21 seconds into the game, and added an assist. Ryan Johansen and John Moore each scored the first goals of their career, with RyJo picking up an assist. Defenseman Grant Clitsome had three helpers. The Blue Jackets got offensive production from places other than the top line (Rick Nash, Vinny Prospal and Derick Brassard each finished with zero points and a -1 plus/minus rating). The Jackets played with gusto, controlling play for much of the game. They fired 32 shots on goaltender Ty Conklin, and had at least two golden opportunities come just a post short of pay dirt. Steve Mason stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced, looking confident in net like the Mase of old. And when the Red Wings went on the power play with 2:12 remaining in the game, it would this time be Columbus depositing the puck in the (empty) net. Derek MacKenzie floated a backhand shot from the blueline to ice the game, giving the Jackets a 4-1 victory and their first W of the season. (Click here for the game summary from NHL.com.)
Don’t get me wrong, 1-7-1 is not the way they drew it up. But a win is a win, and this franchise was completely desperate for one of those. Finally there was joy in Nationwide Arena, with happy CBJ fans dreaming of tomorrow’s chili and better days to come. We’ll be there to bask in the highest highs, just as we’ll endure the lowest lows. We’re Blue Jacket fans, for better or worse.
And Michigan still sucks.
Check out the Fansided network’s coverage of the Detroit Red Wings at the site Octopus Thrower.
Read previous editions of The Weekly Reader here.
Follow Joe Reader on Twitter: @osujoe.