"And they said it couldn’t be done….."
No one told Vinny Prospal or Jeff Carter or James Wisniewski. No one needed to tell R.J. Umberger. It seemed like everyone told the fans. And of course the media knew: the Blue Jackets had been winless in Nashville since 2006. People weighed in on what had happened since them: they’d had 2 children, met and married their husbands/wives, purchased houses, moved to different states….all sorts of life changing events had occurred since the Blue Jackets beat their nemesis, the Predators, in Nashville.
I admit to being a terrible fan and not seeing much of the game. I meant to, but I ended up talking with a friend at the R Bar while watching the game and I missed some plays. We left at the beginning of the 3rd period and only learned of RJ’s goal when the roar from the R. Bar reached us on the way to our cars. But, even with my attention divided, there was a lot that I did see.
First, well, the new guys did not played intimidated. Maybe because the Flyers, Canadiens, Islanders, Penguins, or Blues really have never feared or been intimidated by the Preds and so our acquisitions from those teams just thought of the “evil empire” as just another team to play against. Whatever it was, they looked good and they infused the rest of team with confidence.
Second, speaking of confidence, Curtis Sanford played smoothly and with poise. It could be that his poise and expectation to win helped the rest of the team play well. A confident goalie equals a confident team.
Third, our resident firecrackers, Derek Dorsett and Jared Boll, stirred up the team with fights very quickly into the first period. Maybe they helped set the tone of the game for the rest of the team, that this time, it was different. This time, the Blue Jackets were not going to be pushed around. This time, the Jackets were taking no prisoners.
Fourth, the dads were on this trip. I’m sure no one wants to play poorly in front of their fathers who may have coached the players while they were playing their ways through the ranks, who certainly ferried the players around to games, and most certainly paid for equipment for the young Jackets-to-be. Maybe playing for dad was the tipping point for the boys.
Fifth, maybe that elusive “chemistry” is finally kicking in. Guys that were out are now back in. Letestu and Nikitin are playing that they’ve been part of the team for months. We can only hope that this game was the corner turning game that shows the team has “jelled.”
I don’t care what it was, I am just happy to get the win! Thanks to the boys for stepping up. Thanks to the dads for providing quiet support. Thanks to the Jacket Backers for sending 3 buses down to Nashville to give the Preds fans and Bridgestone Arena a taste of what they gave us on Opening Night. And thanks to the fans for continuing to believe.
The Jackets take on the Calgary Flames today. Will you be watching? I will.