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Columbus Blue Jackets: Why We Love Sergei Bobrovsky

By Michael Mallory

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 07: Columbus Blue Jackets Winger Nick Foligno (71) hugs Columbus Blue Jackets Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after a regular season game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. The Columbus Blue Jackets won 2-0 over the New Jersey Devils. (Photo by Michael Griggs/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 07: Columbus Blue Jackets Winger Nick Foligno (71) hugs Columbus Blue Jackets Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after a regular season game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. The Columbus Blue Jackets won 2-0 over the New Jersey Devils. (Photo by Michael Griggs/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Sergei Bobrovsky is not just a fan favorite for the Columbus Blue Jackets; he is the fan favorite, and rightfully so. Today, we dive into why Bob is so beloved by the CBJ faithful.

When Sergei Bobrovsky was traded by the Philadelphia Flyers to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the summer of 2012, the CBJ organization and Bobrovsky both needed a change.

Bob spent the 2011-2012 season backing up Ilya Bryzgalov and playing poorly even when he got the chance while the Blue Jackets were having their own issues, with the most prevalent being that they finished dead-last in the NHL with 65 points.

Steve Mason‘s play had regressed from his impressive rookie year, so bringing a new goalie into Columbus couldn’t hurt, right? In fact, it couldn’t. It only helped.

Winning

The Columbus Blue Jackets have been a better team since Sergei Bobrovsky arrived in 2012, and most know that winning cures all. Bob has been pretty much lights out for Columbus, so it is no surprise that fans have come to like the netminder.

Columbus is a hockey market that is still looking to write its history, and as for right now, Bobrovsky’s name is all over the team’s record books. Bobrovsky has won not one, but two Vezina Trophies for the goalie of the year.  Bobrovsky has also lead the Blue Jackets into the playoffs twice when the Blue Jackets only had made it once in franchise history before his arrival.

Playstyle

Sergei Bobrovsky is a fun player to watch. This may not be said about many other goaltenders in the league. Bobrovsky has made highlight reel save after highlight reel save in Columbus. Bob is a showman in net.

Bob has been known to make an easier save look harder by framing it up and adding a little pizzaz. Along with being a showman sometimes when making saves, Bobrovsky has been known to give his team an edge with dramatics.

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Embracing The Fans

Blue Jackets’ captain Nick Foligno and Sergei have a post-win ritual of a big bear hug. Fans eat this up, including me. This ritual pops the lid off of Nationwide Arena. Bobrovsky and Foligno notice this and play right into the fan base.

Along with the hug, Bobrovsky has shown time and time again that he enjoys playing in Columbus. Sergei has shown that he does not take the fans for granted in post-game interviews, and this truly resonates with the crowds.

Bobrovsky is a treasure to Columbus. The Blue Jackets organization made a home run trading for him. He has truly been a hit on and off the ice for the team. When his name is announced Friday, it is expected that the fans go nuts.

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