What consequences will Delonte suffer –
September 22, 2009Not Surprising: Browns Sticking with Quinn
September 22, 2009Every Tuesday, WFNY’s The 5-Hole brings you up to date with the goings-on of the CBJ…
The Week That Was
This Week: 1-2-1
Pre-Season: 1-2-1
The pre-season schedule got underway for the Jackets with a bit of a bump in the road. There were some positives in their overtime loss to Pittsburgh last Tuesday: new back-up goaltender Mathieu Garon was solid, surrendering no goals in his two periods of work. In addition, the Jackets’ power-play unit—by far the league’s worst last season—scored on two of their four chances, and center Derick Brassard saw some time at the point, which was a major area of weakness on last year’s PP unit. However, the team wilted under the pressure in the third period as Pittsburgh launched a barrage of shots (outshooting Columbus 20-7) and scoring four times to force overtime, where they eventually won it.
Over the weekend, the name of the games was injuries, as the Jackets fell on the road in Nashville and Minnesota. Along the way, the Jackets lost wingers Fredrik Modin and Jason Chimera (more below), and forward Tom Sestito suffered a very scary head injury after a fight in Nashville. In addition, winger Raffi Torres missed the third period Monday night with back spasms. More concerning than these injuries, however, was the flat play by many of the veterans over the weekend.
There was some good news on Monday, as the Jackets opened up the home portion of their exhibition schedule by dominating Minnesota. Columbus trotted out their full expected top forward line for the first time (Kristian Huselius—Derick Brassard—Rick Nash), and it paid dividends. Brassard had a goal and two assists, Nash had a goal and an assist, and Huselius had two assists. Columbus has long needed that top-line center to pace a line such as this, and was on his way to being that guy last season before injury. Here’s hoping last night’s performance is an indication of good things to come in the regular season for this line. “The line was definitely clicking out there,” Nash said. “It was a lot of fun. We were finding each other pretty good.” I should say, Rick.
Training Camp Update
As the roster continues to be trimmed down and the team readies for the regular season opener next Saturday night, a few things have become apparent: both of the goalies in camp who will be on the final roster are playing very, very well; rookie first round pick John Moore is impressing many; and Derick Brassard’s health will be a key to the top line and the team as a whole.
While the game scores don’t really matter that much in the grand scheme of things, coach Ken Hitchcock saw plenty to be concerned with: “I really think it’s important now for us to see a rise in our competitive level,” Hitchcock said. “That responsibility is going to lie with our veteran players. To be frank, in the three games we’ve played, the pace of the game has been dictated by the other teams’ veteran players. And we haven’t gotten that yet from our veterans.”
With five more games remaining and coming off a decent performance in Monday night’s win, it will be important to see if any of that carries over. Of Monday night’s performance by his top line, Hitch had some more positive words: “We played with a lot of speed, and that’s a good sign. They have to lead that charge. If they’re playing a game that doesn’t have any penetration to it, or if they’re playing a game that doesn’t have any patience down low, then we have no place to fall. They know they have to set the tone for us.”
John Moore won’t be on the team this year, but he’s certainly made an impression. Since these games have not been televised, I’m reliant upon the descriptions Aaron Portzline’s and Tom Reed’s descriptions in The Dispatch:
Moore…has made quick, smart decisions with the puck and is a fluid skater. … There’s little question Moore has been one of the Jackets’ top six defensemen in the preseason. Hitchcock loves Moore’s first passes out of the zone, the very definition of puck-moving defenseman. They have been in short supply at 200 Nationwide Blvd., since the building opened. Moore has a good feel for the game and never looks overwhelmed. Hopefully, he will return to the lineup Thursday against the Penguins. Both teams should ice good lineups and that would supply an excellent gauge for Moore and the franchise.
In three games, Moore has three assists. His development for potentially making the 2010 opening day roster will be a key for the Jackets’ longer-term blue-line success.
Injury Update
As we noted above, the Jackets did suffer a few injuries of note. Fredrik Modin will be out for at least a month with a sprained knee, which really is too bad after he lost most of last season to lower-body injuries as well. Jason Chimera suffered a hit into the boards face-first from behind from Minnesota’s Eric Belanger. Belanger was assessed a five-minute major penalty, and Chimera was bleeding and suffered a concussion.
Forward Tom Sestito’s head smacked the ice after a fight with Nashville thug Jordan Tootoo. The wound required 10 staples to close, and Sestito had to spend a night in the Nashville hospital before returning to Columbus. Forward Raffi Torres—who battled various injury issues of his own last year before coming on late—suffered back spasms during the second period of Monday night’s game and did not return to the ice.
Defenseman Marc Methot has been battling a shoulder injury, but has been cleared to play and is back with the team full-time.
Quote of the Week
(Belanger) said he’s never done that before, that he’s had only one 5-minute major (for elbowing), but the same is true if you shoot somebody. You only have to shoot somebody once to be dirty. It’s a dirty hit and there’s no need for it. My back was turned the whole way.Forward Jason Chimera, reflecting on the blind-side hit he received from Minnesota center Eric Belanger.
Having not seen the hit, I can’t really comment. I just love this quote.
T-minus 11 days until the opener!
1 Comment
I don’t understand why it took that lady so long to paint her garage still.