WaitingForNextYear

Wild 2, Blue Jackets 1 (Box Score)

…but the performances still do. The Blue Jackets played their second exhibition game last night in Minnesota, and it was again a chance for the young players to show their stuff for coach Ken Hitchcock and GM Scott Howson.

The Jackets were suffering a bit from the dreaded “travel legs” (or “bus legs”, as Hitchcock calls them) last night, playing their second game in as many nights while the Wild was playing its exhibition home-opener and played 14 regular players as a tip of the cap to their fan base. Suffice it to say, however, that after some initial sluggishness, the Jackets put forth a strong effort against a pretty tough team. “…[W]e really came on in the second and third period,” Hitchcock said. “We know what we had in the lineup. We’re evaluating, and we got a very good effort from just about everybody.”

On display again was Jakub Voracek, who made a terrific pass to set up the Jackets’ only goal of the night. About halfway through the third period, Voracek sent a nice pass across the offensive zone to forward Jiri Novotny, who had an easy one-timer to get the Jackets on the board. “I looked up and I knew when I got the puck to Jiri he would have an open net,” Voracek said. Hitchcock was also summarily impressed:

“There aren’t many players who would make that pass, boy. Now, he’s still learning the game. He comes and he goes during the game like all young players, but he rises to the occasion.” –Ken Hitchcock

Back-up goaltender Fredrik Norrena got his second straight exhibition start, and he played well, making 28 saves.

The Jackets play their first home exhibition game tomorrow night against Nashville, and this will be our first look at some of the “regulars” as well, according to Hitchcock.