Ohio Jones
Game on...
CD - Columbus
A new-look Columbus squad skated to a 4-4 tie with expansion cousin Minnesota this evening, prompting this reporter to examine the highs and lows of a frustrating start to the season.
The Good:
- Head Coach Mike Babcock shuffled the lines and positions around for tonight's game. New Jacket Slava Kozlov moved from the wing to center, centering the second line with Mark Bell and converted pivot Jeremy Roenick on his wings, and the new mix clicked, contributing 3 of the Jackets' 4 goals (Kozlov's 1st and 2nd, and Roenick's 1st), all at even strength.
- The Jackets have earned points in three of 4 games so far, and only gave up one goal in their regulation loss.
- The PP was 1 for 2.
The Bad:
- The Kozlov line was also on the ice for two even-strength goals against.
- The top unit of Mike Modano centering Geoff Sanderson and Brendan Shanahan, which counted for a powerplay marker (Sanderson's 2nd) early in the second period, was also on the ice for an even-strength goal against.
- The PK unit was 0 for 1 after Marco Sturm scored with Shanahan in the box for hooking (Columbus' only penalty on the night) midway through the third period.
The Ugly:
- After yet again outshooting their opponents throughout regulation, the Jackets still found themselves unable to muster a win. The over-under on Jackets wins for the season is now 1 (and the smart money is betting the under...).
- Brodeur appears still to be adjusting to the new rules, when after a strong 1-goal performance in a losing effort in Edmonton two nights ago, he gave up 4 goals for the third time in four games.
- The Jackets drew less than 14,000 fans, suggesting that either there is still ill will among the normally rabid fan base over the lockout, or fans are seeing this high-priced roster continue to fire blanks and are showing their dissatisfaction in a very tangible way.
- Grinder Kirk Maltby is a little worse for wear after a run-in with a stanchion late in the third and did not return. Team doctors looked him over, and he will be a game-time decision tomorrow night as the Jackets face the undefeated Bruins at Boston.
Milo Minderbinder
Columbus Discoverer
A new-look Columbus squad skated to a 4-4 tie with expansion cousin Minnesota this evening, prompting this reporter to examine the highs and lows of a frustrating start to the season.
The Good:
- Head Coach Mike Babcock shuffled the lines and positions around for tonight's game. New Jacket Slava Kozlov moved from the wing to center, centering the second line with Mark Bell and converted pivot Jeremy Roenick on his wings, and the new mix clicked, contributing 3 of the Jackets' 4 goals (Kozlov's 1st and 2nd, and Roenick's 1st), all at even strength.
- The Jackets have earned points in three of 4 games so far, and only gave up one goal in their regulation loss.
- The PP was 1 for 2.
The Bad:
- The Kozlov line was also on the ice for two even-strength goals against.
- The top unit of Mike Modano centering Geoff Sanderson and Brendan Shanahan, which counted for a powerplay marker (Sanderson's 2nd) early in the second period, was also on the ice for an even-strength goal against.
- The PK unit was 0 for 1 after Marco Sturm scored with Shanahan in the box for hooking (Columbus' only penalty on the night) midway through the third period.
The Ugly:
- After yet again outshooting their opponents throughout regulation, the Jackets still found themselves unable to muster a win. The over-under on Jackets wins for the season is now 1 (and the smart money is betting the under...).
- Brodeur appears still to be adjusting to the new rules, when after a strong 1-goal performance in a losing effort in Edmonton two nights ago, he gave up 4 goals for the third time in four games.
- The Jackets drew less than 14,000 fans, suggesting that either there is still ill will among the normally rabid fan base over the lockout, or fans are seeing this high-priced roster continue to fire blanks and are showing their dissatisfaction in a very tangible way.
- Grinder Kirk Maltby is a little worse for wear after a run-in with a stanchion late in the third and did not return. Team doctors looked him over, and he will be a game-time decision tomorrow night as the Jackets face the undefeated Bruins at Boston.
Milo Minderbinder
Columbus Discoverer