Flashback to March 7th, 2008.
Against our parents wishes that night, my best friend and I ventured out into the snow covered streets of Columbus to catch yet another Blue Jackets game. The news had strongly advised against driving, but anything short of a Level 3 snow emergency wasn't going to be enough to stop us from going. The drive there was slow and had it's anxious moments, but we arrived at the Arena safe and sound, ready to root on our hockey team.
We played the Edmonton Oilers that night and I remember being especially excited to see my first ever hockey favorite, and former Blue Jacket, Geoff Sanderson. Unfortunately he was a healthy scratch that night, but I still had 23 other players to keep my spirits high.
The highlight of the night was a videotaped message from Rick Nash thanking the fans for coming to the game despite the terrible weather. I heard the giggle in his voice as he thought, 'you guy's haven't seen terrible', but his thanks was genuine nonetheless and much appreciated by fans.
We lost that night. Our seventh straight. The winning goaltender on Edmonton? Mattheiu Garon. :)
Hitch wasn't happy. He conducted an 8 minute meeting the next day, forcing players to dig themselves out of the snow to come to practice, only to be reamed and sent right back home. Hitch was making a statment then; the boys weren't playing with enough heart.
Fast forward to December 9th, 2009. The Blue Jackets will be taking the ice in hopes of breaking what might as well be an eight game losing streak because let's face it: no one is willing to remember the win over St. Louis when the boys have lost 8 out of their last nine games. I remember the game quite clearly. Kris Russell scored his first goal of the season while R.J. Umberger registered his second career hat trick, but unfortunately these highlights are shadowed by the woes that linger around the club.
So why then, does Hitch not try some tough love on the boys much like he did two season ago when the team was in a similar situation? I'll tell you why.
Because this team has heart. This team is hungry. This team knows what it takes to make a push deep into the playoffs. They've tasted it- and now they want more. Fans will argue this, but I can't believe that these boys don't give it all they've got everytime they take the ice.
So tonight, while the wind is blowing at 50mph and the gusts of rain splash violently across Columbus, I'll be in my seat in section 218 rooting on the boys with all I've got.
Don't stop believing fans!
GO JACKETS! CARRY THE FLAG! I BELIEVE!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Insert foot(e) in mouth...
I woke up this morning totally pumped for the game tonight! You might ask why? The team is in a slump and it seems like everything is falling apart in the organIzation, right?
Maybe to some, who have a hard time staying on the fan wagon, but not to me! It's Saturday night, the weather just screams 'HOCKEY SEASON' and tonight we host the Colorado Avalanche!
Here's where the title of my blog comes in to play...
I know the fans in Nationwide Arena have waited entirely too long for this night to happen. Adam Foote will be back for the first time since he seeminly ditched the team for selfish reasons. I am ashamed to say that this is part of my motivation for tonight. Not because I wouldn't attend the game otherwise, because I definitely would, but because I'm going to go against everything I typically believe in and 'boo' the hell out of him along with the 18,000 fans that need to be there!! I'm not usually one to boo the opponent, hell, in the playoffs I kept slapping my husbands arm for chanting 'OSGOOD, OSGOOD' because I thought it would jinx the boys in what should've been their first playoff win......the result speaks for itself......but tonight it's more personal than that. I'm not mad that Adam didn't want to be here, because frankly I didn't want him here if he felt that way and to be honest I never cared for him much- but the team did. The boys in the locker room looked up to him and admired his leadership and when he left, he took a piece of momentum with him, leaving the boys to try and understand why their captain would, or how he could, do such a thing. I hear a lot of people yap about how Rick Nash isn't an ideal captain; how he's not vocal enough or not emotional enough, but at least Rick is loyal. Rick took on the 'C' to show the team that a true leader doesn't just wear the letter, he respects the letter. Sure, I'd love to see Rick Nash come out of his reserved state and lay it to the bench every once in a while, but I'll take his loyalty and his heartfelt desire to do what's right over someone who could just so easily tear a group apart without any remorse. That's where it gets personal. More than him letting the fans down, he let his team down. OUR TEAM! A team that struggles with enough adversity and scrutiny as it is. A team that struggles to stay consistent, yet a team that never makes excuses for their faults. They are a resilent group of boys though and they fight to overcome such obstacles. I'm sure most of them have moved on from the shock and have let it go to a great extent, but you know the boys that remain from that season are going to be smiling on the inside when Nationwide Arena erupts with unwelcoming chants and relentless boo's.
So I will boo him for the boy's sake and try to explain to my five year old that mommy isn't necessarily right in doing it, but maybe-hopefully-it will instill in him a passion for what he believes in, much as his mom believes in the Jackets!
Carry the flag tonight Jackets fans. Believe in this team and what they can do. I challenge everyone to wear the 'C' tonight and let these boys know that we are behind them through it all!
GO JACKETS! I BELIEVE!
Maybe to some, who have a hard time staying on the fan wagon, but not to me! It's Saturday night, the weather just screams 'HOCKEY SEASON' and tonight we host the Colorado Avalanche!
Here's where the title of my blog comes in to play...
I know the fans in Nationwide Arena have waited entirely too long for this night to happen. Adam Foote will be back for the first time since he seeminly ditched the team for selfish reasons. I am ashamed to say that this is part of my motivation for tonight. Not because I wouldn't attend the game otherwise, because I definitely would, but because I'm going to go against everything I typically believe in and 'boo' the hell out of him along with the 18,000 fans that need to be there!! I'm not usually one to boo the opponent, hell, in the playoffs I kept slapping my husbands arm for chanting 'OSGOOD, OSGOOD' because I thought it would jinx the boys in what should've been their first playoff win......the result speaks for itself......but tonight it's more personal than that. I'm not mad that Adam didn't want to be here, because frankly I didn't want him here if he felt that way and to be honest I never cared for him much- but the team did. The boys in the locker room looked up to him and admired his leadership and when he left, he took a piece of momentum with him, leaving the boys to try and understand why their captain would, or how he could, do such a thing. I hear a lot of people yap about how Rick Nash isn't an ideal captain; how he's not vocal enough or not emotional enough, but at least Rick is loyal. Rick took on the 'C' to show the team that a true leader doesn't just wear the letter, he respects the letter. Sure, I'd love to see Rick Nash come out of his reserved state and lay it to the bench every once in a while, but I'll take his loyalty and his heartfelt desire to do what's right over someone who could just so easily tear a group apart without any remorse. That's where it gets personal. More than him letting the fans down, he let his team down. OUR TEAM! A team that struggles with enough adversity and scrutiny as it is. A team that struggles to stay consistent, yet a team that never makes excuses for their faults. They are a resilent group of boys though and they fight to overcome such obstacles. I'm sure most of them have moved on from the shock and have let it go to a great extent, but you know the boys that remain from that season are going to be smiling on the inside when Nationwide Arena erupts with unwelcoming chants and relentless boo's.
So I will boo him for the boy's sake and try to explain to my five year old that mommy isn't necessarily right in doing it, but maybe-hopefully-it will instill in him a passion for what he believes in, much as his mom believes in the Jackets!
Carry the flag tonight Jackets fans. Believe in this team and what they can do. I challenge everyone to wear the 'C' tonight and let these boys know that we are behind them through it all!
GO JACKETS! I BELIEVE!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Through the eyes of a child...
"Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them."-Richard L. Evans
I used TicketExchange for the first time today to get tickets to the Colorado game on Saturday. I will be taking my 5 year old son, who in my opinion is the ultimate kind of fan. He doesn't look at Steve Mason's save percentage or care how many goals Jared Boll has scored because to him it means nothing; nothing compared to the thrill he feels when the players slam against the boards or take off down the ice like lightning with the puck. The fire of the cannon, the quirky music, the ooh's, ahh's and cheers of the crowd; that's what it's all about to him.
A child knows no boundaries, only possibilities.
Saturday isn't going to be about winning or losing to him because either way he's going to leave the arena excited and in awe.....and probably with a one dollar blue bag of cotton candy :)
May we all see the game through the eyes of a child.
GO JACKETS! CARRY THE FLAG! I BELIEVE!
I used TicketExchange for the first time today to get tickets to the Colorado game on Saturday. I will be taking my 5 year old son, who in my opinion is the ultimate kind of fan. He doesn't look at Steve Mason's save percentage or care how many goals Jared Boll has scored because to him it means nothing; nothing compared to the thrill he feels when the players slam against the boards or take off down the ice like lightning with the puck. The fire of the cannon, the quirky music, the ooh's, ahh's and cheers of the crowd; that's what it's all about to him.
A child knows no boundaries, only possibilities.
Saturday isn't going to be about winning or losing to him because either way he's going to leave the arena excited and in awe.....and probably with a one dollar blue bag of cotton candy :)
May we all see the game through the eyes of a child.
GO JACKETS! CARRY THE FLAG! I BELIEVE!
A motivational nightcap
Can't sleep.
Blame the ugly, at home loss tonight, but that's not it......not directly anyway.
The boys are discouraged and they are showing it in a bad way on the ice. It's unfortunate really, because they have the promise of a very good hockey team behind that bench, but loss after loss they seem to let their mind overtake the matter and the belief in themselves begins to wane. I wish I could speak for every fan and tell them that we're proud of the heart they put into their effort and we believe that things will start looking up for them soon, but unfortunately there are too many CBJ fans quick to blame, quick to insult and quick to stop believing.
So I'll just speak for myself:
To believe is in your heart; to trust your own belief is in your mind. I know these boys have it in them to fight through this. I can see see the determination in Rick Nash's boot scoot. I can see the passion in Derick Brassards eyes. I can see the hunger in Jake Voracek's race up ice for the puck. It's there and they all have it in them. I can see it.
But in a loss such as this one all that goes through their minds are the reasons believing is such hard work.
R.J. Umberger makes a great point.
“It’s especially embarrassing to lose like this at home. Last year, we fought hard and competed like crazy to be a competitive team, a playoff team. The respect we got from our fans was incredible. They really bought into us. I have to think that right now we’re just letting them down. It’s frustrating for them, for sure. They’re paying good money at a tough time (economically) to come watch us, and there have been too many bad performances here at home.”
Thanks for your understanding R.J.. Now here's a message to you:
It's especially hard to lose like this at home because I know you boys want it so bad. Last year, you all fought hard and competed like crazy to be a competitive team, a playoff team--and I know you want to give that same effort this year. The respect you got from your fans was incredible. We really bought into you and even though things are riding on a pretty rough track right now, you haven't let me down. It's frustrating sometimes, yes. I pay hard earned money in a tough time to come and watch you play and home ice hasn't exactly been your best friend, but I don't come watch for a win in order to gratify myself. I want that win for you guys because nothing pays for my ticket more than to see the happiness on all of your faces after the victory horn sounds. If you play with your hearts and give it all you've got, I've gotten my monies worth, win or lose. And just for the record, I don't just come to watch. I come to support and believe.
When you don't feel like you've got the support of the fans, you've got me to support you.
When you feel like believing is an empty promise of the heart, know that I believe for you.
Confucious said it best when he said, "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Rise up boys. Rise up and march on because you want to, because you have what it takes and because you believe!
GO JACKETS!
Blame the ugly, at home loss tonight, but that's not it......not directly anyway.
The boys are discouraged and they are showing it in a bad way on the ice. It's unfortunate really, because they have the promise of a very good hockey team behind that bench, but loss after loss they seem to let their mind overtake the matter and the belief in themselves begins to wane. I wish I could speak for every fan and tell them that we're proud of the heart they put into their effort and we believe that things will start looking up for them soon, but unfortunately there are too many CBJ fans quick to blame, quick to insult and quick to stop believing.
So I'll just speak for myself:
To believe is in your heart; to trust your own belief is in your mind. I know these boys have it in them to fight through this. I can see see the determination in Rick Nash's boot scoot. I can see the passion in Derick Brassards eyes. I can see the hunger in Jake Voracek's race up ice for the puck. It's there and they all have it in them. I can see it.
But in a loss such as this one all that goes through their minds are the reasons believing is such hard work.
R.J. Umberger makes a great point.
“It’s especially embarrassing to lose like this at home. Last year, we fought hard and competed like crazy to be a competitive team, a playoff team. The respect we got from our fans was incredible. They really bought into us. I have to think that right now we’re just letting them down. It’s frustrating for them, for sure. They’re paying good money at a tough time (economically) to come watch us, and there have been too many bad performances here at home.”
Thanks for your understanding R.J.. Now here's a message to you:
It's especially hard to lose like this at home because I know you boys want it so bad. Last year, you all fought hard and competed like crazy to be a competitive team, a playoff team--and I know you want to give that same effort this year. The respect you got from your fans was incredible. We really bought into you and even though things are riding on a pretty rough track right now, you haven't let me down. It's frustrating sometimes, yes. I pay hard earned money in a tough time to come and watch you play and home ice hasn't exactly been your best friend, but I don't come watch for a win in order to gratify myself. I want that win for you guys because nothing pays for my ticket more than to see the happiness on all of your faces after the victory horn sounds. If you play with your hearts and give it all you've got, I've gotten my monies worth, win or lose. And just for the record, I don't just come to watch. I come to support and believe.
When you don't feel like you've got the support of the fans, you've got me to support you.
When you feel like believing is an empty promise of the heart, know that I believe for you.
Confucious said it best when he said, "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Rise up boys. Rise up and march on because you want to, because you have what it takes and because you believe!
GO JACKETS!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A step in front of the march!
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”- Winston Churchill.
A hearty welcome to you and thanks for visiting my blog. I have long wanted to create a site dedicated to my favorite hockey team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and have finally gotten around to it. In my opinion, there is no better time to be a Blue Jacket fan then right now amidst all the struggles that the boys have endured since the beginning of the season. They would all tell you that every team goes through it and no one is going to feel sorry for them, and they are absolutey right. Every team struggles to stay healthy, consistent, competitive or energized at some point throughout the season, but when that hockey team is the Blue Jackets, I take it to heart. If you look at the title of this initial blog, 'A step in front of the march!', I hope you understand the meaning behind it. The march is the CBJ and a step in front of them is me, and any fan who believes in these boys and stays true to them through their ups, downs and all the turnarounds in between. My only intention with this blog is to support the team I love and hopefully bring together others who are willing to join the march and root on the boys in blue every step of the way. So, if you are ready to fail, fight, succeed and conquer along with me and the boys, then lace up your marching boots and carry the flag!
GO JACKETS! I BELIEVE!
A hearty welcome to you and thanks for visiting my blog. I have long wanted to create a site dedicated to my favorite hockey team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and have finally gotten around to it. In my opinion, there is no better time to be a Blue Jacket fan then right now amidst all the struggles that the boys have endured since the beginning of the season. They would all tell you that every team goes through it and no one is going to feel sorry for them, and they are absolutey right. Every team struggles to stay healthy, consistent, competitive or energized at some point throughout the season, but when that hockey team is the Blue Jackets, I take it to heart. If you look at the title of this initial blog, 'A step in front of the march!', I hope you understand the meaning behind it. The march is the CBJ and a step in front of them is me, and any fan who believes in these boys and stays true to them through their ups, downs and all the turnarounds in between. My only intention with this blog is to support the team I love and hopefully bring together others who are willing to join the march and root on the boys in blue every step of the way. So, if you are ready to fail, fight, succeed and conquer along with me and the boys, then lace up your marching boots and carry the flag!
GO JACKETS! I BELIEVE!
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