Stoplight Game Review

CBJ Vs. Sabres

2.6.2010

Mase1 here, and boy, is this recap fun to write about! 

Game two of the Claude Noel interim regime took place against the Buffalo Sabres, before a capacity crowd at Nationwide Arena, in large part due to the massive Buffalo contingent in attendance.

The Columbus Blue Jackets continued their winning ways with a resounding 4-0 victory.  What was most prevalent about their performance, beyond the score, was the looseness and energy the team displayed.  It’s as if an albatross had been taken off the team’s necks.  There’s a definite jump in the team’s step, a definite ‘have fun’ and ‘devil may care’ attitude.

As is often the case when there is a seismic change, such as what took place when Ken Hitchcock was fired, the new/interim coach (Claude Noel) plays ‘good cop’ to the predecessor’s ‘bad cop’.  As a result, there is often a bounce that occurs.  How long that ‘joy- joy’ feeling, as well as the continued winning play, continues remains to be seen, particularly with division leaders such as San Jose, Vancouver and Chicago remaining before the Winter Olympic break.  But, for now, there is a permeable change in the way the Blue Jackets are playing the game.

With that, onto the recap:

GREEN:

The jump in the step of the entire team – it’s gone from Judge Dredd to Club Med in quite a hurry.

Steve Mason’s performance – it appears that Mason is actually enjoying playing in goal, something not evidenced by someone who seemed far too serious for someone so young and new to the NHL.  Mason, much like his performance in the last game against the Dallas Stars, is once again using his size by playing more upright and is challenging the shooter by coming out and getting the angle on the attacker.  For the last two games, anyway, it seems like shades of his Calder Trophy winning season.

Jakub Voracek – yes, Voracek struggled mightily in Ken Hitchcock’s methodical, two-way, defense-first system.  But, as with his fellow second-year teammate, Derek Brassard, Voracek was playing with the reckless abandon he displayed during his rookie season and at the early part of this season.  Voracek registered three assists, and was a true impact player, all evening long.

Milan Jurcina – he of the puzzling two consecutive games of being benched (healthy scratched), Jurcina scored the opening goal of the game, in quite a bizarre way.  Clearing the puck into the corner boards, the puck quickly rebounded – with Jurcina’s massive howitzer, heavy emphasis on the quickly – off of the boards, off the back of Patrick LaLime’s leg and into the net.  What usually happens against the Blue Jackets just happened in favor of the Blue Jackets, and they were on the board.  Jurcina also logged in the most ice time, proof that changes have been implemented, rather starkly.

Kris Russell – Recipient of the second most time on ice (TOI).  More than that, Russell was magnificent, to quote Claude Noel’s assessment of his play, in all three sections of the ice.  Here’s hoping that Noel will leverage Russell’s gifts – his supreme skating and puck-moving capabilities – the rest of the way, this season.

Anton Stralman – For registering another multi-point game, with a goal and an assist.  Stralman gives the Blue Jackets something they haven’t had since Duvie Westcott was in Columbus, before he became victim of concussive injuries.

Claude Noel – for calling a timeout in the midst of the four-minute, double minor power play advantage.  As Claude Noel remarked in his post-game press conference, “For the first three minutes, it looked like we were painting”.  He decided on the timeout to settle the team down and to not over-think.  Result?  Rick Nash scored on a true effort play, diving down as he flipped the puck into the net, and from there, it was ‘game over’.

Shutting up those obnoxious Sabres fans.  Big ups to our own Matt the Mask, our 7th man, for starting the chant, "Why so qui-et?" to their "Let's go, Buf-fa-lo!".  It sounded like a morgue, after that first goal, eh?

YELLOW:

Nothing to note, here, although, at times, the defense was a little loose in their defensive end.

RED:

For the first time in a long time, there’s nothing to report as negative – that is, unless you consider Noel obliterating the five-minute time limit on the post-game press conference.  Noel’s post-game presser more than tripled the usual limit, at a whopping eighteen minutes.  For those in the press, it’s quite enjoyable – well, maybe it’s the results of the games – to listen to Noel’s quirkiness and observations.  It’s quite a long cry from the five minute – to the second – measured post-game commentary of his predecessor, Ken Hitchcock.

This marathon presser prompted one of the best lines of the night, by none other than team Prez Mike Priest, "If Claude's gonna go this long for his conferences, then, the next time he does so, he can clean up the arena, afterwards".

Up next, the Blue Jackets host the San Jose Sharks, a team who are arguably the most explosive team in the NHL.  Once again, a stern test for the ‘new Blue Jackets’, hosting another division leading team, one with perhaps the most lethal first line in the NHL.

Hello LTL Nation,

I hope you are all digging yourselves out of this winter-fest known as February in Ohio.

Here is an article I've written, regarding the edict I believe Scott Howson gave to Claude Noel.

In short, Howson's calling the shots, now - while this is an interim coach he's inherited, if Noel doesn't abide by Howson's plan, he will be an ex-CBJ coach.

Here's a summary of what I believe will be the edict Noel will work with:

- Play the kids.

- Spread the minutes.

- Display the trade bait.

- Simplify the game, and last, but certainly not least

- Lighten (the heck) up the locker room.

I hope you enjoy the article, and, on behalf of LTL, thanks for continuing to read and participate on his site.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/340743-interim-coach-the-edict

- Mase1

I just caught this little nugget from Bob Hunter's rumblings yesterday via HFBoards.com:

While the Blue Jackets were playing poorly enough to get Hitchcock fired, their brass was cracking down again on the television production crew. Sources say they have had meetings in recent weeks to talk about some of the elements of the broadcasts that were not super-positive.

This has been a recurring theme with the team and one that makes little sense; trying to make a negative situation appear positive only makes a lot of fans mad. But former pregame host Jim Day was often in the doghouse for even hinting things weren't going well, even when they were abysmal.

I read stuff like this and I just can't fathom how out of touch with reality these people are.

Do they honestly think we, the fans, are idiots?

Maybe I'm being naive but as a fan I want to hear a turd called a turd.  I want to hear what can be done to improve the situation.  I want to hear who is playing good and who is playing bad.

What I don't want to be hear is how things are rosey when we have one of the worst records in the entire freakin NHL and just fired our damn coach!

I ride Rimer and Davidge a lot on this blog but to be handcuffed like this and be expected to give good quality analysis and retain viewers is like asking someone to swim in the desert.

It literally makes my stomach churn when I hear these two go on and on about the Jackets playoff chances.  It sounds so utterly ridiculous.

Looks like I have yet another box to add to my checklist when those season ticket renewal folks call.

Okay... I'm really going to shovel snow now.

-LTL

I was thinkin this morning who may find new life in their game with Hitch no longer in the equation?

We've often heard the term "Hitch guy" thrown around like a Bill Davidge cliche.  The easiest way for me to explain what a "Hitch guy" is to break it down into players he trust and into players he didn't.

Its no secret the man loved certain types of players --  big players, veterans, defensively responsible, a "leader" and gritty.  If he possessed all of those things he probably got played until his legs fell off... If he possessed a couple of those then ice time wouldn't have been a problem.  If he possessed none of that then chances are he was benched or scratched if he gripped his stick the wrong way.

What he didn't seem to like or embrace was youth, undersized players and skill.  Sure he had to play guys with these attributes out of necessity but if the game was on the line or the benched needed shortened chances are your ass was grass and Hitch was the lawnmower.

Let's do a quick breakdown of "HITCH GUY" vs "GITCH HUY" (i.e the opposite of what Hitch liked):

HITCH GUY

RICK NASH - sometimes I wonder how good their relationship really was behind closed doors but it would be hard to justify Nash wasn't an 'HG'.  He was the captain, played on the 1st line, the 1st PP unit, the 1st PK unit and was out late in games.  He was obviously a part of the leadership group.

FEDOR TYUTIN - it really didn't matter if Tyutin played good or not -- he always played which in turn is why he leads this team in average minutes played with 23+ a game.  Obvious 'HG'.

JAN HEJDA - doesn't have much offensive skill but that doesn't matter if you want to be a 'HG' as long as you can play solid defense which until this season Hejda excelled at.  He's got the size and grit to go along with it.  Was always put out in key situation of the game and arguably owes a lot of his success in this league to Hitch.

MIKE COMMODORE - how else can you explain playing this guy over some of the players he scratched this season?  Yeah you don't want 3.5 million riding the bench every night but at some point enough has to be enough.  He's been horrible but he's a huge prodding dman and will be afforded chance after chance after chance regardless of his actual play on the ice or how good those have been around him.  Yep.. another member of the "leadership group".

RUSTY KLESLA - yet another big physical dman with absolutely no offensive skill.  Oh yeah, Hitch loves players like Klesla who -- if I can remember his quote - "does the dirty work that doesn't get noticed".  You do need a couple of dmen who are of the Klesla "shutdown" mold but this team is full of them.   I'm not sure this is a signing Howson is happy with right about now but should be a "trade-able" contract.  Another member of the "leadership group".

DEREK DORSETT - this guy should have 'HG' tattooed on his chest.  Besides being undersized he's everything Hitch loves -- gritty, responsible and no offensive skill.  Look I love him too but in no way/shape/form should he be anything other than a 4th line player in this league.  There were times this season he was on the ice as often as guys like Brassard and Voracek - that can't happen.  Was also a new face added to the "leadership group".

SAMMY PAHLSSON - meets all the 'HG' criteria except for that size.  I've never seen a coach so in love with a guy who does absolutely NOTHING in the offensive zone.  I'm on board with having a shutdown guy but @ 2.6 mil?  I'll pass.   I know, I know... he's at his best in the playoffs.

FREDDY MODIN - Modin could have a leg amputated, be blind in one eye and skate slower than a goalie in full gear -- it wouldn't matter as Hitch would still play him!  Modin is big, prodding, experienced, won a cup and plays all three zones.  The only problem is he's slow, over the hill, oft-injured and his offense has completely vanished.  Yep... definite 'HG' and yes, part of the leadership group.

CHRIS CLARK - honestly is there any other reason you trade for this guy if Hitch didn't want him?  I mean he brought all of that "leadership" that would rescue this room right? It was a crock of shit then and a crock of shit now.  I don't blame Clark - it was out of his control and I'm certainly rooting for the guy to succeed here but that trade was crap and didn't address any real needs on this roster.  Oh btw - Washington just won their 13th straight game without their former captain.

RJ UMBERGER - what's interesting about RJ is from what I've read he wasn't much of a 'HG' when Hitch coached him in Philly mostly because he was inexperienced.  Now I'm not sure how true that was but there is no question the guy wore his "HG" badge with pride here.  Umberger played in every situation and had everything Hitch looked for in a player...and he was a "leadership groupie".

KRISTIAN HUSELIUS - well Hitch had to have someone other than Nash and Umberger try to play some offense and score goals right?  A guy who turns it over yet continues to play as much as he did clearly has the support of the coach.  He defies all 'HG" logic except he was a veteran. It was the double standard with Juice and the younger players that had to be a big issue in that locker room.

STEVE MASON - this was a tough one.  He's young which is a strike.. but he's a huge goalie and we know how Hitch loves his size.  Heck everyone wants a big mobile goalie.  There were times this season where it just didn't make any sense to play this guy or keep him in games.  I know he and the organization hoped he could catch some fire and rescue this season but there were never any signs that was going to happen.  I would call this one a 'HHG' -- Hitch & Howson Guy.

ANTOINE VERMETTE - another one that was hard to put my finger on but I'm going to call him a 'HG'.  Despite his solid season I think Vermette could be even better in a different system.  Still the guy was played a lot in all situations and was relied on for key faceoffs late in a game.  Hitch definitely trusted him although I think he had big doubts about his ability to be an everyday top 6 center in this league.

ANTON STRALMAN - this was probably another case of necessity but I'd say Stralman was a 'HG' - at least this season.  I think if he was a CBJ draft pick things may have been different but Hitch seemed to embrace Stralman and his PP abilities despite his relative youth and inexperience.  He's a guy I could quickly see jumping to his "dark side" if another player of a similar skill set yet more experience was brought in.

ANDREW MURRAY - I'm not sure Murray is even in the NHL if he didn't play for Hitch under his system as it completely compliments his game.  Murray is a big strong player with average speed whose game is all hustle and all dump and chase .  He's got zero skill.  Although often scratched I think Hitch trusted Murray and played the game "the right way" -- at least in his eyes.

GITCH HUY

NIKITA FILATOV - honestly do I even need to justify his place on this list?  Every hockey cell in Hitch's body lashed out in a storm of fury at the sound of his name.

KRIS RUSSELL - "when your best player is Kris Russell you have a problem"... 'nuff said.

DERICK BRASSARD - this one is a little tricky as last year Brass got off to a decent start with Hitch although it did take him about 15 games to get any kind of ice time.  The reason - he was being "protected".  Still instead of letting this kid play through his mistakes like he did many of the players above he found himself demoted to the 4th line at times and singled out often as being "overwhelmed".

RAFFI TORRES - I know.. he doesn't really seem to fit here right?  He's a vet and gritty - that should be enough to elevate him to "HG" status.   Here's the thing though.. there is a lot of smoke that Raffi and Hitch butted heads... He also did not trust Raffi defensively which is evident as he's never out late in games and there is that sitting Raffi in St. Louis which has become knows as Raffi-hat-trick-gate... (cue X-files music)

JAKUB VORACEK - another guy who you might be surprised to see down here.  He and Brassard are in similar situations - both reached 'HG' last season but lost it this year.  Now some of it is justified as they haven't played as well as they could but again, they aren't afforded the space to make mistakes like some of the 'HGs' above.

MARC METHOT - just look at the role Noel played Methot against Dallas versus how Hitch utilized him and that should tell you all you need to know.  Again a guy you'd think may make the list above as he's got the size and is pretty gritty.... doesn't have that experience however and certainly wasn't looked at as a leader. There was not trust in Methot.

MATHIEU GARON - he's a tweener for me -- I just never got the sense Hitch really trusted Garon - even when he played well.  He was a backup goaltender and nothing more in his eyes.

JARED BOLL - reminds me of Brass and Voracek -- a guy who started out as a 'HG' but slowly fell off it.  Noel played him 10 mins last game but his average ice time under Hitch was only 6:32 a game.  I think Hitch initially had high expectations for Boll (remember those Tochett comparisons?) and then came to the conclusion that he'll be nothing more than a middle weight energy player and it was downhill from there.

MILAN JURCINA - now this one defies all logic... the man is a beast, experienced, has some grit and possesses a "heavy shot".  I would think Hitch's tongue would be on the floor drooling over this player.  Not the case with the healthy scratches and lines like "he's in-between two systems".

MATHIEU ROY - a lot of nights this guy was the Jackets best defensemen.. His reward?  How about a healthy scratch once a true 'HG' was ready to return to the lineup.  Hitch viewed this player as nothing more than a depth NHL defensemen despite his play.  What's funny is that in just 29 games Roy had only 2 less points than Hejda and more than both Commodore and Klesla.  He's also only a -2 which is the best amongst all Jackets dmen.

Look I'm not saying being a 'HG' is a bad thing.  Every team needs players like that and I like most of the guys who fall under that list.

What I'm saying is you need a mix and if you're looking to identify the players who may experience a renaissance of sorts under Noel for the remainder of the season then I'd keep an eye out for the names under Gitch Huys.

I've shoveled enough crap here - time to go shovel some snow!

-LTL

Hello LTL-Nation!

Just an update on the power rankings that I do for BR.  Once again, darn near exact on my ranking vs. meta-score.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/340366-power-rankings-week-ending-february-5-2010

In the meantime, I hope everyone drives safely...ugh, winter...

- Mase1

Attention all you iPhone and iTouch owners out there!!

I have been contacted by a new sports service founded by former ESPN, Yardbarker and Digg.com employees.  The first things these folks are doing is launching a new iPhone/iTouch app called FanPulse.

With this app, Blue Jackets fans can:

•       Check-in to games to chat and trash-talk with friends who are also watching – it’s like being at the game together!

•       Can’t watch a game? Get scores and breaking news sent straight to your iPhone.

•       Get relevant content and updates about their favorite teams including unique commentary from this blog

Here are a couple of screenshots:

I've also been told that the first 2,000 folks to download this app will be entered into a raffle to win twenty $50 iTunes gift cards.

Light the Lamp's involvement is simple - they contacted me to see if I was interested in helping them spread the word about this app and in return they would publish the content from this site via an RSS feed to their app.  Hey, sounds good to me.  No $$ involved or anything like that.

I've got it downloaded and am "checking in" on the Blackhawks-Coyotes game as I type this.  Pretty cool stuff with more enhancements on the way.

Oh and I almost forgot the most important part - IT'S FREE!

If you're interested you give it a test drive using the iTunes App store or you can read more about it here.

-LTL

Hey... why not right?

CBSSports.com
Rank: 28 (unchanged)
Rumor mill is starting to churn with Jackets names, with R.J. Umberger getting increasing mention.

ESPN.com
Rank: 25 (+3)
The Blue Jackets are in a win-lose-win-lose pattern now, which is a big step forward for a team that was doing a lot of lose-lose-lose through the first half of the season.

CBC.ca
Rank: 26 (unchanged)
They've been road kill this season.

TSN.ca
Rank: 28 (unchanged)
7-6 in the last 13 games, the Blue Jackets haven't been able to make a real run at a playoff spot, but six of the next seven are at home, so maybe that's the time. 
Key Injuries: D Rostislav Klesla (groin).

ColumbusDispatch.com
Rank: 27 (+1)
One of the few bright spots this season has been the long-awaited arrival of defenseman Kris Russell.

FoxSports.com
Rank: 27 (-1)
(.450) The Blue Jackets dropped two of four last week. The club comes into Week 18 having lost five of its last seven games..

CNNSI.com
Rank: 26 (+4)
Compare their dispirited play in a 4-1 loss to the Kings to their gut-check in a 3-2 OT win against the Blues. It had to be incredibly frustrating for their fans to watch several Jackets raise the white flag early against L.A. (at home, no less), and then fight back to avenge two last-minute goals from the Blues on the road. Leadership issues on the ice and behind the bench continue to haunt a club that has fallen out of contention by winning just four of 10

THN.com
Rank: 26 (+1)
Rick Nash and R.J. Umberger have stepped up their games, scoring a combined 17 points in their past eight games

Sportsnet.ca
Rank: 26 (+1)
Easy to see why a team like the Jackets are struggling when their top 16 scorers are a combined minus-149.

Yahoo.com
Not released

META-SCORE: 26.5

High: 25 (ESPN)

Low: 30 (CBS, TSN)

There you have it.  Expect every one of these outlets to mention Hitch next week.

-LTL

The Jackets delivered Claud Noel his first win in his first game as an NHL coach last night by a final of 2-1 over the Stars.  Granted it was against one of the worst road teams in the NHL but a win is a win.

STOPLIGHT GAME REVIEW
vs Dallas
02.04.10
SCORE: Jackets2 Stars 1

GREEN
* Congrats to Noel on this first win.  There is always a 10 game bump when a new coach takes over so I'm not getting too excited but it's always a special night for a coach when he coaches that first game at the highest level and gets a 'W'.

* Ice time.  The most interesting part for me going into last night's tilt was how was the ice time was going to get distributed.  Again it was just one game but I like what I saw.  The young guys got their time with Brassard and Voracek getting close to 15 mins.  Russell checked in with over 18.  The most interesting part was Marc Methot teamed with Jan Hejda carried the load the load defensively with over 22 mins each which led the team.  While still getting their minutes Tyutin's load was eased with close to 20 as well as Nash who just over 17.  The only guy without double minutes in time was Chris Clark with 8:45.  I really liked the distribution.

* Stralman finally got a goal off a seeing-eye knuckle ball to get the Jackets on the board first.

* How about that effot by RJ Umberger on that empty net?  He worked harder for that goal than most guys do when there is a goalie in the cage.

* Nash has the best shift of his season on one of the PKs.  Need much more of that from the captain.

* There just seemed to be a differently feeling in the arena last night from the players to the fans.  Like it was a breath of fresh air or something.  The team looked loose.  The young kids looked re-energized.  It was just one game but it felt refreshing.

* Mase looked good.  Played his angles well.  Didn't give up many rebounds.  Same he didn't get the shutout but I'm happy with a solid start.  He needs to build off that game.

* Turco was pretty good himself.  I think he's a Wing at the deadline.

YELLOW
* Modin actually looked like he had some hop in his strides.  Had to laugh at my buddy who said he's just getting in game shape for the Olympics.. he'll play well there and come back in a boot and be untradeable.  Jaded? Yes.  Possibly some truth in there?  Yes.

* PK was good killing off both penalties.

* 14k in attendance was better than I thought we'd see.  Crowd was pretty loud too!

* Not really a good or bad thing but I didn't quite realize how small Brad Richards was until I saw him next to Vermette... Of course the "official" NHL stats say he's over 6 ft... if that is the case then so am I.

* Quite game in terms of the rough stuff which was a bit surprising.  Both teams were physical with the Jackets throwing 36 hits to the Stars 35.  Marc Methot led the way for the Jackets with 6 thumpers.

* Speaking of hits -- but I think I saw Jake Voracek throw a hit.  In fact he was credited with two of em.

* Lots of chatter about that Kovalchuk trade -- Oduya is a nice player but thought they'd would get a higher price tag.  Thrasher's GM Don Wadell must have some dirt on someone in Atlanta to keep his job as long as he has.  As I mentioned via twitter last night that probably close the kind of return Rick Nash would have gotten if he didn't re-sign this summer.

RED
* Giving up that late goal to kill the shutout and put Jackets fans back on the edge.

* Not one PP for the Jackets.  C'mon - the Stars weren't perfect.

3 BRIGHT LIGHTS ON THE NIGHT
1 Noel's debut and first 'W' as an NHL coach
2. Umberger diving empty netter.
3. Mase looked good

A nice start to Noel's interim coaching career and a congrats and his first "W".

Not to end on a sour note but what I really don't want to happen is for Noel to win a bunch of games and this franchise not go through a thourough coaching search.  Again that 10 game bump with a new coach can be a mirage.  For me I'll judge his performance based on how the team plays the last 10 games over the first 10.  That will be a truer barometer of how focused he can keep them when all they will be truly playing for is tee times.

...and I couldn't resist that headline!!

-LTL

Hello LTLers,

Well, as you know, it's been an interesting last 22 hours, to say the least.

I wanted to allow our own LTL's incredible post to get your attention before I decided to post my recent article.

I believe you'll see it pretty much echoes his sentiment.

As I mention (in the article), you can't meet a nicer, more respective, classy guy than Hitch, nor could you meet a finer ambassador than him.  I speak for LTL and his crew when we wish him nothing but the best, and thank him for all he did. 

As LTL and I discussed, and as I indicate in the article, I have mixed/melancholy feelings about this.

I will also say, as I do in the article, that this stinks at other levels of the organization - and don't (you) believe, for a minute, that Hitch should be held out as the scapegoat.

As they say in Latin, personna non grata - conspicuous by its absence.  So, what does that mean?

Remember what an abomination of an organization this was, when Hitch came in.  The fact that his overall record was above .500 is well, more than .100 than any coach, prior to his arrival.  So, while he did so many puzzling, inconsistent things, let's not forget what it was like, before him

OK, without any further ado, here is the article:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/339066-ken-hitchcock-has-been-fired-the-aftermath

- Mase1 

Just received word from Matt the Mask that Hitch will be interviewed on 97.1 The Fan @ 2:40 today.

If you aren't by a radio you can listen live online by following this link.

-LTL