Bethanys Hockey Rants http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/ en BethanyM85@gmail.com Copyright 2009 2009-07-01T05:12:23-05:00 http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhrhttp://www.kuklaskorner.com/images/uploads/kklogobox.gifKukla's Korner Rook and UFA Season! http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/rook_and_ufa_season/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/rook_and_ufa_season/ So much has happened with the Blue Jackets, and I promise to get all caught up this week as my life has decided to calm down for a bit.  Free agency starts tomorrow and there are a few items of business to take care of before I hop into that mess. First of all the Blue Jackets have been blessed with a new goaltending coach, David Rook.  Steve Mason of course is thrilled to have Rook apart of the organization.  “If I’m playing poorly, he will not hesitate to tell me to pick up my game,” Mason said. “When things aren’t going well, he has been able to get me out of the rut.” That’s a good thing for the Jackets.  Last season as Mason struggled to find his form, and having a goaltenders coach who has a history with Mason will certainly help. Clint Malarchuk, Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Ole-Kristian-Tollefsen, Rick-Nash, Steve-Mason So much has happened with the Blue Jackets, and I promise to get all caught up this week as my life has decided to calm down for a bit.  Free agency starts tomorrow and there are a few items of business to take care of before I hop into that mess.

First of all the Blue Jackets have been blessed with a new goaltending coach, David Rook.  Steve Mason of course is thrilled to have Rook apart of the organization. 

“If I’m playing poorly, he will not hesitate to tell me to pick up my game,” Mason said. “When things aren’t going well, he has been able to get me out of the rut.”

That’s a good thing for the Jackets.  Last season as Mason struggled to find his form, and having a goaltenders coach who has a history with Mason will certainly help.

Continue reading "Rook and UFA Season!"

]]> 2009-07-01T05:12:23-05:00 Bethany Sin Tax…and the Jackets http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/sin_taxand_the_jackets/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/sin_taxand_the_jackets/ The Blue Jackets had five bloggers get together yesterday for a roundtable discussion.  I was lucky enough to be asked to go to the meeting and to have Senior Vice President of the Blue Jackets, Greg Kirstein, explain the entire situation to us in regards to the sin tax (the tax on alcohol and cigarettes), and the exact situation that is happening with the Blue Jackets.  Mike Priest is currently on vacation which was why he was not there meeting with us. I am not a resident of Columbus or Franklin County so the ‘sin tax’ has nothing to do with me...except my team is involved. Columbus-Blue-Jackets The Blue Jackets had five bloggers get together yesterday for a roundtable discussion.  I was lucky enough to be asked to go to the meeting and to have Senior Vice President of the Blue Jackets, Greg Kirstein, explain the entire situation to us in regards to the sin tax (the tax on alcohol and cigarettes), and the exact situation that is happening with the Blue Jackets.  Mike Priest is currently on vacation which was why he was not there meeting with us.

I am not a resident of Columbus or Franklin County so the ‘sin tax’ has nothing to do with me...except my team is involved.

Continue reading "Sin Tax…and the Jackets"

]]> 2009-06-04T03:03:45-05:00 Bethany Off Season is Slow http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/off_season_is_slow/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/off_season_is_slow/ With the Blue Jackets out of the playoffs it’s hard to blog when...well there’s not a lot to say and it’s quite boring. Talks with Manny Malhotra are underway, Howson has made Manny the priority UFA for the Jackets...personally I was thinking Williams first, but again, I’m not the general manager of this hockey club. Malhotra has been with the Jackets since the 2003-2004 season.  He’s a leader on the team and he and his family are comfortable here.  Aaron Portzline thinks it will be a three-year deal at about $5 million...but again, you never know with these contracts. Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Manny-Malhotra With the Blue Jackets out of the playoffs it’s hard to blog when...well there’s not a lot to say and it’s quite boring.

Talks with Manny Malhotra are underway, Howson has made Manny the priority UFA for the Jackets...personally I was thinking Williams first, but again, I’m not the general manager of this hockey club.

Malhotra has been with the Jackets since the 2003-2004 season.  He’s a leader on the team and he and his family are comfortable here.  Aaron Portzline thinks it will be a three-year deal at about $5 million...but again, you never know with these contracts.

Continue reading "Off Season is Slow"

]]> 2009-05-19T02:49:16-05:00 Bethany Updates from the CBJ World http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/updates_from_the_cbj_world/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/updates_from_the_cbj_world/ So much to report on in the world of the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Most importantly, Ryan Salmons passed away on Friday, May, 1, he was only 19 years old.  The news hit me like a ton of bricks. After the Jackets signed him I had the opportunity to meet Ryan twice, he was such a strong person, and is such a hero.  Ryan was a huge part of the Blue Jackets, many of the fans including myself, got behind Ryan, and cheered him on, we grew attached to him. Ryan had the opportunity to see both of the Blue Jackets home playoff games.  He will never know how many people he touched in his short life, but I am so thankful that his family allowed us to get to know him. Columbus-Blue-Jackets So much to report on in the world of the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Most importantly, Ryan Salmons passed away on Friday, May, 1, he was only 19 years old.  The news hit me like a ton of bricks. After the Jackets signed him I had the opportunity to meet Ryan twice, he was such a strong person, and is such a hero.  Ryan was a huge part of the Blue Jackets, many of the fans including myself, got behind Ryan, and cheered him on, we grew attached to him.

Ryan had the opportunity to see both of the Blue Jackets home playoff games.  He will never know how many people he touched in his short life, but I am so thankful that his family allowed us to get to know him.

Continue reading "Updates from the CBJ World"

]]> 2009-05-08T03:15:50-05:00 Bethany Mason and More http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/mason_and_more/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/mason_and_more/ So, while I was on my short hiatus Steve Mason was nominated for the Vezina Trophy.  Steve Mason, the rookie who lead the way for the Blue Jackets to enter in their first ever playoff.  Wow.  Mason is also nominated for the Calder.  While I am pretty sure that Tim Thomas will be taking home the Vezina, it’s great to see Mason recognized for what he accomplished this season. “It’s an unbelievable honor,” Mason said. “When you look around the NHL and see the type of goaltenders who play in the league ... to be considered in the top three is really special. “I know I couldn’t have done it without the players around me and without the opportunity (coach Ken Hitchcock) and (general manager Scott Howson) gave me this season.” Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Steve-Mason So, while I was on my short hiatus Steve Mason was nominated for the Vezina Trophy.  Steve Mason, the rookie who lead the way for the Blue Jackets to enter in their first ever playoff.  Wow.  Mason is also nominated for the Calder.  While I am pretty sure that Tim Thomas will be taking home the Vezina, it’s great to see Mason recognized for what he accomplished this season.

“It’s an unbelievable honor,” Mason said. “When you look around the NHL and see the type of goaltenders who play in the league ... to be considered in the top three is really special.

“I know I couldn’t have done it without the players around me and without the opportunity (coach Ken Hitchcock) and (general manager Scott Howson) gave me this season.”

Continue reading "Mason and More"

]]> 2009-04-29T00:41:55-05:00 Bethany And that is that… http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/and_that_is_that/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/and_that_is_that/ My cousin (the Preds fan) asked me on the way home if I had to choose getting swept in the playoffs or just not making it at all which would I choose. Without thinking I chose getting swept in the playoffs.  The Columbus Blue Jackets earned their spot and while we had an extremely short run, it was amazing. The Jackets came to play tonight, and they were able to come back to tie the game...twice. The crowd was amazing, almost deafening at times, they got behind the Jackets and pushed them to be better. Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Detroit-Red-Wings My cousin (the Preds fan) asked me on the way home if I had to choose getting swept in the playoffs or just not making it at all which would I choose.

Without thinking I chose getting swept in the playoffs.  The Columbus Blue Jackets earned their spot and while we had an extremely short run, it was amazing.

The Jackets came to play tonight, and they were able to come back to tie the game...twice.

The crowd was amazing, almost deafening at times, they got behind the Jackets and pushed them to be better.

Continue reading "And that is that…"

]]> 2009-04-24T04:00:51-05:00 Bethany Do or Die http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/do_or_die/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/do_or_die/ That’s the situation the Blue Jackets are in tonight as the puck drops on game four.  The Blue Jackets have only scored two goals in this series, both courtesy of RJ Umberger. Game three was the best I’ve seen the Jackets play in the playoffs, but again they came up short, and well, it was quite the depressing scene.  The building was set to go crazy if the Blue Jackets got into the game. Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Detroit-Red-Wings That’s the situation the Blue Jackets are in tonight as the puck drops on game four. 

The Blue Jackets have only scored two goals in this series, both courtesy of RJ Umberger.

Game three was the best I’ve seen the Jackets play in the playoffs, but again they came up short, and well, it was quite the depressing scene.  The building was set to go crazy if the Blue Jackets got into the game.

Continue reading "Do or Die"

]]> 2009-04-23T16:30:05-05:00 Bethany I need to sleep on this… http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/i_need_to_sleep_on_this/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/i_need_to_sleep_on_this/ Jackets are down 0-3 in the series, I am down with the plague it seems like, and quite frankly I can’t put this game into words yet...but here, enjoy Commodore spending some time in the Red Wings bench. Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Detroit-Red-Wings Jackets are down 0-3 in the series, I am down with the plague it seems like, and quite frankly I can’t put this game into words yet...but here, enjoy Commodore spending some time in the Red Wings bench.

]]> 2009-04-22T02:21:35-05:00 Bethany Is Vermette the answer? http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/is_vermette_the_answer/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/is_vermette_the_answer/ Vermette practiced on the top line with Rick Nash on his right and Huselius on his left.  I suppose we will see tomorrow if it’s going to pay off.  If I am thinking on a level as a coach...we need the offense and this is something to spark the offense.  With my thinking I’m not one for rewarding a player who isn’t playing well and Vermette hasn’t played well this series.  Of course if they score some goals tomorrow then I will just eat my words. Vermette has the speed and the skill to play with Nash and Juice, and that’s why we brought him in. Tomorrow night the Blue Jackets play their first ever HOME playoff game.  Nationwide has always been kind to the Blue Jackets, and hopefully it will remain the same tomorrow. Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Detroit-Red-Wings, Rick-Nash Vermette practiced on the top line with Rick Nash on his right and Huselius on his left.  I suppose we will see tomorrow if it’s going to pay off.  If I am thinking on a level as a coach...we need the offense and this is something to spark the offense.  With my thinking I’m not one for rewarding a player who isn’t playing well and Vermette hasn’t played well this series.  Of course if they score some goals tomorrow then I will just eat my words.

Vermette has the speed and the skill to play with Nash and Juice, and that’s why we brought him in.

Tomorrow night the Blue Jackets play their first ever HOME playoff game.  Nationwide has always been kind to the Blue Jackets, and hopefully it will remain the same tomorrow.

Continue reading "Is Vermette the answer?"

]]> 2009-04-21T01:42:00-05:00 Bethany I’m not a homer… http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/im_not_a_homer/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/im_not_a_homer/ And I can admit when the Blue Jackets play like crap and they did tonight.  And, well I’m not a big fan of this.  I mean really?  That’s like something Sean Avery would do. The only bright spot on the night was Derek Dorsett, and that is sad.  Rick Nash didn’t show up.  He played a little over 16 minutes, Dorsett a little under 10, I would have felt better if Dorsett was out there If we want to win a game, yeah that’s right I said A meaning ONE game, our best players have to be our best players and they simply weren’t tonight. Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Derek-Dorsett, Detroit-Red-Wings And I can admit when the Blue Jackets play like crap and they did tonight. 

And, well I’m not a big fan of this.  I mean really?  That’s like something Sean Avery would do.

The only bright spot on the night was Derek Dorsett, and that is sad.  Rick Nash didn’t show up.  He played a little over 16 minutes, Dorsett a little under 10, I would have felt better if Dorsett was out there

If we want to win a game, yeah that’s right I said A meaning ONE game, our best players have to be our best players and they simply weren’t tonight.

Continue reading "I’m not a homer…"

]]> 2009-04-19T02:08:43-05:00 Bethany Uhm, well…okay. http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/uhm_wellokay/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/uhm_wellokay/ Ah, I have been chompin at the bit to get on here and blog about the Blue Jackets first playoff game, and now a day later I finally get to. I suppose the game has two different parts to it.  The first half where the Blue Jackets played the way they were supposed to and the second half when they shut it down for the night and made some mistakes (I’m looking at you Manny and your butt Hejda) and a tied playoff hockey game was soon a 3-1 game, which then became a 4-1 hockey game. Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Detroit-Red-Wings Ah, I have been chompin at the bit to get on here and blog about the Blue Jackets first playoff game, and now a day later I finally get to.

I suppose the game has two different parts to it.  The first half where the Blue Jackets played the way they were supposed to and the second half when they shut it down for the night and made some mistakes (I’m looking at you Manny and your butt Hejda) and a tied playoff hockey game was soon a 3-1 game, which then became a 4-1 hockey game.

Continue reading "Uhm, well…okay."

]]> 2009-04-18T03:04:14-05:00 Bethany Game Day! http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/game_day/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/game_day/ It’s the day that Blue Jackets fans have waited eight seasons for. It’s a game that I would give my right foot to be at. Instead I’m having a gathering at my house to cheer on the Jackets as they enter their first playoff game. Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Detroit-Red-Wings It’s the day that Blue Jackets fans have waited eight seasons for.

It’s a game that I would give my right foot to be at.

Instead I’m having a gathering at my house to cheer on the Jackets as they enter their first playoff game.

Continue reading "Game Day!"

]]> 2009-04-16T19:58:25-05:00 Bethany Why not us?! http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/why_not_us/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/why_not_us/ As I sit here watching the Penguins and the Flyers game, I am getting anxious for the game tomorrow. You know the first EVER playoff game that the Columbus Blue Jackets have ever played. We’re the underdog, but stat of the day courtesy of Light the Lamp: “Since Colorado in 2002, no defending Stanley Cup champion has got past the first round of the playoffs. Holland chalks it up to parity across the NHL and motivation.” Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Detroit-Red-Wings As I sit here watching the Penguins and the Flyers game, I am getting anxious for the game tomorrow.

You know the first EVER playoff game that the Columbus Blue Jackets have ever played.

We’re the underdog, but stat of the day courtesy of Light the Lamp:

“Since Colorado in 2002, no defending Stanley Cup champion has got past the first round of the playoffs. Holland chalks it up to parity across the NHL and motivation.”

Continue reading "Why not us?!"

]]> 2009-04-16T02:57:42-05:00 Bethany Good News! http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/good_news/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/good_news/ Fredrik Modin might be back for game one against Detroit.  Kristian Huselius is ready to go, and don’t hold your breath but Derick Brassard MIGHT be back as soon as game 3. That’s a lot of fire power.  If Brass is back by game 3, I expect the return of the goat line, you remember that one with Voracek and Chimera. I am so ready for the series to start it’s getting a little ridiculous.  My tickets for game four came in the mail today and I carried them around with me and showed them to whoever would look. Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Derick-Brassard, Detroit-Red-Wings, Fredrik-Modin Fredrik Modin might be back for game one against Detroit.  Kristian Huselius is ready to go, and don’t hold your breath but Derick Brassard MIGHT be back as soon as game 3.

That’s a lot of fire power.  If Brass is back by game 3, I expect the return of the goat line, you remember that one with Voracek and Chimera.

I am so ready for the series to start it’s getting a little ridiculous.  My tickets for game four came in the mail today and I carried them around with me and showed them to whoever would look.

Continue reading "Good News!"

]]> 2009-04-14T02:27:42-05:00 Bethany Wings? Well, okay then. http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/wings_well_okay_then/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/wings_well_okay_then/ We have an opponent, and well, we know the enemy really well. We played them six times this season, we beat them 8-2 the last time we played them in the Joe. It’s the Detroit Red Wings. Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Detroit-Red-Wings We have an opponent, and well, we know the enemy really well.

We played them six times this season, we beat them 8-2 the last time we played them in the Joe.

It’s the Detroit Red Wings.

Continue reading "Wings? Well, okay then."

]]> 2009-04-13T03:41:23-05:00 Bethany Commodore To Bust Out the Robe http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/commod/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/commod/ It’s amazing how a little thing like your team making it to the Stanley Cup playoffs can change your attitude in a split second.  First thing I did when I woke up - grabbed the blackberry, and checked the standings, just to be sure that the little ‘x’ was there. It was.  I think I may have cried some more, but that doesn’t matter.  All that matters is that we’re in the playoffs, and Mike Commodore is going to debut his robe in the dressing room Saturday night. Chicago-Blackhawks, Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Mike-Commodore It’s amazing how a little thing like your team making it to the Stanley Cup playoffs can change your attitude in a split second. 

First thing I did when I woke up - grabbed the blackberry, and checked the standings, just to be sure that the little ‘x’ was there.

It was.  I think I may have cried some more, but that doesn’t matter. 

All that matters is that we’re in the playoffs, and Mike Commodore is going to debut his robe in the dressing room Saturday night.

Continue reading "Commodore To Bust Out the Robe"

]]> 2009-04-10T03:52:20-05:00 Bethany They Got the ‘x’ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/they_got_the_x/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/they_got_the_x/ And the win. I am speechless.  Thank you Mr. Mac for bringing the team to Columbus, it’s playoff time. Wow, more on the game tomorrow.  Congrats to the Blue Jackets, enjoy this fans.  We’re making history! Chicago-Blackhawks, Columbus-Blue-Jackets And the win.

I am speechless.  Thank you Mr. Mac for bringing the team to Columbus, it’s playoff time.

Wow, more on the game tomorrow.  Congrats to the Blue Jackets, enjoy this fans.  We’re making history!

]]> 2009-04-09T03:14:35-05:00 Bethany One Point Away! http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/one_point_away/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/one_point_away/ If the Blue Jackets are able to get one point out of this game tonight, for the first time ever, the Columbus Blue Jackets will clinch a playoff spot. The Blackhawks are coming off a big win in Nashville, but don’t expect them to come out and take it easy on us. Just like the game on Sunday, we have to play our hardest, and we need to get two points, instead of just one. Chicago-Blackhawks, Columbus-Blue-Jackets If the Blue Jackets are able to get one point out of this game tonight, for the first time ever, the Columbus Blue Jackets will clinch a playoff spot.

The Blackhawks are coming off a big win in Nashville, but don’t expect them to come out and take it easy on us.

Just like the game on Sunday, we have to play our hardest, and we need to get two points, instead of just one.

Continue reading "One Point Away!"

]]> 2009-04-08T15:32:54-05:00 Bethany Three Games Left http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/three_games_left/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/three_games_left/ Well with Huselius out...for at least Wednesday.  The Jackets have a lot of offense to make up. I think they can win these last three games, but the have to stay focused and play smart. The lines, as usual get a shake up due to the injuries. Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Derick-Brassard, Hockey, Scott-Howson Well with Huselius out...for at least Wednesday.  The Jackets have a lot of offense to make up.

I think they can win these last three games, but the have to stay focused and play smart.

The lines, as usual get a shake up due to the injuries.

Continue reading "Three Games Left"

]]> 2009-04-08T02:26:14-05:00 Bethany CBJ Weekend http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/cbj_weekend/ http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/comments/cbj_weekend/ What a weekened!  Friday I packed up and headed down to Nashville to watch the Jackets take on the Preds. While I was down there I got to meet up with What the Puck and Forechecker, and of course some of my favorite Jackets fans! The game was great, the Jackets had a chance to win being up 3-1 but the Jackets were IN Nashville so the Preds tied it up and then scored a fourth goal.  Thankfully Williams tied it up, but of course the Blue Jackets lost in a shootout. Chicago-Blackhawks, Columbus-Blue-Jackets, Nashville-Predators What a weekened!  Friday I packed up and headed down to Nashville to watch the Jackets take on the Preds.

While I was down there I got to meet up with What the Puck and Forechecker, and of course some of my favorite Jackets fans!

The game was great, the Jackets had a chance to win being up 3-1 but the Jackets were IN Nashville so the Preds tied it up and then scored a fourth goal.  Thankfully Williams tied it up, but of course the Blue Jackets lost in a shootout.

Continue reading "CBJ Weekend"

]]> 2009-04-06T03:21:56-05:00 Bethany