Jackets clinch playoff spot

by James Mirtle on Apr 8, 2009 10:27 PM CDT

Columbus just downed the Blackhawks in a shootout, ending one of the longest playoff-less droughts in NHL history. They needed only a point to clinch, and got it after Rick Nash scored a beauty late in the third to tie the game.

Fedor Tyutin's shootout winner wasn't too shabby either.

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Awesome to hear. It was such a shame to see a seemingly good hockey city like Columbus not be rewarded with the mystique of the playoffs. Let’s hope this is the start of something good for the Blue Jackets from here on in.

Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell

by bkblades on Apr 8, 2009 10:30 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed. I feel the exact same way. Those fans who have stuck it out (and I know that they’re there and are as supportive as any other NHL city) deserve it.

Shut up when you're talking to me!

by Afino on Apr 9, 2009 7:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Huzzah to the Blue Jackets!

I agree. I would like to see this a sign of good things to come for the franchise.

I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!

by R_Adragna on Apr 8, 2009 11:53 PM CDT reply actions

When you add the two playoff-less years of the Cleveland Barons in the 1970s, it took 10 tries for the state of Ohio to be blessed with the glory of the NHL playoffs.

I don’t get the sense that Hitchcock will let this group be “just happy to be there”.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Apr 8, 2009 11:55 PM CDT reply actions

Good for them.I look forward to seeing what they can do with it.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 9, 2009 7:03 AM CDT reply actions

Good on them!

Experiencing the intensity and fun of playoff hockey, especially if they have some success, should help solidify and hopefully build their fanbase. As an Ottawa fan, I’m actually a bit jealous…

by ningwers on Apr 9, 2009 9:44 AM CDT reply actions

Me too

But the two former Ottawa Senators are pretty happy I expect.

by hockeycountry on Apr 9, 2009 11:39 AM CDT reply actions

And Mike Commodore

I can’t wait for his beard.

Shut up when you're talking to me!

by Afino on Apr 9, 2009 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I forgot he was a Senator too….I guess that should read ESPECIALLY Mike Commodore.

Shut up when you're talking to me!

by Afino on Apr 9, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

This scenario of the BJ’s breaking into the playoffs for the first time sort of reminds me of all the feel good stories coming out of Atlanta….Hopefully Columbus ends the similiarities when the post-season games start playing.

by Hooks Orpik on Apr 9, 2009 3:07 PM CDT reply actions

Well, now that Doug Maclean is stuck on Sportsnet, I don’t think the Blue Jackets have to worry about dumb front office decisions like the Thrashers did. Also, it’s not like they mortgaged any future stars just to squeak into the playoffs like Atlanta did a couple of years ago.

by kevincrumbs on Apr 9, 2009 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Thrashers

If i remember right they overpaid significantly for a rental just to get themselves into the playoffs (Tkatchuk?) which ended up being the reason they have sucked ever since.

The 2008-2009 Colorado Avalanche: Slumpbusters

by Jibblescribbits on Apr 9, 2009 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions

That trade wasn’t the real stinker. Coburn for Zhitnik was. Plus, they traded for Pascal Dupuis by giving up another of their recent first rounders (Bourret), which either reflects poor drafting or poor trading… or both.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Apr 9, 2009 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions