Post by Phil - Blue Jackets on Mar 30, 2009 14:37:49 GMT -5
Once again the Blue Jackets were forced into a low seed despite their above average and excellent offensive and goaltending numbers respectively. When interviewed at the start of the playoffs Captain Mike Richards had this to say, "We've been here before. We've been the underdog and overcome. The important thing is making it to the playoffs. That's where a scrappy and grinding club like ours can really flourish." And flourish they have. After a touchy but in the end clear win over the Flames, the Blue Jackets moved on to their nemesis the San Jose Sharks where they took one more step towards that elusive NAFHL championship.
The Sharks and Jackets are no strangers to one another. Every regular season matchup is rought with intense jarring and bitterness. Even closely matched, however, The Sharks are developing a trend of being the Blue Jackets' whipping boys. "The Sharks are tough," said Niklas Backstrom, "they have a lot of weapons and some talent in net. If we play our game, I think we can come out on top." And play their game they did. While Columbus maintained most of the week what looked like a dominant victory on paper, the Sharks were keeping the matchup very close. It once again came down to the final day and more specifically, goaltending. With Luongo posting an impressive shutout against Chicago and Tim Thomas going 45/48, Backstrom was equal to the task allowing 2 goals on 33 shots, securing Columbus Victory and staving off the Shark onslaught. When interviewed after the game, the Columbus netminder had this to say, "I'd like to take credit, but the real hero is Ryan. He toughed it out and came back just when we needed him. Those two victories were key." Columbus once again took down the alleged masters of the NAFHL universe, San Jose Sharks, for the second year in a row.
With those two obstacles behind them, Columbus looks forward to their matchup with the next NAFHL heavyweight, Ottawa Senators. Head Coach Phil Hawley had this to say about his club's final test on the road to the cup, "Ottawa is gonna be our toughest challenge yet. They know what to do with the puck and get solid play from their netminders every night. It's gonna come down to a battle of wills. We can skate with them and I think we match up pretty well." Look, I know that's the regualr party line, but can Columbus really take down a team that, over the regular season has the edge in nearly every statistical category? When asked, Kyle Okposo responded, "We can do it. Sure they have some big flashy names on that roster, but we can put the biscuit in the basket with the best of 'em. We've had a gamerplan all year. We just need to stick to it and make them [The Senators] make the adjustments." This reporter for one has learned not to underestimate this group of go-getters. They can skate and score with the big dogs. They're not afraid to go a man or two down, drop the gloves, and they have one of, if not the best, goalie tandems in the league. They've been here before and know what it takes, something the Senators can not claim for themselves.
Bruno Juwanomaki - The Columbus Dispatch
The Sharks and Jackets are no strangers to one another. Every regular season matchup is rought with intense jarring and bitterness. Even closely matched, however, The Sharks are developing a trend of being the Blue Jackets' whipping boys. "The Sharks are tough," said Niklas Backstrom, "they have a lot of weapons and some talent in net. If we play our game, I think we can come out on top." And play their game they did. While Columbus maintained most of the week what looked like a dominant victory on paper, the Sharks were keeping the matchup very close. It once again came down to the final day and more specifically, goaltending. With Luongo posting an impressive shutout against Chicago and Tim Thomas going 45/48, Backstrom was equal to the task allowing 2 goals on 33 shots, securing Columbus Victory and staving off the Shark onslaught. When interviewed after the game, the Columbus netminder had this to say, "I'd like to take credit, but the real hero is Ryan. He toughed it out and came back just when we needed him. Those two victories were key." Columbus once again took down the alleged masters of the NAFHL universe, San Jose Sharks, for the second year in a row.
With those two obstacles behind them, Columbus looks forward to their matchup with the next NAFHL heavyweight, Ottawa Senators. Head Coach Phil Hawley had this to say about his club's final test on the road to the cup, "Ottawa is gonna be our toughest challenge yet. They know what to do with the puck and get solid play from their netminders every night. It's gonna come down to a battle of wills. We can skate with them and I think we match up pretty well." Look, I know that's the regualr party line, but can Columbus really take down a team that, over the regular season has the edge in nearly every statistical category? When asked, Kyle Okposo responded, "We can do it. Sure they have some big flashy names on that roster, but we can put the biscuit in the basket with the best of 'em. We've had a gamerplan all year. We just need to stick to it and make them [The Senators] make the adjustments." This reporter for one has learned not to underestimate this group of go-getters. They can skate and score with the big dogs. They're not afraid to go a man or two down, drop the gloves, and they have one of, if not the best, goalie tandems in the league. They've been here before and know what it takes, something the Senators can not claim for themselves.
Bruno Juwanomaki - The Columbus Dispatch