A New Level of Frustration for the Blue Jackets

By Rick Gethin

 

     “We have given up our faith in humanity and we’re hanging on to our faith that they will get a win” ~Maple Leafs fan Jen Dennis

 

     The many Maple Leafs fans that made the trek down to Columbus had their faith rewarded as Toronto schooled the Blue Jackets 6-3. On an evening that made the hometown club look like a road team, the air went out of Nationwide Arena early and never was given a chance to return. There were no excuses given by the skaters after this embarrassing loss; only puzzlement shown on the long faces in the locker room.

     Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock showed the same frustration as the players; “I’ve got to take responsibility for the way we played today,” he said. “We’ve had similar games like this where we’ve been very careless with the puck.” If his hair could turn any whiter, I’m sure that it would have by now. He seems to have come to the crux of the biscuit in regards to this team and this season; everyone’s not bought in to the system known as “Hitch Hockey”. Said the coach, “I think the thing for me that’s disappointing is I don’t have the whole group bought in, and that’s my responsibilty. I don’t have the whole group bought in to the way you have to play to be successful in the Nation Hockey League. The way you have to manage the puck is difficult because you’ve got to be strong in certain areas anad I haven’t got the guys to buy in to that yet.” As the coach is fond of reminding everyone who will listen, work over skill will win the game. He’s harped on this very issue since the opening days of the season. Yet, it seems to have not reached everyone’s cerebral cortex.

     At times, watching the game was painful. They gave up many odd-man rushes and made alot of tired mistakes. They were also guilty of trying to force the puck when they shouldn’t have. As the coach said, “tonight was careless”. Defenseman Mike Commodore echoed these thoughts. “By no means did we play very well,” he said. “We got away from what our gameplan was.” What I would like to know is this; why are they getting away from the gameplan? If they know what it is, why are they having so much difficulty executing it? Even though this was the 9th game played in the last 15 days, not one person used it as an excuse. Every team is playing a condensed schedule because of the Olympic break in February; so consequently, every team is playing tired. I know that I’ve cautioned having patience, and it still holds true. These mistakes need to be fixed and more practice won’t do the trick. All of the players need to buy in because the next game is right around the corner.

Rick Gethin is the Associate Editor of The Hockey Writers and also the Columbus Blue Jackets correspondent.

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