Jackets Win 2 Road Games in a Row: Gretzky Throws Clipboard

If you're like many CBJ fans, knowing the team is out of the playoff picture is pretty discouraging to tuning in for the games. However, if you took that attitude this past weekend, you missed out.

The Jackets went on a two game stomp of the south, beating the Stars 3-2 in a shutout, then topping Phoenix 4-3. The shootout victory, a rare occurance for the Jackets came just days (or hours?) after this article in the Dispatch described Hitch's new practice of holding shootout try-outs for the team in an effort to always have the best, hottest shooters leading the overtime charge- not the go-to shooters of Nash, Vyborny, and Zherdev. I never found any follow-up of this tryout system, but let's just say that it was Chimera who fired the winning shoot-out goal to topple the Stars on Friday.

Saturday's game in Phoenix was a fantastic display of skill by the entire CBJ roster. Brian Boucher had his first start for Columbus, despite not yet having proper CBJ goalie gear. He had a few troubles staying in position and gave up far too many rebounds, but the Jackets prevailed.

Perhaps one of the more noteworthy moments from this game occurred just seconds from the final horn. With approximately three seconds left to play, the teams went to a face-off in the neutral zone. Phoenix Coyotes Head Coach Wayne Gretzky disagreed with the call and believed the face-off should have been held in Columbus ice, thereby giving the Coyotes a last second attempt at a 6 on 5 play, and a potential game-tying goal. Gretzky through a fit, yelling some choice four letter words at the refs and throwing his clipboard. He caused such a scene that there was serious potential for him to be called on a delay of game penalty. The penalty was not issued, however, and the Jackets easily held on to win the game.

Fire Sale 2007: The Aftermath

It's over- the trade deadline was yesterday at 3:00. As I watched TSN's tradecenter tracker, a few more trades trickled in after the deadline- more likely due to slow reporting, not illegitimate transactions. For the complete list of transactions, including waivers, call-ups and trades check it out TSN.

Arguably the biggest trade of the day came in right at the buzzer. Edmonton traded Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders for Nilsson, Omara and their 2007 1st round pick. I was surprised and pleased by this transaction. Ryan Smyth was the star of the Oiler squad. After much of their defense departed following their Stanley Cup Finals run last year, Smyth was the dominant force on the team. Trading him truly demonstrates how far Edmonton has fallen since last season's playoffs. Covered in Oil expressed their woes for the departed Smyth in several posts. I can imagine that most fans feel the same way. I don't mind Smyth heading to the Eastern Conference though- he has done a number on our Jackets. It seems like every game he plays against Columbus he manages a point or two. With him securely on the east coast, he shouldn't give us any more problems for a while. After all, we play those teams what, once every third season?

As for the Jackets, only four transactions took place that were worth mentioning on national media. There was one or two moves by Syracuse (the CBJ AHL affiliate) but nothing substantial. For a great evaluation of what MacLean and crew were up against this trade deadline, check out Drew's take at End of the Bench.

Anson Carter - Traded to Carolina for a 2008 5th round pick.
Ty Conklin - Traded to Buffalo to back up Miller (Biron was traded to the Flyers earlier yesterday) for a 2007 5th round pick.
Brian Berard - Placed on waivers. Despite MacLean's best efforts, he can't seem to get rid of this defenseman. Anyone can claim him from waivers.
Brian Boucher - The Jackets grabbed this former Blackhawk goalie off of waivers to fill in the 3rd goalie spot. He's the only addition to the roster, and he's only here because the Jackets needed somebody to fill in Conklin's place.

So the Jackets opened up some salary room for what we can only hope to be some big signings this offseason. I'd really like to see the Jackets pick up a big time player or two- ideally a #1 center and a power #1 defenseman. I can dream, right? There's a bunch of players on waivers right now that have performed better than many CBJ skaters this season. Barring a plague of injuries, or an exceptional opportunity on waivers, I doubt we'll see the Jackets pick up anyone new before summer.