Outlaw Stars shut down Jackets
Penalty ridden game give 3-2 loss to Columbus

By Giles Kennedy, Columbus Wired Contributing Columnist

Imagine if you will an old spaghetti western scene showing a Canadian-born marshal named MacLean shaking his head after all his best deputies are either in jail or dead. Then, a young man named Modano with an ivory handled pistol walks up to him. He appears to start to gun him down. MacLean stands there; standing his ground…gets grazed by a bullet on the cheek. Modano goes, “See ya next time.” Wahhha. Wah, wah, wah.

That is an interpretation of a nightmare probably faced by Blue Jackets head coach and loyal Jackets fans after the 3-2 loss to Dallas Saturday night.

Between the butterflies in Darryl Sydor’s stomach facing his old mates and the Stars getting grilled like Porterhouse steak 4-0 by Detroit the night before the Jackets knew this was not going to be an easy task.

The first period saw no score, but a lot of bar-room brawling worthy of John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. Our own enforcer Jody Shelley stood the home ice with Dallas’ John Erskine at 6:38. Shelley has been clean for two straight games without fisticuffs and was itching to get it going. Shortly after face-off David Ling defended the honor of the CBJ ranch against Steve Ott, timing in at 6:40. That got the hometown crowd on their feet real quick and showed the bullying outlaws that we can be as physical as them.

Later on the 1st, the rogue from Dallas Trevor Daley speared, sticked and everything else for an interference/obstruction call at 11:39.

Dallas Goalie Marty Turco stated about Daley’s first game he showed great poise in play. Marty’s a nice guy in all, but I beg to differ. Daley, Mike Modano, and others were frustrated with the tough play Columbus gave, penalties came like manna. Marty stated, “It’s tough to play when you have to kill penalties.”

12 penalties for Dallas compared to Columbus’ 5 calls. Dallas’ Richard Matvichuk tripped one of our boys while Mike “Penalty Box” Modano hooked at the very same time, 12:58. As a way to get the crowd up, the PA guys posted a mug shot of Modano repeatedly throughout the game. Boos ensued every time the picture displayed.

Rolling, rolling, rolling (Hum the theme to Rawhide with me!) into the 2nd period. Rick Nash! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Brampton cowboy slammed another goal in for our home posse and his 5th goal of the season.

It was a show of great puck handling by Nash and deputies David Vybrony and Andrew Cassells. It looked more like a ricochet shot. Puck shot from David to Andrew, bouncing off a Stars skate, with Nash picking up the biscuit into the basket, 6:23. Yippkayaaa, partner! 1-0, Jackets advantage.

Again, a slug fest ensued in the Nationwide Corral when David Ling and Steve Ott locked horns again at 4:55 in the 2nd. Ott’s vicious elbow to the mouth. Later, Mike Modano decided break a stick over David’s lumbar. Mike earned a total of 12 minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct and misconduct. What’s the difference? Unsportsmanlike conduct is a minor violation such as roughing a ref, slamming someone to the goal. Misconduct is breaking objects over person’s heads, endangering an opponent. Sort of the WWE violation if you will. Ling earned a time out fighting back with only a roughing call.

MacLean stated this was one of the many things he saw that was uncalled for during the game and that this certain incident would be brought to the attention of the NHL bosses in New York. “We played unbelievably hard and a very solid game. We are missing a lot of players, “ he said.

Later in the second, Dallas had Niko Kapanen and Bill Guerin earned their way to hockey jail. Niko slashed his way at 6:07. Bill still having a grudge with David Ling and a couple others earned a high stick and unsportsmanlike conduct at 15:46.

Going into the 3rd, the fans were hoping a victory would come to the Arena Gang. Tar nations, those rascally Stars. They fire with Jason Arnott making a goal upon a toss up assist from Bill “High Stick Sierra” Guerin and Richard “Mad Dog” Matvichuk at 7:28. 1-1, tied up in the 2nd.

Returning fire unassisted was Columbus’ Andrej Nedorest for his 2nd season goal slammed right between Marty Turco’s legs at 8:25. “I got the puck in the middle of the ice and I picked up some speed, “Andrej said, “I thought I could beat him. I just got past the goalie.” Edge Jackets 2-1.


But, as Blue Jackets fans have come to know, the victory was not going to happen. After goals from Dallas’ Phillpe Boucher and Rob DiMaio, close the shop down in the third, 3-2. There is still conservancy over the last goal by DiMaio.

Denis immediately looked to the referee for a goaltender interference call, but was not obliged. “It shouldn’t have count. You can’t brush a goaltender on a shot. Bottom line: he was in the crease. Obviously they didn’t see it,” MacLean commented.

”This is three games now that we’ve got the game winning goal against us in the last three minutes,” said Denis. “It’s obviously really frustrating

“It’s a lot of power plays. We really didn’t capitalize on them, said Rick Nash. “End of the evening we lost two points.”

He seems optimistic about the upcoming road stretch in Western Canada.
“It’s huge. First major road trip. We hope to get some team bonding with the new guys. We will have to come back with some points. If we don’t, we will be in trouble.”

We can hope the Canadian roundup can bring some prime beef victories. Hey, guys, really bring me back some Canadian steaks. I’ll grill them for you.


GK’s Prime time Players

For Columbus:
Rick Nash- The guy is on fire! 5th goal on the season, the 2nd power play goal. He is showing youth combined with clutch plays can make a team work together.

Andrej Nedorost- The goal he smaked in past Turco. Unassisted and fierce. This guy will be a go-to guy on down the road. He has already proven himself solid in victories against New York and Vancouver.

David Ling- The poor guy had to put up with Ott and Modano. My prayers are with Dave. Any man who can keep trucking after the abuse he got, shows a true hockey player.


For Dallas
Marty Turco- Although blocking most shots, 2 missed for 27. He was the biggest gentleman out of the whole bunch. He had respect for former teammate Darryl Sydor and the rest of the Jackets. To boot, he gave a young man a puck with break in the action. He was the nicest goalie since Ron Tugnutt I have encountered.

Rob Dimaio- His first career goal and shoots down the Jackets. Rookies who make crucial plays tend to be better players in their later years. Look for good things out of Rob in the future.

Steve Ott- Got to pick a thug. He was outside of Modano, rouging things up every second he could.


Shots on Goal - Columbus 27, Dallas 34

Power Play - Columbus 13:28, Dallas 2:00

Face-offs - Columbus 51, Dalllas 49