Jackets Lose To Carolina As Season Opener Nears
by Dave Seaman, Columbus Wired

The learning curve continues to shrink as the Columbus Blue Jackets plays its final three preseason games this week.

In the home practice finale, the Jackets fell to the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 with a mix of veterans and rookies in the lineup.

It was a game that coach Ken Hitchcock wanted because of the skill and speed of Carolina, a little over a year off winning the Stanley Cup. The ‘Canes dressed a full lineup of pros, including Cory Stillman (two goals), Eric Stall (one assist) and former Jacket Trevor Letowski. Regulars Rod Brind’Amour, Ray Whitney and Cam Ward were not in the lineup.

“They’re a smart team,” Jackets defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen said. “They dump the puck good. They put pressure on the (defensemen). It’s not easy making a play when we’re facing the glass. They might not have the best skill players in the world, but they still play a smart game.

Jeff Hamilton scored the Hurricanes other goal, while goaltender John Grahame stopped all 23 shots he faced.

The line of Jason Chimera-Derick Brassard-Gilbert Brule provided the most spark for the Jackets, but could not get the puck past Grahame. The line had five shots on goal.

“I thought that the tempo was so high that it took a lot of (the younger players) quite a bit of time to catch up,” Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. “They were being checked harder than they have ever been checked. There is no resting on the ice when you are playing a team like Carolina. The young guys got better as the game went on.”

The Hurricanes took advantage of the Jackets inability to stay out of the penalty box to take a 1-0 lead midway through the second period. With Rostislav Klesla and Rick Nash in the penalty box, Hamilton tapped in a Stall rebound.

Stillman scored 3:36 into the third on a break-a-way to give Carolina a 2-0 lead. He added an empty net goal with 13.6 seconds remaining.

Regardless of the outcome, Hitchcock has tough decisions to make. Goaltender Steve Mason (18 goals) played well in both of his preseason starts.

“Coming in, I wanted to have the best camp possible,” Mason said. “I think I’ve done that so far.

Other rookies that have made an impression include first round pick Jakub Voracek and Jared Boll.

“The whole goal is to make the team,” Boll said. “I’m just trying to show (the coaching staff) everything I’ve got and play my best game.”

The Jackets and Hurricanes play again Friday in Raleigh, N.C. at 7 p.m. Hitchcock said that Pascal Leclaire will start that game and that Fredrik Norrena, if he’s healthy, will start Saturday in Nashville.

Adam Foote, Michael Peca and Fredrik Modin will not make the weekend road trip and will practice at Nationwide.

Columbus hosts Anaheim in the season opener Friday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.