“2010-2011 could be an exciting year for CBJ fans as the team seems to be getting better and better. A couple of moves and they should be right there in the end.”
by GregA on the Blue Jackets making a legitimate run in playoffs Thread
Dispatch staffers weigh in on the Blue Jackets and other teams and issues across the NHL.
|
Jackets notebook: Gold medal hasn't hit home for Nash
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 2:52 AM
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Rick Nash has returned from the Olympics with a new title to put before his name. No longer is he just Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash or All-Star Rick Nash. He is now gold-medal winner Rick Nash. "I don't think it's sunk in quite yet," Nash said before last night's game. "It's truly amazing to win gold in your own country. It's unbelievable. I think the biggest thing was the sense of relief after (Sidney Crosby's winning) goal went in. I've never jumped the boards so quick in my life. Just the relief that we did it in our own country with so much pressure on us was the biggest thing." Nash consistently talked about the pressure that the team was under. Nash finished the Olympics with two goals and three assists. "I definitely think it's the biggest thing to happen in my career so far," he said. "I think it will be a bigger deal down the road a bit once things sink in and we actually realize what we accomplished. It was amazing." Nash will now try to shift back into NHL mode after the 15-day Olympic grind. "The excitement and nerves for the gold-medal game was something I've never felt before," he said. "The only thing I can relate it to is probably the one time before our first playoff game. But still, the gold-medal game was a lot bigger than that." Nash got a standing ovation before the game from the Nationwide Arena crowd. Quiet CanadiansNash rode a charter flight back to Columbus with the Vancouver Canucks' Olympians, including Canadian goaltender Roberto Luongo and Team USA center Ryan Kesler. Nash said he and Luongo didn't exchange any words with Kesler on the flight back. "We're Canadian, we don't gloat," Nash said. Kesler, a former Ohio State player, said it will take awhile for him to get over the disappointment of the loss. "I am a guy that doesn't like to lose, and when you lose a heartbreaker like that, obviously it takes awhile to get over it," Kesler said.
Rookie's debut
Grant Clitsome was called up from Syracuse on Monday and made his NHL debut in a defensive pairing with Kris Russell. With the possibility of the Jackets trading defender Milan Jurcina, who was scratched because of an injury, Clitsome is hoping to make an impression and stay on board. "Every game right now is really important for me," he said. The 24-year-old got an assist six minutes into the game when Andrew Murray scored the first goal. tjames@dispatch.com Story toolsToday’s Top Stories |
Earning community pointsAdvertisement Cannon Fodder PodcastCannon Fodder is the podcast from The Dispatch sports team covering the Blue Jackets. Tune in for lively discussions about the team and the rest of the NHL. Subscribe to the show through its RSS feed or iTunes. Commentary from The Dispatch
Read Dispatch columnists Michael Arace and Bob Hunter share their thoughts on the Blue Jackets and the NHL. |
