The CBJ Writer

Remember, I said I would do a write up for each Columbus Blue Jackets player this 2021-22 NHL Season.  Trey Fix-Wolansky only appeared in 6 total games this season.  With that being said his 1st and only NHL Goal this season came in the February 8th 5-4 win over the Capitals, in Washington D.C.  He also had 1 assist this season, giving him 2 points total in 6 games.  Not bad at all for a player who didn't just make his NHL debut this season, but did so in a time when this franchise was pulling AHL players like a trick-or-treater pulls candy from a "please take one" bucket.  Yes, the 22-year-old Right Winger has some talent for sure, talent I hope we see return to the Cleveland Monsters and/or Columbus Blue Jackets, next season.   Tomorrow is a special anniversary, so check back for a post season wrap up of a player I enjoy.   Go CBJ!   

It was a good Game 2 for the Panthers.  In Period 2, former Blue Jacket, Anthony DuClair, would gain an assist point on a goal by Bake, at 17:58.  This goal would give the Panthers a 2-0 lead at the end of Period 1.  The ultimate score was a win for the Panthers, who captured Game 2, with a solid 5-1 win.  Former Blue Jackets goaltender, Sergi Bobrovsky, was again in net tonight.  He faced 27 shots on his net and only 1 resulted in a goal.  Not bad Bob, not bad at all.  For this he got the 3rd Star of the Game, marking his second in as many playoff games, this off season.   Game 3 between the Panthers and the Capitals will be in Washington on Saturday.  Puck drop is set for 1:00 PM EST, so a nice bit of afternoon hockey.  Will Bobrovsky get a 3rd, 3rd Star in a row?  I hope so, 5th Line!     

In the Game 1, 3 Overtime loss to the Penguins, former Blue Jacket Artemi Panarin had no points.  That changed tonight, in Game 2 of the 2022 Round 1 Series.  On this first goal of the night, scored by Copp at 6:50, Panarin would gain the primary assist and his first point of these Stanley Cup Playoffs.  In Period 2, Panarin would gain the second assist on a goal from Strome, scored at 2:59.  The former Blue Jacket would then net his own goal in Period 3 at 8:02.  This gave him a 1-2-3 Playoff Game 2.  Congrats to him, I can't wait to see what he does in Game 3 on Saturday.  Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM and the series is now tied at a game each.   The final score tonight was a 5-2 Rangers victory.    

So, a couple weeks ago I shared with you all that Elvis Merzlikins, Goaltender, would be at the World Championships 2022.  He's representing his home country of Latvia.  A few days ago I announced that Alexander Texier, after a broken finger and time off to grieve his family losses, would take the ice for France.  Today, I learned along with you that we'll have 2 Blue Jackets, both Defenders, representing the American team.  One is a newer Blue Jacket, Nick Blankenburg.  The other is a seasoned veteran, who's spent 3 seasons now with the Blue Jackets, Andrew Peeke.   Nick Blankenburg played only 7 games this season, after being signed when Michigan failed to excel past the NCAA Frozen Four.  In those 7 games Blankenburg made his presence know however, scoring 1 goal and 2 assists.  He also had 4 penalty minutes, showing he wasn't going to be underestimated for his size at 5'9, ready to play a physical game with the veterans of other teams....

I told you this would be an eventful off season 5th Line!  It hasn't even been a week since the Columbus Blue Jackets played their final 2021-22 NHL Regular Season Game, but I've already have a signing to announce!  Also exciting, I bet this young man, Mikael Pyyhtia works very heard this season.  Of course because of his Entry Level Contract which extends the next 3 years, but more so because the Blue Jackets will play in his home country of Finland in November.   It's nice to see pick #144 be signed from the 2020 draft, no doubt.  This season was incredible for him.  He scored over 20 goals this season.  I can't wait to see what this forward can do in a Blue Jackets Jersey.  Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a bit longer for that to happen.   Go CBJ! Soucre: Jeff Svoboda Tweet On 5/5/22:  " Fresh off a red-hot finish to the Finnish season, F Mikael Pyyhtia has signed a three-year, entry level contract with the Blue Jackets. T...

May the force be with Jack Roslovic early this summer!  Jeff Svoboda has just announced that Jack Roslovic has been nominated for an NHL Honor.  It would be amazing to see him with the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy , which is awarded  “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”   Good luck to him and congratulations to him on such an incredible and well deserved honor.  He was given the Columbus Blue Jackets Community MVP Award at the end of this 2021-22 NHL Season.  If anyone deserves this, in my eyes, it is Jack Roslovic.   Go Roslovic!   Source:   Jeff Svoboda Tweet on 5/4/22 " Jack Roslovic is the #CBJ nominee for the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is presented “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”

In Period 2 tonight in the shocking Predators loss, Matt Duchene would score on a pass from Ryan Johansen, at 18:40.  So, it's a double Blue Jackets point gain in this score and game.  In Period 3, Duchene would score another goal on the night, at 12:26.  What a night for both of them.  Hopefully, this loss lights a fire in the Nashville team and they come ready to battle on Thursday night, as they once again play the Avalanche in Colorado.    No points for former Blue Jackets turned Avalanche players, Johnson or Murray, but maybe next game!   Puck drop for Game 2 of the Predators and Avalanche 2022 Stanley Cup Series is on Thursday at 9:30 PM EST.  According to the NHL App it should be on your local TNT station, but check your TV Provider for specific information.