It is always a treat when I can get to a Canucks game, and two in one season is about as good as it gets for someone not near the Mecca of Vancouver. So ever since February, when I decided to head down to Columbus for this game I have been excited. Then a few days ago, when I heard our little ginger, Cory Schneider, would be starting in net, I was even more pumped, and like always he did not disappoint.
The guy stole this game. He had 39 saves, and made some insane ones, especially in the second. We were sitting in the upper deck, front row and there were a couple times he made two, three, even four saves in a row. Just standing on his head. Even held up amazingly in a five-on-three. Now he wasn't exactly playing the San Jose Sharks, but 40 shots are 40 shots.
Chris Higgins and Mason Raymond played very well too, and it was about time. Well for Raymond it was, not Higgins, although it was great to see his first two goals as a Canuck in person. I was a little worried about this game until Henrik scored in the third. Ehrhoff's goal in the first was nice, but it was a pretty close game until Henrik and Higgins broke it open and the Canucks finished it off 4-1. Here are some observations from Nationwide Arena:
-It is a really nice arena. The concourse is huge and every time you turn around there is a place to buy food, drinks or apparel. There are also bathrooms everywhere, which is pretty nice. Also, they have about 15 Tim Horton's concession stands as well, which was the best part, well second best part to the Labatt's tall boys
-The place was dead silent when the game started. There were very few Canucks fans in the crowd, and I am not surprised, I mean it is the middle of Ohio. But the silence was terrible. If you want to be taken seriously as a fan base, being dead silent doesn't help.
-Overheard in the bathroom during the pre-game:
Stupid Blue Jackets Fan #1: "Dude, you know that guy Manny Malhotra who used to play for us?"
Stupid Blue Jackets Fan #2: "Yeah."
Stupid Blue Jackets Fan #1: "He blocked a shot with his face and lost 100% of his sight in one eye."
Stupid Blue Jackets Fan #2: "Good thats what you get for selling out."
Reason #34852 Columbus fans are idiots.
-Saw a guy wearing a NY Rangers jersey with the number 94, with the name "Champs." Thats was weird enough, but He had a mean mullet. Have way down his back and completely shaved on the sides. Really wish I had a camera.
-Finally, I saw Phil Pritchard. For anyone who forgot, this is Phil Pritchard.I thought he looked familiar from the side, then he turned around and he had an NHL patch on his suit coat, and it was definitely him, again the lack of a camera was a bummer.
All in all though it was a good experience. Got to see Schneider play in person, a Canucks win, a mean mullet, and the guy from the Master Card Stanley Cup commercials. Not bad at all. Next up the Canucks head into hillbillyville for a match up with the Predators.
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