Blue Jackets Notebook - October 22
Chimera-Brassard-Voracek scoring big; Peca's Back on Friday Night
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| Chimera |
Captain Rick Nash has scored one goal in each of the last three games and four total, but he's not the only Columbus Blue Jackets player that has accomplished the feat.
Jason Chimera also has a goal in the last three games and six points overall on the season, after being surprisingly partnered with rookie forwards Jake Voracek and Derick Brassard. The line has only been the most productive unit for head coach Ken Hitchcock, scoring seven goals in six games, while adding nine assists.
"We put the line together for (scoring)," Hitchcock said. "We feel like they can contribute (to our offense).
"The last game (vs. Vancouver) was the best game they've played as a line. They were more competitive on the puck. Their skill level is good, but they have to compete hard on every puck and when they do that they are effective and that is what we are looking for from them every night."
Chimera calls the line, the "Two Kids and a Goat" line. Chimera is only 29 years old, but Brassard is just 21-years of age and Voracek is 10 years younger than the now veteran winger.
Peca's Back
The happiest guy in the rink on Friday night might be veteran center Michael Peca. Peca returns from his five game suspension and is ready to play after playing just 5:59 in the opener at Dallas.
"Anytime you are healhty and able to play, physically, it's frustrating not to play," Peca said. "Suspensions are part of the game and you have to keep yourself ready to go. I've done that, along with the coaches, our strength coach Barry Brennan to make sure I'm ready for Friday night. I'm anxious to get going again."
First Goals Aplenty
Rookie forward Derek Dorsett joined defenseman Marc Methot, forward Nikita Filatov and forward Jakub Voracek as Blue Jackets who have tallied their first career NHL goals in the first six games.
Defensemen Kris Russell, Clay Wilson and Aaron Rome, forwards Jared Boll, Andrew Murray, Derek MacKenzie and Derick Brassard all scored their first NHL goals with the club during the 2007-08 season.
Quote of the Week
"It felt bizarre. It was entertaining as hell and wildly exciting and that's probably what it’s going to be for a little while – a few more like this and they are going to put us in the loony bin."
- Ken Hitchcock after a 5-3 Opening Night win over Nashville
Stat of the Week
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