High above nationwide arena

I am sitting in the press box at Nationwide Arena going through stats before tonight’s game. There are two things that I have noticed instantly: Jackets fans still do not think there is anything to get excited about here and boy howdy, these Blackhawks are young.

Let me first touch on my first point. We simply do not have playoff like fans here in our arena for at least the second straight game Sunday night, we had a weekend crowd slightly under 16,000, about 2,200 short of a sellout. Granted it was a lengthy game, but when it came shootout time, maybe 2/3 of the crowd remained to watch the Jackets lose in the shootout to the Kings. An excited fan base would not show up in such small numbers and leave so early That attitude needs to change.

Walking around the arena tonight, it appears we will be even well short of Sunday’s small crowd. But at the very least, better hope that we at least get fans who remember what is happening on the ice.

Second point is about Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Both of which are 19 years old. They each have averaged a point a game against us this year. I will be looking at which of our defensemen will matchup with these two young stars, and I will have something later tonight.