Game #55-Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Islanders
Nationwide Arena
April 7, 2012

Today is a first for me, two games on the same day. I just finished the Columbus Crew game about 1.5 hours ago and now I am at the CBJ for their final game of the season. Nationwide is another brand new Arena that showcases a lot of player specific items for the fans enjoyment. From 10 year anniversary display cases, fan favorite Rick Nash’s draft pictures, to the well known goal canon that you can take a picture with (of course I did, why even ask?). The fan base was very knowledgeable, you can tell they love their team, but the only issue is that the CBJ are horrible. The aforementioned Rick Nash is great, newly acquired Jack Johnson (from my Kings…) is solid on defense, and goalie John Mason are staples on the team, but that is all they have. Columbus has the worst record in the league so a lot of the talk around the arena was,” at least we will have a great #1 draft pick…”.

The game was a complete contrast of the Blue Jackets record though, they dominated from the drop of the puck. There were 10 total goals in the game in which Columbus had 7. They fought hard in the corners, made fantastic stick to stick passes, and put fists to faces in the fights (there were 3 in the game). Maybe next year they can start and end with the same ferocity.

The best part of the game actually originated outside the doors of Nationwide. The team provided markers and neon green cardboard for fans to make personal signs. The overwhelming majority revolved around asking Nash to please stay on the team and the rest were about firing the GM. Not exactly what the arena reps wanted on the final day of the season.

Game #54-Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls
Crew Stadium
April 7, 2012

After my work trip to Indianapolis, I was able to drive out to Columbus OH for a Crew and Blue Jackets game. The drive took about 3 hours but it was really nice. Threw on a couple podcasts (Adam Carolla and Kevin & Bean), enjoyed the country, and before I knew it I was heading into the city. Crew Stadium is the first US built soccer specific stadium. There have been many important games played here from MLS Cups, men’s and women’s World Cup Qualifiers, and a bunch of international friendlies. As for Columbus Crew, they have somewhat been a powerhouse up until the last two years. They have seen Support’s Shields (2004, 2008, 2009) for the most points in the regular season as well as the 2008 championship, but have fallen on hard times lately. Most of the time I recognize at least a couple members of the US national team for each side but the Crew lack any big stars in the line up. I was hoping to see Gaucho grad Andy Iro but he was traded the previous season…a stark contrast to the Red Bulls who have international star Thiery Henry and another great goal scorer Kenny Cooper who both dominated the Crew each scoring two goals each. This was a completely lopsided match where the Red Bulls were in the offensive end about 70% of the game. NY outplayed, passed, powered, and out skilled the Crew heading into the half with a 3-0 lead sending the Red Bull supporters into a frenzy. The second half was more of the same with a lone Crew goal put in by Kirk Urso in the 89th minute but Henry registered his second tally only moments later to put the game away for good, 4-1. There weren’t many highlights in the game besides my seats (second row) and the Red Bull chants. My two favorite, sang to “She’ll be coming ‘round the mountain as she comes”, were “You’re not singing over there” aimed at the Columbus supporters as well as “We should play you every week”.

Game #53-Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Bankers Life Fieldhouse
April 6, 2012

I flew out to our Indiana office this week to check out our new facility and was able to round off the trip with a few games. I started my Friday afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway touring the museum and taking a lap around the track. It is kind of amazing that the track has been there for 100 years. Got to sit in an Indy car, took a couple pics of the last remaining bricks at the finish line, and saw about 40 of the winning cars…not a bad way to start the night. After IMS I headed over to Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the Pacers game. There was a lot of excitement in the air because the fast paced, offensive minded OKC Thunder were in the house today. Between Russell Westbrooks and Kevin Durant I expected them to put on a clinic vs. the Pacers but no one told Indy about that. At one point the Pacers were up by 24 points before the Thunder came charging back under Durant’s 44 points to cut the lead by only 3 (actually Westbrooks put up a prayer with 5.5 seconds left and made a 3 point banker) but fell short the final ticks of the game to lose 103 to 98.

I really liked the arena in Indy. You enter into a sort of showroom that displays several huge player banners as well as a humongous picture that states “But this is Indiana”. Walking around the perimeter there are a ton of displays with ABA and NBA memorabilia as well as college and high school trophy cases. You can tell this state loves this game. I think a highlight was the ball signed by John Wooden. You can tell the b-ball was about 40 years old, was really faded and deflated, but was etched by one of the greatest coaches to ever live. Next time I come out I need to hit up a Colts game or manage to make it to the Indy 500!