CBJ Opening Night, Thanks Mr. Mac!

Last night was the Blue Jackets home opener against our nemesis, the Nashville Predators. It was an especially special evening because the Jackets were honoring the teams founder, John H. McConnell. Earlier this year, Mr. Mac passed away. Mr. Mac was instrumental in bringing NHL hockey to Columbus and he loved watching the fans have fun in Nationwide Arena.

The pre-game events centered on Mr. Mac, his generosity to the community, and of course his love of his Blue Jackets. The team raised a memorial banner which will permanently hang in the rafters of Nationwide Arena. Hopefully, someday, the team will say thanks and an hang a championship banner next to it.

Here are pics from the opening ceremony and introduction of the team....









Mr. Mac was surely smiling at the end of this battle, because the Blue Jackets pulled off the victory 5-3. Pascal LeClaire went down with a hand injury with five minutes to go. Hitch sent Feddy Norena in...and the crown started chanting Freddy, Freddy, Freddy to let him know we were supporting him. It was a really cool moment, and Freddy didn't disappoint.



The whole gang (except for Mark - we missed having you there!) was in 213 yelling and having a blast. Normally, its a little sparse in our section of the upper atmosphere, but this year it was packed. And the best part is that it was packed with CBJ fans!!



Hockey is the greatest sport on earth!