Pre-GAME
Why Do the Blue Jackets Fire a Cannon?
The Columbus Blue Jackets’ franchise name was chosen in 1997 as the winner of a region-wide “name the team” contest. “Blue Jackets” is in reference to the color of the coats worn by the Union Army and pays homage to the major contributions the state of Ohio made during the Civil War.
Former Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock was also a Civil War buff and helped revive the notion of the team purchasing a cannon similar to those used during the Civil War era. After an internet search, Columbus Blue Jackets in-game announcer Mike Todd and a colleague (Kimberly Kershaw) caught a quick flight to St. Louis, Missouri. They then drove to nearby Pontoon Lake, Illinois where they met with Chris Olson of South Bend Replica Cannons. Following a demonstration of the cannon using cannonball powder, the two (and Larry Hoepfner on the phone) were immediately sold on the cannon and purchased it from Olson for $20,000.
The cannon used at Nationwide Arena is a replica of an 1857 Napolean cannon and can be found at the top of section 111 during every home game. The cannon first debuted on October 5, 2007 and uses a pyrotechnic charge which is what enables the cannon to be fired indoors. The noise that is equivalent to a jet flyover at 1,000 feet. Most people do not know that the cannon’s noise is projected over the arena’s sound system and is loud no matter what section fans are seated in. The cannon is fired prior to each home game, each time the Columbus Blue Jackets score on the ice, and following each victory. The firing of the cannon has a long history of startling unexpecting people inside Nationwide Arena; even opposing players down on the ice. Many opposing teams and players have publicly expressed their hate for the cannon at Nationwide Arena.
GAME DAY REPORT
Sens vs. Blue Jackets
Last time: On December 1st, the Ottawa Senators were defeated by the Blue Jackets 4-2 after Columbus scored 4 unanswered goals in the game. The Senators exacted some revenge on February 13th defeating Columbus in Ottawa 6-3 when Brady Tkachuk recorded his second career hat trick.
Game Day: Off a fresh win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Senators will look to keep their momentum going. They have an opportunity to win the season series tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Blue Jackets
22-33-10
8th Metropolitan
L2
E. Merzlikins
(12-14-7)
13.9 (31st)
76.5 (25th)
2.92 (22nd)
3.6 (30th)
Matchup
Record
Standing
Streak
Goalie
(Expected)
PP (%)
PK (%)
Avg. Goals Scored
Avg. Goals Allowed
Senators
26-33-4
8th Atlantic
W1
A. Forsberg
(11-10-0)
16.4 (27th)
73.8 (30th)
3.17 (14th)
3.51 (28th)
Injury Report
Senators: J. Norris (LT – Shoulder), T. Hamonic (IR – Lower Body), Z. MacEwen (IR – Lower Body),
M. Highmore (Upper Body), T. Chabot (DTD – Lower Body)
Blue Jackets: A. Fantili (Laceration), K. Johnson (IR – Shoulder), J. Danforth (Concussion),
Y. Chinakhov (DTD – Upper Body), P. Laine (IR-NR – Personal), S. Kuraly (Lower Body)
Game recap – Mar 12 – sens vs. penguins
Senators break losing streak by defeating Penguins in OT
The game was scoreless until the middle of the third period when the Senators scored to take the lead, however after pulling the goalie, the Penguins tied the game with seconds left. The game went to overtime and demonstrated the excitement of extra time with a bevy of exchanges between both teams before Drake Batherson scored to earn the victory for the Senators.
Quick Sens Highlights:
- The game went scoreless in the 1st and 2nd period.
- Claude Giroux scored in the 3rd period however the Pittsburgh Penguins challenged the goal for goaltending interference. After a lengthy review, the officials determined Mathieu Joseph contacted the goaltender resulting in a no-goal.
- Jake Sanderson scored mid-way in the 3rd period for this 8th goal of the season, assisted by Mathieu Joseph and Claude Giroux.
- Pittsburgh pulled their goaltender and scored with less than 30 seconds left in the period to tie the game.
- The game moved to overtime and after numerous back-and-forth action, Drake Batherson scored his 23rd goal of the season, assisted by Jake Sanderson and Tim Stutzle.
- Joonas Korpisalo took the win, making 34 saves on 35 shots for a 1.00 GA and .971 SV%.
NHL Three Stars
⭐ J. Korpisalo (34SV .971 SV%) ⭐⭐ D. Batherson (1G) ⭐⭐⭐ T. Jarry (37SV .949%)
ON THIS DAY IN SENS HISTORY
⇉ Tugnutt traded for Barrasso
2000, Tom Barrasso was acquired from Pittsburgh in exchange for goaltender Ron Tugnutt and defenceman Janne Laukkanen. Tom Barrasso had played 6 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres before being traded to Pittsburgh. He played 12 seasons with the Pens before his trade to Ottawa. Barrasso played only 7 games with the Senators, recording 3 wins and 4 loses. He would later play for Carolina, Toronto and St. Louis.
👔 Jacques Martin earns 200th win
In 2001, Jacques Martin records his 200th win as Senators head coach after the Senators defeat Atlanta 8-1 at home.
🏒 Brannstrom makes his debut and Nilsson earns shutout
In 2019, Erik Brannstrom made his NHL debut against the St. Louis Blues. Meanwhile, Anders Nilsson stopped all 35 shots he faced becoming the first goaltender in Senators franchise history to earn a shutout win over the Blues.
💿 Tkachuk and Dzingel breaks record against Toronto
In 2021, Ottawa earned their third victory of the season against Toronto via a 4-1 win at Canadian Tire Centre which featured the second-fastest two goals in franchise history (7 seconds) from Brady Tkachuk and Ryan Dzingel before consecutive tallies from Senators forward Drake Batherson at 5:00 and 5:53 of the second period saw him establish the mark for the fastest two goals by one player against the Maple Leafs in their franchise history. In that same game, Chris Tierney registered his 200th point of his career.
by the numbers – jersey # 73
In Senators history, only two players have worn number #73. Can you guess who they are? Here is a little hint, the last player to wear #73 also played for the Montreal Canadiens before playing his final NHL season with the Senators.
What about the first player to wear #73? Well he played with Vancouver and Pittsburgh before joining the Senators and later being traded to Anaheim. No more hints.
Check the By The Numbers page to see former players who proudly wore Senators jerseys and don’t forget to check our searchable table!
AROUND THE RINK
- Cody Hodgson attempts NHL comeback after health issues forced him to retire at 26
- Jordan Eberle set to become 6th ‘Reginan’ to play in 1,000 NHL games
- Bedard wows Blackhawks again with 1st 5-point game
