Players wait out computer glitch at Port Columbus
It should have been a quick and easy trip through U.S. Customs early yesterday morning at Port Columbus International Airport.
After all, the Blue Jackets had nothing to declare but three measly goals on their weeklong journey to western Canada.
But after a transcontinental flight from Vancouver, British Columbia, following a 3-1 loss to the Canucks, the Jackets were detained for more than an hour as customs agents attempted to get their computer system running properly.
"If we would have known this, we would have stayed in Vancouver," coach Ken Hitchcock said.
The Jackets, who completed a three-game trip Sunday night, arrived home at 4:06 a.m. The last member of the traveling party, about 50 people, did not clear the two customs agents until 5:23 a.m.
Airport delays are common. The sight of multimillion-dollar athletes pulling up carpet and using their carry-on luggage as pillows is not.
Team captain Rick Nash, one of the first in line, was sprawled out near the counter.
"A $5 million hockey player is sleeping on the floor up there," observed Fox Sports Network producer Ed Milliken.
The Jackets had no practice scheduled for yesterday, but they did have a late-afternoon meeting in Nationwide Arena.
Peca out
Center Michael Peca will sit out tonight's game after being hit in the jaw by a puck during a Canucks clearing attempt in the first period of Sunday's 3-1 loss. He did not return to the game after suffering a gash on the jaw and a headache.
Hitchcock offered no timetable for Peca's return. It was not known whether he sustained a concussion.
Rome impresses
It's as if defenseman Aaron Rome never left. His first three games this season since being recalled from the minors resembled the 17 he played a season ago.
Rome has been a solid, steadying influence on the third pairing with Kris Russell, and he is expected to remain in the lineup. Though he has yet to contribute offensively, he is moving the puck well out of the defensive zone.
"He has really worked out well for us," Hitchcock said. "He's even seeing some time on the power play and helping us there."
Slap shots
Just three Jackets took the ice yesterday: defenseman Rostislav Klesla (shoulder), forward Fredrik Modin (knee) and backup goaltender Wade Dubielewicz. Modin might come off injured reserve and play tonight. Tonight's opponent, the Los Angeles Kings, practiced yesterday in the Dispatch Ice Haus. Defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, out because of a knee injury, thought about returning to his native Norway but wanted to stay close to the team. He is expected to miss six weeks rehabilitating the knee.
It should have been a quick and easy trip through U.S. Customs early yesterday morning at Port Columbus International Airport.
After all, the Blue Jackets had nothing to declare but three measly goals on their weeklong journey to western Canada.
But after a transcontinental flight from Vancouver, British Columbia, following a 3-1 loss to the Canucks, the Jackets were detained for more than an hour as customs agents attempted to get their computer system running properly.
"If we would have known this, we would have stayed in Vancouver," coach Ken Hitchcock said.
The Jackets, who completed a three-game trip Sunday night, arrived home at 4:06 a.m. The last member of the traveling party, about 50 people, did not clear the two customs agents until 5:23 a.m.
Airport delays are common. The sight of multimillion-dollar athletes pulling up carpet and using their carry-on luggage as pillows is not.
Team captain Rick Nash, one of the first in line, was sprawled out near the counter.
"A $5 million hockey player is sleeping on the floor up there," observed Fox Sports Network producer Ed Milliken.
The Jackets had no practice scheduled for yesterday, but they did have a late-afternoon meeting in Nationwide Arena.
Peca out
Center Michael Peca will sit out tonight's game after being hit in the jaw by a puck during a Canucks clearing attempt in the first period of Sunday's 3-1 loss. He did not return to the game after suffering a gash on the jaw and a headache.
Hitchcock offered no timetable for Peca's return. It was not known whether he sustained a concussion.
Rome impresses
It's as if defenseman Aaron Rome never left. His first three games this season since being recalled from the minors resembled the 17 he played a season ago.
Rome has been a solid, steadying influence on the third pairing with Kris Russell, and he is expected to remain in the lineup. Though he has yet to contribute offensively, he is moving the puck well out of the defensive zone.
"He has really worked out well for us," Hitchcock said. "He's even seeing some time on the power play and helping us there."
Slap shots
Just three Jackets took the ice yesterday: defenseman Rostislav Klesla (shoulder), forward Fredrik Modin (knee) and backup goaltender Wade Dubielewicz. Modin might come off injured reserve and play tonight. Tonight's opponent, the Los Angeles Kings, practiced yesterday in the Dispatch Ice Haus. Defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, out because of a knee injury, thought about returning to his native Norway but wanted to stay close to the team. He is expected to miss six weeks rehabilitating the knee.
