from Micael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch,
A year ago, the most ardent Blue Jackets supporters were organizing a protest to express the sentiment that they loved the team but did not care for its management. Another coach had been fired. The team was on its way to a last-place finish. Rick Nash, the disgruntled captain, was about to request a trade. Then there was the lockout.
Last night, the healing process began with the home opener against the Detroit Red Wings in Nationwide Arena.
The Arena District was alive with people jamming its restaurants and bars. It was good to see and feel again. The building was packed, in part thanks to a two-for-one ticket promotion. The pregame energy was palpable, fed by one of those slick introductory videos splashed across the new, massive, high-definition scoreboard screens.It felt good to see the Zambonis chug across the ice. It remains a mesmerizing experience.
For pregame warm-ups, the Jackets sported identical jerseys, each with No. 1 and “Thank You Fans” emblazoned on the back. (Some wag tweeted, “A whole team of Steve Masons!”) Those jerseys were autographed and given away to fans after the game — one of many promotions the team is issuing as a peace offering to the faithful.
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