Hey Jackets Fans,

We have our first big trade of the year.  Coach Dave King’s concern regarding back-up goaltending seems to have been addressed with veteran Peter Sidorkiewicz being acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning late last night.   Sidorkiewicz is a 31 year old Polish-Canadian goaltender who comes in with 2 years left on his contract.  He was acquired by Tampa Bay in the expansion draft from Edmonton, but has only seen ice time in one game so far with the Lightning.  Sidorkiewicz will replace J-C Bergeron as the primary back-up to Dominik Hasek.  Bergeron will be re-assigned to St. John’s to get some playing time in. 

Also acquired in the deal were defenseman Michael Galarneau and centre Dale Craigwell.   Galarneau will shore up some depth on the back end, while Craigwell will see time in St. John’s.

Going the other way in the deal were centre Rob DiMaio and goalie Parris Duffus, who were both playing on the farm as well.   Neither player had spent time with the big club this year.

In game news, the Jackets’ hung on for a narrow victory against the Vancouver Canucks last night.  Pat LaFontaine had two second period goals, and Glenn Anderson chipped in another to put us up 3-1 going into the third period.   The Canucks were able to come back and tie it with two goals in just over a minute, however another goal from league goal leader Anderson put the Jackets’ ahead for good. 

The win brought the Jackets’ record to a stellar 7-0-1, good enough for first overall in the NFHL.

The Jackets’ travel to Florida tonight to take on the 4-2-1 Panthers.  

-            97.1 The Fan, Columbus