The Return Of Jetta

There are so many things I want to say about today's announcement that Jetta Rackleff is returning to the crease for the Worcester Blades, but I can barely contain my excitement. I was shocked and stunned when the Blades announced that Rackleff wasn't one of the three netminders they had chosen out of training camp and the preseason despite some rather superior numbers compared to her colleagues, and I've quietly been hoping that someone within the Blades organization would come to their senses and bring Jetta back.

The first famous quote that came to mind comes from Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire when he said, "We live in a cynical world, a cynical world, and we work in a business of tough competitors." I don't think this line has been truer this season for the CWHL where many excellent players came into the league, and there were a large contingent of players who simply couldn't find roster spots or decided to focus more on life by stepping away from the game.

Jetta, however, came to camp refreshed and looking forward to the competition for the starting goaltending position with the Blades after missing the vast majority of last season due to injury. It seemed as though Jetta was in the clear after posting some rather solid numbers against preseason opponents, but she was inexplicably not named to the roster.

The current netminders - Lauren Dahm, Mariah Fujimagari, and Jessica Convery - are being absolutely bombarded by opponents when it comes to shots-against and, as a result, their goals-against averages and save percentages aren't quite where one would hope they would be at this point in the season. Needing a spark whether it be through solid netminding or just a positive attitude in the dressing room, the Blades announced that Jetta Rackleff would start today against les Canadiennes de Montreal!

Jetta Rackleff? Ready to start in net. #WooBlades pic.twitter.com/DOUehKmLLe

— Worcester Blades (@WorcesterCWHL) November 17, 2018

If you'll excuse a little creative parody, I believe this calls for a song. Sing it with me if you know the tune!

Guess who's back, back again!
Jetta's back, tell a friend!
Guess who's back? Guess who's back?
Guess who's back? Guess who's back?
Guess who's back? Guess who's back?
Guess who's back?
(Instrumental and background singing)

Ok, goofiness aside, today's game against the Canadiennes will be anything but a walk in the park for Rackleff as Montreal comes in with the best goal differential in the CWHL. However, if there's one player who will take this challenge head-on and give it 110%, it's Jetta Rackleff. Having gotten to know her prior to, during, and after the interview we did with her on The Hockey Show, I feel confident in saying that the Blades picked themselves up a world-class goalie and an even better individual to help their club search for wins.

I'd be crazy to suggest that Jetta Rackleff will be the difference in pushing the Blades past the Canadiennes. That's simply not how hockey works when it comes to the disparity between the two teams. I will say, however, that Rackleff will give the Blades a chance to compete with the Canadiennes for a part, if not all, of the game today. I have that much faith in her abilities.

More than anything, it's amazing to see Jetta back in CWHL nets for the simple reason that it appeared she had been written off by the club after she didn't make the roster. At the time of publishing this, the Blades are already down 2-0 and are being outshot 14-2 at the first intermission. It could be much worse than 2-0, but Rackleff is standing in there against some of the greatest female hockey players to have ever worn skates.

Seeing #77 standing in the crease leads me to another Jerry Maguire quote: "I'm not letting you get rid of me. How about that?"

Welcome back, Jetta Rackleff!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!