COLUMBUS, Ohio — There’s something magical happening during the Columbus Blue Jackets losing season.
With a record of 25-48-9 to end the season on Friday, you might think there’s not a lot to cheer about.
It turns out you can win, even during a losing season. Despite the poor record, the Blue Jackets are outdrawing other teams in ticket sales.
San Jose, Buffalo, Anaheim, Ottawa, New Jersey and Winnipeg all have better records than Columbus but CBJ fans are outdrawing them.
Columbus is tied for attendance with the New York Islanders despite the fact the Islanders having 17 more wins.
Step inside Nationwide Arena Friday night and you wouldn’t know that the Blue Jackets have second-worst record in the NHL.
Columbus is an NHL outlier of sorts, considering the team's losing record seems oblivious to its loyal fan base.
“Columbus is a great sports town and even though they aren't doing well we are still behind our team 100%,” says Jeff Williams of Powell.
Even the teams own players seem a bit surprised by the size of the crowds.
“Even some our newer guys have been astonished by the crowds given how much we’ve struggled this year,” says Todd Sharrock, Vice President of Communication for the Blue Jackets.
The team says it’s not something magical that’s happening, but rather it’s careful attention to the fan experience.
“We can control how people are treated when they are here and I think that is part of it. People like to come here and have a good time,” Sharrock said.
Friday night was the last game of the season, and judging by the decibel level you would think the team was fighting for a playoff spot.
They’re not. They lost nearly 50 games, but no one seems to care who bought a ticket.
“These are our boys, these are our home town guys. We love our Jackets," says Charles King who came to Nationwide Arena to celebrate his birthday.
But there’s more. Here’s the latest stats from the team:
Through 39 games at Nationwide Arena, the club is averaging 16,912 with 13 sellouts (18,144 or more).
The Blue Jackets are on pace to post the highest average attendance for games played at Nationwide Arena since 2003-04 (17,369).
The team's average attendance in 2019-20, which is when CBJ last had a winning season, was 16,902.
The Blue Jackets have averaged 18,158 fans per home game with nine sellouts in 14 games since Jan. 21.
Columbus has posted sellouts in seven of the past eight home games.
Tonight’s season finale vs. Buffalo is expected to be the club’s 14th sellout of the season, which will be the second-most since 2003-04 (16), trailing 2018-19 (15).
While there may not be something magical that draws these fans to the ice, one thing is certain, you can’t look into the stands at and say Columbus isn't a hockey town.
“Questioning that we are not a good hockey town is crap there's no denying it,” said Sharrock.
Blue Jackets fans hope the NHL league office is listening.