The Columbus Blue Jackets are just one win away from advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. And they might do it in a sweep against the heavily-favored, record-setting, Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning.
That’s right. The top-seeded Lightning, who were the highest-scoring team in the NHL during the regular season, might fall to wild-card team Columbus after being outscored 12-5 so far in the first-round series.
And with the possibility of a sweep, the staff at Nationwide Arena in Columbus had to consider what many would have thought unthinkable only a few weeks ago: whether to allow Columbus fans to bring brooms into the arena.
Friendly reminder…
Security has asked us to remind you that due to safety concerns, you can not bring a broom into the arena tonight. #CBJ— Nationwide Arena (@NationwideArena) April 16, 2019
Using a broom to celebrate a series sweep is a time-honored sports tradition. But Jackets fans wouldn’t be denied. First, fans inquired if a children’s cleaning set would be allowed.
What about a tiny broom? One designed for toys. pic.twitter.com/ggCjGaVMxZ
— 📝 Sam Ward 📒 (@Alakazam318) April 16, 2019
Then, one fan suggest this foam broom, in the same style as foam fingers, to get the message across.
— Betty Keller (@MChili3) April 16, 2019
The brooms are a legitimate safety concern, as they could be used as weapons or cause someone to trip. They technically fall under the prohibited items category in Nationwide Arena’s guidelines, which include poles and selfie sticks.
Perhaps dust pans could be one way of getting around the rules.
Maybe if those dust pans fit into a 14″ x 14″ x 6″ bag, the size permitted by the arena, they’ll be allowed in.
Headline photo: @BlueJacketsNHL
