A Night of Firsts

For the first time in franchise history, the Columbus Blue Jackets will advance to Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Y'all, when I say I sobbed. I couldn't believe it. My dog was going crazy because my mother and I were screaming so much.

The Boys in Blue swept the No. 1 team in the league. The Boys in Blue swept the Presidents' Trophy winners.

This is a team who clinched way back in March. And they lost to a team who made it into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth.

I had Tampa winning the cup in my bracket!

I have never been happier to be so completely and utterly wrong.

Within the first four minutes of the game, Columbus scored twice, including a goal from rookie Alexandre Texier. My boy Tex is now the youngest player in Blue Jackets history to score a playoff goal.

Cam scored a third goal in the first, but it was ultimately taken away after it was determined the play was offsides.

Nevertheless, they were able to maintain their lead into the second period.

Now, both teams would score an additional two goals in period two, but Columbus endured well into the third until Bread got an empty-netter with 1:53 left.

19 seconds later, Tex would score another empty-netter and then Duchy added another just for good measure.

The final score at Nationwide Arena was 7-3.

7-3.

7-3, y'all. 7-3.

With tonight's victory, the Jackets get a well deserved rest. They will take on the winner of the Boston Bruins/Toronto Maple Leafs matchup.

Currently, Toronto leads 2-1. They play again at home-ice tomorrow night.

In other super-duper exciting news, the Penguins have been eliminated! Yes, that's right, the New York Islanders were able to hold it together and defeat those dirty birdies. The swept them actually. Which makes the victory so much sweeter.

New York will take on the winner of the Washington Capitals/Carolina Hurricanes fight.

Washington leads Carolina 2-1 and they will continue the battle for the Cup on Thursday.

Honorable mention: it was so heartwarming to see how emotional Bill and Brian were.

I'm sure all of staff there tonight were in tears, but to see those speechless was great.

Bill has been with the team since the very beginning. 20 years and he finally gets to see them advance to Round 2.

Brian asked Bill what he was feeling after the victory, and Bill had to take a moment and collect himself. You could see him struggling to get the words out, and I think that's when I lost it.

If I wasn't crying before, I certainly am now.

I'm so glad the boys could pull off this win, and Bill gets to see this unbelievable feat before his retirement.

That moment of astonishment and pride and happiness is what this sport is about. It's bringing people together and celebrating the victories and sharing in the losses.

Take a trip down memory lane and see where it all began here!

We're just one big goofy family, and I absolutely cannot wait to see what Round 2 has in store.

What was your reaction when the final seconds ticked off? Let me know in the comments if you cried too so I don't feel weird about crying over a sport.

Who am I kidding? I have no shame in crying over this dumb team.