Thrashers skewering of Sabres ends with great cliMax
The Thrasher won Saturday 4-2. They won Friday 4-2 in New Jersey. They lost 4-2 in Ottawa the game before that and won 4-2 in St. Louis the time before that.
Anyone sensing a trend here?
Another trend with the Thrashers…beating the Buffalo Sabres.
Picking up where they left off last season, when the Thrasher went up against the Sabres four times and came away with two points all four times, Atlanta traveled to western New York and came away with a win. However, unlike last year, this time they didn’t even do Buffalo the courtesy of allowing them the consolation point that comes with losing to us in overtime.
Like the Thrashers, Buffalo was playing on the tail end of back-to-back games…the Thrashers winning in New Jersey 4-2 Friday night while the Sabres won at home 6-3 against the Islanders. It was the first regulation loss of the year for the Sabres and Atlanta improved it’s record to 4-1-0…3-1-0 on the road trip with one more game left.
Kaptain Kovalchuk scored goals number six and seven on the year…both coming in the first period, one on the power play. Todd White also scored on the power play in the second…his initial goal of the season. Johan Hedberg made is first start this year, stopping 40 of the 42 Sabres shots…19 of 20 in the third period alone.
Oh, and Moose collected an assist as well…very nice.
Max thrilled the Buffalo crowd with his first goal as a Thrasher (AP/Don Heupel)
But the play of the night came with 3:17 left in the game when Maxim Afinogenov made his return to western New York a very memorable. Just 17 seconds after Drew Stafford’s power play goal pulled the Sabres to within a goal and made it appear as though a nail-biter type of finish was in the offing, Max took a pass from Kozlov on the left side then proceeded to undress defenseman Taylor Myers on his way towards Patrick Lalime.
The finish was as good as the move…much to the delight of the home crowd.
I don’t think Afinogenov could have picked a better setting in which to score his first ever goal in a Thrashers uniform, eh?
Nik Antropov had a pair of assists, as did Slava Kozlov. For the Slavanator it was his first points on the season. For Nik they were points numbers three and four.
Mark Popovic played on defense while Anssi Salmela sat. Pops finished with no points and a +1 rating during his 14:02 TOI. Atlanta is undefeated in all three games he’s played in…just sayin’.
The penalty kill unit was again a big part in Saturday’s win. They were successful four times out of five in Buffalo…this after shutting down all six of the Devils man-advantages the night before. The biggest kill of the night came in the second when Atlanta successfully held Buffalo scoreless on a full two-minute 5 on 3. For the season now, Atlanta’s PK is an outstanding 85.0% effective, which is 8th best in the NHL.
Yes…we are talking about the Thrashers penalty kill.
The biggest difference in the penalty kill unit this season and that of season’s past is how aggressive they play while down a man. They pursue the puck and keep those skates a-movin’. By getting to the puck more often, they are able to clear the puck from the zone more times and get fresher legs on the ice. A fairly simple explanation, I know…but it is making a big difference.
On the opposite end of the special teams play is the very effective power play of the Thrashers. After their 2 for 5 performance in Buffalo, it is has been successful an impressive 37.5% of the time this season…which is the best PP% in the NHL.
The puck seemed to be hunting Moose all night long (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Not to be overlooked also… the effort put in by the Moose. It’s not like the Sabres didn’t come to play this night as they launched 42 shots on Atlanta’s backup keeper. As stated above, almost half of those shots came in the final twenty minutes and Hedberg only allowed the power play goal during that final period.
The win now gives the Thrashers 8 points after 5 games played which equals their best start in their history. They started the 2003-04 campaign with three wins and a pair of ties for eight points as well. The sixth game of that season six years ago ended in a 3-2 overtime loss in Tampa and was followed by a 4-2 win against Nashville… giving them 11 points after seven games.
Game six this season will come Tuesday in Montreal…game seven against the Capitals will be Thursday when the Thrashers are actually allowed to play another home game. A pair of wins there will set a new high for points after seven games played by Atlanta.
Great Time At TJ’s…As Per Usual
There was a tremendous turnout at TJ’s Saturday night as about 150-ish loud, raucous Thrashers fans packed into TJ’s to enjoy the game. The Thrashers Fan Club came out in force and the staff there provided their usual fantastic service. The DJ Tim had there did a great job of making the place sound and feel a lot like a home game at Philips Arena.
Thrash made a showing as well, but he just didn’t seem to appreciate it when I offered him one of my Buffalo chicken wings… I wonder why.
The entire staff of The Blueland Chronicle was a no-show…and for that they will each be admonished at the next Blogger Summit. However, Daculafan of FanThrashtic was there at my table…along with Spud Webb, Paminski, Mr. Paminski as well as a very cool fan…I believe his name was Jeff. A few lurkers also were kind enough to introduce themselves…always a pleasure to meet the good people out there.
Tim has invited us all out again on November 7 when the Thrashers are on Lonnnn-Gisland…a game that will again not be aired locally…as well as on Thanksgiving Eve when the team travels to Detroit. Also, TJ’s will be the gathering point this Saturday for those of us making our way down to Philips on the Party Bus to see the San Jose Sharks.
And Finally…
I want to wish Tony a very happy 29th birthday. Hey Tony, your lovely wife also wanted me to let you know that by having me give you this birthday shout out…it counts as her gift to you.
So…enjoy it!
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235 comments Add your comment
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
9:16 am
Buzilla-there a lot of nice folks in Canada, they have more than there fair share of quality people.
But some of the posts we have seen in their blogs show us that they have a fair share of idiots too. I blame the media for stoking their ignorance.
I decided to ignore them and enjoy our good start. Let’s keep it going in Montreal tomorrow.
Toby
October 19th, 2009
9:25 am
Custance and Dub also chime in…
Atlanta general manager Don Waddell said he and Kovalchuk’s agent, Jay Grossman, have had a lot of positive contract talks in the last week.
“Every sign continues to point toward getting something done,” Waddell told Sporting News.
Buzilla in CT
October 19th, 2009
9:29 am
WBF – I should have said “Canadian Hockey Fans” instead of grouping the entire country. I am also referring to the more rabid canadian hockey fans that LAC referenced above who believe that all NHL teams should be in Canada. They would like a team from Moose Knuckle to Sasquatch (feel free to fill in any other ficticious Canadian city)
I am enjoying the start. I can’t wait until November 7th when I get to see the Trash put the smack down on the Islanders!!!! Center Ice still isn’t available in my area so this is my one chance to see them until they play on national tv or Comcast gets there sh*t together and get it available in my area.
Rawhide
October 19th, 2009
9:45 am
Buzilla – Remember…there will be a group of us gathering at TJ’s on the 7th to watch that game. We wanna see a sign up against the glass from you giving us all a shout out!
We’ll be looking for ya!
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
10:27 am
Toby – sounds very good
Buzilla-here’s hoping we can put those idiot fans behind us.
Opie in goal tomorrow?
Any news on Kari?
Hopefully this fast start will not force him into playing before he is ready.
Toby
October 19th, 2009
10:54 am
Kevin Allen says we are close to resigning Pevs…
http://www.usatoday.com/community/profile.htm?UID=7f199720956b03f0&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a7f199720956b03f0Post%3a9de4ed67-c0e9-4818-96ef-7dccbd6729e9
Midfield
October 19th, 2009
11:17 am
I seriously regret one thing about the game in Buffalo: they did not show that wide load Buffalo announcer’s face (plenty of which I had a pleasure of seeing during the two intermissions) just after Afinogenov’s goal. I can only imagine how it looked like.
five_hole
October 19th, 2009
11:23 am
From your lips to . . . Waddell’s ears?
I am a big Peverley fan. He can play in all situations. He can play center or wing. And he’s a point-per game player. And not many players who score like he’s been doing would accept a “demotion” to the 3rd line. If he did that voluntarily, he’s a team guy.
This would be 1 down & 2 to go.
Mrs. DWTOO
October 19th, 2009
11:47 am
Hockey Biltong: “MRS. DWTOO – Tell me about South Afrique!!! How was it for you??? Are you still there?”
Yes, I’m here until around December 20 doing work with HIV/AIDS prevention in south Africa under the Presidet’s Emergecy Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). I’m in Pretoria (a hop, skip & jump from Jo-Burg). It’s spring here and the jacarandi are blooming along with everything else. Weather has been mostly sunny, but the storms, when they come, are really intense – lots of lightning and LOUD thunder. Temperatures are low-mid 60s F at night and low 80s F during the day. Humidity is a lot lower than Atlanta and my sinuses are much better here than in Atlanta. I’m learning to convert Rands into US dollars to see how expensive it is to live here. Food, in general, is a little cheaper than Atlanta, especially the wine and beer (these cost way more in Atlanta). Also converting fahrenheit to celsius, ounces to grams, miles to meters, etc., etc. Crime is still vey high here so we are told to not venture out at night unless with a group. I’ve been getting to know my surroundings around the Brooklyn area of Pretoria, been to the US Embassy several times for PEPFAR meetings, and will be going to check out downtown Pretoria this weekend. They love their rugby and football (i.e. soccer) here and the South Africans love their cars as much as Americans. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my drivers’ license so I can’t drive here, although I’m not sure if I really want to; the South Africans drive rather recklessly, accounting for one of the highest rates of accidents on the African continent. I’m not sure if this has changed since you’ve lived here. Still a wide gap between rich and poor. I’ve been told that downtown Jo-Burg has been taken over more or less by a number of other countries’ refugees, leaving a lot of highrises in pretty much shambles, although there are some areas that have not been affected. The crime rate is very much higher in Johannesburg than Pretoria, or so I’ve been told. Where did you go to high school? Was it for boys only? The schools here appear to be mostly private and are for only boys or only for girls. I have’t seen any co-ed schools yet, but will stand corrected if there are…this could be because of where I’m living in Pretoria.
Sorry for the long post and digression from the blog topic…just wanted to answer Hockey Biltong.
R. Stroz
October 19th, 2009
11:49 am
I’m a huge Peverley fan. He reminds me alot of Tom Lysiak back in the days of the Atlanta Flames. He hustles, plays both ways, and never gives up. Peverley does have better wheels than Lysiak did.
Buzilla in CT
October 19th, 2009
11:56 am
Peverley goes both ways?
NYC
October 19th, 2009
12:05 pm
Addressing the issue of “not posting senseless relocation rumors”, well, they seem to be constantly out there, and if somebody posts one, I myself hate hearing them, but appreciate the reassurances from the fellow bloggers – sorta of a “come off the ledge, they’re BS!”. I’m proud to say I was part of the turnout at TJ’s – good time by all!
If only the Jets could have pulled the daily double over the Bills –
#!@*!!!^#@**!!!
Daculafan
October 19th, 2009
12:19 pm
TJ’s was awesome and it was great to see so many fans!! The Thrashers made it a good party with the way they played also. My first viewing party ever was a couple of years ago when we went to Buffalo and got stomped 10-1, this was much better of course.
The PK and goaltending are what stands out to me so far to be the dramatic difference from last year. Our PK killed off everything thrown at them in Jersey then comes to Buffalo and kills off a big 5-3 Wow!
My son is stoked about Peverley (he gave him an autograph during camp and every since then he’s been my son’s favorite player). I hope we can get him locked down, it will be just another step in showing Kovy how much we want to make this a winner.
Let’s enjoy the ride guys…hopefully it won’t end until we hoist the cup!!
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
12:30 pm
NYC-th Bills/Jets game was horrible. I’m a Bills’ fan, but I was hoping the Jets would win so Buffalo would fire Dick Jauron.
Toby-thanks for the link, that would be great news!
NASCAR Dave
October 19th, 2009
12:35 pm
So I guess KOVY is not gonna resign here. Per DUMB WADDELL, “We don’t negotiate contracts during the season”. If KOVY was coming back he would have been signed during the summer. Truth hurts, I know. I’m pissed too. Anyways, GO THRASHERS and keep up the good work.
NASCAR Dave
October 19th, 2009
12:38 pm
DACULAFAN – It’s not about “pleasing KOVY”. That is not how competent management builds a team.
But it is pretty funny to see how Brown DON FRAUDell’s nose is getting! KOVY is his last chnace…
He knows when KOVY goes, so does he!!! So there is a silver lining to everything, regardless…
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
12:52 pm
The Bruins traded Chuck Kobasew to The Wild. Boston gets a prospect and a 2nd round pick. The Bruins dump salary and obtain more futures for a player they really didn’t need.
Do you think Toronto would have given their 2012 first round pick for Kobasew?
Sara
October 19th, 2009
1:21 pm
Same old agenda huh Dave. Haven’t been around in ages, the team’s off to an excellent 4-1 start, and all you can continue to come up with is “Don Fraudell”? Truly lame.
Buzilla in CT
October 19th, 2009
1:42 pm
Wait a minute Sara. I haven’t heard NASCAR Dave arguement for firing Mr. Fraudell. (That is classic by the way, because he is fraud right? Excellent work)
Since it has been a while, maybe he has some new light to shed on the situation.
ben
October 19th, 2009
1:53 pm
pevs and kovy for years to come
maybe oppie can stay too?
Toby
October 19th, 2009
2:20 pm
ESPN has an insider article saying Kovy might go to Boston. I can’t open it, but all you need to know is that it’s titled:
lya Kovalchuk may be off to the East Coast.
Uhhhhh………….Yeah.
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 19th, 2009
2:26 pm
Ohhhhh, FRAUDell…like Waddell, but with the word Fraud cleverly inserted to make it look like his last name! I get it!!
Smoothie
October 19th, 2009
2:31 pm
Great to see we are close to a deal to lock up Peverley for at least a couple of years. As my girlfriend likes to say, we have quickly developed “Pever-lasting” love for Ricky Pevs! I think my next customized jersey (white this time) will be the Dispenser. It will look great in our collection next to Little, Reasoner and Bogosian. If Kovy re-ups as well, I think I’ll get a red # 17 jersey that reads Kapt Kovy.
Rawhide
October 19th, 2009
2:32 pm
I have it from a good source that a wealthy peanut farmer in central Georgia is seeking to gather funds to purchase the Toronto Maple Leafs and relocate them to Macon. (r5).
The goal is to place the team there and re-name them the Macon Whoopie.
You just read it here on the internet…so it must be true!
NASCAR Dave
October 19th, 2009
2:44 pm
I’m back! You guys know you missed me! It’s nice to have someone here that speaks the truth, isn’t it?
SARA – I have no agenda. Just want people to be held accountable for their actions i.e. DUMB DON…
NASCAR Dave
October 19th, 2009
2:45 pm
TOBY – I heard the KOVY to BOSTON rumor too… As well as KOVY to Detroit…
Rawhide
October 19th, 2009
2:53 pm
TSN is out with it’s latest power ranking…look who’s number 5!
five_hole
October 19th, 2009
2:57 pm
Rawhide If it’s a peanut farmer in Macon, wouldn’t they be Macon Peanut Butter?
We’re number 5! We’re number 5!
Alan R.
October 19th, 2009
3:03 pm
Peverley goes both ways?
Easy there, now, Richard Simmons…
Stendecs Mother
October 19th, 2009
3:13 pm
Has anyone seen my boy?
Stendecs Mother
October 19th, 2009
3:14 pm
How bout Macon Canadien Bacon
Russian
October 19th, 2009
3:25 pm
Frolov will be in healthy scratch two game on the road. Do we need him? He is Left Wing, 27 years old. He will be UFA after this season. He has only 5 points on 8 games with Kings.
Sara
October 19th, 2009
3:36 pm
Well now, the Wolves have fired their coaching staff after a 1-5 start.
Sara
October 19th, 2009
3:38 pm
Oh, linkage: http://www.chicagowolves.com/releases/1447-wolves-announce-coaching-change
Buzilla in CT
October 19th, 2009
4:11 pm
Peverly signing should be released any day now
Richard Simmons?
Will L
October 19th, 2009
4:12 pm
Hey Rawhide, you just got quoted on ESPN rumor central. Although they totally screwed up and titled the rumor “Pavelec sticking with Preds?” Although the title is aptly punctuated because it makes you go WTF? Here is the article:
Ondrej Pavelec may be making a case to stay with the Predators, even after starter Kari Lehtonen returns to the lineup.
“If Pavs keeps this up, then how is [GM Don] Waddell going to be able to send him back to Chicago once Kari Lehtonen eventually returns to the lineup?” writes the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (this article).
Pavelec is 3-1-0 with a .918 save percentage and 2.76 GAA.
Sorry I am not fancy with a link.
Will L
October 19th, 2009
4:14 pm
ok so maybe it was your previous blog and not this one
Alan R.
October 19th, 2009
4:16 pm
ESPN has Atlanta ranked at #9.
Rawhide
October 19th, 2009
4:33 pm
Will L – Thanks for the tip-off on the ESPN rumor central quote…I’ll se if I can’t dig it up!
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
4:51 pm
Boston would have to dump 4 players to get the $$$ to sign Kovy. ESPN and a few other sources. This stuff gets crazier every day.
Maybe he’ll sign with the Chicago Wolves?
Tom
October 19th, 2009
4:56 pm
World Be Free – Maybe he will coach the Chicago Wolves.
I think every sportswriter in an NHL city is writing an article for a slow day entitled “What would it take for us to get Kovy?”
It is an easy what if piece and one that will get the readership engaged. With the start that Kovy has had it is prime hot stove material.
One thing that may keep him here is these polls that show us in the Top 10 and how the other glamor teams have dropped down. Ilya has been instrumental in putting together the Thrashers this year and it is working. He does have a dog in the fight.
Smoothie
October 19th, 2009
5:23 pm
The Thrashers record without Peverley last year: 14-24-5
The Thrashers record since the Peever was plucked off waivers: 25-18-1
Richard “Ricky Pevs” Peverley has 42 points in 44 games as a Thrasher.
Peverley’s annual cap hit for the last couple years: $487,500
Jim Slater’s annual salary for the 2009-10 campaign: $840,000
I would say that is some convincing evidence for a contract extension.
Congratulations to a great player and a fantastic lockeroom guy!!
Smoothie
October 19th, 2009
5:24 pm
Oh yeah, almost forgot. Peverley is leading the entire league in Face-off Won Percentage with an eye-popping 72% efficiency rate. Hello!!
Smitty
October 19th, 2009
6:40 pm
How did Nashville let this guy get away? True, maybe he has a point to prove but he had to show somebody something while he was with the Preds.!!! Be nice to see Kovy and Pevs re-up on the same day before Thanksgiving.
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
8:15 pm
If Kovy signs soon we won’t have to deal with al this idiotic speculation anymore. You have to admit some of the speculation is so stupid it’s funny. Grown men, paid alotta money say the stupidest things.
Do you believe these guys at Hockey Central on Versus!? They fall all over Ottawa, a non-playoff team last year like they are the second coming! When the Thrashers are mentioned, their immediate reaction is “it won’t last” “hey, it’s early”. Based on what?
Like I said, grown men, paid alotta money, say the stupidest things.
Waffleboy
October 19th, 2009
9:27 pm
I would rather the hockey writers of the world, who are the worst homers of any sports writer(if it doesn’t happen in Toronto or Montreal it doesn’t matter), and leave the Thrashers alone. Where did most of these guys have the Maple Leafs pegged at this year? Has anyone seen Toronto play this year? They’re horrible. Almost as bad as the Lightning. Makes me feel sorry for Exelby. Let them speculate about where Kovy’s going. It doesn’t seem to be affecting him the way it did Hossa a few years back.
ben
October 19th, 2009
9:59 pm
Peverley, All-Star!
Brendan
October 19th, 2009
11:00 pm
My only question is this: “Why not re-sign Peverley, Little, Pavelec, etc., during the off-season?”
Well?
Would these players have told their agents, “I don’t care how OFTEN Don Waddell calls, we’re NOT AMENABLE to contract negotiations. We don’t do PROACTIVE deals. We’re gonna play the season, hit all our numbers, and SQUEEZE every last penny out of the Atlanta Spirit, LLC?”
Raise your hand, good-n-high, if you think … that that’s what the players thought? Keep ‘em up. Let’s count.
Waddell has done one, and only one, proactive contract is his DECADE LONG Administration. It was Toby Enstrom. And I applauded him for it. Enstrom’s production slipped a little last year. I hope it didn’t sour Waddell from the ‘concept’ of the PROACTIVE contract.
Kovalchuk is a very different matter. He’s not a player that is trying to PROVE he belongs here, and can remain VIABLE as a NHL commodity for the coming years. That period has long since passed for him. For Kovy, as you all know, part of the issue is … “How well the team plays … for EACH OTHER … and in terms of RESULTS.” The other part of the equasion … is the ownership … and its longterm commitment towards icing a winning team. In this respect, I’m not jumping all over Kovalchuk. In his shoes, and BEEEEEEEE HONEST, you’d do the same thing. Once you affix your signature on that contract, it’s (1) LEGAL and it’s (2) BINDING. And if you walk away to go play for the KHL … your name is mud back here in North America.
I just remember Waddell’s quote, “Very good progress is being made. We’ve had a counter-offer. This is not a Marian Hossa situation. I don’t think we’ll still be talking about this at Christmas.” Those are Waddell words. Some people take him at his word. And some people don’t. I don’t know what to believe. But I’m inclined to believe that it’s more true than false. If Atlanta is in 1st place in the SE division at Christmas, and playing well … and say … not there because (1) Carolina imploded, (2) Washington lost Ovechkin for the year, (3) Tampa blows, and (4) Florida has no clue how to run its team, then yes … I honestly do think Kovy “might” re-sign at the Holidays. But in Kovy’s shoes, I still wouldn’t re-sign then.
Why not? I still don’t know what level of commitment the Atlanta Spirit, LLC will provide. When the trade deadline rolls around, will Atlanta’s budget increase? Will the Thrashers be BUYERS? Part II of the question, “Will they be INTELLIGENT buyers?” Or will they try some ‘Phil Kessel-like idiocy of a trade, whereby we MORTGAGE most of our future draft picks?” Think the Keith Tkachuk deal. There’s a right and wrong way to be a buyer at the deadline. I would like to think that Don Waddell and the AS, LLC learned its lesson about “going for broke” at the deadline. It’s okay to max out your cap at the deadline; in fact, that would capture Kovalchuk’s attention, but it’s quite another to do that while hamstringing the organization for years to come. Very un-good. I’m the sort who’d like to give Waddell the benefit of the doubt this time around. I think he’s ‘learned’ in his position. But the PROOF will be what kind of moves he ACTUALLY makes at the deadline. Adding some veteran depth might be okay, whether at forward or defense. So long as the only thing we give up are ‘throw away’ draft picks or ‘longshot’ prospects. Think Chad Painchaud. Or any of the Dwyers. If, God forbid, we’re in selling mode … we’ve got to get all we can for those who cannot be retained. You know who they are. You know where to look to see the letters “UFA” in the 2010 column.
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October 19th, 2009
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JLH
October 19th, 2009
11:18 pm
100th ….. so what?