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
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
(twisted)
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
(roll)
Spud Webb
October 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
hahahahaah, i’ll give it to Dudley also. I don’t really care, either way I’m happy.
And Dave, no negotiations during the season? Well how did we just sign up Pevs for 2 years if thats the case??
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
WTF! Am I retarted? (please hold comments)
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:37 pm
Sara
October 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
I didn’t know you were “tart” in the first placed.
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
YEAH! I can learn
Bob
October 20th, 2009
2:46 pm
Sara, I find it highly unlikely that after 10 years of floundering that our old dog (Waddell) has learned him some new tricks.
A more logical and perfectly reasonable explanation is that Dudley has arrived now and is giving him some good advice (or flat out making the decisions himself). And that’s fine, we all talked about seeing Waddell gone (upstairs with a promotion and bring in a GM that knows what he’s doing). It’s a win/win, I like Waddell as a man, he’s seems to be a quality person, just not a good GM. Ever since Dudley has arrived, smart moves have been made.
Which 100% validates what most of us have said for years and one of us has said ad infinitum (unless the guy making the decisions at the top changes, nothing substantive would change).
But whatever, drop the freakin puck and let’s get it on. They sign Armstrong and Kovy to extensions and they can talk to me about season tix again, giddyup
JAmes_kovyboy from MTL
October 20th, 2009
2:51 pm
Game tonight! I hope we win this ! ill have blue and silver hair and makeup
damn i never been so excited to see the thrashers win!
I dont know how peverley has gotten this good, but im just happy he is
wow what a steal
And i know theres been all this BS about Kovy leaving, which will not be true
but
does anyone knowif well be keeping Kane or not?
love,
Montreal Thrasher
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 20th, 2009
2:51 pm
Sara — I completely agree. There are many vocal people in these parts who are for or against the decisions made by Waddell, but the three you highlighted have usually been willing to give due credit to the good decisions made with a sometimes healthy dose of the negative comments for the bad decisions. I might not always agree with everyone in these parts, but I always appreciate it when they’re able to be more than just a stubborn closed-minded Anti-Waddell Thrashers “fan”, and more like a an open-minded Anti-Waddell Thrashers fan.
Buzilla — Lay off the sauce man. It’s only 2pm.
five_hole
October 20th, 2009
2:55 pm
I got two words; YA and HOO. I’m guessing it’s only two years (at Pev’s request) because the $$$ are a little low for a point-per-game player.
3stripes
October 20th, 2009
2:57 pm
Glad we’ve signed Pevs. And I think the price is more than reasonable for the production he’s given.
Now, can we please kick the Habs to the curb this evening? Nothing would rile the Canadian media more than a blowout loss to les Thrash, and nothing would please me more. Then maybe we could start a rumor that the Canadiens are moving to Winnipeg… Just sayin’.
Sara
October 20th, 2009
2:58 pm
ranallo the true sign is whether a person dumps all over Waddell/the owners or whether someone feels the need to talk crap about every single person/player/thing associated with the Atlanta Thrashers (like *someone* did this summer when he pooped all over every single person this team drafted with the possible exception of Kane). If you can’t find even one thing to say nice about the franchise, you really don’t belong here (’cause why would you want to be if you hate everything?).
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:59 pm
Sara. We are near halloween and I love Sweetarts…which is what I wash down my screwdrivers with at lunch…making me type retarTed
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:59 pm
:drunk:
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
3:00 pm
Damn. Doesn’t work for that one….burp
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
3:08 pm
Guess no one finds my prediction that outlandish (18-10-2 over the next 30)…am I on the right blog? Good, perhaps the tide really is turning?
Tonite will be a good test of their drive and motivation. Hopefully they won’t let up just because they’ve already won 3 games on the road. Grab the game by the throat early and then step on the Habs collective neck before the crowd knows what hit ‘em. That’s the mark of a true playoff caliber team…beat your inferior opponents.
Alan R.
October 20th, 2009
3:12 pm
Someone nudge the record player, I think it might be skipping again.
*throws the record player out of the window*
Tony C.
October 20th, 2009
3:21 pm
For all there goaltending & defensive woes I’m still leery of this Montreal Smurfdiens team-lotta (potential) firepower on that bench.
Still though, I’m looking for a Thrashers win, provided we keep the positive traction going on our special teams
Tony C.
October 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
Also, is it me, or does it seem that Dustin Penner is starting to live up to that big contract?
Tony C.
October 20th, 2009
3:30 pm
Cool interview with Hockey Fan Rob Zombie:
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/28683-THNcom-Blog-Zombie-wants-return-to-a-gritty-game.html
Sara
October 20th, 2009
3:34 pm
Quit cheating Bob – unfair head start. I was planning on having the Dudley v. Waddell war next August when everything else in the hockey world came to a screeching halt and we are all bored out of our gourds.
World Be Free
October 20th, 2009
3:37 pm
I prefer this “light” talk to some of the stuff we had this summer.
Anyone wanna talk about Slater?
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 20th, 2009
3:54 pm
Last time I brought up Slater I was admonished by one of the people I was trying to be supportive of…I should quit mentioning his name.
Rawhide
October 20th, 2009
3:59 pm
Sara – If you wait until next August to have a Dudley vs. Waddell war you’ll have waited too long.
By that time, I predict, Dudley will already be the GM.
This is due to either…
A). Ilya Kovalchuk is re-signed, the team continues to do well and Waddell Rich McKays himself to the position of Exectutive VP solely.
or…
B). He is unable to re-sign Kovy, the team does not continue to win and he is fired.
I predict it will be “A”…but either way, you’d better wage that war now.
GaVaHokie
October 20th, 2009
4:01 pm
Funny… I was just watching the “Thrashers/Habs Ice Chips” video on TSN… they should have just called it “Habs Ice Chips”.
I like that they’re playing Halak against us… I love being underestimated. They’re also playing M.A. Bergeron for the first time tonight.
A win tonight, and we’re tied for 1st in the Southeast with Washington with two games in hand with two of the next three games against Washington for sole possession of first!
Sara
October 20th, 2009
4:14 pm
Hmmm, Rawhide – we’ll see. For now though, Don Waddell, and not Rick Dudley, is the GM of this team – if this season goes poorly, guarantee it will all fall on him, not Dudley. So likewise, the good should come to him as well. Besides – Waddell hired Dudley in the first place, so it all goes back to him anyway. My short version of the argument is that ownership has settled the lawsuit (at least temporarily), gotten some money (courtesy of Belkin), allowed Waddell to spend that money (on new roster players and that new guy in the front office), changed his annual marching orders from “be as frugal as possible” to “do whatever it takes to re-sign Ilya Kovalchuk,” and essentially realized that pretty much everything they have done for the past 5/6 years has completely screwed up this franchise so they should sit down, and STFU.
As for Dudley, right now he’s here to re-tool the drafting/scouting/prospect development arms – which no question were the weakest links outside of crap owners. Waddell still signs FAs, makes the trades, negotiates contract extensions with the players, etc etc. This year’s roster is Waddell’s team – sink or swim.
R. Stroz
October 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
The times, they are a changin.
The insanity, defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, has ceased.
So, what is the genesis of the shift?
Anderson? We did get rid of deadweight quickly once Anderson arrived. Jason “Creme Puff” Williams and Eric “I can’t put the puck in the net because of the ownership turmoil” Christensen were kicked to the curb. I’ll always believe Anderson was instrumental in procuring Peverley.
The Fans? Had anyone ever heard fans chant fire the GM by name before last season? For years, fans have chanted fire the coach by name, but not the GM.
The Ticket Holder Revolt? Many fans, tired of absurd ticket discounting in combination with few benefits” sat on their collective wallets.
Kovalchuk? Kovy, using re-signing as collateral, flat out stated that he wanted changes and started recruiting players, bigger players.
Dudley? When Dudley arrived, the team started getting bigger. No more free agent signings of forwards listed at 5′10″ 180 pounds who were really 5′7″ 160 pounds. No more 36 year old pylon d-men that the organization stated that they sought six years ago.
Waddell? Did he finally wake up after a ten year stupor? I’ll leave that one alone.
There have been huge positive changes from player procurement to ticket sales practices.
Actually, I think the new GM by committee is working a lot better. The current GM’s are: Waddell (in name only), Dudley, Anderson, and Kovy.
Last off season, the first proactive contract was signed: Enstrom.
This year, the second proactive contract was signed: Peverley.
Now, its time for the fans to support the team. Get off your wallets and @$$e$, go to the arena, and raise some Thrasher noise. Thrasher management has finally done their job, as fans, it’s time we do ours.
SIVA
October 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/10208540/Chelios-signs-with-AHL’s-Chicago-Wolves
SIVA
October 20th, 2009
4:23 pm
WOW three stories on foxsports.com about thrashers.
GaVaHokie
October 20th, 2009
4:32 pm
I personally think Kovalchuk will leave if he continues to have to play to a half-empty house night after night… regardless of team success.
I think it’s time to support the team with your wallets and show Kovalchuk that the fans are on board.
I think management has done all they can to prove to Kovy they’re dedicated to building a winner… it’s up to the fans now to prove to Kovy that Philips is an exciting place to play hockey.
GaVaHokie
October 20th, 2009
4:33 pm
Now, its time for the fans to support the team. Get off your wallets and @$$e$, go to the arena, and raise some Thrasher noise. Thrasher management has finally done their job, as fans, it’s time we do ours.
I concur.
Midfield
October 20th, 2009
4:36 pm
Stroz, it could take a while for Kovy to negotiate a contract with himself between the games, practices, trips and watching over his growing family.
R. Stroz
October 20th, 2009
4:40 pm
Midfield – Kovy’s job as GM is Russian player procurement. Kind of like, “Come play in Atlanta, the fans don’t annoy you, the press doesn’t annoy you, and you can golf nine months out of the year.”
Glovesave29
October 20th, 2009
4:42 pm
C’mon Dave – be a critic, fine…but you have to give Don / Rick credit when things are done right. You really think a guy getting $1.3M when he is on pace for just under 80 points over his first 80 games as a Thrasher is overpaying? What do you think he could have demanded as a free agent? $2M? $2.5M? A two way guy with great hockey sense? A hard worker who never gives up on a play? Being critical is fine, but it diminishes your take on things when you cannot give kudos to a job well done.
Let crush Les Habs tonight and move to 5-1.
Alan R.
October 20th, 2009
4:59 pm
I personally think Kovalchuk will leave if he continues to have to play to a half-empty house night after night… regardless of team success.
He’s stated he wants team success. A packed house will only come with success. We all know this.
I know you’re just trying to Eklund up things around here by creating a little controversy, but we need less crap and more hockey.
So, how ’bout them Leafs, eh? It’s gotta be hard to go 0-6-1. At least in 2007, the Thrashers were 1-6-0 after their first seven.
Bob
October 20th, 2009
5:05 pm
Bingo, Stroz. And Andersen is the one who pointed out Peverly to Waddell, I think Don even admitted that himself. The owners have upped the spending and even given max cap to Waddell before, the change now is as Stroz pointed out, you have Anderson helping with personnel decisions, Dudley coming in and obviously haveing a positive effect, Kovy pulling in Antropov, and the fans got the collective attention of management.
I don’t much care as long as we keep transitioning out of the Waddell makes all the calls era into what Rawhide sees (please!) as his final days as GM (which I think is already in name only). He’s been a good soldier for the Spirit, I hope they do kick him upstairs and let Dudley have the reins full time. Mabye Don goes up there after he gets Kovy inked (and yes, I’m a fool me once guy, but I feel good about that happening).
Les Habitants are les dead meat, let’s hope Pavelec is on his game still.
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
5:06 pm
Keep winning and they will come…such is Atlanta. Good thing the Bulldogs pretty much suck. Perhaps some UGA fans will give up a Saturday or two to come watch a winner!
NASCAR Dave
October 20th, 2009
5:41 pm
Everyone needs to chill. I said I was happy with the PEVERLEY signing! 2 Years is what I would have offered as well. I think you guys read too deep into my comments sometimes, it looks like BOB here is the one who caught on to what I was hinting at…This could all be the work od DUDLEY anyways!!!
Ans I agree with RAWHIDE’s scenarios above, it will be one or the other, that’s for damn sure!!!
RAWHIDE – What can WE AS FANS do to get you promoted to be the BEAT Reporter for the AJC??? This CHRIS guy just isn’t cutting it… Man I miss ole CUSTANCE!!!
NUFF SAID.
rightshot
October 20th, 2009
5:52 pm
Just saw the replay of the Kovy interview on NHL Live. Nothing to add except they said they will be interviewing Jon Anderson tomorrow. Sorry didn’t catch the time. (cool)
Is it 7:30 yet!
rightshot
October 20th, 2009
5:54 pm
Rats didn’t work. (mad)
rightshot
October 20th, 2009
5:56 pm
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 20th, 2009
6:39 pm
“Glad PEVERLEY got re-upped, but we still overpaid for him… Same Old DONNIE Style!!!”
“We gave him a raise. He deserved a raise. We just overpaid on said raise.”
“I think you guys read too deep into my comments sometimes, it looks like BOB here is the one who caught on to what I was hinting at…This could all be the work od DUDLEY anyways!!!”
It clearly must be that everyone was confused. See, they thought you said Peverley was overpaid…but clearly you didn’t. They also thought you said it was a typical Waddell move to overpay…but clearly you didn’t. Obviously Bob was the only person that realized by you saying “same old Donnie sytle” and “we just overpaid on said raise” what you really meant was “This could all be the work of Dudley anyways!!!”.
I’m glad I had a chance to clarify things, it makes perfect sense now.
Welcome back.
Brendan
October 20th, 2009
6:39 pm
Stendecs Mother
October 20th, 2009
6:47 pm
smile
Brendan
October 20th, 2009
6:48 pm
I’m someone who will READILY take Waddell to task, but I’ll also give him full marks for getting something right. Loved the Christensen for O’Dell deal. Loved the Peverley waiver claim. Couple of trade deadlines back, he got Steve McCarthy for nothing, and McCarthy actually had a decent rest of that season. Now, obviously, the rest of it didn’t go so well. Minuses stuck McCarthy like glue. But when I see a Waddell move that I think is good, I’ll say so. When I see a Ken Klee signing, I’ll post, “That’s a head-scratcher.” And I’ll attempt to explain what I thought Waddell was possibly thinking.
I’m not complaining about this Peverley deal. If everything falls to pot after this, I’m not going to assign the blame to the signing of this contract. I’ll say … “at the time, it made a whole heckuva lot of sense. The man was averaging nearly a point a game. Guys like that get PAID a lot more than what Peverley got.”
I applaud this deal. Whether it was Waddell or Dudley or a “Wadudley” decision. Bottom line: It’s a move in the right direction. So, I like it.
Stendecs Mother
October 20th, 2009
6:48 pm
:i am mad:
Stendecs Mother
October 20th, 2009
6:49 pm
:i am “mad”:
Brendan
October 20th, 2009
6:50 pm
Guess what? This contract signing is a clear sign that Waddell is signing contracts DURING THE SEASON. Hallelujah!
Do you SEE the Light, Don? Move into the Light, my son! Move into the light!!!
Stendecs Mother
October 20th, 2009
6:51 pm
:maybe he just rolled out of bed.: