Vokoun’s injury one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen
One of the first things they teach young-uns when they are learning to play the sport of ice hockey is stick responsibility. When you have that piece of wood…or graphite…in your hands, it can make for a very dangerous weapon if not dealt with properly. Even if the potential injury caused is unintentional.
Last night during the Thrashers 4-3 win over Florida, I…along with so many of you…saw what can happen if this basic responsibility lesson is not adhered to by way of the nasty accident that happened after Ilya Kovalchuk’s goal. Obviously upset from being beaten by Kovy on the breakaway, defenseman Keith Ballard sought to take his frustration out on the goalpost with his stick.
Moments after Ilya Kovalchuk's goal, Florida defenseman Keith Ballard accidentally strikes goalie Tomas Vokoun in the head with his stick (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
It never made it there…instead it found goalkeeper Tomas Vokoun’s head.
Certainly, Ballard is not the first hockey play to attempt to sacrifice a stick on the altar of the goalpost after a goal was scored or game lost…chances are good that he won’t be that last either. But in his blind anger, he did far more damage to a teammate than the equipment. Unintentional, of course…but it’s still the product of a lack of governance over one’s passions. Something we’ve all been guilty of.
I was spending the game with the guys from The Blueland Chronicle last night in the front row of section 317, right above where the incident took place. The five of us were standing, cheering…even laughing somewhat due to the way Kovalchuk’s goal was scored…as you would expect. But when we saw Vokoun hit the ice…and then lay there motionless…we, like the rest of Philips Arena, grew eerily quiet.
It was a surreal moment…and to be honest with you, it was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever witnessed in person at a sporting event. And that includes the Braves game in old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium back in the summer of 1993 when Fred McGriff’s was welcomed to Atlanta with a fire in the press box. I was also at the Falcon’s game a decade and a half ago when quarterback Jeff George and coach June Jones had that infamous scrap on the sideline.
Last night, however, was even more bizarre to me given the circumstance and the way it happened.
As for the Panthers’ goalie, he was carted off after several minutes on the ice and taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital with a severe ear laceration. Fortunately, a CAT scan revealed no further damage to the 33-year old Czech and he was able to re-join the team at the airport for the flight back to south Florida.
Vokoun was carried away on a stretcher and take taken to St. Joseph's hospital where he was treated and released (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Johan Hedberg, the goalie on the opposite end of the ice, said after the game, “I just feel so sad for Vokoun and the other guy who did it…you don’t wish that on your worst enemy. I hope Tomas is going to be good”.
To be sure, the person who feels the worst about this is his teammate, Ballard…who needed a few minutes to gather himself in the locker room before he was able to continue. He finished with 20:21 TOI and was a –1…but I’m sure that and the loss to the Thrashers doesn’t come close to the regret he has to feel from the injury to his goalkeeper.
However, as I stated above, stick responsibility…and also management of one’s temper in heated situations…is a key element to success on the ice and off as well. It just took one second to lose one’s cool…and we saw the ugly result.
Thankfully, it wasn’t even more ugly than what it was.
Toys for Tots Campaign
The Atlanta Thrashers and Atlanta Hawks are once again teaming up with the United States Marine Corps to make Christmas a happy time for children in need. Fans that attend games are asked to help out in this worthy and charitable cause by bringing new and unwrapped gifts as they enter games. Those who do will be given vouchers good for a pair of tickets to upcoming games
Donation centers will be outside of Philips Arena before and during the five games in the month of December as well as other locations around town. For more information…simply click here.
And Finally…
As I indicated, last night I was honored to be able to watch the game from The Blueland Chronicle Perch, located in the first row of section 317. Mortimer Peacock, Big Shooter, Razor Catch Prey and their friend Juan Valdez made the experience a fantastic one for sure. French Catalogues was unable to attend, unfortunately.
Of course, as with anytime the Rawhide/TBC consortium gathers for an event, security and the local police department were given fair and advanced warning…seeing as “bizarre” things just seem to happen when we are together.
I’m not sayin’…I’m just sayin’….
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131 comments Add your comment
World Be Free
December 3rd, 2009
11:41 am
I guess we could talk about the first 10 years for a long, long time. If we want to talk about who was right and who was wrong, then the discussions would go on forever. Frankly, I don’t see the point.
I’ve chosen to look at the team for what it is today and I like what I see. If I was unhappy about the past, well then that’s the past. I am more pissed about what’s happened to the Braves!
Headed to the game tonight, hoping to be fully entertained. I have to say that I really like what I’ve seen since January of this year. I hope this continues.
Paminski
December 3rd, 2009
11:44 am
I scored the company seats for tonight! I’ll be watching from 104.
Dwayne
December 3rd, 2009
11:51 am
Lucky you Pam…i’m jealous. I did score a nice long sleeve Atlanta Thrasher shirt. Blue, with Atlanta Thrasher hockey on the front with the Atl./Thrasher lettering in gold, white on the sleeves, pretty sweet for 16 bucks. Thing about living close to Savannah is that all the sporting good stores carry a few Thrasher items, when they dont sell, they mark them way down.
Dwayne
December 3rd, 2009
11:55 am
I thought I’d throw out that useless bit of info for yall’s reading pleasure.
GaVaHokie
December 3rd, 2009
12:45 pm
Dwayne… thanks!
However, I think that goes for every store outside of Philips Arena, unfortunately… well… fortunately.
Toby
December 3rd, 2009
12:54 pm
Noah Welch and New York Rangers’ Stephen Valiquette both cleared waivers today.
Sara
December 3rd, 2009
1:08 pm
FACT: The team record improved every season from inception through ‘07-’08. Maybe it didn’t improve as fast as you’d like but that’s your problem. Plans go awry in pro-sports – if you haven’t figured that out by now than maybe you need to spend more time on the interwebs getting an edumacation.
FACT: Things went to heck in a handbasket in 2007-2008, specifically right around the trade deadline when nasty ugly things like Coburn for Zhitnik happened. And then the team started regressing for the next two seasons, also coincidentally when payroll bottomed out. I maintained all along that ownership was behind that whole fiasco and in the last year both Levenson and Gearon went on the record taking responsibility for that nonsense – they pushed to win at all costs and in their eagerness set the team back instead – their words. The money dried up, not because they didn’t trust Waddell to spend it as you so laughably claimed, but because they didn’t have it as I said – again born out in fact when lo and behold it turns out Belkin hadn’t contributed a dime in years and now that he’s having to make good on all those contributions, up goes payroll. Fancy that.
As for your boy Burke – his track-record speaks for itself. He is FAR from the best GM to grace this League. It showed in Vancouver, it started showing in Anaheim over time, and it’s definitely going to show in TO. I won’t call him a failure two months into the season there any more than I’ll say the Thrashers are a definite success two months in here – but he’s sure got them heading in the wrong direction thus far.
After all the crap that’s been slung at Waddell, you could at least be man enough to give him credit when it’s due instead of trying to hide behind Dudley’s arrival as some excuse (there’s a cyber handshake around here somewhere with your name on it). Scotty Bowman’s presence in Detroit didn’t make Ken Holland any less of a good GM. By your logic, Dave Nonis’ presence in Anaheim doesn’t detract from Burke’s pedigree. Waddell’s the one with the sense to hire him in the first place – I can assure you Levenson didn’t come up with that brainchild. Organizations succeed based on the strength of their team in the office as much as the one on the ice. And unfortunately just like the on-ice team, the office team got short-changed by ownership as well. That’s now changed and we’re seeing the results of it on the ice. Is Dudley helping make this team better? Absolutely he is – but he’s not the architect of it all. Waddell is – he is as responsible for this season as the nine that preceded it and thus far, he’s coming up smelling like roses.
GaVaHokie
December 3rd, 2009
1:14 pm
The latest from Strickland shows the contracts for Kane, Toews and Keith… this should put them over the cap for next year.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Andy-Strickland/Keith-Get-13-years-Kane-and-Toews-Get-5-yr-Deals/5/24689
World Be Free
December 3rd, 2009
1:30 pm
I don’t think Chicago will trade anyone of substance until after the off season. A fringe player like Bret Sopel may go during the season.
GaVaHokie
December 3rd, 2009
2:17 pm
WBF… I agree… they’ll probably push hard to move Campbell this summer, or may trade Sharp at the draft.
World Be Free
December 3rd, 2009
2:52 pm
GaVa-all 3 big ticket ex-Sabres (Briere, Drury and Campbell) got outragous contracts when they left Buffalo. Now, the teams that signed these guys can’t wait to get rid of them. In each case, the big money does not justify the return.
Makes you think twice about making a big splash on July 1.
Nate
December 3rd, 2009
3:02 pm
WBF – Yeah, smaller splashes like Antropov make a lot more sense right about now. You can say the same for Kovalev in Ottawa and Tanguay in Tampa. These enormous contracts (i.e. Hossa and Gaborik) will probably look really bad in a few more years.
kracker
December 3rd, 2009
3:08 pm
Even Keith for 13 yrs at about $5.5M may look pretty bad when he hits 34-35 years old in about 8 or 9 years.
KovyRules
December 3rd, 2009
3:32 pm
Sara, I rarely agree with everything when a post is that long, but I really agree with everything you said. Well done.
WBF, let’s keep these fans looking forward! You know, I promised myself a few years ago I wouldn’t be like a Senators fan – with a fantastic entertaining team for several years but always finding something to whine or worry about. So now I need to live up to that – let’s enjoy the good times while they are here!
GaVaHokie
December 3rd, 2009
3:48 pm
Even Keith for 13 yrs at about $5.5M may look pretty bad when he hits 34-35 years old in about 8 or 9 years.
Especially for a guy who’s known for his skating… that’s generally one of the first things to go.
Alan R.
December 3rd, 2009
3:58 pm
Jiri Tlusty is now a Carolina Hurricane.
GaVaHokie
December 3rd, 2009
4:02 pm
Very bizarre trade… Rutherford strikes again… Burke gets fleeced again.
World Be Free
December 3rd, 2009
4:24 pm
GaVa-I believe you are correct!
World Be Free
December 3rd, 2009
4:27 pm
Nate-you know you are really backing yourself into a corner when you commit so much money to players that are close (or beyond) 30 years of age. Save the bucks for your current roster players that have earned it, and as you state compliment your roster with guys like Antropov.
Kovy Rules-as Wet Willy once said, you gotta keep on smiling! Until they give you reasons to be pissed!
Alan R.
December 3rd, 2009
4:33 pm
There’s been more fleece going on this year than at a Macy’s Thanksgiving sale.
Bob
December 3rd, 2009
4:37 pm
“Dudley is a prospects guy, brought in to help head up our scouting department… he would have had nothing to do with guys like Kubina, Antropov and Afinogenov.”
Dude, wake up. No he’s not. He’s the one scouting pros for us, he was in Nashville this week doing just that. Peverly was Anderson’s call, Waddell admitted that himself. Waddell drafted Kane, that’s his.
Sara, I know you’ve wasted a novels worth of words over the years trying to defend Waddell and yes I can see that you’re a stubborn type and you’re not going to change your mind and I know when to shut up with my wife too, but I’m not married to you so,,,try these few short words on for a reality check: take your blinders off and look around at the empty seats tonight in the Bulb, for a 14-7-whatever club that’s on a roll, and then re-think what damage Waddell has done to this club in his tenure.
The sooner they give Dudley the reins in full and in name as GM, the better.
GaVaHokie
December 3rd, 2009
4:45 pm
Bob, your point was that Dudley was responsible for all the Thrashers recent successess… I don’t see any of Dudley’s guys on the ice… so what specifically are you talking about?
Brendan
December 3rd, 2009
7:04 pm
I think there are natural ebbs and flows for most of the teams in the National Hockey League. Detroit appears to be the most notable exception. Every year, since 1993, the Red Wings have been one of the top 4 or 5 teams that Vegas oddsmakers say will win the Cup. I think that speaks to ownership as much as it does to Ken Holland. But, of course, Ken Holland is an upper echelon GM.
Another guy I consider to be an upper echelon GM … is Jim Rutherford. And where is Rutherford’s team right now? DEAD LAST in the NHL. Has a Rutherford team ever finished an entire season in 30th place? Answer: Yes. It was 2003. The year AFTER Rutherford’s ‘Canes went to the Stanley Cup Finals and lost to Detroit, 4-1. And yet, do I still think Rutherford is a good GM? Unflinchingly, I do.
Rutherford’s Hurricanes went to the CF last season and won the Stanley Cup, back in 2006. That’s three (3) trips to the Conference Finals, with a record of 2-1, since 2002. Can’t it also be said that Rutherford’s teams tend to FALTER after great playoff success? Well, err. Yes. When a team goes to the Cup Finals in 2002, then finished DEAD LAST in 2003, it’s an inconsistency. When a team wins the Stanley Cup in 2006, then MISSES THE PLAYOFFS for the next two years in-a-row, it’s not exactly something to trumpet to the Heavens above. And yet, I stand by Rutherford as a great GM. I think he knows what he’s doing. He has great experience. Hasn’t he been with the Whalers/Hurricanes since 1995? Wasn’t he the OHL “Excutive of the Year” back in 1987 and 1988?”
Brian Burke … seems to be a polarizing individual. People either tend to like him/praise him a lot, or they really don’t care for him much. Guess which camp Kevin Lowe is in? I’m not about to slam Brian Burke as some loser. I’m not going to say he’s the best GM in the NHL, either. And I sure don’t want to get in the middle of any feuds on the topics of GM prowess. But I think there are things to consider when making assessments. I definitely think Waddell has more than his share of mitigating factors. As does Rutherford. As does Lou Lamoriello. I admire “sweet” Lou. But a reality I’ll readily admit is this one: The Devils haven’t won the Cup since 2003. Does this mean Lou has LOST HIS TOUCH?? Laughing. Hardly. Lou Lamoriello is, without question, one of the best GM’s in hockey.
Is Brian Burke a loser? An idiot? A moron? An incapable GM? Before you say yes or no, there are some things you should know. The NHL Program Guide calls Burke “one of the most respected executives in the league.” They put that in print. They go on to say that Burke served in the Commissioner’s office. Yada, yada, yada. It’s a whole glowing paragraph, if anyone really wants to read it. Of course, I’ve never seen any Coach or GM get SLAMMED in an NHL publication, either.
But I digress. Burke, since the lockout, owns 27 playoff victories to his credit. Now, 16 of them came in 2007, when the Ducks won the Cup. But Burke owns 39 career NHL playoff victories, dating back to his time with the Hartford Whalers and Vancouver Canucks. That’s 39 more victories than any blogger on this site. And yes, not trying to start World War III, it’s 39 more victories than Waddell has, as the named GM of the Atlanta Thrashers, dating back to 1998. Again, Waddell has mitigating factors that contribute to the lack of overall success. I can see that. I think most people can see that. And I think most people can see that GM’s without much playoff success don’t last too long in the NHL, either.
I wish Waddell and Dudley the best of luck, moving forward. They are the GM’s of my team. I want my team to do WELL. I want my team to win the Stanley Cup. I understand … that “it’s a process.” Unlike Maple Leaf fans, who ostensibly think that each year’s UFA FRENZY brings the solution to their 42 year drought from the Silver Chalice. Brian Burke, in my opinion, has made some missteps with the Leafs. The biggest of them … the Phil Kessel trade. Now, time will tell on that one. It’s honestly too soon to know who won. Names like Alexandre Daigle and Patrik Stefan prove that owning the 1st overall pick in the draft isn’t, necessarily, some God-send. Though, I like the ODDS of finding someone good, at pick #1 or #2 in the draft. But if Phil Kessell averages 38-41 goals a season, undoubtedly people will come forward to say that such production was possibly worth those three (3) high-end draft picks. I’m just, conceptually, against trading coveted draft picks … during a “building period” of a franchise. Brian Burke’s work in Toronto is far from finished. If it takes him 2-3 years to get the Leafs into the playoffs, I think that’s “reasonable.” Leaf fans won’t. Leaf fans will demand his head on a pike. But, if the Leafs fans/meadia could just endure the building process, maybe their GM wouldn’t have been pressured into making a very “risky” type trade. Toronto is where it is … for a reason. At the 2007 trade deadline, Don Waddell was “pressured” into making a trade that I think … that he CLEARLY did not want to make. I’ve never seen Waddell look more physically and mentally broken down … than at the press conference that announced that Braydon Coburn was being traded for 35-year old Alexei Zhitnik.
I think it’s great that fans have their favorite GM’s. Really, truly I do. Everyone has the right to their preferences. I’m sure people will bash me for saying Jim Rutherford is an upper echelon GM, when the ‘Canes miss the playoffs about as often as they make it in. But, what the hey? I like the guy. So, sue me.
stendec
December 3rd, 2009
9:27 pm
Another totally heartless choke job at Loseland! I know it disappointed the two fans in attendance. Thrashers gave up against Islanders. DAMN ISLANDERS! No fire. No resolve. No clue! Fans are right to stay away en masse. These quitters do not deserve support from fans! No points. NONE! On home ice. Against Islanders. DAMN ISLANDERS! Wonder how long this new losing streak will last? Damn Pavs for doing impersonation of Sori Letemin! Moose should have been between pipes. Damn marshmallow goals! Thoroughly nauseated. Thanks Thrashers. FOR DAMN NOTHING! Bestards. ++STENDEC++ TO ALL APOLOGISTS: A three goal collapse ON HOME ICE is completely unacceptable under ANY circumstances! So keep your damn excuses to yourselves. Wah wah wah!
stendec
December 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
One more thing! No professional hockey team should score less than two goals in 60 minutes of play. Posts. Posts? POSTS?! These are overpaid performers compensated extremely well to produce. I do not want to hear ANYTHING about damn posts! Wah wah wah. Home sorriness is home sorriness. Loseland fumigation now underway! Damn bestards. ++STENDEC++ Knowing damn Islanders are three (or more) goals better is radically disturbing thought! Losing streak is on. DAMN ISLANDERS!
R. Stroz
December 3rd, 2009
10:39 pm
Free Little from Todd White.
New Second Line = Peverley, Kane, & Little.
Put Charmin in the press box.
Smoothie
December 3rd, 2009
11:36 pm
I want Kane playing with Finny & Antro until Kovy decides he wants to play some defense. His coasting / floating killed us tonite.
Kovy – White – Little
Kozzy – Pevs – Army
Kane – Antro – Finny
Exploit the match-ups as necessary.
Brendan
December 3rd, 2009
11:53 pm
Spud Webb, I looked him up at that sight that tracks ‘NTCs,’ and apparently, Hainsey has one. But, he has an out clause that allows him to pick from as many as 15 other teams as a potential trading partner. So, maybe Hainsey trade at this Summer’s Draft is actually something that could happen. If he were traded, I’d have to think we must take on some lower salaried player from the other team, to complete the trade. Just to give THEM some salary relief. Quite possibly some $1.3 to $1.9 salary defender who can play 13 to 16 minutes a game.
But, I don’t know that Waddell is unhappy with Hainsey. When Ron is healthy, he can be a nice asset. He has playoff experience. We’ll just have to wait and see. If the Thrashers actually are a playoff team this year, AHEAD of schedule, we’ll get to chance to evaluate Ron in the season that matters.
R. Stroz
December 4th, 2009
12:22 am
Smoothie – I’ll agree that Kovy has become a HUGE liability on defense. And due to contract negotiations, Anderson can’t bench him for a period or two the way Hartley used to in order to make a point.
Two goals tonight were due to Kovy vacating the man he was covering. I wonder if Kovy has gone back to his cherry picking ways or his foot is still hurt. That said, Kovy needs an adjustment, however, he has a wealth of talent. Right now, Mad Max is more defensively responsible than Kovy, YIKES.
On the other hand, Todd White appears to have pulled a Zhitnik over the summer break. White had a good season last year, but appears done as a NHL player this year. If White can’t be traded, waive him. White is kaput.
If I were the coach/GM, and I’m not, but I did sleep at the Stroz Express last night, I would:
1) Explain to Kovy that he is the captain so he needs to play in a responsible team oriented manner.
2) Dispose of White for whatever we can get. Get White’s contract off the books as quickly as possible.
3) Change the line combinations to look something like this:
Kovy – Finny – Antropov
Peverely – Little – Kane
Reasoner – Army – Kozlov
Slater – Bolts – Thorburn
4) Resign Kubina to a reasonable, defined as less than 3.5 million/year, two year deal ASAP.
Smoothie
December 4th, 2009
12:55 am
Stroz – I could live with those lines as long as Kovy gets the message and he backchecks at least as much as Finny, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Little get a chance to play C for those 2. At least he can win 50% of his F/O and get the puck to Kovy and then get to the corners and dig some pucks out to Finny along the wall. And agreed on Kubina…2 years for no more than $4.0 M / yr. But we may need to look at trading Hainsey as well. His gaffes are becoming too frequent and his lack of physical play can be maddening!
NASCAR Dave
December 4th, 2009
5:26 pm
HAINSEY and WHITE need to go…