Buckle up for the Thrasherville Thriller ride
The Thrashers need to post one of those roller coaster warning signs outside of Philips Arena or as a disclaimer on the TV screen prior to each telecast. You know… the kind that informs those with heart conditions or expectant mothers that this might not be the ride for you.
Just like those thrill rides at Six Flags, this team takes its fans on a series of ups & downs, ins & outs and thrills & chills almost every game…most of the time at very high speeds.
Rich Peverley celebrates game-winner with his teammates (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
Thursday night’s recent Thrasherville Thriller just adds to the recent string of games that kept us all on the edge of our seats. The 6-5 win over the Dallas Stars was the fourth win in the month of December and, just like the prior three, Atlanta needed to work the overtime to get the job done.
There were five power play goals in this game to go with two shorthanded tallies…and a game tying, late period goal by Dallas that deflected in off Loui Eriksson’s face shield and past Ondrej Pavelec.
That’s right folks, this ride…er, I mean…this game had it all!
The Thrashers came back from 1-0, 2-1, 4-3…and then shook off Eriksson’s game-tier with just 72 seconds left in the third before winning this night’s Dancing with the Stars contest in the OT.
And all of this came on the heels of Wednesday night’s agonizing 4-3 loss in Florida in which their hard work to erase a 3-0 deficit was kicked to the curb with a late-game goal.
One things for sure folks…you’d better keep the antacids stocked in plentiful supplies if you are gonna follow this team.
The hero on this winning night was Rich Peverley, who took a pass from Maxim Afinogenov and dispensed the puck past Marty Turco 1:16 into the OT session. It was Peverley’s second goal of the night and 12th of the season. The Peever finished with the 2 goals as well as an assist and a +1 with 2 SOG.
Afinogenov scored in the third to tie the game at 4 all. While on the man advantage, Bryan Little made a great pass to Afinogenov who was all alone on the right post to slam it home…which is only fitting seeing as who it was he who drew the penalty in the first place. Max also had a pair of helpers as well with 2 shots fired on the Dallas net.
Ilya Kovalchuk scored his team-leading 19th goal during the first period. His power play blast from the left point knotted the score at 1-1 and he finished with a goal and an assist on 3 SOG.
Jimmy Slater finally got off the Schnide by scoring his first of the season. It was of the unassisted variety at the beginning of the second to level the score at 2 apiece. Slates won the puck on the left side boards just past the blueline…drove to the net and somehow got it past Alex Auld on his way past the cage.
Ondrej Pavelec makes one of his 42 saves against Toby Petersen during the third period (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
Nik Antropov slammed home his sixth of the season as well…he now has 4 goals in the last five games and has 27 overall points. It drew the Thrashers even at three all…and chased Auld from the Dallas goal.
Ondrej Pavelec got the start on this winning night and found out what his counterpart Johan Hedberg must have felt like Monday in New York. Opie was subjected to 47 Dallas shots…all during regulation…and though five got past him, many of his 42 saves were highlight film material. Glove saves…blocker stops…sliding from one side of the goal to the other…Pavs was very, very sharp this night.
His record is now 9-8-3 though his GAA increased to 3.18 and his saves percentage is now .912.
“Our goalie was outstanding tonight,” Peverley said after the game. “[It] may be the best performance all year”.
Atlanta’s goaltender even got some props from the opposition as well. “Whatever his name is, he got some incredible saves tonight”, Stephane Robidas said of the 42-save performance.
Um, Stephane…. His name is Ondrej Pavelec.
The Thrasherville Thriller ride continues Saturday night when the New Jersey Devils come to town and Martin Brodeur continues his quest for career shutout number 104.
Waddell Does A Double-Take On Puck Daddy’s Latest Top-Ten List
Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski has posted a top-ten list of the most lopsided trades of the last ten years. As you might guess…the Don Waddell general managed Atlanta Thrashers are indeed a part of this compilation And we aren’t treated to just one Waddell deal here…oh no. Don’s got two …actually, make that three…in the top ten.
One of them good for the Thrashers…two un-good.
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129 comments Add your comment
Tony C.
December 19th, 2009
6:24 pm
WE’re gonna be representing in force tonight-even got permission to bring The World’S Cutest Hockey Fan out for a rare late-night.
Had to go with cheap seats tonight
section 308…
See yall around the arena
Dwayne
December 19th, 2009
6:47 pm
Here is the thing for me, when I am watching hockey, there is only one person I stand up to watch while carrying the puck on the rush, at anytime during the game, that person is Ilya Kovalchuk. Point is, there is no one more exciting to watch while carrying the puck on a rush, Max is close. Yeah I know, everyone stands late in the game, down by one, but I think you know what I’m saying.
Dwayne
December 19th, 2009
6:49 pm
Alan R. thanks for the english /spanish lesson. My sister is a english teacher, I get popped on the knucles all the time.
Dwayne
December 19th, 2009
7:47 pm
nj commentators are butchering Atl’s d rightfully so…..but it is 3 to 1 hahahahahahahahahahaha
Matt
December 19th, 2009
8:34 pm
OMG, it’s the SOS AGAIN!!! One night our goalie is going to get killed facing this ridiculous number of shots!!!!! 33 shots for NJ and it’s not even the end of the second. (Continues banging head on keyboard)
12345
December 19th, 2009
9:19 pm
Two words for the Thrashers after this disgrace… NO PLAYOFFS !
Tom
December 19th, 2009
9:22 pm
For those at the game tonight, you missed us being called out by Chico Resch, the Devils announcer. The effort shown by the team was embarrassing and to listen to 60 minutes of it being observed sucked.
Matt
December 19th, 2009
10:07 pm
What a friggin joke!!. Learn how to play the damn game for 60 full,complete and total minutes!! SOS EVERY game!!
Smoothie
December 19th, 2009
10:09 pm
Could we really be this bad?? How do you give up 24 shots in one period to a team that employs the TRAP?! Are our players really this dense and stupid that they don’t realize you have to chip and dump the puck behind their D and then go outwork them for opportunities? I guess they relaxed big time when Brodeur was chased…how embarrassing is it to lose this way? If these two back-to-back defensive efforts doesn’t lead to some pro-active changes, then we are in big TROUBS!!
Thrashy Thrashy
December 19th, 2009
10:18 pm
The Thrashers can make the playoffs if they don’t keep playing like they’ve played the last two nights. They won’t be anywhere near the postseason if they keep playing like this.
That is obvious to anyone.
Tim
December 19th, 2009
11:09 pm
I’m speechless
Brendan
December 19th, 2009
11:13 pm
Ladies and Gentlemen, Glenn “Chico” Resch called … us … out. Allllll game long. He was exasperated by the lack of commitment, effort, and defensive gumption. At one point, Resch said, “I don’t think Atlanta has come close to winning a puck battle.” And he later added, “Thrashers d-men backed up to the faceoff circles, Doc. I can’t EVER RECALL a team when one team so readily and willingly surrendered the blueline.” It would go on like this … after each whistle. To say that Chico Resch is less than impressed with the Thrashers would be the understatement of the night. But it’d get worse. If you think he called the team out, you’ve haven’t BEGUN to hear him light into Ilya Kovalchuk, the Captain.
I mean, it was torturous and relentless. To the point where Jay Grossman, Kovy’s agent, just might give him a call, regarding defemation of character. Of course, I say Chico Resch is entitled to his opinions. You don’t have to agree with him. But Resch basically said, “Ilya Kovalchuk cannot get the MAX contract, with play like this. He needs to go to a team where he’s not the TOP BANANA, where he can learn how to be a complete player.” He stopped just short of saying any GM in the league who pays this guy the Max is an idiot. Wow. Well, you can’t say Resch is a guy who masks how he feels about things!
Brendan
December 19th, 2009
11:14 pm
It’s official. Tim is without speech.
Brendan
December 19th, 2009
11:20 pm
My favorite Resch RANT of the night was this one. “Doc, I’ve scoured the Thrashers and the only one out there who deserves $11 million … is that guy! The one in net, keeping the Thrashers in this thing. Ondrej Pavelec. That’s your MAX contract guy.” I just about LOST it. It was like Resch was auditioning for a spot on late night TV comedy.
Brendan
December 19th, 2009
11:22 pm
Where’s our Ranallo warning???
Brendan
December 19th, 2009
11:32 pm
Anyone wanting to catch the Resch rants can tune to Comcast Channel #782 to catch the replay.
jen
December 19th, 2009
11:50 pm
So was it me, or was Kovy just checked out tonight? Problem is, as the captain of the team, the team feeds off of his energy and he just freaking stood around tonight like our old friend Andy “Traffic Cone” Sutton. It was horrible to watch and the first time I’ve really thought his head just wasn’t in the game. I wanted to see Anderson sit him down for the entire 3rd period. He just wasn’t working at all.
Sign him or trade him, but do something. Previous posters have mentioned this, but bottom line is that in a cap era, you have to be flexible. We have cap space, Pevs signed to a reasonable contract, but long term, Kovy has to realize that guys like Bogosain, Kane, Pavelec, Little, Enstrom are going to have to be signed around 4-5 mil per contract. If he goes for 11 million, the Thrashers will never be able to field a truly competitive team, that’s 30+ million for a line and a hlaf and a goalie. Notice in the playoffs that its the DEEP teams that win. Crosby knew that, so did Malkin. If anyone in this league deserves cap max, its Crosby (who I personally don’t like, but you can’t deny his impact on his team and the game in general), and as such both players took less money long term than they could have had to allow the Pens a bit of flexibility to field a deeper team. That extra 3-4 million saved in salaray allows you room for depth. As much as I like Ovie as a player (and how can you not love watching this guy), Washington has no defensive stud and its defensive depth that historically wins championships (not to mention the fact that they’re riding cheap entry level rookie goaltending, and Cam Ward excepted, that’s not exactly confidence inspiring come conference championship time). There’s already talk that they won’t be able to keep Ovie, Semin and Backstrom together, and throw Varlamov into that mix, because the kid can play and will be getting paid at some point in the not so distant future.
I’ve been a hockey fan all my life, born and raised in the ATL. I’ll watch hockey here no matter what (hey, I’ve suffered through 14 win seasons, so its not like I don’t know how to watch cruddy hockey and still find a way to enjoy it). Kovy, I love watching you night after night, but put your money where your mouth is, sign a reasonable deal that allows the Thrashers to field a winning team, like YOU wanted, or get the heck out of dodge man.
Alan R.
December 19th, 2009
11:53 pm
Not sure why everyone is (again) concerned with the $11m figure, since that “report” is just a rumor, and there’s no indication of any truth to it.
stendec
December 19th, 2009
11:54 pm
Another totally heartless embarrassing giveup job by Yardbirds at Loseland. It rarely gets much worse than this! No points in a showdown in which at least one point was critical. Anyone out there who still believes Kapitan Ilya Kovalchuk is not in full Maryann Hossa mode should be strapped in a straightjacket then confined to a room with heavily padded rubber walls. The Russian is through as a Yardbird! That was plain to even a blind person tonight. Who needs Kari Lehtonen when sieve Pavs is available? I look forward to a game at Loseland where NO fans show up to watch these quitters! Fan support has to be earned. These gutless wonders have done nothing to generate any excitement or enthusiasm for fans! Trade IK. Maybe the prima donna will actually try for some other team! It is obvious his captaincy is nothing more than a cruel sham! Coach John Petrino should rip the damn C off chest of uncaring captain then fling it into nearest wastebasket. No captain quality bums on this team! The way I am feeling right now he can go to another team, Russia or to Hell. I am nauseated by his total lack of effort! From the damn team captain! Cannot say much more. Too damn mad and aggravated. Hope heartless Falcons lose by multiple touchdowns in a few hours! Damn them all. ++STENDEC++
stendec
December 20th, 2009
12:03 am
Where do I join the Chico Resch Fan Club? Guy was right on! About everyone and everything. ++STENDEC++ See why apologist Brendan does not like him. Damn truth hurts!
Smoothie
December 20th, 2009
12:03 am
stendec – it no matter ’bout da Falcons as they have been eliminated by the Cowboys beating the Saints…well at least someone beat the overrated Saints. Vikes will go to the Super Bowl but lose to the Colts. But that’s just one man’s prediction.
Oh the Thrashers. Glad I didn’t have to suffer through that farce of a first period — I would’ve been pissed despite the 2 goal lead since 24 shots against is OBSCENE and insulting to fans — and it would’ve stung seeing them blow a lead against a team that is built not for comebacks, but for protecting early leads. We chase the best goalie of all time and lose to a chump like Danis??
You’ve got to be kidding. It’s major gut-check time for the le Thrash…who’s gonna stand up as the next leader of this team? Cuz apparently Kovy has fallen prey to his true intentions and it’s tearing him up inside; his leadership is not there. If he knew in his heart if he were staying, wouldn’t he be playing with more passion, more energy and more discipline??
Smoothie
December 20th, 2009
12:07 am
I meant: if he knew in his heart THAT he was staying…
I reckon you got the gist.
Time for straight talk between management and Kovy. Each side needs to tell the God’s honest truth at the conference table so the team can do what is best for the future and the player can feel relieved that his future is more in focus…even if that means a trade to another contender for a run at the playoffs.
Scotty
December 20th, 2009
1:02 am
Sad, simply sad.
R. Stroz
December 20th, 2009
1:42 am
Kovy should be ashamed of himself. Is he starting to remind anyone else of Yashin?
Hopefully, Kozlov will pull him to the side and talk some sense into his head.
Brendan
December 20th, 2009
1:46 am
Well, the replay of the game just ended. But why would I watch that debacle again? It was worth it … just to hear Chico Resch. I gotta start watching more Devils telecasts. The guy is really entertaining. Do I dare check out what the “On The Fly” guys are saying about us tonight?
Jen, I agree with you. The sooner the contract/trade is resolved, the better. I’ll miss Kovy a lot, if he leaves. But if he doesn’t want to play here anymore … or if he’d just PREFER to play elsewhere, he’s earned that right. He’s put in his time. I hope he stays, of course. And I hope he’ll make more of a commitment to improve the defensive aspect of his game. Who just said, “what defensive aspect of his game?” Allrightee, then.
Alan R., the $11 million figure was raised tonight and repeatedly mentioned by Resch during the telecast. He said, “The guy who should be earning $11 million is Ondrej Pavelec.” Then he added comments to the effect that Pavelec was the only Thrasher putting up a fight to stop the opposition. Resch was “en fuego” during the entire telecast. It made me want to check out more Devils broadcasts, to see if he’s always so colorful. Resch has a real passion for hockey that shines through. He seemed genuinely concerned about Kovalchuk’s game. And how to improve it.
Well, if there’s some hidden positive about this game … it’s that it’s pretty safe to assume that Ilya wasn’t auditioning to play for the New Jersey Devils next season.
Brendan
December 20th, 2009
2:00 am
Smoothie, the time to do just that is getting short. Did Mr. Grossman arrive in town? Was that Medvedev, of the KHL, here too? If so, was that the distraction in Kovy’s head?
R.Stroz, if Kovalchuk isn’t re-signed, does that open the door to keep Kozlov? Or is he pretty much gone, either way? I can never get a good read on Kozzie and his intentions. All I know is, Kozlov is going to be an unrestrict free agent come July 1, just like Kovalchuk.
Brendan
December 20th, 2009
2:02 am
R.Stroz, you dropped the Y word? I didn’t think we were even still allowed to mention Yashin’s name. Is he still hitting the Islanders’ cap?
LAC
December 20th, 2009
2:14 am
In over close to 40 years of watching & listening to NHL hockey games, I have NEVER NEVER NEVER heard an opposing announcer Blast a team like Resch did last night… Problem is HE was correct, All Night !
We have NO defense, I am getting sick of watching #4 get beat ALL the time, out of position 3/4 of the time, two goals I blame him for, esp that first one, instead on challenging the shooter and getting in his face and knocking him off the puck, he allows him to make a simple move and use him as a screen, result GOAL. He is on the ice for far too many goals. Then there is Enstrom, take some time next game and see how many times he gets beat to the puck and he cannot keep up with bigger skaters. I really wonder about keeping either of these guys, maybe a few weeks in the ECHL might help, because they are playing AWFUL.
Then #17, coasting like a cork on the water, doing NOTHING on defense or the forecheck, NOTHING, just standing around the blue line hoping
someone else does the work and gets him a pass out, so he can fumble the puck when he is checked going into the offense zone.
Bryan Little/Todd White, get rid of these clowns they are killing us.
To chase a Hall of Fame goalie, then lose like a bunch of kids from
Life College is an absolute shame.
Then John Anderson, his system DOES NOT WORK, there is no defense
in his system and it is killing us. Right the ship on defense John and NOW ! This was a game we should have won, and shut Resch up, we did not and he exposed us for what this team really is… Not that good,
and I sadly agree NO PLAYOFFS for this collection of half quitters…
Where has Kane gone ? Back to the WHL ? I think that is a move that needs to happen, he is just not ready, he is LOST out there.
We are now taking on water and will be sunk after this 7 game road trip, we will be toast, down there with Carolina… We are not a playoff team and time to dump #17 for what we can get…
Sorry but facts are facts, and Resch really nailed us all night telling us how BAD we really are, Were YOU listening waddell ? You stupid FOOL !
Rawhide
December 20th, 2009
2:23 am
Sorry for the lack of proper Ranallo Warning guys. Heres a new blog to try and figure out the right words to describe the loss to New Jeresy.