Captain Kovalchuk Rights Ship as Thrashers Weather Hurricanes Surge
Some might say the Thrashers shouldn’t have even been in the situation they found themselves in…the score tied 3-3 with just over nine minutes elapsed in the third period. They had come out of the locker room up 3-1, thanks greatly to some fine goaltending from Ondrej Pavelec, solid defensive work and goals from Zach Bogosian, Jim Slater and Rich Peverley.
But Rich Peverley took a questionable slashing call at the 6:06 mark…Darin Elliot called it a “marginal” call, I call it a load of male bovine excretion. Then, exactly one minute into killing off the Carolina man-advantage, Boris Valabik was tagged with roughing call to put them down by two men. It was one of those plays where the defender took exception to an attacker’s extra swipe or two as the goalie was covering up the puck, stepping in to push the player out. In this instance, it was Eric Stall…who didn’t much care for the way he was treated by Boris.
Ilya Kovalchuk celebrates game-winning goal against the Canes (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Glances were given…words were exchanged…feeling were hurt…a few soft punched were swung…but only Boris took a seat. I could see sending both off, even neither of them…but the Thrashers found themselves having to kill off a 5 on 3 nonetheless.
And with that…the Hurricane watch was on.
Pavelec made a couple outstanding saves to help get Atlanta within 3 ticks of the clock from successfully getting Peverley back on the ice with no damage done… but Jussi Jokinen’s score pulled the Canes to within one.
Three seconds after the Thrashers then killed off Valabik’s minor, Ray Whitney tied the game.
And with that, the Hurricane watch became a full-fledged Hurricane warning and the U.S.S. Thrashers…whose hull has been labeled “fragile” previously… was adrift in the storm, taking on water and listing to port.
But that’s when the captain Ilya Kovalchuk stepped up in the bridge, took the wheel and righted the vessel he has been commissioned to command.
Less than a minute after the game-tying goal, Kovy took control of the puck near the blueline, moved left to right and snapped it past Cam Ward to give his team back their lead. In doing so, he righted the ship and set it back on course.
Later, during the dying seconds of the game, he directed the puck from the neutral zone back into the Cane’s end of the ice then dished it off to Nik Antropov…allowing him to notch the game-sealing empty-netter.
Ondrej Pavelec stops Eric Staal's penalty shot. It kept the game tied at 1-1 in the second period (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
The third period tempest wasn’t the first storm the Thrashers had to weather in this game that had more twists and turns than a western Carolina mountain county road. In the second period, with the score knotted at one, Pavelec was forced to face an Eric Staal penalty shot…one that was awarded after the Carolina center was slashed by Slava Kozlov during a breakaway. Opie saved the shot Stall was able to get away despite the infraction…but the penalty shot was called regardless.
Turns out it didn’t matter as Eric was denied once again by Opie.
Had Staal been successful on that or the original shot, Carolina would have taken a lead and, even though the Thrashers had outplayed Carolina to that point, the momentum would have clearly swung in the Canes direction.
“It was 1-1, and if they score a goal, it could be tough”, Pavelec said afterwards. “He tried to shoot it 5-hole, and it hit my stick. It was a big save”.
For the night, Pavelec saved 29 of 32 shots. This comes after turning away 30 of Buffalo’s 32 attempts last Thursday and 30 of Ottawa’s 31 on Tuesday. For the week, Opie was 2-0-1 with a .937 SV% and 1.98 GAA.
The 5-3 win improves his overall record to 11-12-4 with a 3.47 GAA and .904 SV%.
Zach Bogosian scored his first goal since the 3-2 win against Edmonton back on November 15.
Rich Peverley notched his 14th of the year and only his second in the past fourteen games.
Zach Bogosian and Bryan Little celebrate with their captain after his goal righted the team's ship (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Just 72 seconds before the Peever’s goal, Jim Slater put the Thrashers up 2-1. For Slates, it was goal number 5 on the season and fourth in six games. During that stretch, dating back to the 5-2 loss in Pittsburgh a week and a half ago, Slater has 4 goals, 2 assists and is a +3.
Methinks Todd White has just been “Slater-ed” to a full-time seat in the press box.
Ten of the Thrashers skaters got on the scoreboard with a goal and/or assists. Kovalchuk, Slater, Antropov, Bogosian and Peverley each had multi point efforts. Fourteen finished with a Positive +/- rating…Bogosian leading the way with a +4.
“You have to have four lines to win”, coach Anderson said. “You can’t just have one line that goes out there to kill time. When the lines are set up that way, everyone has to contribute. It’s working out good so far”.
Marty Reasoner and Chris Thorburn were EVEN while Christoph Schubert and Valaik were each a –1.
The Thrashers are now 21-19-7 and the 49 points keep them in second place in the Southeast Division ahead of Florida’s 48 and Tampa Bay’s 46. They are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, tied with the tenth-place Flyers who have played one less game. The pair trails Montreal and the Islanders by two point and the seventh-place Rangers by two. Ottawa sits in sixth place in the conference with 52 points.
And finally…the 5-3 win in Carolina was the first regulation road win for the Thrashers since November 27 when they defeated Carolina 6-4 behind a five-goal third period.
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104 comments Add your comment
Rawhide
January 17th, 2010
5:44 pm
Red Light & Dwayne – I see things the way you do in regards to no call ups at this time…no real need.
World Be Free
January 17th, 2010
6:22 pm
These refs make most of us say WTF alot.
Smoothie
January 17th, 2010
7:08 pm
Hokie’s right. A decision on Kovy needs to be made soon, one way or the other. Part of me likes the idea of pulling a Tkachuk and getting him back.
But after suffering miserably for 2 straight years, I can’t help but want some meaningful hockey games to look forward to in March and hopefully into mid-April. I fear we will be held hostage by Kovy and Grossman the rest of the season so let’s hope the team can win in spite of this and at least get us two playoff games in April. 3 would be better though!
Rightshot
January 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
Was a good game overall. Do enjoy reading JA’s lips and if someone does make a montage of him, I will watch it. But what music to use?
Really glad to see Slater doing so well now. Per chance he is living up to his place as a first round selection? Just saying.
I heard today during the Red Wings, Balckhawks game that after this year, Bill McCreary will be retiring. Hopefully some of these younger refs will soak up some of his smarts and start calling better games.
Hope everyone is doing well.
World Be Free
January 17th, 2010
7:37 pm
Smoothie-we are overdue for a decision on Kovy. This decision should have been made before the season and a deal made, if he’s not going to resign. Ottawa was able to do so with Heatly, but we cannot seem to do the same with Kovy. Makes you wonder.
Krust
January 17th, 2010
7:44 pm
Lets get this straight Kovy’s not going anywhere if we are in the playoff hunt come trade deadline. Waddell will not trade him if we are in a playoff spot or within reach of one. For Kovy to be traded we will have to be totally out of it and we are not at this point. Hossa’s situation was different we were out of a playoff spot and the team that year sucked. We had to try and get the best we could for Hossa. The trade has been a looser in my opinion but lets hope Espo comes through. Army is a good solid player though.
Smoothie
January 17th, 2010
8:21 pm
Strangely enough, we were 2 games over “.500″ as of 2/15/08 before we proceeded to go winless in 10 of 11 games going into the end of February and the trade of Marian Hossa. In fact, our points earned % was .517 as of Valentine’s Day, ironically not much lower than what it is currently (.521) going into the game against Florida. Hossa quit on us when it mattered most. Whether Kovy does that or not remains to be seen. In all likelihood, DWad does not have the balls to trade Kovy before the deadline even if Kovy came to him and said that his heart wasn’t in leading the Thrashers.
That’s why this stretch of 8 games (including Ottawa, Buffalo and last night) is crucial to the immediate future of this hockey club. So far they are 2 – 0 – 1 and are now in position to win 4, who knows perhaps even all 5, of the next 5 against mediocre teams. Let’s say they win 4 of those 5 and end up with a record of 25 – 20 – 7 as of 1/27 and before the game against Philly in Philadelphia. That game could be a battle for 7th or 8th place. Get to 7th by the end of January and all bets are off. Along with a trade of Kovy, at least until after the Olympics.
World Be Free
January 17th, 2010
8:42 pm
Krust-so you suggest letting him walk July 1 and not get anything for him?
The time to trade Kovy was in Sept-November, when it was pretty clear this was going to drag into 2010, distract the hockey team and allow the player to have leverage in this situation. Most people don’t believe this is all about making the playoffs just this year. If the team is on the right track comparred to the last 2 years, then sign the contract and move forward. Even if it’s a 2 year deal, get it done so we can remove the distraction.
If he’s on the squad unsigned after the trade deadline, there’s no way he will resign and the Thrashers will get nothing.
Brendan
January 17th, 2010
9:42 pm
I honestly have no idea what the organization will do, even if they ARE in possession of Kovy’s intentions. It’s just disgusting to watch it all unfold. I must offer that much. I’ve harped on “player retention” issues for years. I said, back in April 2007, after the NY Rangers sweep, “If you want to keep Kovy, you don’t have the luxury of time for waiting. You do it RIGHT NOW, by firing Hartley and Waddell, and the scouting staff. You settle this lawsuit quickly, and your Opening Night budget announces your intent to be in the playoffs. You must send a message to him (Kovalchuk) that the organization is serious about winning. And is committed to doing so. If you don’t, you’ll face the consequences at the end of Kovy’s contract, in 2010.”
Well, July 1, 2010 is only a few months away, now. Here’s what I know for sure. The “Octocluster” didn’t make their money in sports business. They made it in other ventures. So, they’re not losers. They’re not stupid, either. But they are ‘hockey ignorant.’ They don’t really have a handle on the ‘dynamics’ of owning an NHL franchise. They’re doing their best, but they have poor judgement. There’s just no way to sugarcoat that. They don’t do it maliciously or in a ‘mean-spirited’ manner, as some suggest.
I’m a person who believes that there’s a world of difference between ignorance and stupidity. Perhaps these owners are well-intending, but ignorant. For they keep trying the same thing, over and over and over again, expecting different results. Usually, that’s how we define “insanity.” But, it really wouldn’t be “insanity,” if the REAL GOAL were to sell the team in 2011, to some interest, local or otherwise.
I can see that you doubt me, there. But if you’ll just listen, with an open mind, I think you might see it, too. In 2007, the organization stood at the crossroads. It chose, in my opinion, to embark on a 4-year building project to ’start over.’ Well, it also could have been a calculated strategy to sell the team in 4-years. If you were the owners, and selling the Thrashers were your goal, how would you go about doing it? Right away, while the team was in ruins? Or, would you keep the overhead low, via league minimum payrolls, and try to stock the shelves with high-end draft selections, via the Lottery draft? Remember, think like a BUSINESSMAN, not an “accountable sports entity,” trying to maintain a fan base. Your goal is to survive by getting revenue-sharing dollars to offset your losses at the gate. Even if you have to GIVE AWAY 3,000 tickets per game. As a businessman, you make your money at the closing table, when the franchise is sold. Perhaps, Ilya Kovalchuk “sniffed” that one out, same as I did. And some of you others did, as well. Well, what would you do, in Ilya’s shoes?
Really think about it. I suppose, if you like living in Atlanta, it’s just three more seasons until 2010, from 2007. You honor your contract, (”I have to do what the little slip of paper says,” Kovalchuk was quoted as saying last April,) and hope the ownership situation gets resolved. But if it doesn’t, you’re not obligated to hang around. The other option, is to privately ask for a trade. If the trade request is denied, you’re in a tough situation, for the next three seasons. If Ilya went to ownership or management, TODAY, to request a trade, the answer might, again, be NO! Why? The Octocluster has to sell tickets. They “desperately” need at least THE APPEARANCE of a possible playoff berth to do that (sell tickets). And Waddell knows it, too. For if the team were 28th place in the league, at the deadline, then he HAS to trade Kovalchuk. To claim, at 28th position, or something equalling flustering, that “Ilya is essential for our playoff run, therefore we CANNOT trade him” would be the final insult. At least if the organization keeps Kovy all year, and puts up a decent fight for the playoffs, then an argument can be made that we couldn’t afford to trade Kovy and still make the playoffs. Sigh. How convenient, no? It’s like have a “built-in” plausible deniability.
So, what happens when Kovy walks? Well, first of all, they will still control his rights at the June draft. So, they have the option of moving him to the team he wants to play for, at an AGREED UPON salary, for some throw away draft picks and perhaps a prospect. Or, in the case of a contending team with major cap issues, then that team will jettison its worst contracts, looking to dump underachievers or those who simply aren’t living up to their inflated salaries. I’m sure Waddell is thinking that the “cap problem” team is the best way to go. But really, it’s up to Kovalchuk where he wants to play. So, if it’s L.A., which doesn’t have cap issues, then I don’t know what Waddell can get for him. Or Dudley, for that matter. If you’re L.A., why do we even bother making a trade? You just land your man in free agency.
Getting back to, “What if Ilya walks for NOTHING?” Well, we’ve already heard the response to that question, from Waddell, during the offseason. He said, “Look at the Bouwmeester situation in Floria. (Look at Gaborik, with Minnesota.) The reality of the salary cap is … that good players are going to be lost to free agency.” In short, they’d blame player GREED. What if no NHL GM agrees to pay Kovalchuk what he wants? I’d be surprised, but there’s always the KHL. And if Kovy goes the KHL route, he’ll be about as popular as Rocket Ismail, when he went the CFL route. Nikki Zherdev was a hot commodity. But by the time the GM’s were done with his inflated sense of purpose/value, he wound up in the KHL. If Kovy goes the KHL route for a year or two, when he gets back, I still don’t think he’ll get what he’s asking for, even if he asks to rejoin the Thrashers. I love Kovalchuk. I think he’s a prolific scorer. But he’s not worth the league max. He’s NOT a complete hockey player. He is weak, defensively, and all the GM’s know it. While it may make for a tremendous soundbyte on the local sports news, and national hockey media, for a GM to say they landed Kovalchuk in free agency, it’s a lot like driving a new car off the lot. You feel a sense of euphoria, and you want go show it off to your friends and neighbors. But then, the payments hit. And the insurance premiums, too. And if you think about selling it, there’s about 40-50 percent DEPRECIATION on that asset the moment you drive it off the lot. We call that, “buyer’s remorse.”
R. Stroz
January 17th, 2010
10:39 pm
Brendan – You really need to read Grossman’s twitter page, going back at least two weeks. The link is listed below:
http://twitter.com/Jay_Grossman
Heck, Grossman is even posting websites to sell Thrasher tickets now.
I’ll delve into the subject tomorrow, but the problem is with the stability of the ASG. Kovy wants to stay in Atlanta long term, however the letter of commitment to the league is up around 2014 and the Philips licensing rights are up in 2018, or 2019. I’ll let you read between the lines. The NHL doesn’t allow for a “no relocation clause” in a player’s contract.
Brendan
January 17th, 2010
11:01 pm
What does it all supposed to mean, though, R.Stroz? See Kovy while you can in Atlanta? Or, “buy tickets, save the franchise?”
Krust
January 17th, 2010
11:31 pm
Would be free,
I would say this is the most talented team we have ever had for the Thrashers. If we are in a playoff position Kovy is not getting traded and Waddell will risk getting nothing for him unitl the draft. I mean Hossa and we get Army from Pitts. as the only peice still playing. Christiansen could not hit the side of barn on most nights. If Waddell Trades Kovy what do we get? Nothing. Waddell is not the great Cliff Fletcher. (Atl. flames GM) Waddell is a complete boob! If we are in the playoff hunt why trade Kovy unless you get Heatley in return. Just comedy! ha ha. You know what I would take that trade because Heatley with all his mental problems plays both ends of the ice. Where as Kovy does not. Woo! time for bed! I got to get ready for the next few hockey games here. I have almost been to all of them since 1972. God I am tired.
World Be Free
January 18th, 2010
7:45 am
Good points Krust, it is a difficult situation. At this point, I believe we are in a no win situation with Kovalchuk, unless he signs a long term deal. A trade would not bring full value, unless L.A. would REALLY like to make the deal. The Kings have assets that could make it worth the effort. If he walks on July 1, it will be a disaster.
Red Light
January 18th, 2010
8:12 am
Kovy is without question the top free agent, top free agent scorer, top free agent offensive player on the free agent market. Why wouldn’t he and Grossman want to capitalize on that fact in July, and up to that point? Why would Waddell want to sign him before the trade deadline particularly if, God forbid, he got hurt at the Olympic Games? From a business perspective, Kovalchuk holds all the cards at this point and once again Waddell is in a reactive position, not a proactive one, just as he was in the Hossa situation.
The sad thing is that Kubina can walk too, which creates $16 million more of cap space (Kovy, Kozzie, Kubina), but who do replace those three with in your lineup?
Miami Screaming Eagle
January 18th, 2010
9:08 am
The Kovalchuk situation-
I don’t believe the ownership and management groups of ASG understand how excruciating this situation is for their fan base. You wonder why so few people are coming to the games. This is just another example of the “don’t care” attitude exhibited by this ownership group.
Maybe ownership would start like these guys if the players were to get all tattooed and act like gangsters.
Nikita
January 18th, 2010
10:28 am
*But they are ‘hockey ignorant.’ They don’t really have a handle on the ‘dynamics’ of owning an NHL franchise. They’re doing their best, but they have poor judgement. There’s just no way to sugarcoat that. They don’t do it maliciously or in a ‘mean-spirited’ manner, as some suggest.*
Well…yeah. At least three of them really, truly love hockey and really love the Thrashers. Which isn’t the same as loving and being smart about owning a NHL franchise.
*Usually, that’s how we define “insanity.” But, it really wouldn’t be “insanity,” if the REAL GOAL were to sell the team in 2011, to some interest, local or otherwise.*
I doubt that’s their interest. However, they’re certainly interested in possibly moving new owners in to replace old owners or in addition to old owners. Because some of them can’t afford to let it go on the way it’s gone.
*As a businessman, you make your money at the closing table, when the franchise is sold.*
I don’t think that’s likely. It might have seemed like it in a relative bull market, but right now the franchise isn’t going to fetch enough money unless it’s really doing well. And as we all know, it’s not doing that well.
*You just land your man in free agency.*
Yeah, I still don’t see what the problem with this is. We’re still going to need to pick up players on the UFA market and keep players from the RFA market, and we’re still going to need to draft well. And if you maintain, as I do, that Kovalchuk is replaceable, and we obviously would have the money to do it, then I don’t see why that’s a bad choice. Unless, of course, the choice is that you keep Kovalchuk till his rights expire and he degrades the team with poor play and attitude in the meantime.
*What if no NHL GM agrees to pay Kovalchuk what he wants?*
I think this is a strong possibility, if he truly wants max cap for a maximum period. Were I the GM of any team, and knowing how some of these contracts have turned out (say, Jagr), I doubt I’d agree to take on anyone for max cap and max period. But I am sure I wouldn’t do it for Kovalchuk, having done any homework whatsoever to see that he has fantastic scoring ability, but doesn’t play a two-way game, play consistently well, or play well with other stars. IMO, his true value is somewhere in the $7-9 range, or somewhere between Rick Nash and Evgeni Malkin, and I think you’d have to be insane to agree to it for more than 3-4 years.
*But then, the payments hit. And the insurance premiums, too. And if you think about selling it, there’s about 40-50 percent DEPRECIATION on that asset the moment you drive it off the lot. We call that, “buyer’s remorse.”*
Amen, brother.
Miami Screaming Eagle
January 18th, 2010
12:00 pm
Nikita-it’s all very simply; you can’t be good at anything unless you focus ont he task. ASG has never focused on the Thrashers. These are basketball guys who own a hockey team. Similar to the current clowns that own the Braves. It’s alot different today then when Ted Turner owned the club.
What is your focus?
Red Light
January 18th, 2010
12:06 pm
Thumbs up Nikita!
No max salary and no max period, but somebody will pay $8.5 per for eight or nine years. That puts him below Ovie, Malkin and Crosby, and just above Hossa and Gaborik. That will guarantee him a cool $68 to $76.5 million and will take him to his 35th or 36th birthday. And, I wholeheartedly agree, anything more than that and you’ve stuck a long-term gun to your own head.
GaVaHokie
January 18th, 2010
12:18 pm
Kovy and Grossman know their greatest leverage is July 1st when they can involve the KHL.
What sickens me is Kovy is happy in Atlanta, and all it takes is for Grossman to say “it’s a fair deal Kovy. Sign it.”
… Damn agents.
Miami Screaming Eagle
January 18th, 2010
1:07 pm
GaVa-we can blame the agents for sure, but the team should have taken full responsibilty for the situation 4-6 mos ago. We would not be in this situation if management had done their jobs.
If he won’t sign then trade him and get assets. I don’t care if we make playoffs this year. If we have nothing to show for Kovy after July 1, then what’s the point?
But this should have been done months ago, so the fans don’t have to go through this garbage. What a sham.
Dwayne
January 18th, 2010
1:18 pm
I say trade him if he dont sign, get a good 2 way player, a prospect and a 1st round pick. He will not sign with antone this year> He will open the bidding war after the season. He will take less money somewhere else, I can hear ALL the other GM’s asking Kovy…”You going to play “D”? Kovy…”mmmm….maybe” GM’s….”With you, we have a chance at the cup, you play a little “D”, I keep the coach off your a$$, 4 year-7 million per. What do ya say?” Kovy….”Talk to my agent”
TableHockey
January 18th, 2010
1:54 pm
Looks like you’re going to get your “White Out” in Florida tonight Rawhide.
Rawhide
January 18th, 2010
2:12 pm
Looks like you’re going to get your “White Out” in Florida tonight Rawhide
TableHockey – That’s good. If it’s a choice between he and Slater right now…gimme Jimmy.
And as Bob has asked…”anyone really miss him out there”?
I also uderstand from C-Viv that we’ll have moose sighting tonight…that more than likely also means that Pavs will play tomorrow.
I’m currently working on a post about Natalie Taylor…whom I was able to spend some time chatting with last week. Really a nice, nice person who loves what she is doing. So…even though some game a coming up this week, I’m going to move away from “post-game reaction” blogs for a couple days and give you that to read.
Obviously, we can still discuss tonight’s game here or below that post…but I thought I’d give you all the heads up.
Diego from Lilburn
January 18th, 2010
3:12 pm
If Kovy leaves we have lots of cap space BUT…
Who will come here? Remember how hard it was 2 seasons ago to get anyone to come here at any price? That’s how Hainsey got such a sweetheart deal – nobody else would come. Period.
If Kovy (and God help us!), Kubina and Max were to leave it sends a VERY STONG message to other players that the ownership/mgmt isn’t capable of putting together a winning team. It has a cascading effect.
Good Advice – if you are ever at a company where lots of the top executives start bailing out, update your own resume and start looking. That’s the same message a Kovy/Kubina/Max departure would send.
Red Light
January 18th, 2010
4:01 pm
Looks like the Senators have gotten a shot in the arm with the return of their captain Alfredsson (hat trick today). They won two division games since his return, and three conference games overall since the 6-1 beatdown at the flat screen. A loss tonight drops the Thrashers to 12th in the Eastern Conference, yet still a mere six points out of 5th.
Red Light
January 18th, 2010
4:50 pm
And, since Dec. 29th, those pesky Isles have posted 15 out of a possible 18 points, including four straight wins over Phoenix, Detroit, Buffalo and New Jersey (today). DiPietro shut out the Devils 4-0.
rob
January 18th, 2010
6:20 pm
BOOOOOO to the refs!!!! YEAH to the team for finding some fortitude and playing some hockey!!!! EVERY home game needs a solid booing of the refs every time they come out onto the ice! Still think it’s a team in search of identity but LETS GO THRASHERS!!!!!
Miami Screaming Eagle
January 18th, 2010
7:19 pm
The Florida Panthers are smart enough to move their weeknight home games to 7;30, but the Thrashers haven’t figured it out yet (shaking my head).
Brendan
January 18th, 2010
7:29 pm
Red Light, I have this sick, sinking feeling that the Islanders are going to get the 8th and final spot.
World Be Free
January 18th, 2010
7:39 pm
You have to give the Islanders credit for obtaining goaltender depth prior to the season. Roloson and Biron have played pretty well; now they have assets to trade and probably get a 2nd round pick out of the deal. Didn’t cost them anything but a cheap contract. Nice move.
Had to laugh watching the Phoenix – Buffalo game. You can hear the Sabres’ fans yelling “Let’s Go Buffalo” and the Yotes’ fans booing. That Buffalo love is coast to coast.
Christoph Schubert
January 18th, 2010
8:24 pm
Das büffet hier im pressekasten von BankAtlantic Center ist wirklich sehr gut. sie haben sogar Thüringer Rostbratwurst. ..I liebe Thüringer Rostbratwurst.
The Director
January 18th, 2010
9:52 pm
Cue stendec in 5….4….3….2….1….
LAC
January 18th, 2010
9:58 pm
Not much to say about tonight… Hot goalie and he stole it for them.
It cost us a spot in the standings, but to give up 4 goals in two games is not bad.
But Toronto is whipping a GOOD Nashville team tonight, so it will be TOUGH Tuesday night.
Oh Well…
docsbro
January 18th, 2010
9:59 pm
Can we PLEASE just cut Koslov!!!??? I am so tired of him. He gets too many valuable minutes.
Brendan
January 18th, 2010
10:11 pm
WBF, I was going to post, “anyone catch the EXPLOSION of support on the 1st Buffalo goal tonight at Phoenix?” I think every able-bodied Western New York native within 90 miles of Phoenix made the trip to the arena tonight. Remember something, WBF, Buffalo only makes the trip out to Phoenix once every three years. So, when they come, it’s one of those, “Must Attend” games, where the Sabres fans drop everything in their lives to go.
Watching the Leafs-Preds game? It was once, 3-0, Toronto. The Predators have just tied it up, with plenty of regulation time left in the 3rd period, WBF. I thought you’d like that!
Quiz for the bloggers! Ready? Points, from this point forward, get HARDER or EASIER to acquire? “But Brendan, this game was against Florida–they’ve got to BANKS points on games like these.” Dude, even Florida is trying to bank points at this juncture. Operation “Tank It” is not in effect, nor should it be, for any market except maybe Carolina. (And they won’t purposefully throw the rest of the season.)
So, who’s up for “sympathy card” for Moose Hedberg? I’m willing to be the 1st signature. That poor man. He gives up 4 goals vs. the Capitals, and has to wait all this time for another start. He gets it, and the boys can’t even GET ONE GOAL to help him out. Hedberg did manage to be awarded one of the three stars of the game tonight. Classy move by the Florida media to recognize Johan’s efforts tonight.
I, uhhh … haven’t seen the words “quitter” and “betch” tonight. So, what gives? Before anyone says, “Kovalchuk dogged it again, tonight.” He was all over the place. I wonder if he had double-digit shots on goal. He was trying HARD to score all night. The figure 8’s were in full stride tonight.
Last thought: Who would have thought that two teams this defensively lacking … would combine for one goal? Oh, put your hands down. You did not. You had this game pegged as a 6-4 win for one of these two clubs. And ya know it. If there’s a silver lining here, it’s that the goals against didn’t take a beating.
But make no mistake about it, this game was a “four point swing” for the Panthers, on a night when the Islanders, Senators, and Lightning all won in regulation time. And even Toronto is looking at a point tonight, if they can hang on for this last 6:41.
Brendan
January 18th, 2010
10:15 pm
I can’t help but notice that Columbus defeated St. Louis, who fired their head coach in an effort to turn things around. Columbus is far from in the playoffs, too. They maybe should look at a coaching chance.
Phil Kessel scores for Toronto! It’s 4-3, Maple Leafs, with 5:48 left in regulation time. From October 24, 2009 on, the Maple Leafs are banking points at a better clip, however marginally, than Atlanta.
R. Stroz
January 18th, 2010
10:15 pm
Except for the shootout, Kozlov is as useless as Charmin.
Why does Kozlov keep settling the puck in the slot before shooting? He is allowing the goalie to reposition for the shot.
Brendan
January 18th, 2010
10:24 pm
Slava Kozlov. God love ‘im, docsbro. In the final seconds, with the puck on his twig, he has completely sold every Panther player on the ice, including Vokoun, that he is going to pass the puck to the left, to Kovalchuk. Vokount COMPLETELY abandons ANY POSSIBLE SHOT from Kozlov, so much so, that the short side of the net is GAPING WIDE OPEN. At moments like that, I think of the Carlsson goal that won the World Juniors for Team USA on a “no look shot.” Had Kozlov attempted that “no look shot,” I think he would have scored. There was THAT MUCH net there for him, on the short side.
That’s the thing about faking a pass to Kovalchuk. “Everyone on the ice BUYS IT.” Why not take advantage of it? They are schooled on the Kovalchuk one-timer. And why wouldn’t Atlanta try it, with the game on the line. The perfect time to “fake a field goal” in football … is down by 3-points, with time ticking off the clock in the half or game. Who thinks you won’t kick it???? Who thinks Kozlov is gonna take that shot?? Not Vokoun. Not any Panther defender. “Woulda, coulda, shoulda.”
Brendan
January 18th, 2010
10:25 pm
It’s a final from Nashville, Maple Leafs 4, Predators 3. D’oh!!
Brendan
January 18th, 2010
10:32 pm
Allllllriiiiight. It’s only 4 “official” shots on goal for Kovalchuk. But he must have attempted 12, most of which were blocked. Anyone got the Panthers “blocked shot” total for the game? I bet it’s a lot.
B. Thenet
January 18th, 2010
10:39 pm
12th place in the East, well done boys.
Rawhide
January 18th, 2010
10:39 pm
Regarding Kozlov…I saw him lose the zone at least twice during power plays tonight. The last time was during that crucial “6″ on 4 PP in the last minute of the game. Neither of them was due to heavy pressure on him, they were simple passes on his stick coming from the endline.
Simply aggravating!
Kovy looked to be playing well…actually, the whole team looked good tonight. Held them to only 24 SOG. A Thrashers defense keeping shots on goal to only two dozen for a game comes along about often as a Republican winning a US Senate seat in Massachusetts.
Vokoun was nothing short of outstanding. Nothing more you can say about that. 14 of his 27 saves came during the third period…so it isn’t like the Thrashers rolled over and died.
Maes tomorrow night’s game even that much more important, though. It’s the ninth time Atlanta has played on back-to-back night’s this season. Their record in the previous eight games on the tail end of such series…5-1-2.
R. Stroz
January 18th, 2010
10:41 pm
I’m just waiting for Rawhide’s interview with Natalie Taylor. I wonder if he offered to show her why his last name is Tiller?
World Be Free
January 18th, 2010
10:48 pm
Brendan, I saw something tonight that I have NEVER seen at an NHL game. When a few Sabres fans thought Jason Pominville scored a hat trick goal, they tossed their hats on the ice on Phoenix. I have never known any fans to have the stones to toss their hats on the visiting teams’ rink. As for Sabres fans at the game, you gotta remember, so many of us went over the wall and left Western New York. We’re everywhere.
One thing you will get from Toronto is 60 minutes, they do not quit.
Not sure what to say about tonight’s game, other than they tried hard and came up short. Atlanta is like the Islanders, in the fact that both teams have played all season with backup goalies. Their #1 is back, ours is somewhere.
Don’t know where this leaves Kovy, but if making the playoffs is the ONLY criteria he laid out for staying in Atlanta, then I think he and Jay are getting ready to call their mover. Florida jumped us tonight, TB is right behind.
Yeah, looks like Slava has hit the end of the road for sure. Hope we have someone to replace him next season.
B. Thenet
January 18th, 2010
10:48 pm
Did Vokoun really make many decent saves tonight? Just because we got shots on net, doesn’t mean they were good shots.
It was an easy night for Vokoun.
Brendan
January 18th, 2010
11:14 pm
B.Thenet, not that these guys are our top scoring threats, but the saves Vokoun made on Boulton and Reasoner were quality saves, on quality scoring chances. There were others, of course. But those two chances could have really been goals for Atlanta. Vokoun stole this game.
Then again … can’t we just call it what it was? Namely, “two bad teams playing each other?”
Brendan
January 18th, 2010
11:16 pm
WBF, I think I saw Penguins fans in other cities toss hats for Crosby. But for Sabres fans in Phoenix, that’s one to put in the memory bank. And one for Coyotes fans to suppress forever.
Brendan
January 18th, 2010
11:20 pm
What has happened to the Edmonton Oilers? They’re losing, 6-0, to the Colorado Avalanche. Last season, Colorado finished 28th in the league. As it stands now, they’re apt to be seeded no worse than 3rd for this year’s playoffs. I can’t help but notice that ownership’s response, after a 28th place finish, was to CLEAN HOUSE, while issuing a statement, “This past season was unacceptable for us, and our fans.”
I can’t help it. I’m rooting for them now. Just because of their ownership’s stance on a failing season? Yep. That’s all it took for me to start wishing the Avalanche every success this season. They deserve it. They “man up” and fire people for unacceptable performance. What a concept, eh?
Brendan
January 18th, 2010
11:43 pm
Ranallo warning????
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
January 18th, 2010
11:55 pm
Yes, Mr. Brendan…this is your 10-minute Ranallo Warning.
I am about to post Mr. Rawhide’s interview with Natalie Taylor.
Oh, and by the way…100th!!!