That Bergie kid comes through again
The “LAB Line”…that’s what Thrashers TV commentator Darren Eliot referred to the line that is made up of Bryan Little, Nik Antropov and Niclas Bergfors…which I think is very appropriate given that they have found great chemistry together and the experiment of putting them together has so far proven to be a great success.
Friday night in Minee-SOH-Tah, they again brewed up some magic to help propel the Thrashers to a 3-2 win over the Wild…the first time ever that Atlanta has come out of that state’s capital with a win.
Bergie’s blast at the 11:05 mark of the third period broke a 2-2 tie and provided the winning margin…it was the second time he’s scored a game-winner since coming over to the Thrashers along with teammate Johnny Oduya, who got the secondary assist on the goal. Little’s pass from center ice sprung Bergfors toward the goal up the right hand side.
Bergie has gotten of 15 shots on goal and is a +3 in the four games played since joining the squad. He’s making the #18 jersey look as good as it has since…since…well…since…hmmmmmm, oh what was that guys name again that used to wear that number around here a few years ago?
Pile up in front of Thrashers goal. Johan Hedberg, Ron Hainsey as well as the Wild's Kyle Brodziak in action Friday night (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Oduya’s assist was his second point in as many games and finished Friday night with a +1 rating. He continues to play very solid on the blueline, helping to stabilize that normally shaky aspect of this team.
The two are obviously making the best of this “it is what it is” situation, eh?
Earlier in the game, Nik Antropov’s tip of Pavel Kubina’s shot tied the game at 2-2 in the first period. Evander Kane…who played a hellova game against the Wild…opened the scoring 8:43 into the game. Kubina finished with two assists.
Big moment in the game was late in the first period. The Wild had erased the Thrashers 1-0 early lead and taken a 2-1 advantage with goals by Andrew Brunette…an original Thrasher…and Andrew Ebbett . Then came a 4-minute high stick call against Eric Boulton. Going down 3-1 would have been un-good…but they negated Minnesota’s man-advantage after Marel Zidlicky committed a high-stick infraction of his own.
Shortly after Zidlicky scooted off it the sin-bin, Maxim Afinogenov’s hustle drew a holding penalty from Shan Hnidy, another former Thrasher…and in just 1:58, Atlanta had gone from a 4-minute penalty kill situation to a 4 on 3 power play.
That’s when Kubina and Antropov made the Wild pay, tying the score with just 14 seconds left before the first intermission.
Quite a swing of events.
Arturs Kulda looked sharp in his first NHL start…he played with a good deal of confidence. One play that sticks out in mind mind came in the third period when he steamrolled a Minnesota forward in front of our goal. Being physical on defense and knocking opponents out from in front of the goalie…now there’s a concept, eh?
Johan Hedberg made start number 27 on the season, and in saving 36 of 38 SOG he improved his record to 14-9-5 with a 2.56 GAA and .916 SV%. If the Thrashers are to make a serious playoff run next month, it looks like it’ll be upon the back of the Moose.
At the trade deadline, the Thrashers should be...
- Buyers! (79%, 72 Votes)
- Sellers! (21%, 19 Votes)
Total Voters: 91
Loading ...Ondrej Pavelec is scheduled to start Saturday night in Chicago given the back-to-back games, but it is interesting to note that while Opie will be facing the Blackhawk for the first time ever, Moose is 4-1-0 lifetime versus the Hawks with a 2.34 GAA and .911 SV% in six games played.
Just sayin’…
This back-to-back set of games will be the tenth such time the Thrashers have played on consecutive nights this season. In the previous nine they have gone 6-1-2 in the tail end game.
With the two point secured in Minnesota, they now have 61 points after 59 games played. That is 13 points better then the 48 points they had after this many games last season. If they wind up with 13 points more than last year after 82 games, they’ll have 89.
The victory also puts them two points out of a playoff position in the conference with one game left before the Olympic break. They remain tied with the Rangers who beat Pittsburgh 3-2 in overtime.
Kovy Gets Off Schnide In His ’New Jersey’
In case you missed it, Ilya Kovalchuk notched his first goal as a member of the New Jersey Devils. His third period goal broke a 2-2 tie with Nashville in the third period…the Devils went on to win 5-2.
Viewing Party at TJs
Saturday night’s game will mean another viewing party out at TJ’s Bar and Grill located on Holcomb Bridge Road in Alpharetta. As always, Tim and Mark Ecclestone and all of the wonderful staff will certainly provide their normal great service and the Thrashers Fan Club will be bringing the party atmosphere.
If you can make it, I know you’ll have a great time. I won’t be able to be there myself as I will be out on a Valentines Eve date with the Divine Mrs. R. However, I’ll catch the replay upon our return home.
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129 comments Add your comment
Brendan
February 14th, 2010
12:04 am
Rawhide, we have another entrant into the hopper for the “post of the year.” It’s R.Stroz, from moments ago. http://blogs.ajc.com/iceman-thrashers-blog/2010/02/13/that-bergie-kid-comes-through-again/comment-page-1/#comment-21093
Armstrong thanked Hossa for sending him to Atlanta. that’s pur GOLD! I might make a banner and stream it around my rec room, Strozie.
Smoothie
February 14th, 2010
12:11 am
Managed to catch the final 10 mins after some other things and it was obvious the team was completely out of gas holding on for dear life. As amazing as Pavelec was in the 3rd, he was rather shaky in the shootout. But what was worse was the utter lack of imagination in the S/O by our guys! WTF? You’ve played hockey your whole life, surely you can work a fake or deke in before shooting!
Smoothie
February 14th, 2010
12:22 am
stendec – glad I was, ahem, um “busy” and missed that 4th goal allowed by Pavs. Someone needs to teach this kid a) how to stay on his feet longer and b) stop making himself so damn small in the crease. This hybrid butterfly crap is for very few goalies. And Dom Hasek you’ll never be Ondrej!
Oh yeah, I’d say Kovy’s lazy ass cost us at least 7 or 8 points in January alone! Have fun playing with your equally lazy buddy Zherdev next year in the KHL, you jerk!
@ least we'll always have 1999
February 14th, 2010
12:23 am
Say what you want, but Kovy made this team. I guess it’s just like the Expos who kept shipping all those great players out. You could staff an all star team with th scoring that came through here. Yeah, we got Kane and the rest now, but it must be something in the water, because this team has a huge problem w/ player retention.
Brendan
February 14th, 2010
12:31 am
Smoothie, I’d like to try Bogosian and Kubina in shootout attempts. Why not? I’m not too sure I’d go with Bryan Little in my top three. If Slava is playing, Kozlov is my #1 shooter. I’d try Bogosian in the 2nd slot. And Bergfors in the #3 spot. Then Kubina. Then Little. Maybe Kane, ahead of both of them, actually.
Smoothie
February 14th, 2010
12:42 am
How about this order Brendan?
1) Mad Max – he’s so frenetic and unpredictable that even if he doesn’t score he gives the goalie a lot to think about
2) Slava-matic
3) Bergforce One
4) Peverley
5) Kaner – its time for this kid to get more special situation spots and he’s not afraid to try some shit!
Nikita (in PA)
February 14th, 2010
12:47 am
Whatever, least. I said it before about 50 times, and I’ll say it again. Kovalchuk brought a lot to the team, but keeping him had an opportunity cost. Specifically, the entire team had to be built to help him succeed, which was a hell of an achievement considering he didn’t play any defense.
The team looked pretty good this evening. The only exception I’ll make to that comment is Mad Max, who I’m going to call out for patently stupid play — dude, stop passing across the crease. Just effing stop it. He played well other than those fluff-brained moments, but one of those really could have cost us. Reasoner and Army and Hainsey really did great tonight, and obviously all the dudes with the goals rocked it.
As for shootout order, I’d probably have led: Slater, Bergie, Kane, and Army.
Smoothie
February 14th, 2010
12:49 am
Damn filter!
How about this order Brendan?
1) Mad Max – he’s so frenetic and unpredictable that even if he doesn’t score he gives the goalie a lot to think about
2) Slava-matic
3) Bergforce One
4) Peverley
5) Kaner – its time for this kid to get more special situation spots and he’s not afraid to try some shiz!
@ least we'll always have 1999
February 14th, 2010
1:10 am
Hossa, Savard, Brunett, Audett, Kovalchuck.
What kept screwing the team was poor defense all around, and goaltending. They should have gotten 2 defense-first forwards and put Kovy on that line. They should have dropped coin on a legit #1 netmider.
Hockey Biltong
February 14th, 2010
1:52 am
Excellent effort tonight.One point , but the effort and especially the chemistry is really panning out. This should make us buyers. I hope we get an awesome player such as Ponikarovky and maybe Kaberle. That, I think, would give us an edge.
LAC
February 14th, 2010
2:09 am
Tough one to swallow in Chicago… Decent on offense, but POOR goaltending cost us.
Let’s hope things improve after this break and we can make playoffs and maybe, just maybe, these little owners will Finally Realize they Have to Fire waddell once and for all.
Oh yes, did you notice the asg tool beatwriter is not blogging during the Olympics…
Just NO class or passion for the game, and the LEAST of all NO GUTS ! Go away chris and be the Tool you really are !
POTF
February 14th, 2010
7:27 am
Sure have loved watching this team for the last week. Lot of spring in the step. How many miss Kovy now? I thought I would, but don’t. 6 out of 6 points for the trip was certainly achievable, but I think most of us would have gladly accepted 4 out of 6 if asked before trip started. As for the great hit last night. Was that BlackHawk STRONGARMED or HOSED? Powerplay looked a little better last night. Reasoner on the PK, nuff said. Where the hell has this Kulda been hiding all year. Definitely like what I see with this kid. Hope the energy continues after the break. Personally think it will. One other thing, from what I’ve seen on the shootout, may as well give Thorburn and Boults a shot.
POTF
February 14th, 2010
7:29 am
“Let’s hope things improve after this break and we can make playoffs and maybe, just maybe, these little owners will Finally Realize they Have to Fire waddell once and for all”
LAC
If the Thrash make the playoffs, Waddell certainly won’t be fired.
World Be Free
February 14th, 2010
8:55 am
Colorado and Chicago-2 tough teams that the Thrashers played tough on this road trip. Four out of 6 points is pretty good. Looks like New Jersey is no better off with Kovy in the fold.
I stand by what I said at the time of the Kovy trade-in the end, Kovalchuk will get $.60 on the dollar for what he could have made in Atlanta. That’s alotta money to give up for the CHANCE to win a Stanley Cup.
DWTOO
February 14th, 2010
9:17 am
Stollberg really took the team to task on the post game show last night. Calling the OT losses just that and saying the one point shouldn’t be awarded. Think he’s missing the “point” here. If you go back to the good old days both teams would’ve have left the arena with one point and that would’ve been the end of it. IMHO the OT/SO is a bonus point. Although, I’d just as soon go back to the tie.
Team has really showed some spark on the whole trip. Each game they could’ve just gone into the tank, but, battled back. Would have been nice to come back with six points, but, taking four from a three game western swing against two of the best and another team fighting for a spot also is impressive.
Hockey Biltong
February 14th, 2010
9:18 am
We are going to by necessity, aquire a strong goalie, if we’re are going any distance into the play-offs.
Hockey Biltong
February 14th, 2010
9:20 am
So winger, centreman and goalie.
Tim Thomas
Ponikarovsky
Kaberle or Johnson
Red Light
February 14th, 2010
9:27 am
Like the 1934 MLB All-Star Game when Carl Hubbell struck out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin in succession, the Blues’ Chris Mason stopped Semin, Ovechkin, Backstrom and B. Morrison in the shootout to give St. Louis another win before the break. They’re only 5 points out of 7th at this point.
The third or fourth liners have been playing well for the Thrashers and I loved Boulton’s hit on Kopecky. I like keeping those units together as much as possible, but I think Washington’s group barring injury is pretty stout Smoothie. Gordon (295 games), Steckel (217), Bradley (349) and Fehr (160) all are used to Boudreau’s system, and while the top two lines get the goals, these guys are a very valuable part of the Caps’ success.
I think the reason Slater, Kane and Armstrong have been successful together, not only because of their hearts, is that they are all North-South types on the ice. They go from goal line to goal line rarely going East-West. They are effective because of their speed and their hustle is rewarded.
Scott Gomez is that type of North-South player, and I always thought he would have been the perfect center for Kovalchuk. Kovy is always more effective going North-South rather than that pulling up, circling and creating space stuff that was never his strong suit. He has the speed and strength to go forward.
Guys, not sure if you had the chance to see Stephen Weiss go through the Boston defense last night for his goal, but I can tell you Chara had a yard sale after it. Check out the highlight!
Zoomo
February 14th, 2010
9:35 am
>>Stollberg really took the team to task on the post game show last night.
I call Stollberg “the grim reaper”. The guy is the most negative commentator I’ve ever heard. He crucifies the team afet every loss and is barely complimentary after wins. OK so we’re not the Wings or Caps or Blackhawks. We get it. I tune the guy out on the postgame until Kamal comes on.
I’d suggest that one of the reason hockey hasn’t grown in Atlanta is all the negative media. Schultz, Stolly, Bradley, etc.
Hockey Biltong
February 14th, 2010
9:57 am
Weiss picked Charas’ pocket!!!
World Be Free
February 14th, 2010
10:08 am
Stendec, I have to admit I really never thought about what Kovy may have cost us but I think you are right on with the comment. More to the point is what did the distraction of the Kovy contract courtship dance cost us from December to late January.
Nikita-Kovy did bring a lot to the team in the way of talent and his individual abilities. Guys like Kovy open spaces for other players, making them better. But this team is better off today, because they are playing like a team. The team does not have to deal with Kovy’s donkey snits during every game, normally at crucial times. If given the choice, I’d take Hossa over Kovy anytime.
Red Light-I saw the Stephen Weiss goal, end to end rush that left Chara jock strap at the blue line. That was a great goal. Chara’s play is part of the reason Boston has fallen back this season
Biltong-I’d take Thomas in a heartbeat. Nothing wrong with Tim’s play, he’s just been beaten out by a younger goaltender.
Get The Puck Out
February 14th, 2010
10:28 am
I think we already have a Captain. He was willing to sacrifice his body to stop a shot, and he got it. He was always in the right spot on the PK at the most critical time and he gives it his all. If Kovy had played with that much heart he may have been worth 10 mil. a year. Reasoner should be Captain because he cares what happens on the ice. Kane is really gonna be something special in a couple of years. If the defense tightens up a little more and we get better in goal we could be in the playoffs. That second period last night showed the thrashers playing up to their potential, believing in each other to do their job and always thinking ahead to the next move. I am enjoying the way they have played since the departure on Kovy, and they are playing more as a team. But just because they are playing as a team does not get Don Waddell off the hook. He still needs to go, and it would be even more encouraging if new owners were waiting in the wings. Just try and be POSITIVE.
World Be Free
February 14th, 2010
10:33 am
G-T-P-O I’ll always vote for Marty for captain. He just doesn’t ake mistakes, great team guy.
LAC-surprised you did not rip Bogo on the Hossa goal. Bogosian made a bad decision trying to keep the puck in the Hossa right on him-led to Mary Anne’s SOG.
Hockey Biltong
February 14th, 2010
10:40 am
WBF- yes we need that bump up in goalie standards. And Marty would be an awesome Kapitain!!!
Rawhide
February 14th, 2010
10:40 am
Happy VD everybody! Here is a new blog for you all.
Brendan
February 14th, 2010
10:45 am
Smoothie, I stand corrected. I like your shootout order way better than mine. If Slava is playing, he’s got to be the #1 shooter. We need a goal to start. Max is a good choice for a 1st shooter, too, though. Kane would be interesting to try as a 1st shooter. I’m also okay with mixing it up with the Pevs dispenser early on in the shootout. But I am serious about Bogosian as one of the top three shooters. I think he could be good at it. And there isn’t much video of him in them. Generally speaking, d-men don’t get many breakaways.
Brendan
February 14th, 2010
10:55 am
WBF, regarding 8:55 AM post, but buddy, it was never, E-vah, about the money. That, my friend, was just a “smokescreen.” How does Ilya tactfully say to ownership, “You send me a GM with a DECADE’s worth of failure to renegotiate my contract? With all due copyright respect to John McEnroe, ‘You CANNOT be serious.’”
I begrudge Ilya Kovalchuk nothing. Absolutely nothing. I wish him every success in his future years. He gave us 8 years, with a smile. And I truly believe … that if this organization had displayed a modicum of timely accountability along the way, he would have re-signed for the rest of his career here. All he wanted was: (1) committed, stable ownership, (2) Good GM, (3) Accountability, (4) “decent” Opening Night budgets, (5) good scouts, and (6) capable teammates.
If you’ve got those six things, Stanley Cups will follow. Kovy hasn’t even put his house up for sale. I think he’s gonna live here, no matter WHERE he plays. Imagine it, folks. You’re at Target or Publix or Kroger, and there’s Ilya, buying Karoline a loaf of freshly baked bread. He says, “Hi neighbor!” You wave and smile back at him, “Sorry the Thrashers are woefully inept at running an NHL franchise.” He shrugs, then says, “You and me, both!”
Brendan
February 14th, 2010
11:03 am
Negative media in Atlanta? Someone, somewhere, has to say when “The Emperor is NOT wearing any clothes.”
Rawhide, I got no Ranallo warning.
LAC
February 14th, 2010
3:06 pm
WBF, I did not see that play and his number… Oh well just more of the same…