Thrashers Olympic update and other quick shots
Just a couple of quickie notes here as we are now almost a week into this Olympic break…
First off… an update on some of the Thrashers players who are playing for their counties Olympic team in Vancouver. Toby Enstrom assisted on Mattias Ohlund’s second period goal as Sweden downed Germany 2-0 Wednesday night. Tuesday night Maxim Afinogenov assisted on Russia’s fourth goal on the way to an 8-2 thumping of Latvia. Max was credited with the secondary helper when Evgeni Malkin scored in the second period. Ilya Kovalchuk has the primary assist.
Oh, and I guess technically speaking, I should also mention Ilya Nikulin’s assist on Danis Zaripov’s goal that opened the scoring for Russia.
Today’s action will see team USA, who bet the Swiss 3-1 in their first game, taking on Norway…who was thumped 8-0 by Canada Tuesday afternoon. Russia will play Slovakia and Canada will match up against Switzerland.
USA woman’s hockey team…fresh off it’s 13-0 beat down of Russia 13-0 and their 12-1 pasting of China…will play Finland’s ladies today as well. Our gals have outscored their opponents 25-1 and will now be going up against a Finnish team that Beat China 2-1 and Russia 5-1.
Yes…I’m quite tired of the “Thrashers sold and moving to Winnipeg” yammering. Folks…it’s a fabricated story that was posted up on a Classic Rock station in western Canada. Period. It holds about as much credibility as if the guys from Dave FM posted up two lines on their website about Ted Turner buying the NBA Toronto Raptors and moving them to a city that lost their professional basketball team years ago…you know, like Buffalo, NY.
So…don’t give it any more attention then it deserves.
I’m currently working on a couple feature stories on Thrashers TV personalities Darrin Eliot and Matt McConnell. I had the chance to sit down with the two a couple weeks ago and hope you’ll enjoy reading about them and their thoughts on the team as much as I did chatting with them
If you are looking for a place to watch the USA vs. Canada game on Sunday, I hope you’ll join me at TJs on Holcomb Bridge to view it. NBC has chosen not to air the match…going with figure skating instead…but it will be on MSNBC.
And finally…just a reminder about the Party Bus that will take fans to the March 20th games when the Flyers are in town. The bus will depart from TJs at 5:00 and return there after the game. Along the way, prizes and drinks will be served up as well as great times with fellow Thrashers fans.
Contact Karin Beckman at 404-878-3781 or e-mail her at Karin.Beckman@atlantaspirit.com for more information.
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189 comments Add your comment
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
3:32 pm
Here’s your Lindsey Vonn link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010_swimsuit/winter/lindsey-vonn/10_lindsey-vonn_1.html. You can thank me later.
Rawhide
February 18th, 2010
3:35 pm
Ladies and gentlemen…I officially place Brandan’s 3:32 pm post into consideration for Comment of the Year!!!
Lee
February 18th, 2010
3:45 pm
**Drooling**
Damn she’s hot!!
Lee
February 18th, 2010
3:46 pm
Brendan – You win buddy!!!!!!!!!!
Schroeder
February 18th, 2010
3:46 pm
Excellent post,well thought out,lucid and IMO spot on topic,I 2nd the motion for post of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kracker
February 18th, 2010
4:04 pm
I think the ‘ayes’ have it! Brendan’s 3:32 post definitely looks like a winner.
World Be Free
February 18th, 2010
4:46 pm
Lee-I agree with youtr picks
Brendan-The Winter Games have lost their luster with me. Get rid of the snowboarding! Ice skaters need to go back to real outfits and and skate more like John Misha Petkovich used to. You know, real figure skating!
I saw Rick Reilly apologized to Canadians for something. He’s such a muss, he belongs in Sports Illustrated and ESPN.
LAC-once again, I gotta agree with you.
LAC
February 18th, 2010
4:47 pm
Brenden, ah…. No, nice but not That nice !!!!
Brad
February 18th, 2010
5:03 pm
how is it that we in Atlanta get 13000 a game in a city of 5 million…….NO ONE LIKES HOCKEY here, let them move!
Red Light
February 18th, 2010
5:06 pm
Anyone can play the sex card Brendan, but when World Be Free lets loose with an obscure John Misha Petkovich reference, you have to be thinking you’re on borrowed time! No self-respecting 12-year-old (at the time) ever forgot JMP skating to the theme song from Leonard Bernstein’s On the Waterfront in Tulsa back in 1970 at the National Figure Skating Championships. JK, I looked him up!
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
5:26 pm
I’ll accept your testimony, Red Light. By the way, if you want another photogenic Olympian, Clair Bidez simply cannot take a bad photo.
Check this one out: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010_swimsuit/winter/clair-bidez/10_clair-bidez_28.html. While you’re there, check out photos #15, 21, 26, 29, and 30. Please note, the red “come-n-get it” boots.
Pic #41 is dedicated to poster Nikita, of whom Clair Bidez is clearly a fan.
And guys, ummn … check out this video of “the making” of the SI photoshoot, for Clair Bidez. Remember the happiness I brought into your lives when they pass the church collection plate this Sunday. Here’s the video link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010_swimsuit/winter/clair-bidez/
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
5:28 pm
Oops, here’s the link to pick #41, for Nikita. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010_swimsuit/winter/clair-bidez/10_clair-bidez_41.html
R. Stroz
February 18th, 2010
5:28 pm
Listening to Roenick and Milbury do the commentary on the hockey games is great. Those two mix like oil and water. I’m waiting for Roenick to call Milbury an idiot.
Lee
February 18th, 2010
5:29 pm
LOL shaun white! NBC caught his foul language:
Keene: What do you want to do?
White: I don’t know, man. Ride down the middle?
(Chorus of noes.)
Keene: No, have some fun.
White: Drop a double mick?
Keene: Yeah, drop a double mick at the end. Do whatever you want and [expletive] send that thing. Make sure you stomp the [expletive] out of that thing.
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
5:30 pm
I’ve just been told I selected the wrong Olympic hottie to feature. Instead, I was supposed to list Lacy Schnoor. Okay, I try to be “fair” about things. Here’s your pic-n-video link:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010_swimsuit/winter/lacy-schnoor/.
Lee
February 18th, 2010
5:38 pm
WHOOOO HOO! Brendan – Who do you think is hotter?
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
5:52 pm
Lee, I’m going to have to go with the snowboarder, Clair Bidez. I’m just such sucker for blue eyes. She’s got a raw sensuality that I like. A-hem, but I feel we’re wandered a bit off topic. Although, rubbin’ my chin, the title of this blog is “Olympic Update … and other quick shots.” And by that, I mean pictures. Yes, that’ll do.
R.Stroz, I don’t know which one is more brash and offbase, Milbury or Roenick. All they’d need is Bret Hull to complete “The Three Stooges” trifecta!
Somaatl95
February 18th, 2010
5:54 pm
Winnipeg needs to STFU about taking our Thrashers and support the team they already have!
http://www.winnipegthrashers.com/
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
6:12 pm
WBF, speaking directly from my heart, the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Salt Lake City Games were, to me, the best and most memorable, of all Winter Olympics. The image of that little boy carrying the lantern off to Torino moved everyone who saw it. Those Salt Lake City Games were a party that no one wanted to end. For Canadians, of course, it was the end of the 52-year or so drought from the Olympic Ice Hockey Gold Medal, with their 5-2 win over the United States.
I’d be lying, WBF, if I said I didn’t enjoy the Torino Games. I thought they were good, too. But I think these recent Summer Games, in Beijing, were just so striking and memorable, that it’s hard to imagine anything topping it. But, I must admit, that I always have, and probably always will prefer the Winter Games.
Now, I’ll certainly agree with you that ice dancing and figure skating are highly subjective events. But really, I don’t feel the quality and feel of them has too terribly eroded over time. The biggest blemish is, to me, the Jeff Galooly incident, involving Tanya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. But that’ll always be the “blackest, bleakest moment” in skating history. I don’t think we’ll see anything like that again.
I’m partial to the “free skate” at the end, where the skaters are no longer in competition, just free to skate to anything they’d like and show off their personalities. I like watching the Olympic skaters just cutting loose and having fun.
WBF, I’ll freely admit … right here, right now … that I’m a Tanith Belbin fan. I think Sports Illustrated dropped the ball, err, fanned on the puck, by not picking her for a pictorial and video. Who knows? Maybe they did ask, but she politely declined? All I know is … she considers Atlanta to be “home,” and well … it wouldn’t matter to me where she chose to live, but I’m glad she’s representing Atlanta.
Badger Bob
February 18th, 2010
6:12 pm
“LOL shaun white! NBC caught his foul language” Lee, as your transcript shows, it was his coach, not him, with the foul language, so lay off the Flying Tomato. Whether you like boarding or not, he’s in a league of his own and has my admiration for constantly reinventing the sport.
And please, please don’t harrass NBC about language on the live feed – the halfpipe was about the only thing they showed live last night and we don’t want to scare them off of showing any live Olympics.
Somaatl95 – good link!
Lee
February 18th, 2010
6:12 pm
Hopefully in WINnipeg, we will actually WIN
Lee
February 18th, 2010
6:13 pm
Badger Bob – Oooooooooooook…….my bad.
Lee
February 18th, 2010
6:19 pm
Love these classic hockey commercials:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E-m2FIAcws
Colin
February 18th, 2010
6:26 pm
HAHAHa thats junior hockey, we have the ahl manitoba moose tho…..
in other notes, how about the coyotes, loosing more than 300 million since moving from winnipeg.
they are now proposing a tax zone to help pay for the cause…..think the taxpayers will like this?
http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2010/02/15/daily51.html
Ice Daddy
February 18th, 2010
6:34 pm
If you felt the need to include Nikulin, you should probably also include Toby’s 19 year old sister Tina. She’s tearing it up on the women’s side.
Darren
February 18th, 2010
7:42 pm
Pssst. Folks, if you’re sick of dealing with inane rumors, JUST.DON’T.RESPOND.
That is all.
Rawhide
February 18th, 2010
7:55 pm
Ice Daddy – You are correct…thanks for bringing that to our attention.
kracker
February 18th, 2010
8:05 pm
Lee, I like all the old Hockey Falls commercials. They were pre-lockout and never returned afterward. There were at least a dozen of them, probably more.
Here’s one named “Honk!”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef6aYuZ3-NQ
Tony C.
February 18th, 2010
8:10 pm
Also, not rub salt in the wound, but the more I dig, the more I think DW is actually on-point with his assesment of the #17 negotiations; granted Ilya probably did/does like our town, and would’ve liked to spend his entire career here, but with Grossman as his representation-it wasn’t going to happen.
Take a look at this:
http://www.puckagencyllc.com/contractnegotiations.html
And let’s not forget this incident:
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/85104
Anyway, I notice we went from 3 grossman clients, to 1 (Moose)….and something tells me that unless Hedberg flat-out tells Grossman to do a deal with ATL, he’s going to go elsewheres this summer.
I hate defending DW, but I think he really did do all that he could (look at the roster for cryin out loud), and in the end, Grossman or/and #17 just saw the (potential for) big dollar offers set to hit the table this summer.
World Be Free
February 18th, 2010
8:23 pm
Darren-agreed, it’s like ignoring an idiot when you see one.
Brendan, I gotta say if I had to pick between the 2 games, I’d take winter over summer. Oddly enough, I’d take because most of the athletes are hard working relatively humble people who are thankful for the opportunity. Not too many Shaun Whites in this group. I grew up watching Grenoble, Innsbruck (2nd time), Sapporo and best of all, the Lake Placid Games. I can still remember when somebody leaned out the door at work and told me the USA just beat the Russians 4-3.
I was in Oslo a few years back; you can see the ski jump from the 1952 Olympics up on the hill. We took a ride up the hill and I stood under the jump. Can’t believe anyone would be so stupid as to ski jump! I just have a real problem with the IOC these days. Too much politics and that fact taint my view of the games altogether NBC’s coverage really bothers me, it has no continuity. They don’t have a Jim McKay to bring it all together.
Can’t wait for the real hockey to start. Just wondering how all these stars are going to fair in big games. Some of these guys are going to be out of their element because they won’t have as much ice time as they are accustom to. As a player, you have your game thrown off if your ice time is cut from 28 to 20 minutes per game. They may get accustom to it by the medal round.
Thank you Red Light!
For catching on to my John Misha Petkovich reference. I learned to respect figure skating watching JMP; he was my mother’s favorite skater of all time and a darn good one. JMP wasn’t concerned with putting on a show for scores, he was an entertainer on ice. And he never wore fur either!
Lee
February 18th, 2010
8:35 pm
kracker – lol, “Well….maybe you’re just….colorblind!”
Viking
February 18th, 2010
8:57 pm
2-2 Canada Switzerland after 2 periods!
I do not know if this is dampening the Canadian loudmouths, but they should start to get a little worried…
Tony C.
February 18th, 2010
8:59 pm
Also, for fun this guy’s page is Golden!
http://intenttoblow.com/?p=278
Just a sample-read the Ovechkin story if you need a good laugh.
Lee
February 18th, 2010
9:25 pm
Canada SHOULD be winning and Switerzerland SHOULD be losing…..but
I’m not a traitor, because I think USA is a great country, and has a good team….but when you compare it with Russia and Canada….they embarass themselves.
Viking
February 18th, 2010
9:25 pm
Still 2-2!
Go Switzerland!!!
Viking
February 18th, 2010
9:35 pm
With little more than 5 minutes left Babcock looks really worried and Crosby is tendering his bloody nose.
Stendec is it still no chance in hell Russia will not win the gold?
Viking
February 18th, 2010
9:42 pm
OT!
kracker
February 18th, 2010
9:53 pm
WOW Shootout!!
Viking
February 18th, 2010
10:01 pm
Canada should be really happy they have Brodeur.
kracker
February 18th, 2010
10:02 pm
Crosby! bah
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
10:57 pm
I hope Canada REALIZES what a bullet it just dodged. I can’t ever say enough about Jonas Hiller. The Anaheim Ducks know how to cultivate goalie prospects.
SavannahBlue
February 18th, 2010
11:57 pm
Olympic hockey is fantastic. The officials make you earn your penalties and even then, some go uncalled. It sure is nice to not see a penalty called for tapping the puck-carrier on the hip with your stick. Is interference even a penalty in international hockey? The Swiss tried to rearrange Crosby’s face with two high sticks of which neither were called. I just wish they could fight without getting a game misconduct because there have been a few questionable hits.
fes
February 19th, 2010
12:17 am
Slovakia vs Russia is on CNBC
stendec
February 19th, 2010
12:58 am
USA will lose to Canada on Sunday then upset the overrated home jerks in the gold medal matchup. Home skaters will get plenty of home cooking calls from officials. Hearing that sorry sack of shet Ilya “Never Play Defense” Kovalchuk talk about defense made me want to vomit! What an overrated piece of commode residue! Russia or Slovakia? Hate Maryann Hosebag of Slovakia. Hate IK more! GO SLOVAKIA. ++STENDEC++ Still do not think damn Russian bestards have a chance in Hell at gold! Canada was lucky as Hell to defeat Switzerland in shootout. Hate that son of a betch Cindy Crosby! IK chokes on power play again. Where have I heard THAT before? Damn Russians scored! F#ck the scumbags.
StateBird
February 19th, 2010
2:38 am
Thank you Slovakia for making it worth staying up past 2:30. Classic 7 round shootout win which included another IK shootout miss. Russians could have used Slava!
stendec
February 19th, 2010
2:39 am
WAY TO GO SLOVAKIA! F#ck overrated Russia. Ilya “Still Worthless As Ever” Kovalchoke always wanted to be like that Capital guy. Both are completely equal in one aspect. Neither one is worth a shet in shootouts! Marian Hossa? Oh well. Have to take the bittersweet with the sweet. Right Viking? ++STENDEC++
stendec
February 19th, 2010
2:42 am
Well said StateBird. Now get some rest friend. Nighty night. ++STENDEC++
R. Stroz
February 19th, 2010
2:46 am
Slovakia wins!
Kovy’s new name, Ilya “Notworthachuk”.
World Be Free
February 19th, 2010
6:37 am
This stuff always happens in the Olympics. The Candians are the best team, but theyr were sure holding their sticks pretty tight last night. Squeezing the wood, or the composite out of the stick. I guess Russia is not #1A anymore.
The Swiss looked tough, Getzlaf got hammered in the 3rd period by some dude I never heard of.
DWTOO
February 19th, 2010
7:38 am
Man Rawhide – You sure have them stirred up over on Hockeybuzz. Good job!
Great hockey last night. Shame that the Swiss couln’t have pulled that out. Anyone remember Hnat Dominchelli? Canadian playing on the Swiss team. Played a couple years for the Trhashers. We saw him in the Breakaway Grill after practice once – really a decent guy. Took the time to talk and signed the kids hats and jerseys. But, then most hockey players are more approachable than the average athelete.