Kiss Cam couple for 7th Fan Update and un-good math
Inside of last weekend’s Sunday Thrasherville Times, I mentioned the elderly couple that so often appears on the Kiss Cam during the game and suggested they be the ones who are awarded this year’s 7th Fan Award. Since then, many of you have posted comments, send e-mails to me and have stopped me at Philips prior to the Coyotes game to express your support for this concept…and I thank you very much for your support in this endeavor.
Recently, even the boys over at the Blueland Chronicle have climbed aboard this movement and have voiced their opinions in favor of seeing this lovely couple given such an honor.
Well, here’s an “Operation Kiss Cam Couple” update for you…I have obtained the names of the two. They are T.R. and Maria Benning.
Now, from what I understand, in order for them…or anyone else, for that matter…to win the award, they have to write an essay explaining why. Here is a link that you can use to get all the info on that. I’ve been told essays can be written on the behalf of others, but I’m wiling to bet those two wouldn’t seek such spotlight for themselves. Therefore, it has to be done by others…that would be me and that would be you.
So, if you are one of the many who have told me you like the idea of them being this year’s winner…well, you know what to do.
I thank you in advance for your efforts and support. Let’s make this happen gang and give us all something special to look forward to on April 10.
And Speaking of April 10…
That of course is the 82nd and final game on this season’s Thrashers schedule and the Pittsburgh Penguins will be in town that night. This will also be the last game the Thrashers will play, in my opinion, until the 2010-11 campaign gets under way next fall.
They currently sit in 10th place on the Eastern Conference with 69 points and have 13 games left to play. Boston currently holds the 8th and final playoff spot in the east with 74…they also have 13 games remaining.
Now, despite this…a few of you have told me that there is still a chance that, if the Thrashers get hot, they could still squeak in to the playoffs. And while I admire such enthusiasm and “never-say-die” spirit…let me sit you down in a nice, comfy chair, put on some, soothing music, pour you a warm cup of herbal tea, light some mood candles and see if I can’t talk you down in a way that’ll soften the landing.
See, the Bruins are currently playing at a rate that would land them at 88 points. So, since we lose any tiebreaker with them, we would need to set the benchmark at 89 points to qualify for post-season play. That would mean Atlanta would have to go 10-3 the rest of the way to top Boston…assuming they go only 7-5 in their remaining games.
Oh…and the Rangers, who are currently between the Thrashers and the Bruins, would also have to finish with no more than 89 points. That would mean they couldn’t play any better than 9-2-1 in their final 12…which I don’t think would be an issue. But again, that is all predicated on the Thrashers going 10-3.
Therefore, as you can see…the math simply paints a very un-good picture for Thrasherville.
Now…let me take this a step in the opposite direction. Right now, with the team at 69 points, they have to earn more than 7 in their last 13 matches in order to better their 76-point performances of the last to seasons. If they go only 3-9-1 down the stretch…that’s exactly where they would wind up.
Look at the schedule folks…the five games in April will see us play Pittsburgh twice, Washington twice and New Jersey. Between now and then there are a pair of games with Philly, who are currently jockeying for playoff position and could land anywhere from 5th through 8th…one with the Bruins, who we have already discussed…and tonight’s matchup with Ottawa, who at this time sit in fifth place in the east with a record of 37-28-5 but are only 3 points behind Buffalo for the Northeast Division lead.
There are but four “softies” left of the schedule. Two with Toronto, who we beat 4-3 in the last matchup but spanked us 5-2 the last time faced off in Toronto…and two with Carolina, who completely shut us down 4-0 two Sunday’s ago. If I’m not mistaken, in the six games played between Atlanta and Carolina, the road team has always come out with the win.
Finding eight points in that pack in and of itself could be a tall order…finding 20 would be even tougher.
Go on now…sit back and sip on your tea. I’ll turn up the music and leave you to deal with this.
And Finally…
Sunday the Thrashers play the tail end of their back-to-back weekend series with the Philadelphia Flyers…and that might be a nice evening to get on out to TJ’s to view the game. Also, let me know if you’re interested in doing the same on Friday night April 9 when they play up in D.C. It’ll be the last away game of the year.
TJ’s is located at 2880 Holcomb Bridge Road, located just north of the River in Fulton County. Their phone number is 770-552-7700.
Hope to see you all there before we begin out 6-month long offseason.
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72 comments Add your comment
Ice Daddy
March 18th, 2010
6:06 pm
Random stream of consciousness…..
Kiss Cam couple – Rawhide, you need to go converse with them and see if they would want such an honor. If so, get all the pertinent info you need from them for the form and tell them you will write the essay and see if they had anything they wanted included. Then get it submitted. After that, everyone with a ticket rep needs to email them and tell them we want them to win. Maybe include your own essay for them in the email. That seems to be the best we can do at this point. I don’t get to go to every game, but every game I am at, they are usually there. I doubt they just coincidentally show up for the same games as me so they must try to go to them all. I remember a few years ago, they weren’t at the games for awhile and I actually got worried about them. Then I discovered that they had moved from their old seats to the top of the aisle handicap seats. They are as much a part of Thrashers tradition and lore as Braveheart, the beer-chugging metalheads and Rabid Fan. The only difference is all of them are gone except for the kisscam couple.
I too am a hockey fan and will attend as many games as I can so I guess you can call me a sheep as well. I remember when Atlanta had NO hockey and I would wait every year like it was Christmas for the pre-season exhibition game that the Bruins used to bring us every year. I grew up an Islanders fan but briefly flirted with the Bruins for this very reason. I am not satisfied with the Thrashers product at this point either, but their are two teams on the ice and we get to see all of the other stars in this great league. We even get to light them up (Ryan Miller) every now and then. I would rather see Ovechkin or even Crosby over the big stars in any other sport I can name. It’s unfortunate that there are not more fans at the games because I really think a full barn can impact the outcome. Sometimes the chicken comes before the egg and sometimes the egg comes before the chicken. If we DO start to win (next season, too late for this year), I think our crowds will grow and the crowd and the team will build and feed off of each other.
While many of us are writing off this year, I really like our team going into next year. We have no big stars which I see as a good thing. I’m still not sure if the system we run is what we need to run, but I don’t think we need to try to get some big free agent in the off-season unless it is a goaltender. The guys are playing for each other most nights (excluding the recent skid where they looked like they were meeting each other for the first time).
Let’s take it to the Senators tonight. Kill the Bill!!! (Oh wait, wrong Senators)….
Badger Bob
March 18th, 2010
6:06 pm
More insight into why Winterpeg doesn’t have a team, but no one there will listen:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/364898-if-the-nhl-believed-in-winnipeg-theyd-already-have-a-team
Diego from Lilburn
March 18th, 2010
6:21 pm
This tea sucks.
Brendan
March 18th, 2010
6:50 pm
I nominated the “time of death” of the playoff berth during that 1-7-4 stretch of season. This team just isn’t deep enough to ovecome any stretch like that. But I’ll make a friendly wager about the outcome of those Penguins and Devils games.
I say … we win. Ohh, maybe not all of them. But at least one against the Pens and one against the Devils. For this is what the STH’s will use as their gauge about renewal. They’ll see a win over Kovalchuk and then Crosby, and think missing the playoffs is merely an unfortunate happenstance of an otherwise fantastic season. And that, if only there were 86 games, instead of 82, then the Thrashers would be in. That’s how it goes.
So, count on some victories. The last 10 games … are what the season tickets remember most about the season. Hopefully, that’s a false statement. But what if it isn’t?
Ice Daddy
March 18th, 2010
7:14 pm
That’s the Andy Sutton I remember. Thrashers, 1-0. Way to go, Arty.
IRS Agent
March 18th, 2010
8:08 pm
Badger Bob: a few gentlemen will be paying you a visit in just a moment.
Sage of Bluesland
March 18th, 2010
8:11 pm
“…For this is what the STH’s will use as their gauge about renewal. They’ll see a win over Kovalchuk and then Crosby, and think missing the playoffs is merely an unfortunate happenstance of an otherwise fantastic season….”
Indeed, Brendan–so true, so true…Then Donny will bluster about how we’re in better shape than the Flyers…and the poor souls will want to bewieve so badly….so badly!
Tom
March 18th, 2010
8:56 pm
We either have to take a nice hard shot at Ruutu, the ref who blew that call, or start taking liberties with their goalie Elliot until the refs make a call.
That was bulltwinkies what happened out there.
A27
March 18th, 2010
9:41 pm
Great job by the boy’s in blue tonight. Huge win!!! Also it was nice to hear the horn at the end of the game. Thank’s Rawhide you the man!!! LOL!!!
Bob
March 18th, 2010
9:55 pm
“That was bulltwinkies what happened out there.”
Yes it was. It was great to see the boys step and respond in the 3rd where it counts.
The Stars beat Philly in regulation tonight and we win the sweep the Flyers in the 2 games this weekend, not only is Tuesday’s game against the Bruins for the 8th seed, it could tie us for the 7th that night as well. How bout that for some new math?
stendek
March 18th, 2010
10:00 pm
Hi Bill. What in the Wide World Of Sports were the officials looking at while Mr Johan Moose Hedberg was being mugged in the Thrasher goal crease? Pitiful. That said…Those three third period goals were for Johan Hedberg! Moose is the heart and soul of the Thrashers. The zebras allowed the Sineaters to take liberties with the Thrasher netminder all night long! Incompetent buffoons. Moose let loose vocally after being assaulted in the crease in the second period! The jerks from Ottawa plus the zebras got inside the head of Hedberg after the home guys jumped on top 3-1. The Thrasher goaltender was hot as lava at the end of the second period with the score deadlocked. Moose took matters into his own hands in the final 20 minutes. One spectacular save which immediately preceded a Thrasher goal turned the tide! Losing streak probably cost Thrashers playoff berth. That is what is so blasted aggravating! When the Thrashers play they can compete with any NHL team. ANY NHL TEAM! When they figure skate around they cannot outscore the Boom Boom Jeff-Ree-On Ice Hockey Academy For Blind! Nice game guys. Thanks Moose. You are still my hero. Fiery exhibition demonstrated to everyone that you still care! ++STENDEK++
Buford J. Faithful
March 18th, 2010
10:54 pm
Two tickets to the game tonite = $100
Dinner for two at Taco Mac = $30
Beer and Peanuts = $30
Meeting Rawhide AND shaking his hand = $$PRICELESS
Bill….I was the guy you met right before the start. You’re words to me were “Let’s win a hockey game tonight.” It was a pleasure to meet the man behind the blog!!
Brendan
March 18th, 2010
10:55 pm
Ranallo warning?
Brendan
March 18th, 2010
10:59 pm
Bob, it is the ineptness of the playoff field in the East that props up the Thrashers playoff berth. It’s the truth. Are the Bruins “great?” No. They’ve fallen from the perch of the #1 seed, from just a season ago. Are the NY Rangers “great?” No. In fact, I think we just leapfrogged them. Is Montreal “great?” Hardly. And right now, Ottawa is imploding. Last time Ottawa was imploding, they lost, BADLY, to the Thrashers, giving up six goals, after which … they FIRED their goalie coach. Remember that? Uh-huh. It’s all coming back to you know. Then Ottawa went on a tear, headed into the Olympic break.
Well, like game and every win from this point forward, “This was a huge game.” Here’s your boxscore. http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2009021045
Brendan
March 18th, 2010
11:16 pm
Let’s break-it-down. Here’s how our D-minutes went.
1. Hainsey, 24:56, +1
2. Kubina, 22:28, -2
3. Oduya, 20:58, +2
4. Enstrom, 19:22, -2
5. Bogosian, 18:46, +1
6. Popovic, 14:15, +2
At +3: Todd White, who had two (2) assists, Armstrong, who had two (2) goals and a helper (1), Jim Slater, who had one (1) goal and one (1) assist.
At +2: Popovic, Oduya.
At +1: Bogosian, Hainsey
Even: Bryan Little, MacArthur Park, Peverley
At -1: Bergfors, Reasoner, Boulton, Finny, R2Kin, Antropov
At -2: Toby Enstrom and Pavel Kubina
Finny had two (2) helpers. Antropov had two (2) goals.
It’s a big win. In a big game. But that’s ALWAYS the case, at this time of season. Every game is huge. Every point is huge. And it’s huge … PRECISELY … because of the ineptitude of the teams fighting for 7th and 8th spots. Normally, it would take 93-94 points to make the playoffs. This year, it might only take 88 or so points. That’s what’s propping up the playoff talk. It’s not over ’til it’s over, but Atlanta’s 0-5-1 streak, just prior to this 2-0-1 run, is responsible for why they are NOT among the playoff field now. It’s called, “consequences.” Atlanta’s bid is an uphill one. As I understand it, however, Atlanta is in 9th spot, 3-points back of Boston. The NY Rangers are now behind us, as are Tampa Bay, who lost to Buffalo tonight.
Brendan
March 18th, 2010
11:34 pm
Tonight, the Florida Panthers lost to Phoenix, in one of the better shootouts I’ve seen. TB lost to Buffalo in regulation time. The NYR lost to St. Louis, 4-3, in regulation time. The Marc Savard-less Bruins lost to Pittsburgh, 3-0. Montreal did not play.
Carolina won, again, over Washington, sans the suspended Ovechkin. Are there any bartenders reading this blog? Ever make an “Ovechkin?” Ever get a request for “an Ovechkin?” How do you make … “an Ovechkin?” Simple, add a completely UNNECESSARY shot of VODKA to any existing cocktail. That’s an “Ovechkin.”
Toronto won, too. They beat New Jersey in a shootout.
Okay, bartenders. One more. Ever make a “Kovalchuk?” No, you haven’t. Wanna know how? You make a Seven and Seven, then pick out the cherry. (Seagrams and 7-up. It usually comes with a cherry.)
Brendan
March 18th, 2010
11:35 pm
Testing, 1…2….3. Posts aren’t taking? Trixie? Oh well.
R. Stroz
March 18th, 2010
11:45 pm
Did the lady that donated her kidney nominate herself for the seventh man award? I doubt it. She donated her kidney for the best interest of another human being. People who behave in this manner don’t turn around and toot their own horn, instead, they usually truely believe anyone else would do the same thing if they could. These people represent everything that is right with the world.
Most people with any degree of intregity don’t raise their own hand to receive an award, and when they do receive an award, defer the award to others that they deem more or equally worthy.
That said, can anyone truely, sincerely believe that the elderly couple shouldn’t be nominated for the seventh man award. This couple has attended games for season after season. Does anyone else get concerned if the couple isn’t at the game. I do. Last season, they missed numerous games, and the next time I saw them, instead of walking hand in hand, the gentlemen was wheeling his wife in on a wheelchair. Ladies and gentlemen that is devotion, compassion, passion for life, and marriage at its best.
Despite obstacles, they continue to attend games and have won the hearts of many fans. Why? Because they represent all that is right with marriage: longevity, a passion for life, and compassion. How many of you hope that your life/marriage weathers the test of time like theirs has.
As fans, they continue to support the team through thick or thin.
So I say nominate those who don’t promote themselves but promote devotion to the team and devotion to one another as human beings.
To me, the lady who donated her kidney and the elderly couple inspire the rest of us to be better people. Those type of individuals deserve awards, not self promoters.
Quite frankly, I don’t see how anyone could nominate themselves for any award. I have been nominated for awards year after year for volunteer work in my community. I always turn the award down unless those that have assisted “the cause” are equally recognized.
Rawhide
March 18th, 2010
11:58 pm
stendek – They must have been looking at the Blue Crew girls…otherwise, I can’t explain what they were looking at.
Buford J. Faithful – The pleasure was all mine my friend. Thank you for taking time to say “howdy”.
Brendan – Working on it right now…Ranallo Warning to come.
RStroz – Very well put…very well put, indeed.
Hockey Biltong
March 19th, 2010
12:08 am
woohoo!!!
Rawhide
March 19th, 2010
12:42 am
Brendan – Sorry…no Ranallo Warning, but here is the new blog anyway.
jwizzle
March 22nd, 2010
1:00 pm
So, did we ever get clarification on the “rules” of the 7th man/fan? I submitted my entry for this fabulous idea. Bill, thanks for posting this to the blog! I like most every other true fan look forward to seeing this couple at most every game. I also get worried when I don’t see them… They are true, true fans and deserve this recognition. I only read your post this morning and have already submitted my request/entry for Operation Kiss Cam Couple.