Wild week, Antropov’s career season and bikinis inside this morning’s Sunday Thrasherville Times
Thrasherville Times
- If it isn’t in the Thrasherville Times, it didn’t happen -
Sunday March 21, 2010
It’s another Sunday morning in Thrasherville…and things have definately taken a turn for the better since the last Sunday Thrasherville Times was delivered upon your cyber-doorstep. Three HUGE wins and an overtime loss point against some pretty good teams has allowed the Thrashers to work their way right back into the playoff scene, as we’ll discuss below.
But before we open up this weeks STT, I would like to take this oppertunity to give a big shout out to a very nice young lady that I met at Taco Mac last night after the game. Kendall is a sophomore at Woodward Acadamy, a soccer goalie and she and her dad shared a table with Kracker and I as we gathered to celebrate the big win.
I thouroughly enjoyed our chat about Kari Lehtonen and other keepers in the NHL. As she correctly points out, his issues are between the ears and if he ever gets over that he can use his new chance with the Stars to be the type of goalie many think he has the potential to be.
Also, it was great to see Greg…who played hockey with my oldest tax exemption a few years ago. Greg’s grown up and a freshman at college now, as my son will be next year. Yikes!
One last thing, I’ll apologize in advance for today’s Thrasherville Times being a tad thin. I was down for the count these past couple days with a head cold and that limited the material. The Divine Mrs. R cleared me to go to Saturday night’s game just 3 hours before puck drop, however it was understood that I was not to stay up late with Trixie and the rest of the staff to add more to it… or no TJ’s Sunday night.
Therefore, I shall obey doctor’s orders and turn in early so I can join all those that gather tonight for what is sure to be a very exciting game.
What A Week In Thrasherville
Well…what a difference a week can make, eh? Just last Sunday morning the Thrashers were licking their wounds after a 5-2 loss to the Rangers, riding a five-game losing streak and facing a week in which four-playoff caliber teams were heading to town.
Things were looking un-good in Thrasherville indeed.
Colby Armstrong battles Mike Richards while Todd White looks on during the 5-2 win over the Flyers (AP Photo/John Amis)
But with Saturday night’s 5-2 win over the Flyers, they finished the week netting 7 of 8 possible points and we wake up this Sunday morning to see they are one…count them, ONE…point out of the eighth and final playoff spot. And get this…if the Rangers beat Boston this afternoon, when we gather at TJ’s tonight it would be to watch the Thrashers try to leap over the Bs into that final playoff spot.
Oh…and Tuesday night the Boston Bruins come a-callin’.
Colby Armstrong scored twice in the win against Philly, following up his two-goal, three-point performance in Thursday night’s win over Ottawa. Nik Antropov had a goal and assists as well and amassed five goals and three assist during the week. Bergfors and Little also scored for the Thrashers. Toby Enstrom had a pair of helpers and was a +3…Clarke McArthur had two assists and was a +2…and Pavel Kubina finished a +3 on the night.
And what about that Todd White? He scored no goals and had but two assists since Sunday, but he is a +5 in the last two games and played some very good hockey doing so.
The Thrashers currently ride a three game win streak on the back of the Moose. Johan Hedberg stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced for his 19th win of the season. He’s now 19-13-5 with a .914 SV% and 2.67 GAA.
Atlanta went 3-0-1 and outscored their opponents by a total of 17-10…17-11 counting the gimmick point awarded in the shootout loss to Phoenix Sunday…and have played themselves right back into the playoff picture.
Good week in Thrasherville…but we need another one starting tonight.
Antropv Having Himself A Career Year
Last summer Don Waddell and the Thrashers went out and signed forward Nik Antropov to a four-year deal. The addition, it was thought, was due greatly because one Mr. Ilya Kovalchuk wanted him here …and bringing him in would better the team’s chances of signing Kovy.
Well…it didn’t.
Kovalchuk is gone but Antropov remains…and Nik has taken over the role of the Thrashers’ leading scorer. Heading into tonight’s game with the Flyers, he has racked up a total of 22 goals and 41 assist in 67 games played. The 63 total points are a career high for Antropov…bettering the 56 he put up for Toronto two seasons ago. The 41 assist are tops for him as well. His career high in goals is 26, set during that 2007-08 season also.
He’s currently riding a 4-game streak in which he’s netted 2 points.
Nik Antropov has celbrated many goals with his Thrashers teammates so far this season (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Equally as impressive is the team-high +17 he has. Up to now, his highest +/- rating for a year was a +14 set in his rookie season back in 1999-00.
Since Kovy’s departure, Antropov has produced 9 goals 12 assists in those 15 games.
Kovalchuk is currently a +3 for the season…+1 while with Atlanta and a +2 in New Jersey…and the best season he’s ever had in this category was a -2 put up during the Thrashers playoff season of 2006-07.
Nik may have been brought in, in part, to help retain the services of the team’s top offensive producer…but he now finds himself filling that role himself.
Nice to know he’ll be around for another three seasons at least.
Just In Time For Spring Break
In case you missed it, spring officially arrived Saturday afternoon…and it sure felt like it with temps hitting 70 and the sun shining. And while we are still focused on Thrashers hockey and their push to post-season play, one cannot help but be reminded that summertime fun at the pool or beach is not too far off.
With that in mind, the NHL’s official on-line store, shopnhl.com, has unveiled a new line of officially licensed bikinis that allow ladies to wear their team’s colors while working on their tans.
There are two different designs. One is by G-III which offer up the swimwear for fans of the Sharks, Blackhawks, Capitals, Bruins, Rangers, Red Wings, Penguins and Flyers. The other is by Calhoun which will have Montreal and Toronto fans looking good as well.
Now, I’m quite sure this will be a big hit with the dudes out there, but Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski wonders if it’ll be a hit with the gals as well…or is it a marketing blunder in the making.
Trixie is currently on the phone with Shop NHL trying to find out when the Thrashers bikinis will be available, so we already know she approves.
The official editorial position here at The Thrasherville Times…two thumbs wayyyyyyyyyyy up!
Quotes of the Week
“It wasn’t pretty, but two points are two points. That was a big win and a big confidence boost for us” – Johan Hedberg after Tuesday’s 4-3 win of Buffalo
“He’s so big, it’s like an eclipse of the goalie” – John Anderson on Nik Antropov’s 2 tip in goals vs. Ottawa on Thursday.
“He had the Andy Sutton hat trick tonight. Get beat on a goal, throw a dirty hit, skate away from a fight invitation” – Ben Wright (via twitter) on Andy Sutton’s performance against the Thrashers Thursday night.
“We know our position. We know what’s at stake every game. We’re just trying to worry about ourselves and win games” – Colby Armstrong after Saturday night’s 5-2 win over Philadelphia.
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140 comments Add your comment
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
March 22nd, 2010
8:20 am
Problem-if the Thrashers keep wininng and make the playoffs, Waddell will not get canned and we’ll be stuck with him for another 5-10 years. Sorry to toss cold water on the party.
R. Stroz
March 22nd, 2010
8:43 am
Thrasville – There’s nothing wrong with supporting the name on the back of the jersey.
My problems with Waddell are simple:
1) Retain top tier talent, and no, this is not a Kovy issue, it includes a multitude of top tier talent walking out the door, players signing elsewhere for lesser terms contracts, or waiving no-trade clause contracts to avoid waivers.
2) Tell the truth, no more “Zhitnik will be a big part of the team”, “playoff guarantees”, “building through the draft” as he’s trsding away low early round draft picks.
But, yes, PACK THE HOUSE
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
March 22nd, 2010
8:48 am
Stroz, the guy doesn’t know what he’s doing. I am glad that the team is playing well now. But in the big picture, it’s just a bandage on a big wound.
R. Stroz
March 22nd, 2010
8:51 am
PPF – Agreed
MASHAPlayer7
March 22nd, 2010
9:11 am
World – I agree with punks like Cooke initiating fights. But the visor issue is no longer a “tough guy” issue, rather a safety issue. I personally played hockey with a guy who suffered a detached retina from an errant puck. He was “lucky” he lost vision for only 6 months, when doctors told him he’d probably be legally blind in the eye. You also have high stick issues (remember Bryan Berard?) which visors can’t fully stop the impact but they can help.
So I agree that I dislike the punks who hide behind their visors and start crap, but the majority of players probably wear these for safety reasons.
LAC
March 22nd, 2010
9:19 am
Liked this from some dumb Philadelphia fan…
HockeyGuy_DLEED Good teams’ starting goalie isn’t Brian Boucher and good teams don’t get swept by the Atlanta Thrashers, bottom f’n line. #Flyers.
Well Gee Whiz “hockey guy” Guess YOUR flyers are NOT a very good team RIGHT !
frenchy
March 22nd, 2010
9:22 am
Nice to see we have other MASHA players on here… For those of you who don’t know, MASHA stands for Metro Atlanta Street Hockey Association. Try it, it’s a lot of fun. they play in Norcross and Alpharetta.
Anyway, go Thrashers! Who are those guys? Why did we have to wait that long to see them play like that! Way to go! Bring in Boston!
World Be Free
March 22nd, 2010
9:27 am
Masha-if I remember right, the guy who whacked Berard was none other than Mary Anne Hossa.
I have no issues with visors, cages or face shields for safety reasons. Other the other hand, the existance of these shields has made more players become careless with their sticks because they never played without this protective equipment. Same with the number of head shots and concussions; these were not issues back in the day when virtually nobody wore a helmet. Players respected each other; no hits from behind back in the day either.
My fighting issue with shield is simple-if you are going to wear one, don’t be a tough guy. Don’t be like Pat Verbeek or the clowns I mentioned earlier. It’s not fair to you opponent when you are fighting someone with half you face protected.
Schroeder
March 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
MASHA huh,I wish they had that back in the late 70’s early 80’s,we played in Dekalb county near Clarkston,GREAT FUN,but only had like 5 teams.Played on Sunday afternoons. We were exctatic when we got boards instaed of chain link fences.Still have the scars and dental work to prove it.GOD I miss that!!! Too old now,just watch and complain now.
World Be Free
March 22nd, 2010
9:56 am
Schroeder-you haven’t lived until you’ve had your face jammed into chain link fencing. Great when the opposing fans can spit at you through the fencing.
frenchy
March 22nd, 2010
10:21 am
Schroeder, I heard about those days. I came much later so I missed those epic moments. MASHA is still around… Even old guys like me enjoy it (I’m 42)… Injuries come with the sport, it’s not ballet!
Check their website http://www.mashahockey.com
Badger Bob
March 22nd, 2010
10:21 am
Quote of the weekend, from Mike Richards, after Sunday’s loss: “They’re a quick team with a lot of skill and I don’t know if we just thought that since it’s the Atlanta Thrashers that it was going to be an easy game, but they came and worked us hard.” So after getting whupped on Saturday night, we are supposed to buy that Philly “thought Atlanta would be easy” on Sunday?
Keep on taking us lightly, everybody!
Next myth to bust: “Just imagine how good _____’s numbers would be with some talented players around him” (fill in the blank with Heatley, Savard, Hossa, Kovy).
And all those posting responses to Sage, you KNOW he won’t be back until we lose again.
Schroeder
March 22nd, 2010
10:23 am
WBF-Tell me about it,old school mtn dew stings the hell out of your eyes!Nobody wore mouthpieces or helmets.Chain link looks like someone hit you in the face with a huge waffle iron,not a good look for the ladies.Although a few dug the stich scars above the eyes.
World Be Free
March 22nd, 2010
10:32 am
Schroeder-I kinda wish we wore mouth pieces back then. Those mouthguards just didn’t work too well. I ever time I go to a new dentist, they look in my mouth and call the BMW dealer to place new car order!
Smoothie
March 22nd, 2010
11:04 am
Damn, sounds like some of you guys were as nuts as the old school NHL guys who didn’t wear goalie masks! Big UPS to y’all for battling hard on the playground rinks growing up. I played some floor hockey in grade school, but it was a very controlled environment. I was a legend in my own mind with my wooden Koho stick.
The first 5 minutes of the first period against Boston are the most five important minutes of most of these young men’s hockey lives. Not to put too much pressure on them, but an early lead against Boston is beyond huge. Gotta jump on them early, get the crowd really into it and hopefully strain the will of the Bruins who struggle to score goals.
Our D-men better be ready cuz Lucic, Krejci, Thornton, Sobotka and Wheeler will be looking to hit the crap out of our smaller guys.
Toughest match-up other than Washington for our boys, but I think we can take them. Five minute segments, smart decisions with the puck in our own zone and support of our goalie clearing pucks. Hopefully, our speed will be a factor if we can remain patient and not take too many calculated risks.
Schroeder
March 22nd, 2010
11:10 am
WBF-I was in my 20’s when I played and did not want anyone thinking I was not as tough in the “corners”as they were so I was not about to wear a mouthpiece,instead I have since financed my orthpeadic surgeons four daughters through med school. But,given the memories of those days and all the fun,I still believe I would not have changed a thing.I think those memories are the fuel that has me obsessed with this game.
World Be Free
March 22nd, 2010
11:16 am
Smoothie-agreed-I think the Brunes can be had if get on top of them early. They know they do not have the offense to come back from any deficit.
Schroeder-I miss corn on the cob! No better sport to play than hockey, better that football, soccer, baseball or anything else. But it does leave some scars that do not heal. Like you, I would not have traded them for anything!
Badger Bob
March 22nd, 2010
11:20 am
So here’s the stats for busting the oft-posted myth that players do better once they leave ATL and can be “surrounded by talent”:
Kovy, it’s way too early to draw conclusions, but:
Average points per 82 games, with Thrashers: 84.9
Average points per 82 games, with others: 61.5
Decrease of 27.6%
Best season: 2005-06, 98 points with Thrashers
Hossa:
Average points per 82 games, with Thrashers: 91.6
Average points per 82 games, with others: 70.4
Decrease of 23.2%
Best season: 2006-07, 100 points with Thrashers
Savard:
Average points per 82 games, with Thrashers: 87.3
Average points per 82 games, with others: 68.6
Decrease of 21.5%
Best season: 2005-06, 97 points with Thrashers
Perhaps ATL becomes the place known for players improving their careers numbers. Antro and Pevs would certainly sign on to that testimonial! Heatley’s stats don’t fit that pattern, but that was due largely to his development as a player, not the personnel surrounding him.
I am SOOOOO pumped for Tuesday!!! Thrashers, please show up as Mr Hyde!!
Dwayne
March 22nd, 2010
11:24 am
Montreal vrs. Ottawa tonight….who ya got?
Badger Bob
March 22nd, 2010
11:30 am
All the MOmemtum on the Habs side, and playing at home, but their hot streak and the Sens cold streak need to snap sometime, so why not tonight? Sens 4-3.
Smoothie
March 22nd, 2010
11:39 am
Dwayne – that’s a toughy since we have the tie-breaker against both of them, should we get that high that is. But the best case scenario is an outright winner. No loser points! That extra point makes it harder to gain ground on teams ahead of us. OT loser points are only good for us at this point. An OTL against Boston is even okay as long as Philly and the NYR lose their next game. I think I want Montreal over Ottawa and then Ottawa rebounds and beats Philly outright at home. That would really send the Flyers reeling!!
Viking
March 22nd, 2010
11:45 am
World Be Free; Best sport to play (for fun)?
Ever played Bandy? Or the hybrid between Hockey and Bandy named “Hockey Pockey?
World Be Free
March 22nd, 2010
12:19 pm
Viking-never have, but I used to go to Norway each Jan/Feb during the World Handball Championships. Norwegians partied pretty hard when they beat Sweden a few years ago.
World Be Free
March 22nd, 2010
12:23 pm
Badger Bob-great numbers and toss Max in with the list of people who have revived their careers in ATL.
Ottawa goalies can’t stop anything. Don’t know who I am cheering for tonight, but I hope the game doesn’t go into OT. Only 2 ttl points given out for regulation wins.
Badger Bob
March 22nd, 2010
12:37 pm
Guess I’m in a numbers mood, but in comparing our schedule to the Broons for the stretch drive:
Winning percentage of Thrashers opponents for the last ten games of the season: .571
Winning percentage of Bruins opponents for the last eleven games of the season: .572
However, by March 31, the numbers separate:
Winning percentage of Thrashers opponents for the last five games of the season: .669
Winning percentage of Bruins opponents for the last six games of the season: .583
In other words, we need to have a lead on the Bruins by the end of March – at least a 5 point lead would make me happy.
Also, the Caps may get to choose their first round opponent, with 2 games v Boston and 2 games v ATL in April. Any chance they lay down for us? No, I didn’t think so.
Smoothie
March 22nd, 2010
12:41 pm
Don’t look now, but Johnny Oduya is a +10 in the month of March and as a Thrasher. He and Ronald Hainsey seem to be gelling quite nicely. Hainsey is a +10 since THE trade as well and is now a -2 on the season. Last night was his first 3 point game as a Thrasher since December of 2008 and he has 9 points in the last 12 games. Oh yeah, and they play some defense as well. Oduya & Hainsey have 30 of the team’s last 74 blocked shots including 14 on Saturday (7 each) and 10 last night (6 & 4). If this pairing continues to play like this and we limit the bone-head mistakes on the bottom pairing, we can make the playoffs.
DWTOO
March 22nd, 2010
1:03 pm
The fat lady is on the back bench no longer wariming up. What a complete reversal of fortune! Hoping the Trash can keep the momentum as those of us who have followed the team from day one know that this team does not have a good track record in key games. Remain guardedly optimistic.
Dwayne
March 22nd, 2010
1:03 pm
Great reading guys, wish i had more than a 10 minute break…Badger Bob, maybe Pitt and Wash roll 4 lines reguardless of score AND if they can not advance there playoff position. Thats a big MAYBE.
Ottawa vrs. Montreal. Too bad they are both across the border, find it real hard to pull for Montreal, but i hope they win in regulation…no loser point
R. Stroz
March 22nd, 2010
1:04 pm
Speaking of Max, who would be in favor of re-signing him, and, what terms, including length and cost/year, would you be willing to offer?
Yes, I know he’s not likely to re-sign with Kovy gone, but I’m still curious what your thoughts are.
Also, wouldn’t it be a hoot if we ended up playing the Devils in the playoffs and Max had to defend Kovy and vice-versa.
Susan Boyle on Thrasher playoff hopes
March 22nd, 2010
1:05 pm
I’m still dreaming. I’ll wait a few days to see if I need to warm up me pipes.
Red Light
March 22nd, 2010
1:09 pm
Similar negativity to Pittsburgh’s comments: The Bruins have won nine straight against Atlanta and three in a row in Atlanta. And, not that I expect this to be the case in tomorrow night’s game, but Miro Satan has been unbelievable in his career vs. the Thrashers. In 34 career games, he has 24 goals and 20 assists.
Nikita
March 22nd, 2010
1:15 pm
Thinking statistically, I’m not sure the Bruins are where we need to look. We have two other teams with just a few points on the Thrash — Philly and Ottawa are doing poorly and Philly has goal tending challenges. Ottawa, quite frankly, really sucks right now. The Habs are so-so — so I think they’ll maintain their position. So, yes, we need to overtake the Bruins, and we definitely need to beat them in the short term since a win would solve two problems that we have. But I would bet that another team will fall out below them by the end of the season.
World Be Free
March 22nd, 2010
1:15 pm
Stroz, I have been thinking about what we need to keep Max. I think the Kovy thing is past, now that Max has maintained his goal scoring and point pace. Where else is he going to have what he has in ATL? He has 2 guys feeding him all the time.
What will Max get on the UFA market and will the playing situations be any ebtter than what he has here? Most teams that have cap space either have UFAs they need to sign or they are worse teams than the Thrashers. I say 3 years, $12M and we can retain Max.
Retaining the UFAs will be Waddell’s biggest challenge. This challenge will be easier if the Thrashers can continue to show promise and progress.
Red Light
March 22nd, 2010
1:33 pm
I am sure I will get an argument, but Max, Mikael Samuelsson and Craig Anderson are the three best “value” free agent signings from last summer. And remember, Max made $3.5 million in his last season in Buffalo, Samuelsson $1.2 million in Detroit and Anderson $575,000 in Florida. Even though he got a substantial raise, Antro isn’t far behind.
LAC
March 22nd, 2010
1:41 pm
Continue to show progress, correct… But waddell still needs to go even if we were to win The Cup !
Red Light
March 22nd, 2010
1:42 pm
More bad news from Philly. Everyone saw “Aw!”
“The Flyers playoff hopes took another broadside hit on Monday afternoon when the club learned that Jeff Carter will miss three to four weeks with a non-displaced fracture in his left foot.”
And, I just traded for him in my Fantasy League! Typical.
Red Light
March 22nd, 2010
1:51 pm
The Kovalchuks newest addition was born at 6:41 pm Sunday. His name is Artem not Benedict Arnold as previously reported!
World Be Free
March 22nd, 2010
1:55 pm
red light-no argument here.
Rawhide
March 22nd, 2010
1:56 pm
Tomorrow night’s bame against the Bruins is the biggest game we’ve seen in these parts in three years. I have one question for you…
Whatchagonnadoaboutit, Thrasherville?
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
March 22nd, 2010
1:58 pm
LAC-I am with you totally, but I think if we continue on our current path, D-Wad will be safe for at least another season. Heck, he was kept when the team stunk, you think they’ll get rid of him IF, IF the team does better?
There’s no business logic in these decisions, never has been!