Bruins beat Thrashers ‘All over the ice’
Normally when I make my way back to the twin cities of Kennesaw/Acworth after a Thrashers game at Philips Arena, by the time I park the car in the garage and make my way upstairs to the office I already have something rolling around in my noggin about what to write about. A title…a cutting remark…a pseudo-humorous twist on what played out before us…something.
But tonight, all I really have had before sitting down to the computer was…”Well, that sucked”.
Eric Boulton battles the Shawn Thornton in Tuesday night's 4-0 loss to the Bruins (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
This Thrashers team had spent the past five games working their way back to the point they found themselves in…playing energetic and inspiring hockey…getting to within a point of the Bruins for the 8th spot in conference…and then played about as flat of a games as has been seen around here in quite some time in being blanked 4-0.
“We looked very nervous with the puck,” coach John Anderson said afterwards. “I would say in the two years I’ve been here, this is probably one of the most meaningful games we’ve played. We just weren’t doing things like we have been the last few games.”
They were beaten to loose pucks, out worked and out hustled for the better part of the evening. Boston, on the other hand, looked like a team that came in with a plan, put it to use on the ice and skated like a team desperately wanting to keep hold of there position in the standing.
As Johan Hedberg put it, “They beat us in every situation. They beat is in face offs, goaltending lose pucks. They beat us all over the ice”.
The Thrashers did get one good opportunity to turn their fortunes around, though. Late in the second period, trailing 2-0, Colby Armstrong was awarded a penalty shot after being fouled on a break away chance. However his shot upstairs was denied by the glove of Tuuka Rask…who stopped all 27 shots he faced for his second straight shutout of the Thrashers.
Last December 30 he and the Bruins also blanked Atlanta to the tune of 4-0.
Failing to get the score to within one going into the second break, just minutes later they allowed the Bruins to up their lead to three with just second remaining in the period. The Thrashers had iced the puck with under 10 second left…lost the face off…then the puck was deposited through Hedberg for a 3-0 Boston lead.
Game…set…match.
With the loss, Atlanta is left 3 points behind Boston and with one fewer game left on the schedule than have that Bs.
Well, At Least YOU Showed Up
I had the pleasure of sitting in section 120 with a “lurker” as well as regular contributor to this on-line forum “Bob” and a friend of his. Also, I enjoyed meeting so many of you who made their way out to Philips, regardless of the outcome.
Nice to see a lot of the fans show up for such a big game…I just wish the players in blue would have also shown up.
A Chat With The Kiss Cam Couple
Prior to the game I, as well as another regular poster on the blog, had the privilege of chatting with the Bennings…a.k.a. “The Kiss Cam Couple”. It was not the first time I got to talk to the charming couple, but it was for my friend who spoke with them in CNN Center.
I can tell you that the Bennings…who have been season ticket holders since the very beginning in ‘99… are flattered by the reaction they get when they are shown on the Kiss Cam. They are equally flattered in learning that so many of you have already sent in letters expressing your desire to see them honored with this year’s 7th fan award. Their ticket rep was present and confirmed they have received a number of nominations on their behalf.
T.J. … who grew up in the Atlanta area… reacted modestly at the concept of winning the award. But his wife Maria…who came here from Cuba after Castro took power…asked my buddy what would happen if they did indeed win.
They were told that they would be presented the award on the ice after the last game of the season, given the jersey of any player she wanted and would be the 7th Fan for a whole year.
She put her hand on her husband’s shoulder and said, “Oh, wouldn’t that be wonderful”.
I hope that my friend who spoke with them will chime in with “the rest of the story”…I’m sure you’d all love to hear it.
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113 comments Add your comment
Nikita (in PA)
March 24th, 2010
1:13 am
First!
And yes, that sucked. It just goes to show that the Thrashers are totally into humiliating me. Every time I get someone else to watch a game with me, they lose.
Wayne stuck in AL
March 24th, 2010
1:18 am
Ladies and Gentlemen, damen und herren, meet your “Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time Thrashers!”
BTW: Where was everyone? With all the hype, there were only 14,000 in “attendance”…Either people had the foresight to see what was coming, or maybe we don’t deserve an NHL team after all.
Ron Mexico
March 24th, 2010
1:22 am
This game was a complete dud in every way possible. We folded under the pressure like a cheap tent, but give Boston credit, their D and Rask was unflapppable. But don’t lose hope yet people, we got Toronto Thrusday night and I’ll be there in the building cheering them on, and you all should be too. Hopefully the boys will erase this lackluster effort off the ‘ol memory banks and come out smokin’ in the first period like they have been during the streak. Go Thrashers!!
stendek
March 24th, 2010
2:44 am
DAD GUM IT! Sincerely. ++STENDEK++ Now get some rest friend.
Tony C.
March 24th, 2010
4:28 am
Seriously yall come out Thursday-maybe the boys won’t be so surprised to see more than 3K people on a weeknight THIS time….
hockeyman3944
March 24th, 2010
5:00 am
I went down to Phillips expecting to see a playoff atmosphere…what a shock! 13-14k in the stands, a mausoleum. The Thrashers were gutless, they looked like they played their best hockey in Philly and thought the Bruins would roll over. I’ve coached hockey a very long time, and to see a defenseman ice the puck with 8 seconds left in the period when he was 5′ from the red line was inexcusable. Play comes back, face off lost, goal with 3.5 left in the second…game over. No checks were finished…ever. What kind of break out is it when our forwards are so high, they’re practically standing beside the forecheck?
No guts, bad system, no hustle, no urgency…I paid $100 to see this? In a supposed playoff run? I would have put a boot up some of these over paid prima donnas arses between periods and Anderson says, “We looked nervous?” For the whole game? C’mon John, get in there and kick a trash can in the locker room, show some emotion…you only have a small handful of games to get these guys attention…playoffs mean money, prestige and to get some fan support from far too patient fans.
Get with it!
TheFan79
March 24th, 2010
6:38 am
Where was the team last night .
Smitty
March 24th, 2010
7:18 am
Very ill-prepared team last night. I thought Artyuchkin might have set the tone for us when he clobbered a Bruin early and then sacrificed himself at the Bruin blue line to set up a good scoring chance for us also early on. But that was it.
No motivation and IMO that comes down to coaching. Biggest game in 3 years and we get to see this. I do not care that this was the third game in four days. I know a lot of you like Hedberg but I think we should have gone with Pavlec. This organization has a bad habit of tinkering with the minds of their young goalies. They did it with Kari and they seem to be doing it with Pavlec. The kid played lights out on Sunday and he rides the pine the next game.
Giving up four goals to the Bruins is inexcusable. I listened to a sports talk show from Canada yesterday on Sirius and I chuckle that mention was made that JA be considered for coach of the year. After last night I think not.
Missing Kovy!
March 24th, 2010
7:23 am
Good night Waddell. Out go the lights.
Bluenote
March 24th, 2010
7:29 am
Playlist for the trip home last night: That Smell (Lynyrd Skynyrd/Street Survivors). Nuff said.
With a nod to RStroz for some of the great stuff I lifted, here’s what I sent in for the 7th man nomination. Use or lose as you see fit, or as the rules permit.
The elderly couple, the Benningers, routinely seen on kiss cam should be your pick this year. Here’s why:
Action speaks so loudly there is no need for words sometimes.
As fans, they continue to support the team through thick or thin. Love lasts. As people, they demonstrate extreme devotion to each other. Ask any regular if they know where the “old couple” was on a night they were absent you’ll get an automatic concern from people who don’t really “know” them. Still we do somehow. A little something is missing when they aren’t at the game.
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. Anyone who has seen Mr Benninger wheeling Mrs. Benninger to or from the arena doesn’t need to look up the meaning of devotion.
The short version is, they inspire us to be better human beings, by being a loving couple, devoted partners and true fans.
They aren’t getting any younger and there might not be an opportunity for a “make up call” if the officials miss this one.
Honor Mr. & Mrs Benninger this year
moriler
March 24th, 2010
7:37 am
I think what we saw is a young team that’s almost there, but not quite. The difference between this time and the last few times we’ve had to see “young teams” in Thrasherland: this team has the talent and just needs the experience. (The last few times, the teams had talent that didn’t have any potential.)
As much as you might try to remind these kids to not look at the standings and pretend that 8th place wasn’t on the line for this game, everyone in the locker room knew it was — and it was obvious. The Bruins certainly knew, and I’ll bet Chara and Recchi reminded them of it right before the game… but that’s veteran leadership. And that’s the one thing we really don’t have right now, a veteran leader. Perhaps Antropov will be asked to shoulder that mantle soon; I think that would work well, as obviously he has a good sense of “knows when to stand on it”.
Let’s see how they respond. Philly is in freefall right now, and Montreal has lost two in a row. We have teams coming up that have nothing to play for but pride.
HookyBob
March 24th, 2010
7:41 am
This team sort of reminds me a car with water in the gas. It runs fine and then sputters for awhile, then runs good again.
Last night was the sputter,… pull over to the side of the road sputter. Bruins beat us bad on the boards and stopped us cold at their blueline. Throw in Tukka Rask and less than perfect play on our part and you have a 4-0 final.
Gotta give them credit though they came to play and played a near perfect road game. Who’d a thought they were a mere point ahead of in the standings? Two penalties all night.
Bob,..it was my pleasure to meet you. Always good to meet someone whose blogs I look forward reading. (Also, glad you didn’t call me Sparky
)
Good to cross paths with Rawhide and Strozzer as well. Wish we could have willed some offence for our guys.
Here’s hoping the Boys in Burgandy get the water out of the gas for Thursday night. I’m looking forward to the new roster Leafs.
DWTOO
March 24th, 2010
7:49 am
The team was just flat last night. As JA was quoted yesterday they were holding the sticks too tight. It doesn’t look good, but, we are playing meaningful games in March and have another chance on thursday.
Captain4
March 24th, 2010
8:04 am
Well I am being courted by my account manager for next year’s season tickets and then last’s night game was sort of played. I came to the game in a playoff mode of thinking and the emotion that goes along with it. I expected a sell out crowd for the one of the most important games of the season. What was I presented with: a team that forgot the importance of the game, they played like they left their game plan in the locker room, there was no emotion or a hockey team on the ice, and then the crowd. I expected to have to wait to get a drink, something to eat, and a wait in the men’s room. But that didn’t happened it looks like those that didn’t show up knew something the rest of us didn’t. This team is making my decision about season tickets perhaps alot easier. I have given up hope but it is getting harder. With all that said I still support the Thrashers and them making the playoffs. GO THRASHERS!
Red Light
March 24th, 2010
8:11 am
You have to hand it to Moose and Hainsey who are always spot on about what just occurred. They’re pros and don’t get caught up in ifs and buts like their coach. The loss doesn’t spell the end and the negativity should cease. They got themselves back into contention when most thought it was already over. A couple wins in the next 3 games and they will remain in the hunt. As the players are quick to point out, this is just one of 82 games and they have to play them all. They can’t get too high after wins or too low after losses.
If nothing else, last night’s game should prove that no matter how big the game is in the media’s and the fan’s minds, the opponent has as much to say about a team’s performance as the team itself. I don’t think they were flat, nervous or got outworked, they simply got beat. And guess what, they’re going to get beat again.
You can come out of the locker room with your hair on fire, bang people all night, play hard and still lose. Like I said last night, the Bruins have playoff experience and played like it last night. They have scored four or more goals in a game just seven times since Dec. 23, and three of those times it was against Atlanta.
jimbo
March 24th, 2010
8:15 am
I have been a hockey fan for over 40 years and have had season tix in several cities. This is most CLUELESS management I have seen in those years. Forget the ASG ownership who were apparently born Hockey Clueless, but Waddell and Anderson have no notion of strategy, defense or motivation. My wife and I left after the second period last night after watching a team get hammered by a team with a defensive strategy and a match-up strategy that is apparently “foreign” to Teflon Don and Johnny Boy. Folks, we have good talented young players on this team that get absolutely no direction from the “brains” other than to run around and hope for the best. Boston, Buffalo, the Devils, Collumbus, Pens all know how to turn up the offense and tighten the defensive screw when its needed. DONNIE AND JOHNNIE HAVE NO CLUE. I am about to e-mail my rep and tell him that I am old of here until the inept duo is out of there. Turn off the lights, the party is over.
Jeff
March 24th, 2010
8:17 am
I wouldn’t have minded losing so much as how it went down….no fight at all (except for Bolts, of course). It’s been 10 years of this, fellow fans. I see no light on the horizon as long as the ownership and mgmt stay as they are.
Mr. Heat Miser
March 24th, 2010
8:21 am
Todd White on the PK – are you fracking kidding me?
Why is Popovic still on this team?
DB
March 24th, 2010
8:21 am
Rawhide, you must have been looking over my shoulder as I texted my wife after the game because those were my exact words.
Rask played a whale of a game last night but the Thrashers were listless. The neutral zone trap worked in preventing us from moving smoothly. Philly looks to be in a free fall with some tough games ahead so they may be the ones to shoot to overtake.
HonkyTonkHero
March 24th, 2010
8:26 am
Horrible game. I blame this one on the coach. When he saw the game that the Bruins were playing he needed to react by changing our style to match it. The Bruins played a similar game that the Preds played a few weeks ago against us (3 on the blue and two sweeping the neutral). This was not a night to try fancy neutral zone passes. Carry it to the neutral zone, have your forwards either breaking or line up on the blue line, dump and chase. Then you have to win the battle of the boards (something our players were not willing to do).
Being that the team looked like lost puppy dogs I think this is a coaching malfunction. We wont be able to play our style of game every night. Anderson’s one style of offense wont cut it…nice when it works but smart coaches will play us like the Preds and Bruins did. If we cant adapt then game over.
Each player looked like they were trying to do their own thing. As coach you have to call a time out, refocus the team and give more ice time to the guys that get it.
Ok…done armchair coaching…going back to work.
jimbo
March 24th, 2010
8:36 am
HonkeyTonkHero- right on. Anderson’s so called system is simply “RUN AROUND AND HOPE FOR THE BEST”. It is not adaptable to what the other team is doing and it has no defensive component in it. Too bad, because we have some talented young guys who could use a dose of the “trap”.
Trash
March 24th, 2010
8:41 am
John Anderson’s system can not be sustained in the NHL (AHL maybe but not in the NHL) and he appears to know not what to do when things on the ice do not work well (like last night). Once things get out of control it becomes a free for all and is very difficult to regroup which has happened several times this season. Once JA’s positioned is vacated you will not see him coach in the NHL again.
World Be Free
March 24th, 2010
8:46 am
I did not get my hopes up yesterday, so I guess I am not let down too much. Give credit to the Bruins; they were never out of position, they played well asa a team. Claude Julien is one of more underrated coaches in the game. Chara was everywhere and he never left the ice.
Maybe the Thrashers should take note of how a playoff team plays in crucial games. The Thrash tried to take over physically and Brunes just brushed them aside.
The biggest issue I had last night was the same issue I had Saturday; guys stopped skating, just standing there waiting for the puck of “waiting” for the opposing player to come to them. Nervous I guess, most of all, just a poor effort by some of the key players.
Give Boston credit for playing a great road game.
R. Stroz
March 24th, 2010
8:48 am
Bluenote – Superb,absolutely superb.
Get The Puck Out
March 24th, 2010
8:50 am
Their defense was better, thus preventing our offense from scoring and rask was very good. But we should have adapted when our offensive setup was not working, not to mention defensive play. Nervous is fine for the first five minutes, but you have to settle in to your game. Gotta play better.
Tincup9
March 24th, 2010
8:53 am
…”Well, that sucked”.
perfect Rawhide. captures the moment exactly. They were ‘nervous’ and outworked on a Tuesday with 10 games to go? What exactly would they be expecting in round 1 vs the Caps? This is it boys. This is what you play for. Either dictate terms or have them dictated to you.
Bluenote
March 24th, 2010
8:57 am
TX Stroz….just reworked some of your great thoughts
Is that plagarism? Guilty as charged if it is.
Hope the front office gets many more like it
kracker
March 24th, 2010
9:00 am
Nikita – “Every time I get someone else to watch a game with me, they lose.”
That happens to me too and it did again last night. Some people took advantage of the cheap ticket email I sent around at my workplace. The were nice enough to say they enjoyed the game anyway.
Was anyone else half expecting the Bruins to score after we iced the puck w/ 7.5 seconds remaining in the second period? I turned to the guy next to me and said “They’ll probably score now.” Btw, he was in a group of visiting Sharks fans catching the game. I apologized for them not seeing a better game.
Bob
March 24th, 2010
9:04 am
Bah. Way to stink up the place in a big game. Mabye we can wait three more years to have another big one, this season is over, folks. They are behind the 8ball now and would have to win out to get in, and that’s not going to happen.
Some team’s systems give us fits, and Boston is one of them. For Coach not to recognize that and to come with his same system just played into Boston’s hands. Unfortunately, Carolina is another club who’s system gives us fits and we have what, 2 of the games left against them. Say goodnight, Gracie.
rob
March 24th, 2010
9:11 am
I guess you get what you pay for. Paid good money to see the boys play and brought the kids along Sat for Philly and POW!!! Took Jason’s most amazing link offer and got 2 tix for under $4 and UGH!!!
How an entire team can take the entire game off throughout the season is completely mind boggling. JA’s lame excuses are making it hard to accept. We have the talent here, but where oh where is the “accountability”? When it is obvious the whole team is flat, HOW ABOUT A TIMEOUT AND AN A$$ CHEWING RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF EVERYONE? If a player can’t get the team to step up, then who does it fall on? It is frustrating to sit there watching this and not seeing someone step up.
Rawhide,
On another note, can we find out how to get some input on the dam organ guy and thrash? I mean, there was a good crowd there and at first we were loud, but then the crowd got nervous and quiet. The end of the 1st and throughout the 2nd they needed it loud in an attempt to get things going but got ZERO help getting things going. The chants went dead, a few started but didn’t really get going. Then in the 3rd when the game was obviously out of reach, they start trying to get things going! WTF is that about? We need someone to get in there who sees when to try to get things going. It wasn’t just last night, I have seen this quite a bit at games I have been to in the past as well. Anyone else notice this too?
On an end note, the team is going to lose games, that is part of it. The way this team is losing games is what is disturbing to me. Still time left, but the lack of sustained effort for long periods of time will have to be addressed if we miss the playoffs IMO.
Get The Puck Out
March 24th, 2010
9:12 am
THN’s Ken Cambell says that the Thrasher’s are for sale and anyone buying would look to move them in two years to maybe Seattle and the NHL would not stand in the way. WTF?? Go to the THN and check it out. I hope their’s nothing to it. We may be a struggling franchise, but it’s OUR struggling franchise.
Jeff
March 24th, 2010
9:14 am
Goodnight, Gracie!
Russ
March 24th, 2010
9:14 am
It looks to me like the Thrashers will need 14-15 out of the possible 18 points remaining to get in. That’s a pretty tall order with the teams left on the schedule and the fact they tend to crap the bed in big games every time they get back into the race.
Smoothie
March 24th, 2010
9:31 am
Okay, after reading most of the comments here I have decided to give the edge to coaching…as the culpable cause of our demise last nite. Why do we never seem to learn against the CBJ’s and NSH’s of the NHL?? Perhaps next time we play against a trap team, we should drop into a 1 – 2 – 2 with 4 in the neutral zone right off the opening face-off and let the other team bring it into the teeth of our D.
Badger Bob
March 24th, 2010
9:33 am
Ditto on all the JA criticisms. No fire and no adaptation to what the Broons were doing – that falls heavily on the coach’s shoulders. No support for our dmen when they possess the puck behind our net (as in goal No. 2, with the Toby giveaway). And kracker I did have that exact feeling of doom about the icing with 8 seconds left. I thought we’d survived two periods of limp effort down just 2-0, with a chance to come out fired up in the third. It was all inexcusable.
However, there’s hope. Watching the Philly-Sens highlights is the glimmer. Philly is in such a free fall! They certainly put up a better effort than we did, which makes their shutout loss all the more disheartening. And Gagne is having to fight for himself after Volchenkov’s dirty hit? With Pronger on the ice? That’s a team in disarray, not standing up for each other.
Spud Webb
March 24th, 2010
9:36 am
THUD….wow that was one of the most depressing feelings I’ve had watching sports. Game of the year and we played like Gerry Coonie. Un freaking believable. I mean GAME OF THE YEAR and that is what we get??? accountability anywhere???????????????? Not likely.
Great job by bolts to get that fight going and try to get the boys fired up…too bad NOBODY responded. Penalty shot and colby well…hell i dont even know what to say.
Up side, I was in 112, 98 dollar seats…paid 80 TOTAL for two!! NICE……………….
Somaatl95
March 24th, 2010
9:44 am
As I just said to a co worker, I’ve had bowel movements more enjoyable than that game last night.
That being said, the Thrashers were in fact given the opposite of 3 stars last night.
The Third Turd of the Night “awarded” to Todd White for his brilliant offense, for the Bruins.
The Second Turd of the Night “awarded” to Zach Bogosian for spending more time watching the puck fly past and not, you know, actually TRYING to get to it.
and the First (Golden) Turd of the evening “awarded” to YOUR ATLANTA THRASHERS! On an evening when more people than usual show up for a Tuesday night game you managed to play slightly worse than a pee-wee league caliber team. The few players on the ice who had fire and passion had the bad luck in their teammates who played like they had been taking xanax before the game started. Thanks for 60 minutes of uninspired, steaming hot crap of a hockey game.
I almost wanted to ask for a refund on Tickets last night. The fans with birds on their shirts came to see 2 NHL teams play, and saw only one out there – the Bruins.
Rawhide
March 24th, 2010
9:48 am
Badger Bob- I’m not really one to come here and “blow smoke up anyone’s skirts” with false or blind optimism, but playing off your points here is something to take under consideration.
As Gawd-awful, butt-ugly as last night was, the Thrashers could find themselves back within striking distance bay the weekend…stop laughing… and here is how.
Tonight Buffalo and Montreal play. That means tonight we are Sabres fans…even though just typing that made me throw up just a little in my mouth.
Tomorrow night, if we are able to take care of business against the Leafs, we also hope for a Minnesota win over Philly and a Panthers win over the Habs.
If all that happens, then we will sit at 77 points after 74 games played…Montreal will remain at 79 points with 75 games played…and the Flyers will also remain at 79 points with 74 played.
Then…Saturday the Thrashers go to Carolina while Philly goes to Pittsburgh and Montreal goes to New Jersey. All three of those games go Atlanta’s way and we hold a plyoff spot with seven left to play…Thrashers, Montreal and Philly each with 79 points and we hold tie-breaker edges over the other two given we are 4-0-0 vs. the Flyers and 2-0-2 against Montreal.
Tall order?…Yup.
Do I expect that to all fall into the Thrashers favor?…Nope.
But there ya go.
TableHockey
March 24th, 2010
9:51 am
Sadly for me last night was not unexpected. As pointed out above this is largely a young team with little post season experience and they seem to choke on the big games. Last time we moved within striking distance of a playoff spot a slide shortly followed.
We all knew they wouldn’t win them all and losing to the Bruins will hopefully help them regain their hunger they showed over the last few games before last night.
But in order for Rawhide to demonstrate his Lucky Charms eating prowess we will need to put together an impressive string of wins and someone (Flyers or Montreal) will need to continue their slides.
World Be Free
March 24th, 2010
10:03 am
Get The Puck Out-THN, like other Canadian sports outlets has their own agenda concerning the Thrashers and other U.S. franchises. Like moving the team to Regina is going to solve all the problems. We need a product.
Smoothie, Badger and Jimbo-I think what it comes down to is that some coaches can figure out how to beat the Thrashers, while others cannot. The old statement that a good defense beats a good offense applies here. I don’t think Anderson is the worst coach in the league, but I suspect his team cannot adjust when facing a team that cuts them off at the pass. We start to do dumb things.
Example-Hainsey’s icing with 7.5 seconds left in thew second period. I looked at Mrs. WBF and said “now we are in trouble”. 2 seconds later, it was 3-0 and the game was over.
I wrote yesterday that we had to get out front, we could not play a low scoring game with Boston, that if it was 0-0 near the end of the 2nd period we were in trouble.
A Jim Mora Sr. once said- “Playoffs, Playoffs, who said anything about playoffs! I just hope we can win another game”!
Rightshot
March 24th, 2010
10:04 am
I am generally disgusted at the lack of effort, play, gumption and lack of anything other than the thrashers version of the ice capades last night. Moose looked shakey for most of the game. Whole team looked out of sorts, ie not fore checking, catching up to the play, running around in their own zone.
There were only 2 things I enjoyed about last night. The $3.50 tickets (Thanks again Jason) and members of the blue crew coming by our section tossing out t-shirts.
I will probably go to Thursdays game and hope to see better. If things go the way I expect, I will be sitting anywhere I pretty D@&* where I please too.
Savannah Blueland Fan
March 24th, 2010
10:13 am
All I can say is after all that pumping up yesterday (and, again Rawhide, excellent work!), the first thing I noticed at game time was all those empty seats. It filled in a bit towards the end of the first period. One thing Atlanta and Savannah have in common: 7PM start time means you park your car at 7PM and then stand in line to get liquored up for 15 minutes.
“Well, that sucked” indeed. But I have to disagree about the team playing badly. They just got outplayed the old-fashioned way. I will agree that by the third period there should have been some adjustments made somewhere that didn’t seem to be made. BUT–at risk of sounding like a broken record–if the Thrashers hadn’t of gone on that losing streak beginning with Tampa Bay, and won those games like they should have, then last night’s loss would have still sucked but it wouldn’t have been a season-ender like this may well turn out to be.
Smoothie
March 24th, 2010
10:14 am
Even before the first goal, they looked disorganized and tentative. They had one brief flurry of pressure very early on but the quickly fell back into a read and react mode rather than dictate and attack. And there was very little intensity after the first 5 mins. Sigh.
MASHAPlayer7
March 24th, 2010
10:18 am
Dissappointing. We had a great first shift and that was it. JA has indeed showed he can not make game-time adjustments. If we are to make the playoffs, then we will face many more strategies similar to what the Bruins employ.
drajax
March 24th, 2010
10:20 am
Despite the fact that its possible but unlikely that the team will make the playoffs, its time to start thinking about what the team needs to do to improve itself on the limited budget the owners are willing to lay out. What moves should be made? The first move I would make would be to find a successful nhl coach who has a reputation of leading a team as opposed to what we have now, a coach with a successful minor league system. Next, I’m looking for a goalie, either in our system or outside, that will have a goals against average under 2.5 no matter where’s he’s played. Maybe unrealistic maybe not but because of the teams other weaknesses we need a netminder who can consistently shut down our opponents. I also believe we need another forward who is better handling and passing the puck than the majority of forwards we have now. In the last several games I’ve seen to many passes and rebounds missed because the forward couldn’t seize the opportunity to shoot or make the pass to an open player. The team needs help. Maybe with good coaching next year we’ll make the 8th spot. But with the present makeup we’re not going any farther this year or next.
D*mmit!
March 24th, 2010
10:26 am
I had defended JA in the past, because he got more out of the “non-star” players than previous coaches. Many of the games this season nproved to me that the players can compete with anybody, WHEN the coaching staff does their homework. Instead, they DON’T adjust their game, and the team has no chance against certain styles of team when the opposition is on their game. AND I have become accustomed to blaming everything on DW, though that’s still well deserved. Anderson could be an ASSISTANT coach in the NHL, we need someone that knows what it takes to win the BIG GAMES. Thank you, good night.
ChippersLoveChild
March 24th, 2010
10:37 am
I haven’t looked at the stats yet, but I think Bogo was on the ice for at least three of the goals, yes? It’s a shame he has regressed so much this year from where many of us thought he would be. Hopefully it is just a sophmore slump and he can bounce back next year.
moriler
March 24th, 2010
10:37 am
To everyone complaining about Anderson: Who would you hire and how do you know he’s available? And by the way, he needs to be proven talent, not just some random assistant off someone’s bench.
Oh, is dat sum crickets I hear? Dat’s what I thought.
J.B.
March 24th, 2010
10:37 am
i refuse to give up until we are mathematically eliminated. if we are eliminated then next year i will again refuse to give up until we are mathematically eliminated again or make the playoffs. it’s just part of being a die-hard fan; good with the bad and all that crap… for what it’s worth, boston looked much better than I expected them to.
R. Stroz
March 24th, 2010
10:45 am
Is that plagarism? Guilty as charged if it is.
Bluenote – Who cares, as long as the Bennings receive the royalties.
Hope the front office gets many more like it
AGREED
Rawhide
March 24th, 2010
10:52 am
Bluenote – That was very, very well worded and well done.
tip of the hat to you
Also, the Jimmy Hedrix CD you gave me Sunday…top notch. Been in the car CD player all week!
whitaker77
March 24th, 2010
10:58 am
Well I hope Don was watching last night’s game, so he can see what he calls “boring” Hockey. Hey Don “boring” Hockey just kicked the Thrashers collective @$$es all over the Ice and they did it without their #1 Center man a guy by the name of Savard… You might know of him; and losing a player 3 minutes into the game (Sabotka – head injury). The Bruins just gave the Thrashers a lesson in playing physical and smart taking only 2 penalties and causing a questionable penalty shot. No one wants to watch boring Hockey? Seems like there were plenty of Spoke B’s at the game last night. ‘Nuff said!
The Thrashers did look like a bunch of deer caught in headlights last night, and I have to agree the blame is on the coaching staff. It is not as if they did not know what type of game Boston was going to bring. This is not the first time these teams have met this year nor is it the first time the teams have met under Claude Julien’s system. Maybe the Coaching Staff was waiting for a fax from Claude saying…
Hello,
When we play you on March 23rd, we are going to use a trap, take away the boards, and fore-check the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks out there. I hope this helps you prepare for us.
Thank you
~Claude Julien
I am sorry I thought the point of video coaches was to watch videos of the other teams and help to create a game plan. Guess I was wrong.
As for the effort or lack there of, I cannot speak on this. Bolts tried to get something going fighting with Thornton, Moose left everything he had on the ice, and a few others gave everything they had or at least tried to hang with the Bruins. IF the Anderson in his infinite wisdom told the players to stay the course as after the first the Thrashers were only down by a goal, then why fault the players. The Thrashers always look bad against the Western Teams and any other team that plays Defense first. This is not the fault of the players but of the coaches. All effort in the world would not have helped last night if the team as a whole (coaches to players) were not willing to change their game to handle what the Bruins were given them. The Thrashers made the Bruins look like a Top Seed Team, not the struggling team that they currently are and have been all Season.
As for the crowd I was a bit disappointed, but the crowd by far was one of the largest I have seen all season long. While I did not expect a sell-out I think I was hoping for about maybe 500 more people. Yes, I can understand what people are saying how when the Thrashers are giving away tickets, an important game (most important game of the year), and the idea that the game should have a play-off feel can we not fill Philips? The answer is for the average sports fan that helped fill Philips for the 2007 Play-offs they was not much hype. These fans are not going to go to Thrashers.nhl.com everyday, the Thrashers do not get much air time on the Radio or TV, The AJC shows them no love, and most people gave up on the season about a week ago thinking the Thrashers did not have a chance to make the play-offs. There should have been radio commercials running since last Monday saying HOW BIG this game would be, the “cheap-tickets” give away should have started a week ago as well if the goal was to get butts in the seats, and at the VERY least the ACJ should have hype the match up Tale of the Tape Thrashers V. Boston, something to catch a person’s eye (say a graphic of say… Nik and Chara).
A team is not judged by how good they play when they are winning, but how they react to a disappointing lose. The Leafs who play wide open hockey like the Thrashers are in town tomorrow, so the game and the outcome should be different. The Thrashers should get their offense going again and should get the 2 points. With how close seeds 6 – 9 are I cannot see a reason if the Thrashers play well that their season will end on April 10th. If the Thrashers feel sorry for themselves or lose some of their hunger then yes, season is over and see you again in late September.
whitaker77
March 24th, 2010
11:09 am
moriler – you are right not many of us could give you a name of a coach to hire. That is not the point the point is Anderson is not doing his job. Boston called a time out last night for the simple reason to rest their players and get the shut out. How many time have we seen Anderson do something like that? NONE! How many time have the refs come over to the bench after the Thrashers have iced the puck twice in a roll and ASKED if he wanted to use his time out, only to have Anderson say No, that is ok just drop the puck? MANY!! That is just crap. Last night was a great example of Anderson’s unwilliness to change the way the team plays during a game. Yes, the Thrashers may (would) have still lost last night to Boston, but I think most people would have felt better if they saw the Thrashers TRY to play differnet style(s) to get something going agains the Bruins. Anderson for the most part did not even mix the lines up, and that is basic coaching 101. Anderson simply needs to be replaced after the season, whether the Thrashers get into the play-offs or not.
I cannot give you a name as I do not have the time to research, but I can say what type of coach I want and that is a defense first.
Dwayne
March 24th, 2010
11:14 am
I drove 560 miles round trip for that crap???? Glad the ticket was only 25 bucks.
World Be Free
March 24th, 2010
11:14 am
No time to be too disappointed folks-”Tronna” is in town tomorrow night and they have been playing better lately.
With Tronna are the Shiite Maple Leaf hockey fans-worse than Sabre fans!
Mrs. DWTOO
March 24th, 2010
11:18 am
“World Be Free – I did not get my hopes up yesterday, so I guess I am not let down too much. Give credit to the Bruins; they were never out of position, they played well asa a team. Claude Julien is one of more underrated coaches in the game. Chara was everywhere and he never left the ice.
Maybe the Thrashers should take note of how a playoff team plays in crucial games. The Thrash tried to take over physically and Brunes just brushed them aside.
The biggest issue I had last night was the same issue I had Saturday; guys stopped skating, just standing there waiting for the puck of “waiting” for the opposing player to come to them. Nervous I guess, most of all, just a poor effort by some of the key players.
Give Boston credit for playing a great road game.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself, WBF! I, too, came to the game with no elevated hopes and expectations. Thrashers should take the loss in stride and keep moving on. Now, BREATH & FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS…
Nate
March 24th, 2010
11:45 am
Last night’s game…just…wow. I felt embarrassed for having talked four guys into coming to the game with me to help pack the building. Didn’t come close to that and the team never came close to winning.
The game was an abomination. This is about as lousy as I’ve ever felt to be a Thrashers fan.
Mrs. DWTOO
March 24th, 2010
11:46 am
I just got an e-mail from Ticketmaster about submitting a review aobut last night’s game. Here’s what I submitted:
“The Thrashers were making too many “fancy” passes and plays which ultimately ended up in too many turnovers to the Bruins. They need to go back to the basics – pass, shoot, get the rebound and shoot again – and quit doing the “dump and chase” except to change lines. They need to win the face-offs more than their opponents. The coach needs more strategies other than what he’s been going with; true NHL coaches have many strategies at their fingertips to use to make adjustments during games. Hats off to the Bruins – they wanted the win more than the Thrashers – and it showed in their efforts.”
Brendan
March 24th, 2010
11:53 am
I agree with Rawhide. The chance to be in the playoffs is still not over. We took a hit last night. Claro, que si. And we very well may not be able to ever catch the Bruins. Fine. But the Flyers may be in “disarray,” as badger Bob said. They don’t have goaltending. They are the 2006 Thrashers right now. And perhaps, they are likewise destined to miss the playoffs by 2-points. Atlanta might yet squeak in at #8. But if so, their destiny is Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, Jose Theodore and Simeone Varlamov.
I’m not sure I see a playoff victory in a series with Washington. But, any playoff berth would grow fan support in the area. The NHL says, “You have to play the games.” And owners agree, as every nickel is 100% pure profit from playoff games.
Even if we are swept out by the Capitals, making the playoffs would give many of our players much needed playoff experience. That’s how I see it, anyway. I am not the type of fan who will cry a river if we don’t make the playoffs. I never expected to make the playoffs. The playoffs would be a huge and unexpected “bonus.” After the 2007 playoffs, beat writer Craig Custance said the Thrashers suffered a 5-year setback. I disagreed, stating 4 years would be what is necessary to return to the playoffs. How amazing would it be … if it only took 3 years?
See, I see it as a process. I am a fan who doesn’t cry after every loss in a build year. I understand the situation. My fandom of this team isn’t conditioned on wins and losses. Every team wins and loses. But what I cannot support … is inaction, no accountability, procrastination, and a real and genuine lack of stewardship of this franchise. April 1st is the day I predict Don Waddell is renewed with a 2-year contract. If that happens, we will still NOT be ‘moving in the right direction.’ Which is remarkable, after a decade … of not having an identity. I don’t have any objection to the team being sold. I want it sold. I want it sold to someone who will properly care for it. This team isn’t leaving. This team CANNOT leave. This team will be here until 2019, at a minimum. And even then, the NHL Commissioner would have lose his mind to move an NHL franchise out of one of the bigger TV markets, with a population of 5 million people. All this franchise has ever, ever, ever NEEDED … was a capable GM, to make it win. That day is coming, if the team is sold. The level of hockey interest in this town can be traced to its inaugural season, where it set an NHL attendance records, by selling out 38 of 41 home games. That’s the truth.
R. Stroz (The Rest of the Story)
March 24th, 2010
12:15 pm
While sitting with friends before last night’s game, I noticed the Bennings, also known as the elderly couple that appear on kiss cam, sitting two tables away. Although reticent to disturb them, once they had finished eating, I walked up to their table and asked if I could impose on their time for a few minutes. They graciously accepted with no prior knowledge as to why.
While kneeling at their table, I informed them of the seventh man award and the “ground swell” of support they were receiving from new and long time fans. They were flattered, surprised and honored that they were revered by the fans. They graciously invited me to sit with them, not to discuss the seventh man award, but to allow a stranger a few minutes of fan fellowship.
For a considerable period of time, I discussed how many fans saw them as “the goal we all seek to achieve in life,” a couple with a passion for life, devotion, compassion for one another, willing to overcome obstacles with a positive attitude. Hopefully, in 30 years, my wife and I will be walking in their shoes. And, by the way, they have been Thrasher season ticket holders since day 1.
Although Mr. Benning assured me that there had to be other fans more deserving of the award than they were, when asked if he would allow me to nominate them, he gave me his permission. Of course being of a generation that isn’t known for self promotion, he wasn’t comfortable nominating himself and his wife.
We discussed hockey in Atlanta, including the Flames and the Knights as well as their personal history for a considerable period of time. Interestingly, Mr. Benning attended the same Atlanta high school as one of my parents, although several years earlier.
Toward the end of our discussion, Mrs. Benning asked, “What happens if we win the award?” I informed her that after the last game of the season, they would be taken down to the ice and a player would give them his jersey.
Mrs. Benning looked at her husband, smiled, placed her hand on him, and said “That would be wonderful.”
After our discussion had ended, while walking away from their table overcome by the high humidity, I couldn’t help but think, yes, that would be the most wonderful thing I could see at Philips arena this year, maybe even in my lifetime.
Ladies and gentlemen, please take the time to nominate the Bennings for the “Seventh Man Award.” Let’s make this happen.
World Be Free
March 24th, 2010
12:25 pm
Mrs. DWTOO-thanks, just calling it as I see it. Just one game, a difficut game to lose but not the end of the world either. This team was getting dirt shoveled on it before the Buffalo game. 3 games later and we are world-beaters.
Boston is not the most talented team, but Julien always has them prepared. I like him as a coach, even though I think he looks like a Hobbit.
SmokeMonster
March 24th, 2010
12:41 pm
Man LOST was good last night! Stayin home good decision.
Smoothie
March 24th, 2010
12:54 pm
Expectations or not, any “die-hard” fan of the Thrashers should feel a bit pissed off after that game. Hopefully, the players are more pissed as the crowd probably won’t be as willing to motivate them at the Bulb on Thurs night. Better win at least 3 of the next 4 to have any shot. I think a record of 6 – 3 gets them in as the 8 seed as Philly or Montreal will falter. Hell, Bruins are still no guaranteed bet but Rask makes them quite a bit more solid a pick.
Smoothie
March 24th, 2010
1:05 pm
Stroz – buddy that was awesome…you are a great ambassador of the fans of Blueland…well done sir, well done!!
Tony C.
March 24th, 2010
1:06 pm
Uhhh. Hitchcock’s unemployed-granted his philosophy is 180 degrees away from Anderson’s and may not work with who we have signed…
Stephens is working as analyst for vs. I don’t know that he’d be a good move, but he has shown an ability to work with the talent given him….
Iron Mike-ok, ok I am joking…
I would really like to get Bob Gainey down here involved somehow, some way, despite his adventures in smurf-land recently, the man is a winner and has shown to be one on and off the ice.
Also, Michel Teherrien is out of a job-he may not be original but he don’t suck (and don’t give me that “anybody can look good coaching all that talent” argument… fact is before Therrien there were talented and “almost there” with and after Therrien they went to the playoffs and then the finals).
There’s a partial list-I’m still undecided about pulling the plug on Anderson-let’s see how he and the team respnd and play down the stretch-but if we see similar gaffes next season, I want a replacement no later than New Years
Hollywould
March 24th, 2010
1:06 pm
I agree with all the “fancy” passes. Shoot the friggin puck (especially 39) he drives me nuts. #4 is lost out there. my 11 year old son goes nuts when #4 either gives up the puck deep or does not even touch it. Sit his butt a game one time. Give Artukhin more playing time/he at least gives 100%.
Tony C.
March 24th, 2010
1:12 pm
Hitchcock
Therrien
Stephens
Ftorek
Gainey
What the hell, Crawford
and for laughs Keenan
There’s your list of (some) NHL-proven coaches that are currently out of a job or getting a check for talking on TV. Granted, they not all be the obvious choice given how the team is constructed, but there are options.
I don’t think it’s right to pull the plug on Anderson just yet, however we are seeing what his shortcomings are. I expect he’s noticed as well. Let’s see how the team responds down the stretch and if w see more of the same to start next season, I want a replacement no later than New Years.
Toby
March 24th, 2010
1:13 pm
Vändning ut ljusen, är partiet över.
Tony C.
March 24th, 2010
1:15 pm
sorry for the double-post I edited the original, didn’t realize I’d posted it. Also I agree with Holly-give R2 more ice time-I betcah he’s just a wee more effective on the forecheck than one Todd White. Also, anybody know when if Kane is returning? who knew an 18-year old would be so sorely missed?
English Teacher
March 24th, 2010
1:16 pm
Indeed, I must agree that was a vacuous performance by the home team last night. The crowd was also a disappointment. I came ready to lose my voice, but instead, I lost my patience. During the second intermission my group decided to leave. We had, afterall, come to see the Thrashers, but unfortunately, they failed to show up. When we made it to the car and turned on the radio, we couldn’t help but laugh when we heard Dan Kamal announce the Bruins’ fourth goal. I guess we were glad we didn’t have to hear the Boston fans celebrate.
What comes on TV Thursday?
Mrs. DWTOO
March 24th, 2010
1:25 pm
“What comes on TV Thursday?”
English Teacher – your guess is as good as mine as to who/what team shows up on Thursday if that’s what you mean. I think the game is being telecast on Sports South on Thursday if you’re asking what channel…
Bob
March 24th, 2010
1:34 pm
“its time to start thinking about what the team needs to do to improve itself on the limited budget the owners are willing to lay out. What moves should be made?”
1)Get us a real GM. Until then we’re just fooling ourselves getting psyched up about this club. Unleash The Futility is more like it if they leave Waddell making the decisions
assuming they finally do the right thing and we get a good GM, there’s plenty of even self imposed cap space available to:
2)Sign a quality experienced UFA goalie or trade for one. No more projects learning on the job, no more head cases, no more trying to fit Moose into something he’s not (a day to day #1 goalie)
3)Sign a top line UFA LW (who’s available this summer?)
4)Sign a top line UFA RW (who’s available this summer?)
5)Re-sign Kubina
6)Bring in a good experienced NHL coach, Anderson has lost me (never really had me to begin with, from the first games I saw his rinky dink system, I never thought it was NHL material)
Bob
March 24th, 2010
1:36 pm
Oh, and if the Spirit needs any more proof as an indictment of the severe damage Don Waddell has done to the fan base of this club, they only needed to look at all the empty seats last night in what was the biggest game here in 3 years.
Paminski
March 24th, 2010
1:45 pm
I enjoyed my turkey sandwich at the game last night.
Smoothie
March 24th, 2010
1:50 pm
Bob – don’t know about RW as I believe there is a dearth of FA talent on the right side. However, there are some options at LW:
Frolov, Ponikarovsky, Tanguay, Torres, Fedatenko, Cooke, Nystrom and Pyatt (whom we should’ve gone after last summer)…those are the guys under the age of 33…eeeegads!
Guess there’s a dearth of talent on the left side. Of course, I omitted one rather big Russian super-star.
Right side victims, um I mean candidates are:
Armstrong, Afinogenov, Artyukhin, Stempniak, Svatos…under 33. Oh wait, 3 of them have a contract with us!!
I really think Chicago ought to be our target this summer. Help them out of salary cap hell. See who they’re more willing to part ways with: either Versteeg or Sharp. Something tells me they would prefer to keep Versteeg because they can lock him down for another 5 or 6 years if they unload Sharp’s large contract. Sharp would replace Peverley as the 2nd line C and Pevs can either play LW on the 2nd line with Kane on the right side or Pevs can slide down to 3rd line C between Slater and hopefully his buddy Army.
Bergie – Little – Antro (Little’s a cotton-pickin’ center!!)
Poni – Sharp – Kane
Slates – Pevs – Army
Arty – Reasy – Thorbs / Crabb / Machacek
Anyone like that line up?
Eileen
March 24th, 2010
2:01 pm
Rawhide, thanks so much for a voice of reason. While the game was very one sided, it was one game. The Bruins had the fight in them that the Thrashers had over the weekend. I continued to be appalled that some people on here seem to enjoy defeat so they can prove their point. GEEEZ!
ChippersLoveChild
March 24th, 2010
2:36 pm
Bob,
This line, “Unleash The Futility,” was gold. Nicely done, sir.
Rawhide
March 24th, 2010
2:57 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that Bob’s “Unleash the Futility” comment of 1:34 pm has been officially placed into nomination for Rawhide Blog Comment of the Year for 2010…
Oh yeah…BTW…anyone can nominate someone else for Blog Comment of the year and you do not have to live withiing 75 miles of Atlanta to win.
Bob – Congratulations!
Russian
March 24th, 2010
3:22 pm
Good post Bob. But I like to see Point #1 – Bring in a good experienced NHL coach.
And ebverything is going by your order.
Savannah Blueland Fan
March 24th, 2010
3:54 pm
As bad as we are feeling today, imagine how the Flyer fans feel. Last night they lost the 8th game of the 13 played this month. I take some pleasure in the sorrow of others.
DWTOO
March 24th, 2010
3:55 pm
Unleash the Fugly!
World Be Free
March 24th, 2010
4:35 pm
Bob-I wish I would have come up with that one. Classic!
Todd is out for tomorrow game-should we call up the Hansons?
Bob
March 24th, 2010
4:36 pm
“anyone can nominate someone else for Blog Comment of the year and you do not have to live withiing 75 miles of Atlanta to win”
I would like to pre-nominate the 1st blogger who reports that Don Waddell has been relieved of his GM duties, THAT will be the Blog Comment of the Decade!
LAC
March 24th, 2010
4:40 pm
Is Rask another Nitty ???? Lame, Listless, Lifeless, Lazy all adjectives that express last night’s NON effort.
I agree with the blogger, see what waddell has done to the fan base here with his inability
to build any kind of a WINNER here… Sorry folks after last night… NO PLAYOFFS !
litz
March 24th, 2010
5:10 pm
I had a couple of 11 year-old junior hockey players sitting a couple seats away … they spent most of their evening with their jaws on the floor. More than once, comments were made on the order of “man, coach would KILL us if we did that” … other comments, dead on the money, showed those two kids probably had a better idea of how to beat the Bruins than the guys twice their age wearing blue.
As a side note … apparently kids also learn words in a hockey locker room … lots of words.
Words that aren’t pretty. Words that more than adequately described last night’s performance.
Not sure if those words coming out of an 11 year-old were entirely appropriate or not, but neither my friend nor I could find any fault with their feelings on the matter.
“Well, that sucked” sure did describe it (in a family friendly manner).
Yung JB from MTL
March 24th, 2010
5:31 pm
Why do the Bruins play so well against us?
Im still saying it: Fire JA. I never liked him as a coach. Looks like a great guy though.
As for the playoffs: Remember guys, Philly has NO SUCH THING that could be called a 1st Goalie not even a Backup… so if Boston gets too hot, we can still catch philly. We dont have to look it as 15 out of 18 pts, but we have to look at it by saying that every game is a must-win.
I hope they do it. GO BLUE
James Brown
March 24th, 2010
5:37 pm
Muddy Waters sang “I feel so bad………..feel like a ballgame on a rainy day”…………….I feel bad man…….I left halfway through in the third period…….something I never do……….We laid an egg………..move on…………………Go Thrashers!
Brendan
March 24th, 2010
6:29 pm
Every game is a huge game. And the odds are against us making the playoffs, barring a collapse by Philly. That said, we are also now at the point where, if we wanted to, we could conduct “9-game auditions” with future RFA’s. The NHL’s collective bargaining agreement allows any team to give a player a 9-game audition before the clock starts ticking towards RFA eligibility. With that in mind, is there anyone you’d like to see get a tryout? Don’t say, Angelo Esposito. Brett Sterling is a pending RFA, so the tryout factor doesn’t apply. But if the organization wants to further evaluate him at the NHL level, before potentially packaging him as “sweetener” in a Draft Day trade, that opportunity is now.
R. W.
March 24th, 2010
7:12 pm
The one thing I have noticed over the season is we lack a dominant goaltender someone; who when we do not play well can say hop on my back I will lead you to victory. Pavlic is young and I believe in a year or two he may possibly be that guy. Moose is old and can not do that on a consistent basis he has been good and a steady influence and veteran presence. However that being said I believe this off season we need a big time goaltender. Someone like Nabokov. That is the big difference between our team this year and every other playoff team in the NHL minus Phillie. We need a lock down goaltender who can take a game over and win a game on his own when the chips are down. I say take anywhere from 35-75% of the money we would have paid Kovy and get Nabokov(I believe he is a free-agent this off-season) plus another decent goalscorer this off season and we have a playoff team for sure next year. I still think we have a shot at the 8 I believe Phillie will sink like a lead balloon. Go Thrashers
Sage of Bluesland
March 24th, 2010
8:45 pm
Did anyone hear our own bumbling, lisping, blustering fraud of a GM on the radio today? I heard enough on the way home from work to vomit a little in my mouth.
From the softball questions to the repetitive bluster that we’ve heard for, oh, a DECADE now…no wonder this town has what it does.
Most of the time, you do indeed get what you deserve. This is precisely one of those cases. It’s funny how all of the vim-and-vigor of the sheep has subsided a bit…but, I’m sure they’ll be spending more time attacking me at every turn–as opposed to actually offering up SOLUTIONS to the problems which afflict this organization.
Oh well. You get what you deserve–you have bought it, nurtured it, and subsidized it. Enjoy it. I’ll be sure to laugh at you as your bluster, hopes, and dreams matches that of Donny…
hawks
March 25th, 2010
12:28 am
4 real if u watch the game like idid, the Thrashers didnt finish checks, didnt use their sticks on defence or pass like they did the last 4 games. Thats why they lost period!!!! The game is simple, just do the same things you have been doing,watch video and execute. If u watch good teams they use there sticks well when they defend the puck, at all times!! When the Thrashers do they play well, when they dont u get an effort likr last nite.JA needs 2 remind them at all times through out the remaining games or its OVER WITH so have some BALLS and get it done!!!!!!
World Be Free
March 25th, 2010
7:32 am
The Brunes play well against us because they are a team. They play as a team on every shift, each player is rarely out of position and when they are a teammate is there to cover for them.
And the Brunes have Chara too; he’s a difference maker, especially when he is out there for half the game.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
March 25th, 2010
8:28 am
You know Sage, for once I agree with you.
World Be Free
March 25th, 2010
9:08 am
http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2010/3/20/1382324/ilya-kovalchuk-after-15-games-as-a
Interesting review on Kovy
Red Light
March 25th, 2010
9:22 am
If anyone wants two Club Seats for tonight’s Toronto game, Sec. 102, Row M, please e-mail me at redlightmessina@yahoo.com.
smokemonster
March 25th, 2010
9:54 am
Unleash the SmokeMonster. What were you thinking picking the Thrasher game over LOST. Havent you guys learned yet after ten years of the same. You should have watched Lost on Tuesday and then watched the PENS and CAPS duke it out last night. Thrashers BAHH..it’s over in so many ways!
smokemonster
March 25th, 2010
10:12 am
Red light thanks but i would pass even if they were free.
Take that Don Waddell.
Red Light
March 25th, 2010
11:05 am
Sage, et al
The duty or mantra is for fans to hold out hope for the best for those teams that they follow, root for, or are simply blind loyalists for. Being a fanatic, fan, supporter and the like has no basis for realism, or Wrigley Field would be empty 81 games every year as the Cubs haven’t won since 1908. I think many of us share your harsh views of the reality that we are faced with as it concerns the Thrashers, and that being said, I think we all get a little fed up of being reminded of it on a regular basis. You, Stendek and some others typically post nothing but the negative aspects of what is occurring with this franchise. None of us here, save just a few of the blindly loyal, disagree completely with your assessments of ASG, Waddell, etc., I just don’t think the daily reminders are always necessary.
Frankly, I do salute you for your passion and venom, and nearly all of your assertions are well versed and have merit. You, obviously, are not and have not been alone in your criticisms of those parties that have prohibited the growth of the fan base, the future success of the franchise and its ability to become a contender for the Stanley Cup playoffs on a regular basis.
One thing I like about this forum, is that it provides the means for a healthy discussion about the franchise and the NHL in general. All of that being said, I’d say there is a solid 98 percent of us that regularly visit here, that are completely dissatisfied with the state of the Thrashers. The mealy-mouthed general manager talking out of both sides of his mouth, the apologists who constantly make excuses for its current state and the unseen, unheard owners of this team drive me up the wall. Changes, even if the Thrashers do make the playoffs, are absolutely necessary.
Unfortunately, no matter what you, I, or anyone else thinks about the organization, it won’t make any difference to the decision makers unless we continue to voice our approval or dissatisfaction with the current regime and state of the franchise. But, I’m pretty sure that they haven’t or don’t read anything that is written here. Those who are oblivious, eventually wind up in oblivion. At this point, that gives us all hope that changes are forthcoming. Lets just hope that it doesn’t take another 10 years for them to occur.
BTW, the tickets are gone!
Bob
March 25th, 2010
11:29 am
“But, I’m pretty sure that they haven’t or don’t read anything that is written here.”
I’m pretty sure you’re dead wrong about that, in fact, I know you are.
“or Wrigley Field would be empty 81 games every year as the Cubs haven’t won since 1908.”
The reason Wrigley sells out is that there’s no better place to go hang out, have a beer, and watch a ballgame. It’s not because the fans are blindly loyal, it’s simply because Chicagoans can’t resist an Old Pile, brat, and a day game. If they ever tore down Wrigley and built a new style stadium out in the ‘burbs, the place would be half empty just like Turner Field.
Red Light
March 25th, 2010
11:44 am
Bob, I understand everything about Wrigley, but Cubs fans come out in droves here in Atlanta to watch the Cubs, and in other parks too. It’s not just the ballpark in my opinion, although that’s a major draw, and one of my best friends is a Cubs fan for the last half-century.
Red Light
March 25th, 2010
11:45 am
BTW, that friend grew up in the house right behind the McDonald’s adjacent Wrigley and has 8 season tickets.
Baaadger Bob
March 25th, 2010
11:54 am
Very well said, Redlight!
In my view, I subsidize incompetence every day when I pay taxes. At least with the Thrashers I get something in return. I believe DW must be fired, Octocluster must sell to a local owner with a passion for hockey, and I’m not convinced JA is the right coach. However, I like to discuss more than just those three things. So here’s my “Mr Sunshine” thought of the day for the rest of you sheep/optimists like me:
Consider the four teams we are within a couple games of (or a couple bounces or bad calls). Three are storied franchises, including two Original Six and the most successful franchise in the history of the game. The fourth is located in the capital of the country that historically has provided 3/4 of all NHLers, in the province that has produced over 2,000 NHLers. We should be better at this point in our history, but we’re not in bad company!
WBF, will you be up in da Club tonight? I’d love to meet you. Sorry I’ll miss you, Redlight.
Smoothie
March 25th, 2010
12:06 pm
Baaaaadger Bob – so true, so true! And funny! I work for the govt and you are absolutely right!! So much incompetence, but yet people keep paying their taxes. I guess we are all blind, fanatical patriotic zealots who are just a glutton for punishment!! LOL Why not be a Thrashers’ STH too?? We are used to the pain and suffering!
Bob
March 25th, 2010
12:08 pm
Oh, I know the Cubbies, Red Light (as I suspect I know you as well, as you know me). But consider this. The reason why the Cubbies haven’t won in so many years? Where was the motivation for the Tribune company to put the best product on the field and spend like the Yanks when they have the seats filled every year with “sheep” lapping up their product?
See?
That’s why I, and all the rest of us that used to go to games, decided to vote with our wallets. It’s why I, and the vast majority of former season tix holders decided to hold the owners accountable. If you want to try to call out what a “real fan” is, that’s going to come right back at ya. To me, a real fan is one that wants to improve the club, and is using the only viable thing we have to do it, our displeasure voiced in words and with our wallets. If there’s one thing the Spirit is going to understand, it’s empty seats and a red bottom line. So if you’re continuing to subsidize their incompetence by buying their tix, then to me, you’re part of the problem.
Now, I have no problems with you exercising that right, but don’t call people out unless you want it right back at ya. fair enough?
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
March 25th, 2010
12:12 pm
This is your official 10-minute Ranallo Alert. New blog post in 10 minutes.
Red Light
March 25th, 2010
12:19 pm
Absolutely that’s fair, Bob, but the “lapping up” has happened just in the past 20 to 25 years at Wrigley. I’ve researched it and before the Cubbies most recent playoff appearances, their attendance was brutal. It is nothing more than the place to be seen in Chicago for everyone but the true Cubs fans. I’d be happy to sit down with you and give you my take on it sometime.
The Cubs have employed 15 different managers since 1984, and have had 37 managers in 61 years since their last World Series appearance!
Badger Bob: I’ll be there, just didn’t need all four tonight.
Bob
March 25th, 2010
12:23 pm
by the way, this is the Cubs’ year. And the June Swoon comes once again, there’s always next year…
World Be Free
March 25th, 2010
12:25 pm
Bob-may I add that Chicago is a great sports town.
World Be Free
March 25th, 2010
12:26 pm
Badger, sorry dude, but I will not be there tonight. But I will be there Monday, hope to meet you then.
Sage of Bluesland
March 25th, 2010
1:17 pm
The analogy for paying taxes and equating it to being a ’sheep’ (a patriotic one, at that) is ridiculous. First off, it’s the LAW to file and pay your taxes. Oh, and weirdly enough, we do get something for paying our taxes (a ’stable’ country; a militarily ’secure’ country, which I completely support). That’s typical Don Waddell-type “logic” if I’ve ever seen it.
I’m sure Donny would love to make it a law to fill up the arena to witness his pathetic product–but thank goodness there are still some ‘freedoms’ left in this country, however small they may be.
Nice post, Red-Light…I can’t say I disagree with a bit of it. I just want change–of any kind–in Thrashersland. If you want to ’shut me up’ for awhile, then hire a new GM. I’m on board until it’s proven that he/she is an incompetent buffoon.
For Waddell, that took me until 2002 to realize all was not as well as advertised in Thrashersland…and it’s been mostly uphill trying to convince others in that long duration since. It’s funny, though, where once I was a voice in the wilderness, there is now a virtual ‘chorus’ repeating what I said YEARS ago…
Funny, isn’t it? I’d say it’s fairly “Sage”-like…Wouldn’t you agree? (I know it must hurt to read that)
Red Light
March 25th, 2010
1:56 pm
It took me less time than that Sage. When he didn’t re-up with Andrew Brunette, after he scored 38 goals and added 71 assists in 158 games as a Thrasher, that clinched it for me.
Sage's mom
March 25th, 2010
3:06 pm
What really hurts it to have to hear you say the very same thing for the past 8 years without a fresh thought. Oh, and you really ought to cut out all the condescention, young man!
Bob
March 25th, 2010
4:28 pm
See Ma, what you have to understand is that Sage, myself, and thousands of other former season tix holders all have come to the conclusion that we’re all pissin in the wind until Waddell is gone. With him in place, it’s just the same old thing year after year . . . the names on the back of the sweater change, but the results don’t differ (golfing in April every year while 1/2 of the rest of the league is embarking upon the real season).