Accountability and responsibility – Thrashers face defining games after ‘unacceptable’ loss
Unacceptable: (adj.) Not Acceptable. Unsatisfactory. – “The Atlanta Thrashers’ effort during the 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres was ‘unacceptable’”.
There really weren’t a lot of positives to take from Wednesday night’s “effort” against the Buffalo Sabres. And to a man, everyone seemed willing to accept their fair share of the blame for the 4-1 loss, one in which they were outshot 42-18.
But if you’re like me and care little for excuses, then at least you appreciated the words that came out of the Atlanta locker room following the game. Starting with the man behind the bench on down to the players who were on the ice, none were offered up and only words of accountability were expressed.
Thrashers head coach Craig Ramsay was able to get the team's attention after Ondrej Pavelec was carted off the ice on opening night. They rallied for a 4-2 win against the Capitals. But he needs to get them focused and ready this weekend following Wednesday's "unacceptable" effort (AJC Photo/Curtis Compton)
“We turned over pucks in the neutral zone. We gave up odd-man rushes. Our changes were horrendous”, head coach Craig Ramsay said following the lackluster performance. “It’s one of those games you want to throw away, you have to deal with, and it wasn’t fun after the way we played with a high pace against the teams out west. To come home and play at a slow pace was unacceptable”.
“We were just too darn sloppy. They picked us apart”.
Ron Hainsey has seen his share of stink bombs dropped by these Thrashers. And he wasn’t applying any sugar to the coat this one. “[The neutral zone] was a problem, but we were not good in most areas, except for goaltending,” the Thrashers defenseman said.
“It was an issue. We had turnovers in the neutral zone. That was a problem, turnovers in the neutral zone, but we were bad in most areas. It was one of those games where we weren’t that good”.
Hainsey even compared Wednesday B-slapping to on-ice failures of previous seasons, saying it was “sort of a flash back” to flush-worthy games of years gone by. Hmmm, I wonder if he ever wakes up in the middle of the night drenched by a cold sweat after his subconscious painted nocturnal visuals of the 8-1 drubbing by the Capitals last winter.
…shudders…
And don’t look for any whining about the travel to, around and from the west coast last week. “That’s a typical excuse you can use,” goalie Chris Mason said. “The travel in this league, everyone has to do it. There is no reason. Maybe the first couple of shifts, but there is no reason to have a whole game like that”.
That sentiment is very reminiscent of former coach Bob Hartley’s “If they are ‘tired’ from the travel, let them install windshields for a while” comment several years back.
Missing from any post-game comments, however …anything that had to do with “bad bounces”, “bad luck” or “a break, a break there” kind of tripe. They were flat out outplayed, flat out beat and, if nothing else, it’s refreshing to hear those responsible for the debacle man-up and hold themselves accountable for their part in it.
Accountability: (n.) The state of being accountable; liability to be called on to render an account; the obligation to bear the consequences for failure to perform as expected; accountableness – “The Thrashers players have expressed words of ‘accountability’ for their play”.
Now, if you are looking for any silver lining in the cloud that still emanates from the steaming pile of FAIL that the Thrashers dropped on the ice of Philips Arena Wednesday night, it’s that no team has ever been eliminated from the postseason after a loss in the sixth game of the season. As bad as it was…and it was bad…there are still 76 still to be played in season.
Thomas Vanek, Drew Stafford and the rest of the Buffalo Sabres had themselves a brutally good time in Thrasherville Wednesday night. They won 4-1 and outshot Atlanta 11-2 in the first period (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The first of those will occur tonight when the 4-1-1 Tampa Bay Lightning make their first of three trips to Thrasherville. The Bolts arrive in Thrasherville following last night’s video review-delayed overtime loss to the Islanders.
This next game, and the one that follows, will show just as much about who and what this team is than the events of two nights ago…if not more. While they won’t push them on the brink of playoff elimination if lost, the way the conduct themselves will show a lot about what kind of pride these Thrashers take in themselves and their team.
It”ll be a defining moment, if you will, in this still-young season.
If the coaches and players were truly embarrassed at the way the they were beaten…and they should be…then the way the come out versus these division rivals will say a lot about how they worked, how they practiced and how the committed themselves to insure the past does not repeat itself. This is even made all the more so given they were beaten in Tampa Bay 5-3 on the opening weekend of the season.
As we’ve taught our children…it’s one thing to simply acknowledge accountability and express remorse for being responsible for what took place. It’s another to hold one’s self accountable and responsible to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
By some accounts I have heard from people close to the organization, during a team meeting yesterday that it was made very clear by Ramsay and Co. that no player was exempt from being held accountable and responsible for their actions. No player…from the highest paid to the lowest…was above having to answer to their teammates and coaches for “unacceptable” play and no job was “safe”.
To that measure, Nigel Dawes, found himself riding the waver wire by the end of the day. If he clears waivers at noon today he’ll find himself playing in the AHL along with Boris Valabik, who himself was thrown to the Wolves last week. Dawes had no points and was a –6 in six games played. His game-winning shootout goal in Anaheim Friday was one of his few highlights.
But I would not at all be surprised if others find themselves on the “outs” if either game this weekend come close to fouling the air as badly as the last one did.
Responsibility: (n.) 1. The state, quality, or fact of being responsible. 2.Something for which one is responsible; a duty, obligation, or burden. – “Coach Ramsay will make it clear that the ‘responibility’ rests with every man on the team when it comes to their on-ice performance”.
Who could find themselves in danger of being tossed into Ramsay’s doghouse? Well, dare I suggest one Mr. Bryan Little? He has three assists and is a +2, but after six games has yet to crinkle the twine. This alone wouldn’t be all that troubling if not for the fact he is coming off a disappointing 13 goal just a season ago.
I mean, not to sound cynical, but just how long is Little going to be able to merit the “but he scored 31 for us in 2008-09” defense before his lack of scoring over the past season-plus starts to become a serious concern? The twelfth overall pick in ’06 needs illuminate the lamp.
Nigel Dawes scored the shootout winner against the Anaheim Ducks last Friday night. However, he had no points, was a -6 and was placed on waivers Thursday (AP Photo/Lori Shepler)
Rich Peverley, the waver-wire steal of two seasons ago, has scored just as many goals this season as Little has…or you or I have, for that matter. Pevs has but 2 assists and is a –2.
Both are leading candidates to find their images on my Todd White Honorary Milk Carton this fall.
Then there’s Freddy Modin, who has been barely visible on the ice with one goal and a –4 in 5 games played. I honestly expected a little more from the veteran.
Are the above-mentioned three, or any other player… including Nigel Dawes… solely responsible for the beat-down at the hands of Buffalo or the atrociously high amount of shots taken on our goal? Nope. But these are top-line performers who are looked upon this season to perform as such.
Excuses need not apply here.
And while I don’t see Little or Peverley being sent packing, I don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility that their ice time could be reduced in favor of those who are getting the job done.
Simply put, coach Ramsay doesn’t strike me as the type who places “player potential” or “past performances” higher in value than “on-ice effort” and “scoreboard results”.
Accountability and responsibility: Two virtues the players had better hold themselves to this weekend. If not, the Thrashers now have a coach who will indeed do just that… hold them accountable and responsible for their actions.
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249 comments Add your comment
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
12:04 pm
Tough weekend when you consider the Thrashers record against the two upcoming opponents is 1-12 since last October. But, on a better note, Ramsay is 1-1 this year and 8-8-2 during the past three seasons against those teams (while with Boston).
World Be Free
October 22nd, 2010
12:09 pm
J-F/I see your situation; I like the idea of keeping it as simple as possible. Get people in the stands. You going to a game soon?
Red Light-if that’s what it takes to get the barn full at this pijnt, then I am all in favor of it. The first game after Koval-jerk was traded last season was the best one we have had in years. The place was almost full and the crowd was loud.
Derrick
October 22nd, 2010
12:18 pm
Is there any forward in Chicago producing points that we could promote?
Spencer Machacek is tied for the team lead with 4 points in 5 games (1 goal and 3 assists) and is a +3 which is also the best on the team.
For anyone wondering how Freddy P is doing so far, he has 1 point (an assist) in 5 games and is a -2.
So if anyone deserves to be brought up from Chicago based on how they’re playing, it looks like it should be Machacek.
World Be Free
October 22nd, 2010
12:22 pm
Jason Spezza-the rumors are fine but remember, the Senators are going to want young, cheap and talented players in return. They won’t want draft picks cuz they have alotta pressure to win now, just like alotta teams. So who are the 2 teams I think will be in the mix for Spezza?
Edmonton-they cannot attract tier 1 UFAs to the frozen north, so they need to capture a player who is obligated for a few years to go there. The Oilers have been trying to dump Cogliano for some reason, he would definitely be part of the deal.
Los Angeles-they have kids and cap space. Braydon Schenn would be the centerpiece of the deal. The rumors of L.A. being in line for Kovy last February mean they want to make a big splash. They need a #1 centerman.
No way he goes to the Rangers, not with his contract.
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
12:36 pm
We all want the building full and I honestly don’t care how they do it. I realize that this team has to compete for discretionary dollars, but so do a lot of others. A friend of mine went to the Pens-Preds game last night in Nashville and said it was a playoff atmosphere. They had 17,113 in the building on a Thursday in October. They like football up there too so that’s not an excuse. Sure, the Pens are a draw anywhere they go and they draw well here too, but Nashville offered $3.50 draft beer up until the second period of the game and I guess that helped get the juices flowing.
I’d like to see ASG open the building free for the preseason games, and offer two sets of pricing during the regular season, which I have mentioned many times before. There is one set price for weekday games (non-premium) and one for weekend games (premium) and games that historically draw well (Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, etc.). It’s just like selling an airline seat…it’s cheaper until demand increases. They could even do it for one price until they sell 13,000 tickets and increase the cost marginally once they reach that level (if ever).
Lastly, if they know that they have sold only 5,000 tickets for a game, then walk-up tickets should be offered on a first-come, best available basis. If someone is willing to pay, then give them an upgrade, and fill the lower bowl and the club seats. There were a lot of fans in the 200 level on Wed., but not as many in the lower bowl in terms of percentage of overall capacity. Bring them down low, let them watch the speed of the game and get ‘em hooked.
The CNN deck had a $15 parking sign up on Wednesday. Talk about glue sniffing!
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
12:43 pm
Dawes cleared and is going to the Wolves.
Sage of Bluesland
October 22nd, 2010
12:53 pm
Accountability?
That goes down the toilet when I still see Don Waddell associated with this pitiful excuse for an NHL franchise.
Wait, maybe they’re a perfect fit for each other?
Atlanta Thrashers: The only franchise (I use that term loosely, too) where an individual’s decade-of-incompetence actually gets them a PROMOTION.
This organization is such a joke, it’s really not funny anymore. Everything–from the owners to the ads on the radio are a joke. Everything.
Didn’t one of the owners of this pathetic franchise actually bleat about having a goal of lifting a World Championship banner a couple of years ago? Wow. Just wow.
How gullible are some of you?
BlueSpark
October 22nd, 2010
1:08 pm
Pass on Spezza. Isn’t he always criticized for not looking motivated?
Since there’s no logic the lines currently, why not try to match playmakers with shooters? Guys like Peverly and Burmistrov look like playmakers to me. Kane and Bergfors are shooters. I’m not sure how I’d classify Ladd and Little, or Antropov. The rest of the forwards are checkers/grinders. Get top two lines actually shooting (if not scoring).
Kane-Peverley-Antropov
Ladd-Little-Stewart
Bergfors-Burmistrov-Thorburn
Eager-Slater-Boulton
Modin at the Golden Corral.
I think the Byfuglien criticism is a bit harsh. He’s looked adequate on defense, and good on the rush.
BlueSpark
October 22nd, 2010
1:11 pm
@Sage: “Atlanta Thrashers: The only franchise (I use that term loosely, too) where an individual’s decade-of-incompetence actually gets them a PROMOTION.”
That’s just BS. This is a common business tactic: you “promote” a guy up to where he can’t do any real damage to your day-to-day operations. I swear I see it all the time.
Poop Head
October 22nd, 2010
1:14 pm
How are you doing you SOB? I see you are spewing the same ole crap, thanks to your effort, and your effort alone, the Thrashers are moving the team to Winneeee-peg.
World Be Free
October 22nd, 2010
1:17 pm
Blue Spark-pay no attention to the d-bag behind the curtain, or in his basement.
Red Light-Nashville has been a solid franchise for a long time, great scouting and farm system. I am sure the fans in Nashville see where the team is goinmg, helps coming off a good playoff season too. I like what they are doing; still say the best UFA signing for the dollar over the summer was Matthew Lombardi, over the long haul.
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
1:29 pm
Yup, and Lombardi hasn’t played much due to a concussion (I think) and they still have earned at least a point in 6 straight to open the season. That’s a team that competes!
Brendan
October 22nd, 2010
1:36 pm
I don’t know what Spezza’s contract stipulations are, I just assumed he had a ‘no trade clause.’ And if that assertion is correct, Spezza would be able to essentially pick or nix the trading partner. If accurate, (if being the operative word,) then it makes little sense for Spezza to leave one team in trouble bound for another club that is below the floor of the cap, whose entire history contains one playoff berth and has yet to win a playoff game. If Spezza accepts a trade, I’d wager that it would be to a contending team, or one expected to contend, for the Cup this year. My guess … is that it would be a Western Conference team. Wouldn’t the Canucks love him! Or the San Jose Sharks! It’d be funny if the Sharks sent Heatley back to Ottawa, for Spezza. I’d laugh … and laugh … and laugh. But Heatley has a ‘no trade clause,’ too. So, he’d have to approve that deal. Which he wouldn’t. I’d be happy if a team like Phoenix could land Spezza. I wonder what the Yotes would have to give up? Ottawa would probably want Yandle. See, … see what happens? A rumor gets started, then all kinds of wide-raning trade speculation starts, including by me. I laugh at my own post, today.
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
1:39 pm
Boston is at it again in the goals against department this year, allowing just eight goals in five games. Keep in mind, they gave up five to Phoenix in the Prague opener and allowed only 2 goals to Washington in 120 minutes. That’s stronger than homemade rope!
R. Stroztradamus
October 22nd, 2010
1:39 pm
Dwayne – I’ll have to get back with you on that.
BTW, waive Modin, he isn’t this year’s Afinogenov. Modin is this year’s Ken Klee.
World Be Free
October 22nd, 2010
1:50 pm
Red Light-Broones have 2 number one goaltenders, they will be a force as long as they can keep that type of competition in the nets. Lombardi will get going too.
Brendan, Spezza makes alotta money which makes him tough to trade to a current contender. That’s another reason why L.A. makes sense, if they are willing to part with kids.
Brendan
October 22nd, 2010
2:07 pm
Blue Spark, “pass on Spezza?” The guy averages a point or better in the playoffs. We can’t say that about too many players. He’s over a point a game during the regular season, too. He’s a “pricey” player, but … I think … you get what you pay for in Spezza. To me, the issue would be … if Spezza were willing to come here. And if the answer were “yes,” … WELCOME ABOARD, Jason Spezza! Take a first class seat in Blueland. Let’s let Beyonce “Upgradeya!”
Here’s a link to his stats: http://www.nhlpa.com/Players/11685/Jason-Spezza. He’s entitled to $8 million in cash this season, but he’s a cap hit of $7.0 million, under contract until 2015. The trouble with landing him is … these owners won’t fill the other glaring needs on the team in a committed fashion, moving forward. Instead, they’d sit there, waiting for Spezza to win the Cup, all by himself, stating that “they’d done THEIR job by bringing him here.” D’oh! Then the financial gurus will swoop in to advise us all that if a team operates on the cheap, they cannot afford this amount of money on any one (1) player. Then they’ll cite “Kovalchuk,” as the posterchild. Then Waddell will swoop in to say, “Guess we’re gonna have to give up Kane or Bogosian to afford him.” Etc., Etc., Etc. I doubt we’ll make anything but minor trades with Ottawa. Though, historically, the Senators have gotten the better of us.
Changing the subject, wonder if Dany Heatley would accept a trade to Tampa, to play with Lecavalier, Stamkos, Hedman, and St. Louis? Might be worth it, even if it does mean having to come to Phillips more often.
kracker
October 22nd, 2010
2:07 pm
Based on a typo seen above, I have a timely new word: tonight’s game is a litmustwin test [groan]
Smoothie
October 22nd, 2010
2:12 pm
“litmustwin” test — nice job kracker, well played sir.
Brendan
October 22nd, 2010
2:13 pm
Red Light, thanks for your update on Matt Taormina. Interesting player. I like him. Red Light, Tim Thomas is in top form, to start this season. Right about now, Tuuka Rask has to win-back his # 1 goalie status. Boston landing Tyler Seguin will be a significant thing for them, moving forward. What a goal he scored, for his 1st ever. Only maybe, Edmonton’s Jordan Eberle’s … was better. I’m about ready to concede defeat to you on the Bruins, not the Sabres, winning the Northeast Division this year. I still have no faith in Montreal, despite their good start.
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
2:35 pm
Spezza does have a no-trade clause and his cap hit would be $6.6 million over the next five seasons. The Kings are one of the few contenders that could fit his salary under the cap without dumping another key player’s salary as World Be Free noted. Every time a player’s name comes up in trade rumors, I wonder how many say, “I hope Atlanta makes an offer.”
Just completed a little research about the teams that draw the most fans away from home. Surprising to me is that the Bruins have made the Top-4 list in each of the five seasons since the lockout. The Red Wings led the way every year from 2000-01 to 2003-04 and only missed the Top-4 in one season (2006-07). The Penguins, Rangers, Bruins and Red Wings each have been on the list the past four seasons. The Sabres made it in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
Now, the highest a Southeast team ever got in terms of overall attendance was the Capitals in 2006-07, when they were fifth overall.
Here is how the Thrashers have ranked since the 2000-01 season.
Overall Attendance (both Home/Away)
2009-10 28th
2008-09 29th
2007-08 25th
2006-07 20th
2005-06 24th
2003-04 24th
2002-03 29th
2001-02 29th
2000-01 26th
kracker
October 22nd, 2010
2:42 pm
Thank you, Smoothie
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
2:42 pm
Surprisingly, the Thrashers were 8th overall in road attendance last season.
Flames
October 22nd, 2010
2:43 pm
Lola-I’m with you on this one….Plays Boults and let’s feed off his tempo….You know the team is going to be physical tonight. I hope Boults hits Stamkos right in his mouth. Zach Bogosian will not return until sometime next week. He will not play this weekend. They are making sure his left shoulder is 100% before he returns.
Joe Friday- I’m with you on the $15.00 seats…
R. Stroz
October 22nd, 2010
2:43 pm
Red Light – Those attendance numbers speak volumes to the quality of Thrashers management.
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
2:54 pm
R. Stroz: In 2000-01, the average attendance gap between home and road games was only -334. Last season it climbed to an all-time low of -3,601.
Can something climb to an all-time low? I dunno, I’m so confused.
Mikey
October 22nd, 2010
2:54 pm
“Surprisingly, the Thrashers were 8th overall in road attendance last season”
Red Light, That’s because fans of the other teams knew they had a good chance of winning that night. So the casual fans bought tickets to the games the Thrashers were in town.
R. Stroztradamus' stat guy
October 22nd, 2010
3:02 pm
At an average of $40 per ticket, if the Thrashers narrowed last year’s gap from average home and away attendance by 50 percent (1,800), they would add $2.952 million in revenue, or enough to sign another three journeymen free agents.
Nate
October 22nd, 2010
3:02 pm
I’m not holding my breath in regards to tonight’s effort. But if the effort is lackluster again tonight that would tell me the players have already tuned the coach out. Which in the words of Mr. Tiller would be “very, very un-good” to say the least.
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
3:03 pm
Mikey
Smoothie
October 22nd, 2010
3:06 pm
REGARDEZ-VOUS!
Grand Kamalian tweets that Monsieur Gagne will not play tonite!
kracker
October 22nd, 2010
3:14 pm
Red Light, the Penguins, Rangers, Bruins, Red Wings and also the Sabres all generally fall in the category of rust belt or northeast cities. I’m thinking migration is a big factor in those teams drawing well in the sun belt cities. The Pens and Wings have been Cup contenders in recent years as well and the NYC area is just hugely populated.
Cornbread
October 22nd, 2010
3:28 pm
Bergfors is being held accountable.
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
3:33 pm
kracker: The attendance figures were not just associated with the Sun Belt cities, but all NHL cities. And, I am well aware of who the contenders, population figures, etc.
I guarantee you that the effort will be much better than Wednesday and that they have not tuned out Ramsay. Now, that’s not to say they are going to win, but usually once you see the worst in a team, you’ll get a great effort the following game.
Want evidence?
Although it’s early in the season, teams that lost by three goals or more in its prior start are 12-4-3 overall, with five of the seven losses decided by one goal. Only Anaheim threw in three clunkers in a row (loss by 4, 3 and 4 in its 1st 3 games of the season).
Hockey Biltong
October 22nd, 2010
3:35 pm
Merci, mon ami!!!
Mr. Heat Miser
October 22nd, 2010
3:52 pm
Oompa Loompa Doopity Do……………
A Random Stupid Redneck and/or Nascar fan
October 22nd, 2010
3:54 pm
Move this dang team – ain’t naw place fer hockey in deez here parts *spits tobacco*
Redstater
October 22nd, 2010
4:01 pm
Uhhhh. . . . when did Atlanta get a hockey team ? It doesn’t seem right, thought they upped and moved a long time ago.
Dead Horse
October 22nd, 2010
4:12 pm
you can stop beating me now…..k’thanks
Lee
October 22nd, 2010
4:33 pm
Looking forward to these next two games. Should be good ones. Hopefully our turnout will be better than the game against Buffalo. Mason needs to play strong, our defense needs to play hard, and our offense needs to go out there and score some goals. Go thrashers!
Also, the line changes look a little different according to C-Viv.
Flagstaff
October 22nd, 2010
5:37 pm
WBF– I agree with you. I was just joking when I said that he would want to come back here. Not only did he abandon this franchise after all it did to save his ass in court, he wanted out of his contract with the Senators because they weren’t winning. “Last place” behavior? Definitely.
Brendan
October 22nd, 2010
5:43 pm
When I was a kid … I wanted to go to the games where I thought my team would win. When it was a minor league that I supported, I’d just go to as many as I could. With that in mind, I do suppose that fathers wanting to take their sons to hockey games would prefer those games where the ice was ‘decidedly tilted’ towards the home team.
A couple of the ‘nay sayer, doom-n-gloomers’ just point out to me … that some folks, in away rinks, just wanted to see the Thrashers before they went out of the league or got relocated. That’s not very nice, ya know! But, more to the point then, if it’s true that we want to see away teams for their uniforms, logos, or for the ticket stub, then with teams changing uniforms and creating new ones all the time, this sentiment wouldn’t really apply. Say some fan in another city wanted to see the Thrashers play wearing their “ultimate warrior/batman” uniforms, like they did in the first few seasons of the league. They CAN’T now. Those uni’s were retired. So, if that’s the reason a fan wanted to see the Thrashers when they rolled into their town, that one’s already off the table, barring some “turn back the clock” night.
lola
October 22nd, 2010
7:52 pm
Not sure what was said on blog all day, but I feel bad for not getting a $10 tcket and being there to cheer on my FAVE team and #36 and all the others — because I am a fan!… win or lose! Thank you Sports South!!!!!
LAC
October 22nd, 2010
7:58 pm
Why is slater still on this team ? He needs to be RELEASED right after this game, he has stunk for years and they keep bringing him back and we get the same BAD play from him year after year.
But then again this IS the Thrashers, with THE Worst management in professional sports.
What do we have tonight 7,500 ??? No city can keep an NHL team with this type attendence, and the really BAD product on the ice. These Idiot owners run the Thrashers like another Idiot owner, david glass, of Walmart fame, runs the Kansas City royals, wanting a Championship team at discount Walmart prices, and it don’t work thay way.
The team needs to make drastic changes a.s.a.p. orI really think this will be the final year of NHL hockey in Atlanta, Thanks Atlanta STUPID Group, you and waddell have done everything possible to ruin NHL hockey in this town for a second time… You guys are crooked as hell and we pay for your being STUPID !
litz
October 22nd, 2010
8:12 pm
5 on 3 powerplay, and you can HEAR people in the crowd shouting “SHOOT THE PUCK!”
Mr.Accountability
October 22nd, 2010
8:38 pm
I guess playing on the road in front of big crowds is more inspiring than playing in an empty building for owners who do not care and have assembled, what I now feel is the worst team in the NHL.
Simply put these players have quit and want out of Atlanta so they can play for a winner, something Atlanta will never be under the management we have. Sorry folks, I have watched all of 5 minutes of the last two games and the first was a stinker and what will this be ? 10-0 ? We have zero scoring and zero defense and zero desire and 100% quit, Hockey in Atlanta is now on a very short leash and I bet the Commissioner himself would not stop the team from moving. This is bad and getting much much worse I am afraid.
litz
October 22nd, 2010
8:41 pm
Mason’s been pulled, Mannino is in for the 2nd
Thrashers27
October 22nd, 2010
9:51 pm
Good call there, LAC…Slater’s the only one scoring a goal in the game…any way you slice it, these guys look awful. I almost can’t bare to watch….to use the old monkey-football coloquialism would be an insult to monkeys everywhere.
Thrashers27
October 22nd, 2010
10:06 pm
Sopel=Mandy Sutton in need of a haircut.
Poor Ol' Family Man
October 22nd, 2010
10:27 pm
Looks like Ramsay & Co can put a few more names up on the board after tonight’s disgusting show, put the blindfold on and then throw “the accountability dart” to see who gets cut next…..They should be giving tickets away for such putrid performances. Oddly enough, I couldn’t seem to turn the channel and watched all 3 periods. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion…..I just couldn’t turn away.