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
DWTOO
October 22nd, 2010
7:54 am
Upon further reflection perhaps we were too harsh with the criticism after the Buffalo debacle. However, all the off season talk from the “organ-I-zation” has been about accountability, teamwork, etc. and then drop a steaming pile on the ice in the second home game made many long time followers roll their eyes and think here we go again. And there was much venting.
My perspective is I don’t expect to win every game – that’s not going to happen – and every team has off nights – but I do expect to see the team at least hustle and play hard. That was sorely lacking the other night. That’s my complaint.
Let’s hope they bounce back with a big game against Tampa Bay.
World Be Free
October 22nd, 2010
7:57 am
Tonight’s game has to be better-Buffalo was horrible before they came into Atlanta so they got their rebound game. Time for us to have one too, TB played last night so they may be tired.
BlueSpark
October 22nd, 2010
7:58 am
You can’t waive everyone. Also, how close are they to the salary FLOOR? Bringing up kids from Chicago would drop even more.
I still think the top 3 lines are all wrong. I just don’t know what the right lines are. Deja vu…
BlueSpark
October 22nd, 2010
7:59 am
Forgot to mention – where is the “hard to play against” team with the strong defense? I saw it in person opening night. Don’t think I’ve seen it since (although I missed the SJ game).
HonkyTonkHero
October 22nd, 2010
8:03 am
Looking forward to a great night of hockey here in Atlanta. I think our boys are ready to forge that new identity and move far away from the craptacular night they had against Buffablow.
In regards to Modin’s performance. I expect more from him, but he has at least gotten some shots on goal in his limited ice time (at least it seems limited to me… haven’t looked at stats). Some of the other guys look afraid to shoot. Re: Peverly….I hate to say it but he looks like his polish has been washed off. He faded quite a bit at the end of last season and looks like the trend is continuing. I hope the dispenser of old can come back and be a force to be reckoned with. Re: Little….he is hustling and shows lots of energy. I’m confident coach Ramsay can work with him and tweak his game. I think he gets off the island very soon.
That said…Go Thrashers!!!
Russian
October 22nd, 2010
8:12 am
We MUST win today. No execuse for today. Tampa played yesturday and travel here. It is a big Plus for Thrasher. If we will loose today that next Friday only Buffalo fans will present on Philips Arena. It is very important game. Get two points.
I am wondering if Bogus will play today.
World Be Free
October 22nd, 2010
8:17 am
Could be worse folks-we could be San Jose mired in 15th place in the West. Makes our win in San Jose a little less special knowing everybody is beating da Sharks right now.
So the question is-has Dany Heatley demanded a trade to a “winner”? Answer-”winners” (like Detroit) have no room for losers.
Flames
October 22nd, 2010
8:27 am
You hit the nail on the head… Accountability! I was upset that we passed the puck to much looking for that perfect shot. Just shoot the puck towards the net and good things will happen. Plus we weren’t very physical on the boards. I want to watch some smash mouth, crush your a$$ in the boards hockey.
Flagstaff
October 22nd, 2010
8:38 am
WBF– imagine, someday, that the Thrashers are regular contenders… and Heatley asking to be traded here! (Yeah, it’ll never happen, I know… but it is fun to think about.)
GaVaHokie
October 22nd, 2010
8:41 am
It’s pretty bad when you’re advertised as a ‘brutal’ team and then you let the Buffalo mini-mites walk all over you. Byfuglien probably has craps bigger than Gerbe and Ennis.
Really hoping to see Boulton in the line-up tonight to ramp up the physical, hard checking play… guys tend to follow suit.
Alan R.
October 22nd, 2010
8:44 am
You said it, Flames! If were going to lose, at least go out with a bang!
That said, I am damn glad accountability and responsibility was addressed yesterday. Hope Dawes can find his game in Chitown, cause he.wasn’t finding it here.
Flames
October 22nd, 2010
8:46 am
Hokie- Boulton is expected to play this weekend..Not sure if it is tonight or Saturday against Washington. I’m hoping that Bogosian is in the line-up this weekend as well.
lola
October 22nd, 2010
8:53 am
GaVAHokie & Flames: It’s about time!!! No one wants to see #36 on the ice more than I do! Sure hope that I am able to be there to cheer and shout! He always gets an A for effort.
World Be Free
October 22nd, 2010
9:01 am
Flagstaff-I am cheering for Heatley to be in last place the rest of his loser life. No bigger dirt bag in hockey, maybe in all of sports.
World Be Free
October 22nd, 2010
9:02 am
A lola sighting! I knew the mention of ‘ol number thirty six would bring her around!
Smoothie
October 22nd, 2010
9:15 am
Good article Bill! Tonite will be a big litmust test indeed. We need a big game from the Little/Ladd line and hopefully the ABC line can continue to exploit Tampa’s weaker lower lines.
WBF – good to see you posting somewhat regularly again. We’ll have to rendez-vous at a game soon to chat things up. You going next FRI to the Slugs game?
Flames – could not have said it better! Hit everything that moves! Including French midgets!!
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
9:19 am
Brendan…
Taormina played at Lou’s former stomping grounds-Providence College- and played a handful of games for the Binghamton Senators after his college season ended. He was then signed by Lowell of the AHL, played 75 games and scored 10 goals and added 40 points. second only to Subban by d-men last season in the AHL. He was rewarded with a two-year entry level deal last Feb. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder from Washington Township, Mich. is said to be a decent skater and obviously a puck mover.
JB
October 22nd, 2010
9:21 am
i know espn’s coverage of hockey is sub-par and that’s being nice, but i thought i would mention this since alot of us including myself are still of the mindset that another offensive weapon would be nice…
their insider rumors site thingy indicates ottawa is shopping spezza; ive often thought his problem was as simple as a change of scenery. also, ryder hears trade chatter in boston. what do y’all think about those possibilities? (If anyone has a subscription to that, please feel free to post the entire blurbs)
Alan R.
October 22nd, 2010
9:33 am
I’m no “insider” subscriber or anything, but if OTT is shopping Spezza, I wouldn’t mind biting on that. We need to do everything we can to win now, and I think adding a guy like Spezza would also help add some scoring punch.
Everyone here acknowledges that we need scoring. Depending on the asking price, it could be worth it, short term and long.
LAC
October 22nd, 2010
9:36 am
This time it is not the coach, it is ownership…CHEAP and players who are here who are, well not too good. The team is bad and 8,820 shows the fans have little faith in improvement… I hope not, but I see two more losses this weekend… Oh Well !
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
9:39 am
Tampa Bay is 8-4-1 in the second of back-to-back games during the past two seasons, including 1-0 this year. The Bolts also have won the last six meetings against the Thrashers and the last two in Atlanta. While Niittymaki resides in San Jose now, Mike Smith is 3-4 vs. the Thrashers since coming over from Dallas in 2007-08 and Dan Ellis is 2-1 all time vs. Atlanta.
And beware of St. Louis!
Career stats vs. Atlanta
Downie 4g 5a +6 in 10 games
Gagne 19g, 11a +11 in 35 games
Lecavalier 27g, 33a -3 in 61 games
St. Louis 21g, 43a +8 in 57 games
Stamkos 9g, 8a +2 in 13 games
Mikey
October 22nd, 2010
9:40 am
“pile of FAIL that the Thrashers dropped on the ice of Philips Arena Wednesday night”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA…..hahaha….HA!
Nice sermon on accountability and responsibility there RH. I bet your boys can tell stories regarding your “dad lectures”. LOL!
Zombie Steve
October 22nd, 2010
9:49 am
Great read, Rawhide!! Tonight’s game will be a pivotal moment in this team’s search for an identity. What kind of character will we see?
Russian
October 22nd, 2010
9:56 am
Why everybody wants to see Bolt on ice???
What does he do???
Did he score goals? – NO
Did he make good pass? – NO
Did he fight good? – I did not see his fight seen last season around February
Who will sit if Bolts will play???? – Eager, Thrombon, Slater, Modin
If you want to see Bolt only for his fight, we are going to loose a game.
We have lot players that they can punch somebody on face. We need a speed, good pass, cover Middle of ice and Defence.
Bolt CANNOT do it. Keep him in press box, he is a good guy, but we have to win a game.
Smoothie
October 22nd, 2010
10:06 am
Russian – Boults can provide a physical element to the game we need right now. Nothing wrong with a bit of intimidation. But I see your point. Can he really be effective playing the 12-14 mins that Burmy and company are getting? And considering how good the “ABC” line was in Tampa, I would be afraid to break them up. However…
…Modin is a bit slow of foot thus far and Tampa possesses good speed. And Antropov has been struggling due to his hip. We can’t afford anymore of the Modin-Antro-(insert RW) experiment against Tampa. They are hardly a shut-down line. And if Bergie really is in the doghouse, and Rammer decideds to bench him again in favor of Boults, then what do you do? How about taking some pressure off Antro and letting him play RW on the Ladd/Little line as those two have the speed and tenacity to make up for Antro’s hip. Put Kaner back with Pevs & Stewie and then Slater can center his old buddy Boults with Modin on the other side for some scoring touch. Each line has sandpaper and grit with hopefully some scoring touch to boot.
Kaner – Pevs – Stewie
Ladd – Little – Antro
Modin – Slates – Boults
Eager – Burma – Thorbs
I say why not? We’ve tried just about everything else save for Pevs centering Kaner and Little.
five_hole
October 22nd, 2010
10:06 am
Is there any forward in Chicago producing points that we could promote? If not, we play the team we have.
The question is, why was Pev such a great producer 2 years ago versus now? I don’t recall an injury slowing him down. Could it be his linemates make him look better?
The question about Spezza is, what would Ottawa want for him? I bet they want more than Valabik.
JB
October 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
fortunately we have more to give than valabik
Smoothie
October 22nd, 2010
10:14 am
Pevs will get it going soon I think. He is close. I thought he played pretty well on Wed, one of the few. He’s bouncing back and forth between the pivot and wing. I wish Rammer would give up the Antro at C thing until at least his hip is better than 90%.
When we first got Pevs, he settled into a line with Slava and Army with whom he had good chemistry (Army and Pevs roomed on the road too). Slava’s smarts and cerebral approach to the game worked really well with Pevs and Rich’s speed made that line work. Last year, Slava faded and Slater emerged. As it turned out, Army was taken from Pevs because he gelled so well with Kaner and Slates. Pevs was the human hockey “pin ball” bouncing from linemate to linemate and he always got stuck with either White, Slava or Max, all of whom were defensive liabilities. They need to keep Pevs and Kane together no matter what and let their chemistry continue to evolve and develop, IMO.
Hockey Biltong
October 22nd, 2010
10:19 am
I, too, would like to hear why we sit on Bergfors. Is he trade bait? How badly did he piss off the coach?
Trade him to Ottawa with Valabik.
Smoothie
October 22nd, 2010
10:23 am
Bergy, Corms and Boris for Spezza and a draft pick?
JB
October 22nd, 2010
10:23 am
Eklund’s post about Spezza possibly being shopped mentions a large number of teams interested in acquiring him. We aren’t mentioned, so that tells me our chances are excellent.
Alan R.
October 22nd, 2010
10:25 am
Bergy, Corms and Boris for Spezza and a draft pick?
Take out Cormier and the draft pick, and I do it in a heartbeat. Dudley will not move Cormier for Spezza, because Dudley is really high on the kid.
Russian
October 22nd, 2010
10:28 am
*to Smoothie*
Ok. I see what you try to say. But Berg is much better than Bolt. He can score.
Also we were phisically enough against Buffalo. We got more hits than they did.
I like to see 3-d line like that:
Modin-Antro-Berg
Russian
October 22nd, 2010
10:30 am
I heard that Rumor also about Spezza, but last time I checked Atlanta was not on the list. I like to get him, but our chanse is Minimum.
World Be Free
October 22nd, 2010
10:38 am
Smoothie-back and rock-in, between businss, vacation and bing under the weather it has been a busy time. We will catch up at the Sabres’ game.
JB-rumors are about thre only thing ESPN can do; kind of like predicting the weather. I wish ESPN would go back to journalism!
Red Light-on cue with your useful information as usual. Let’s hope we have more fans and a better game tonight. Looks like crowds are down in a number of cities this season, so far at least. What was the crowd like opening night.
I think the team should make all the “end zone” seats $15.00/game for the rest of the season, no acceptions. Even some of the higher side seats should go for $15.00 in advance of the game. We need people in the arena.
Mr. Obvious
October 22nd, 2010
10:40 am
ACCOUNTABILITY ?!?!?
Wow.
I don’t think my cheating, dishonest & hypocritical ex-girlfriend would enjoy playing for Coach Rammer.
Smoothie
October 22nd, 2010
10:43 am
Ben Wright is reporting from the morning skate that Burmy is centering Kaner and Thorbs while Eager will go with Pevs and Antro. Interesting. Talk about your brusing physical lines. Oh, and Stewie stays with Ladd and Little. Final line is Modin-Slater-Boults…no confirmation if Bergie is healthy scratch or if Bogey is going tonite.
Joe Friday
October 22nd, 2010
10:46 am
I expect a much better effort tonight, but I’d like to see Bergfors in and Modin out. And I’d like to see them get Buf up front and open up space for Bergfors and Little. That one move, moving Buf up front, opens up three new offensive weapons for us. And get Cormier up here as soon as he is healthy.
Here’s the lines that will make it work with the bodies we have:
Bergfors – Little – Buf
Kane – Peverly- Ladd
Cormier – Antropov – Stewart
Eager – Burmistrov – Thorburn
waive Modin, Slater fills in where needed, get Kulda up here
Joe Friday
October 22nd, 2010
10:49 am
“I think the team should make all the “end zone” seats $15.00/game for the rest of the season, no acceptions. Even some of the higher side seats should go for $15.00 in advance of the game. We need people in the arena.”
I tried to put together one of those pick 6 or 7 packs before the season. Now, I picked Sat. and Friday night games and Hawks and Pens etc., but you know what they quoted me for end zone seats in 119? Over $100 per ticket? I lol’d and said, ok, I’ll pick them up from Tyrone before the game and sit in the clubs for less than 1/2 that . . .
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
10:54 am
World Be Free:
The crowd on opening night was very good, 15,596 announced, except for the fact they gave away a ton of free seats to some season ticket holders. They’re doing the same for the Hawks opener on the 30th.
Get The Puck Out
October 22nd, 2010
11:01 am
I was watching the today show this morning and they had a small college football team on that was unbeaten and instead of names on the back of their jersey they had words like PRIDE, ACCOUNTABILITY, FAMILY, and CHARACTER on the back of their jerseys. I think that’s a great idea and maybe the Thrasher’s would remember just exactly why they are on the ice in the first place. That being said, this team is at the bottom of the cap, so talent is at a minium. But that still is no excuse for not playing without HEART.
george
October 22nd, 2010
11:04 am
Hard to get players motivated when they are playing in front of 8,000 fans. Move this team now!
bill
October 22nd, 2010
11:07 am
Players do have to start shooting the puck more instead of looking for the perfect play. Change the Little line, only line they have kept together and WHY?? I agree put him with Antro. Too early to give up on this team or it’s players yet, people have to relax!
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
11:11 am
Also hard to get some players motivated when they’re making $24,390.24 ($1.2 million divided by 82 games) to $52,878 per game ($4.5 million divided by 82 games) and the check clears regardless of how well they have played. That’s the problem with no bonus structure for games won.
sam
October 22nd, 2010
11:12 am
Bergfors needs to be back in the lineup. Don’t understand this move at all! He is young and the game he was put back in for he looked energized. Put him with Anto and Little. Nobody looked good Wed night except maybe Mason.
sam
October 22nd, 2010
11:14 am
Coach has to be held accountable too. I find myself shaking my head a lot during a game wondering what the h*ll he is thinking.
Red Light
October 22nd, 2010
11:20 am
Kamal tweets that Bergfors is sitting again tonight, as is Bogo.
litz
October 22nd, 2010
11:28 am
This season ticket holder didn’t get any free opening night tickets … had to buy additionals at STH pricing … then the team cut the public price to half that, and was kind enough to refund the difference back into the STH account (note … no actual refund, just back into the ‘pool’ …) … which was nice, as in previous years, the attitude was “well, ya already paid for ‘em …”
Dwayne
October 22nd, 2010
11:40 am
Stroznadumus….Do you see a big points night for the 4rth line???
Hoof Arted
October 22nd, 2010
11:43 am
Little will be OK. But then again I have been saying that for some time now.
Need a big effort tonight against TB. Hopefully that skink-a-roo was a one game deal, done a flushed, and it’s out of their system.
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.
Poor Ol' Family Man
October 22nd, 2010
10:39 pm
9,138 @ the Bulb tonight? Funny….Crowd didn’t look that large on TV.
Horrible on-ice product + ludicrously priced tickets = well, if you need the answer explained to you, then you probably work in the Ticket Sales/Promotions Dept at the ASG.
I’m just sayin’……
Sage of Bluesland
October 22nd, 2010
10:42 pm
What a joke this organization is! Welcome to expansion days all over again.
Brendan talks that this is year 4 of the latest “Five Year Plan”….I think it’s closer to year 1.
Why the sheep continue to subsidize THIS, I’ll never understand. It’s actually offensive and an insult to my intelligence. Stop, ASG employees…Please stop with the propagandistic tripe. Leave that garbage to clowns like Smoothie and the guy who makes his hair a ‘flame’ or other idiotic “look”.
(just when I need a Sara-spreadsheet to feel better…where is it when you need one?…what an absolute JOKE!)
Just Curious
October 22nd, 2010
10:49 pm
OK Sage, how many of the 3 home games have you attended this year? (and this includes those you attended as “Joe Friday” or any of your other aliases.) Tell the truth, Sage!
R. Stroz
October 22nd, 2010
10:52 pm
Earlier I said that Freddy Modin was this year’s Ken Klee. I was wrong.
Modin is this year’s Todd White.
Sage of Bluesland
October 22nd, 2010
11:08 pm
Attended?! I haven’t attended a game in YEARS–and I’m proud of it. I refuse to ‘directly’ put money into this ownership’s pocket…the very thought of giving some of my hard-earned money to that fraud Don Waddell is hateful to me.
Is that all you’ve got? I remember when Joe Friday was Bob–and even when he still DEFENDED Don Waddell…Yes, he thought I was wrong and that we were ‘headed in the right direction’…I’m sure he laughed at me, too. He didn’t approve of me crowing about being right all along when he FINALLY came to his senses and belatedly concluded what I knew and preached all along…
But who remembers all that?
You need some game, son. Get with Sara on that spweadsheet–and let me know if you still think Don Waddell is doing a good job, all things being equal…
STOP SUBSIDIZING THIS INCOMPETENCE. YOU WANT CHANGE? DEMAND IT THROUGH YOUR WALLET. Everything else is just a waste.
I thought this team was supposed to be more solid defensively than we’ve ever been? What a joke. What a sad, pitiful, and pathetic joke.
stendek
October 22nd, 2010
11:19 pm
In wonderful mood. No World Series repeat for damn Yankees! Thanks Texas. Ohio Bearkittens lose at home! Thanks South Florida. As for blue uniformed Turkeys? Thanks for nothing. These bums should all be flipping burgers for minimum wage! Another no show heartless debacle at Philips Arena. Turned away after second goal. Knew q
stendek
October 22nd, 2010
11:29 pm
Trying again. Sorry folks.
In wonderful mood. No World Series repeat for damn Yankees! Thanks Texas. Ohio Bearkittens lose at home! Thanks South Florida. As for blue uniformed Turkeys? Thanks for nothing. All these bums should all be flipping burgers for minimum wage! No professional hockey players on this roster. Another no show heartless debacle at Philips Arena. Turned away after second goal. Knew quitters had mailed another one in again. Never inclined to switch back. Glad I did not! First the positives…NONE! Now negatives…offense, defense, coaching, goaltending and basically everything else. Thought marshmallow goals would be at minimum with banishment of Sori Letemin. Did not take into account Marshmallow Mason. What a sieve! Fans should boycott all remaining home games. Studio hockey (empty home arena) is what these heartless scumballs deserve! No excuses necessary. There are no excuses for this shet! STENDEK
stendek
October 22nd, 2010
11:41 pm
Accountability? Uh. NO! Pride? Fire? Desire? Heart? Uh. NO! To that idiot announcer that says YOUR Thrashers are behind by (pick any number) of goals. How about shutting the Hell up? These uncaring losers may be YOUR Thrashers but they damn sure are NOT mine! My Thrashers at least make it appear that they are trying during a game! Not these a$$hole quitters! So spare me. STENDEK
B. Thenet
October 22nd, 2010
11:42 pm
There is no excuse for the lack of effort shown in the 1st period of the last two games.
None.
There have to be players in Chicago(AHL) that are at least willing to put forth the effort for 60 minutes. Call them up.
Hockey Biltong
October 22nd, 2010
11:43 pm
It was craptacular, to say the least….
stendek
October 22nd, 2010
11:44 pm
Any players would be an upgrade from these no talents! STENDEK
R. Stroz
October 22nd, 2010
11:44 pm
Oduya is making Boris look good.
R. Stroz
October 22nd, 2010
11:45 pm
Actually, Charmin is better than Modin.
stendek
October 22nd, 2010
11:51 pm
Glad Turkeys firmed up after that embarrassing unacceptable loss to Sabres! With even more undigestable debacle against Tampa Bay. A DIVISION RIVAL NO LESS! Wow. Wonder if another meeting with coach will lead to 10-0 foldup at Philips Arena next? Just saying. STENDEK
stendek
October 22nd, 2010
11:52 pm
Can we trade entire team and coaching staff? Set a new precedent! STENDEK
Just Curious
October 22nd, 2010
11:54 pm
Sage, do you watch the Thrashers on FSS?
stendek
October 22nd, 2010
11:57 pm
Losses are unavoidable! Bearable only (only stressed here) when players give their all. These bums are not giving their all. It was plain to see that entire squad gave up after second goal! Guess what guys? So did I! Thanks. Got to watch uplifting Yankee baseball defeat and South Florida football victory. Appreciate you making decision for me! This type of who givews a damn play is killing hockey base in this state! Happy? STENDEK
stendek
October 23rd, 2010
12:00 am
Idiot clueless jerks who do not know squat about hockey can lay off Sage! One of few voices of reason. No reason to sprinkle shet over sugar! It still smells the same. Terrible hockey is terrible hockey! Sub .500 after two home choke jobs? Hmm. STENDEK
Poor Ol' Family Man
October 23rd, 2010
12:12 am
I really feel sorry for the STH & “Flex Plan” Buyers who were suckered in with this sham. I know it’s a “new” team and all and I’m not willing to throw in the towel just yet after only 7 games…..But these past two games look, uh, “unacceptable”. What kind of team (and players) QUIT on their coaches, fans and themselves after only 5 games into a season? I’ve seen quite a bit of sports teams in my years, but I have trouble recalling one that just flat gave up and started phoning in performances following the first 5 games of a new season! There needs to be a player who stands up in the locker room and becomes a leader here or the season really will be lost quickly.
Big Buff gets my vote. He just kept on and on and on tonight until he finally got the payoff. That’s the kind of effort every player on this team needs for every game! Besides, who’s gonna stand up in his face and say, “I don’t care what you say, I’m doing whatever I want to do. You wanna do something about it?”
That’s my 2 cents and I’m out. Oh yeah…..ASG: The freakin’ single ticket prices are WAY TOO HIGH!!! But I already covered that, right?
stendek
October 23rd, 2010
12:14 am
From the mouths of morons:
“We want to use [(Marshmallow) Mason on Saturday against Washington] (use him for what coach?),” coach Craig Ramsay (Petrino) said (with wink and wry smile). “You might as well let the kid(der) play (a loss is a loss is a loss). You tell the team it’s not the goalies’ fault (even though most NHL can save better than half the shots taken at them) . They are not supposed to give up (give up is team motto) so many chances (shots?). You put teams on the power play that often they are going to score (cause penalty killing could not stop sightless skaters), especially a team that talented.”
Mason, who had played all but the first 2:25 of the season in goal, said he was not tired (because he has not worked this season). He also pointed (in finest excuse fashion) to the Thrashers’ penalty woes (wah baldie). The Lightning converted two of the six chances (sieve).
“For whatever reason we are not as composed to start games as we need to be (excuse number what?),” Mason said. “It’s tough getting into penalty trouble (not getting into it but out of it), and you are expecting the penalty kill [unit] to get the job done a little too often (insert laughter here). It’s costing us (ya think?).”
Sigh. STENDEK
stendek
October 23rd, 2010
12:16 am
Pavs flat on back better than upright Marshmallow Mason. Not THAT is sad! STENDEK
stendek
October 23rd, 2010
12:25 am
Defend home ice! Turkeys have three home goals (1.5 average) in last three nights. Opponents have put nine past Marshmallow Mason and others (4.5 average). NHL mark for most goals in single season within reach. Keep up great work guys! Be remembered for something. Look fab in NHL record book. GO FOR IT! STENDEK
Derrick
October 23rd, 2010
1:02 am
I don’t think you can get many positives out of tonight’s game but if there’s one, it’s gotta be Dustin Byfuglien. I’ve heard all about him being lazy and not caring and all that kinda stuff but he showed up ready to play tonight and didn’t quit which is more than I can say for most of his teammates. He had 2 points, lots of shots, several big hits, and he was in the middle of a few scraps and was ready to drop the gloves if anyone would go with him. I have a newfound respect for him after tonight’s game and if he keeps playing like this then I say make him the captain and see what happens.
stendek
October 23rd, 2010
1:30 am
Accountability and responsibility should never be mentioned along with alleged Atlanta NHL team. Thank you Bill. STENDEK Any former Atlanta Flames out there? SUIT UP!
stendek
October 23rd, 2010
1:39 am
See now why Kari Lehtonen was expendable Bill. Jerk was excellent in shootouts. Only positive as far as I am concerned. This uncaring bunch not capable of winning in regulation. Will probably TREAT fans to overtime defeats on rare occasions. Do not see many shootout serbacks. Marshmallow Mason seems to be another clueless netminder. Scoring? A goal per game suits these quitters! STENDEK
Brendan
October 23rd, 2010
2:27 am
I don’t ’sugarcoat’ things. That’s not my thing. I’m more of a … “It is what it is” type. So, the good news is … there’s another game, tonight, vs. Washington. The Caps will be looking for revenge from their earlier loss to the Thrashers, on “Opening Night.”
We can talk about some “bright spots” so far this season. Our points leader is Andrew Ladd, at 7-pts, +2, 17:48 in ice time, with 2G, 5A. He’s got something of a point-streak going. When I look to Thrashers expected to lead, or at least put up the types of numbers they had last year, I’m looking at Peverley and Antropov. Yesterday, Peverley was “even,” at 15:18, with ZERO SHOTS. But for the season, he’s at 2-pts and a -2, with no goals. Peverley cannot be a “milk carton” player for Atlanta. Nik Antropov played 14:27, was “even,” with 1 shot, yesterday. He’s not on our leaderboard for anything. Antropov has to be better. I know, he’s injured; give him a break. http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20112ATLAASAll&sort=plusMinus&viewName=summary
Freddy Modin, of “Modin Watch ‘10-11,” has one (1) goal, no assists, for six games played. The “over/under” is 14/56. Modin is a -5, with 12:000 TOI.
More “bright spots,” versus Tampa Bay, Byfuglien had 7 shots (!!), including a PPG. E. Kane had 5 shots. With 3 shots, were Anthony Stewart and Ron Hainsey. Eric Boulton played 7:08. I believe he was “even.”
At -2 were: Burmistrov, Bryan Little, and J. Oduya.
At +1, the only plus player, was Jim Slater, who also scored a goal. It’s good to see Slater pocket a goal before Christmas. Hopefully, he’ll shed the “Second Half Slater” moniker.
Want more “bright spots,” Mannino stopped 15 of 16 shots, playing 38:26. That’s encouraging. Mason stopped 13 of 16, for 19:54.
Here’s how the D broke down:
Enstrom: 28:20, “even”
Byfuglien: 24:29, “even,” 1G, 1A, 7 shots!!
Oduya: 19:10, -2
Hainsey: 19:43, -1
F. Meyer: 14:43, -1
B. Sopel: 13:46, “even”
If the Thrashers get blown out in DC tonight … it’s time for a “closed door meeting.” It’s one thing to lose. It’s another not to be competitive. I’ll toss this out there one more time. If you subscribe to the theory that “you get what you pay for,” then this team has PAID FOR a 29th place finish. Why ’sugarcoat’ that? Go to capgeek.com and look at the Thrashers payroll. So, with six-points in seven (6/7) games, the Thrashers are WAYYY ahead of where such a salaried team should be. I had them with 4-5 points, through seven games, in my preseason thinking. So, a record of 3-4-0 isn’t so bad. But let’s make no mistake, these have been two stinker games at home. If you attended these past two clunkers, kiss your spouse or significant other … and thank them for putting up with you … on the drive home. This isn’t how you win back fans. But yes, it is ’still early.’ I’ve always said, “let’s evaluate at Thanksgiving.”
LAC
October 23rd, 2010
2:57 am
I remember your nasty comment to me thrasher27 after my accident, you Sir are a worthless COWARD !
World Be Free
October 23rd, 2010
6:41 am
Stroz, you are right on acout Oduya. Johnny’s giveaways lead to 2 goals the difference in the game. Little had a horrible 1st half last night, rebounded in the 2nd half. He missed an open net that would have made it 3-2 after Jimmy scored. Jimmy-I take all the bad things back that I said about you. Hustle and hit, give the guy more ice time. Burmistrov hustled every minute he was on the ice. My vote to keep him is well-deserved.
This is a North American team that does not hit. The team woke up early in the 3rd period after the coward Downie went after Burmistov. HIT SOMEBODY! Knock them on their ass so they don’t want to stand in from of your goalie.
Finally, I want to start a petition to get rid of the post-lockout rules so these bozo officials stop calling every little friggin’ incident. Let’s to back to the time when men were allowed to play men’s ice hockey. This is a confrontational sport, in which the participants are not allowed to confront. Mike Myers once described hockey as “soccer with an attitide”. These rules have taken the attitude away. I long for the days of Wally Harris.
World Be Free
October 23rd, 2010
6:42 am
One more thing-the team needs a captain. I change my vote from Pevs to Jimmy for captain.
EA
October 23rd, 2010
7:22 am
I am so glad sanity appears to have returned this a.m. Last night’s game was not good, but it was not like the game against Buffalo, We need to give credit to a much improved Tampa team. Stamkos tied for most goals in the NHL last year. He is well on his way to repeating that this year. The attendance is such a tough issue. Dan Kamal commented that playing in front of such a small crowd probably doesn’t help with motivation. He was very careful to say he did not want to knock the fans. but it could be a reason the Thrashers play better on the road. Yet, we all know just how patient the fans have been waiting for consistent winning. It is still early. Let’s hope the Thrashers that played the first 5 games shows up again tonight. Buff is the best! .
BG33Brown
October 23rd, 2010
8:22 am
Did anyone else hear BUFF undress the team on the PP no more than 1:30 into the 2nd period last night? I was in the upper part of 109 and I heard it clearly. (of course you could hear a pin drop in there last night)
Anyway, that is what we need. And I too have to give mad props to Buff. I was quiet unsure about not only picking him up but also him playing D.
JOB WELL DONE BUFF. We appreciate you.
glovesave29
October 23rd, 2010
9:01 am
We spent last night at the Gwinnett Arena watching the Glads. They won 6-2 over the South Carolina Stingrays in a great game. Was over 10K in attendance. The ECHL outdrew the NHL…sigh.
Fan from Carolina
October 23rd, 2010
9:01 am
Maybe everyone needs to take a hard look at the Sabres roster the other night and the Lightning team instead of bashing the Thrashers players so bad. It is like expecting the Royals to beat the Yankees every series. It can’t happen. Even without Gagne in the lineup Tampa’s 1st two lines are incredibly talented, maybe the best in the league. The Thrashers just don’t have this talent. Boucher looks as mean and tough as Torterella during the ‘04 Cup season and the Lightning are playing like it right now. I wish the Thrashers hired Stevie Y and Boucher right now but that isn’t the case and I actually feel bad for Kane, Ladd, and Buff for being stuck with another non-playoff caliber team, the Royals of hockey.
backcheck
October 23rd, 2010
9:59 am
Ducks fan here. A little early to get reads but you Thrashers are looking a tad streaky. Look at the record, win one, lose two, win two, lose two. Only 7 games but that is consistent.
Just a fluke? Standard deviation? Or is something going on there?
Mike
October 23rd, 2010
11:10 am
Tampa Bay 5 Atlanta 2, no defense, no speed, no muscle on the boards or in the corners, no puck control, no crisp passing and no offense. This is what the Thrashers will exibit all season because that is who they are, middle of the road team at best.
No excuses for any of the players and the Chicago 4 are not improving the lackluster Thrashers. Things never change for the Atlanta professional sports scene it will always be middle of the road or less.
Go Falcons, Thrashers and Hawks. Braves are the best we got.
five_hole
October 23rd, 2010
11:25 am
Can Buf play 40 min on defense? He, Toby and Hainsey and Sopel were the only consistently good d-men we had last night. Peverley is on a milk carton. Little is lost. It was just depressing to watch.
Thrashers27
October 23rd, 2010
11:31 am
For the love Stendek, I’m quickly turning to pessimist, but you really need to find something to do other than get drunk and rant about the Thrashers.
We don’t hear from you for months and now you’re all over the place. What’s that say about you? Negative much?
Sage of Bluesland
October 23rd, 2010
12:03 pm
“…Just a fluke? Standard deviation? Or is something going on there?”
I dare say the “fluke” was the “good start” that this team showed against Washington and San Jose….The Thrashers are a reflection of their ownership and their neglect.
Simple. End-of.
The “product” they fob off on the ‘fans’ isn’t worthy of anyone’s hard-earned dollar (well, assuming it is ‘hard-earned’ in the first place; it’s much easier to spend Daddy’s money now, isn’t it?). Yet, what is hilarious, is that some fans get so excited over the Summer, thinking-hoping-wishing-dreaming things could be different…somehow…someway…just click their heels twice and back in Kansas you go…
Oh well. It is what it is. It’s too bad clowns like Smoothie are absent after debacles like what I saw on the TV last night…From the comfort of my own home, I thought of him–and how he must stupid he must feel, waving that silly Bwuewand fwag…and of that other clown who wears a ‘flame’ wig…Wow. Just wow.
EA
October 23rd, 2010
1:01 pm
Broken record insanity. It has been less than 18 hours and we all are receiving our reminder of how to feel, how to act, what to spend our money on (or Daddy’s money??) and what to think by none other than SOB. That does it for me today. I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Saturday on this beautiful day. Go Thrashers! Let’s see a repeat performance of your first game against the Caps.
Red Light
October 23rd, 2010
1:30 pm
Wonder if any of the Lightning bashers on this blog during the off season are ready to drink the Yzerman-Boucher Kool-Aid yet? That team is head-and-shoulders better than the Thrashers right now. Might not stay that way, but they looked pretty good last night without Gagne.
How does this team rebound tonight off the last two efforts? They don’t. Washington 6, Atlanta 3
Smoothie
October 23rd, 2010
1:42 pm
R/L – don’t worry, someone will expose the Lightning for the frauds they are. They’re defensive corps is suspect at best and drops off precipitously after Hedman and Ohlund. Kubina as we know is serviceable, but when they come up against a team that has the talent to put the puck in the net as well as pressure it and forecheck, they will eventually begin to falter. Now don’t get me wrong, they have supreme offensive talent that will help them win many games, but I still think they’ll struggle to win more than 45 games once coaches figure out that Boucher likes to put both D-men in the corner to win a puck battle. If you hit the O-zone with speed and the wing opposite the defensman who dumps it in gets to the puck first and quickly reverses it, the area in front of the net is almost wide open with only a winger to defend the slot. The overload is working pretty well right now because no one in the NHL really employs it, but once coaches start making that adjustment, and the team’s with better offensive personnel than the Thrashers, then the “‘ning” will get exposed I think.
razorneck13
October 23rd, 2010
1:47 pm
There is a very good reason why you still hear fans shout “KNIGHTS” during the national anthem. That IHL team used to fill up or sell out the Omni game after game and that had everything to do with the fact that they were VASTLY more entertaining than any incarnation of the Thrashers. The Knights were passionate, fierce, gusty, full throttle, in it to win it and so on. I think the Thrashers need to dig into some video archives of that team, watch em and take notes.
So far as accountability, call it what you want, I see it as playing like you got a good pair and a beating heart. The flipside of that is of course that this team is missing some necessary pieces and that’s all on the heartless and pairless ASG.
Thrashers27
October 23rd, 2010
1:59 pm
Only trouble with that, razorneck is that the Knights no longer exist. Even if they did, it would still be tacky to yell during the national anthem.
alex
October 23rd, 2010
2:34 pm
STENDEK you no stupid, you really passion thrashers fan, but why you 3 years in a row screaming and yelling like guttless no heart quiter etc. how to solve? it’s easy just ask asg, llc to spent some money on hockey team or shut down this circus. 11 years performance in atlanta this asg clowns to long.
glovesave29
October 23rd, 2010
2:53 pm
“There is a very good reason why you still hear fans shout “KNIGHTS” during the national anthem. That IHL team used to fill up or sell out the Omni game after game”
Let’s not get into revisionist history here. The Knights drew OK for the IHL. Most weeknights had about 5-7K and a weekend more around 9K. Playoffs were much lower except for the final series against the Komets. That final game was the 2nd loudest I have ever hear the old Omni after Jim Craigs first game against the Colorado Rockies. Both were great nights.
It is still excessively disrespectful to all those who have fought and died for this country to scream that stupid “Knights” during the anthem.
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
4:28 pm
Is the game on TV tonight?
Red Light
October 23rd, 2010
5:32 pm
Smoothie: My only point was “That team is head-and-shoulders better than the Thrashers right now.” Not advocating a parade in their future.
Red Light
October 23rd, 2010
5:33 pm
No TV
Thrashers27
October 23rd, 2010
5:41 pm
I almost hate to ask, but has anyone seen tonight’s lineup?
Rawhide
October 23rd, 2010
6:14 pm
Thrashers27 – from what C-Viv says, Bergfors will play tonight and Ramsay has made a good deal of changes to the lines.
Should be interesting.
For those looking for a link to watch the game –> Here’s one <–
jimbo
October 23rd, 2010
6:19 pm
We stunk the freaking joint out again. No guts, no grit, no ACCOUNTABILITY.
Rawhide
October 23rd, 2010
6:42 pm
C-Viv reports the following lines, per warm ups:
Ladd – Little – Bergfors
Kane – Slater – Modin
Boulton – Peverley – Stewart
Eager – Burmistrov – Thorburn
That would mean Antropov sits.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
7:17 pm
Sigh … blacked out again on TV (link is a full 60 seconds behind the radio broadcast – UGH!)
anyone know why/if Ben has stopped doing the thrashers liveblogs on coveritlive.com ?
(so far, play tonight seems to be a VAST improvement)
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
7:24 pm
Nice energy by the Thrashers coming out! Good amount of shots!
Thanks for the link Bill.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
7:29 pm
Not just good energy, but :
1) outshooting the opponent
2) holding down the shots against
both KEY things if we want to walk away with a W
litz
October 23rd, 2010
7:37 pm
OTOH … same old same old on the PP, just flat nothing doing.
Shots are now 8-4
litz
October 23rd, 2010
7:41 pm
Ladd on the 2nd PP — 1-0 Thrash!
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
7:44 pm
Nice job boys!
litz
October 23rd, 2010
7:45 pm
1st period shots on goal : Thrash 13, Caps 4
Yes … *4*
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
7:50 pm
It’d be really nice if we could win this one. Don’t want to lose all our games this week and put us 3-5 in the conference.
BG33Brown
October 23rd, 2010
7:52 pm
Anyone else see that Kovy is a healthy scratch in NJ!!!!!
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
7:55 pm
Ha! Maybe Lou is regretting the 17-year 102 million contract!
razorneck13
October 23rd, 2010
7:56 pm
Revisionist history? I attended about a dozen Knights games per season and never saw a crowd under 2/3 capacity playoffs or otherwise and The Omni held over 15 k for sure. Each game they’d enthusiastically announce how many a$$es were planted in the seats just to work the crowd cuz it was always ridiculous. What parallel dimension did you see the Knights in?
Second, I’m don’t even sing happy birthday, cuz my honey dripping golden throat will enduce weaping and I hate that, so I don’t scream “KNIGHTS” either. I don’t mind it, but I don’t do it. It is however a valid point that I make about it..it’s funny how it happens to this day, simple as that.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:01 pm
Well, that didn’t take long … Mason tried a giveaway to Enstrom … missed, and just like that it’s a tie game.
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
8:02 pm
Mason! Don’t give them those!
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:07 pm
Kaner takes back the lead!
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:08 pm
To be fair to Mason, he was batting a giveaway up to Enstrom, to take down the ice … the other team’s guy crashed the pass, and slapshot’d a goal. There was really nothing that could be done – just was good play on the part of the other side
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
8:08 pm
GOAL!!!
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:20 pm
Slates draws a penalty, Thrashers kill the penalty, 1 sec later, Caps tie it up.
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
8:21 pm
Looked like it deflected off of Green’s skate. Hopefully it might be over review
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
8:22 pm
Looked like it hit Green’s skate.
Under review…
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:22 pm
OTOH … goal was waived – Caps player kicked the puck
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:23 pm
Replay is VERY clear, definitely kicked.
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
8:23 pm
YES!
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:25 pm
Helluva game, so far
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
8:27 pm
Man this is a nailbiter, wish it was on TV.
But thankful for the link.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:27 pm
Thrashers are repeatedly jumping downrink, getting behind the caps defense … so far they just haven’t been able to get the shots past the goalie … They’ve gotten a shot and at LEAST one or two rebounds each time.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:28 pm
Interesting looking over the shot map for tonight’s game … Thrashers shots are evenly distributed left to right, Caps shots are almost all from the left side.
Curly
October 23rd, 2010
8:29 pm
Caps TV Analyst even admitted that Greene kicked it in. BS call on Slater. Caps player initiated contact on him. Should have been interference on Caps.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:31 pm
Is it tripping if the guy trips over your stick after you’ve let go of it?
That’s what Buff just got called on …
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
8:34 pm
litz – I don’t agree with the call. Ovi tried to make it look as if Buff committed the penalty.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:35 pm
Penalty Killed, Buff just crashed the net, huge melee as a result
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
8:36 pm
WOAH. Goalie interference??
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:37 pm
Lee – that’s my point … Buff was visibly trying to get his stick out of the way as the player was noticeably and intentionally aiming for it. IMHO, should have been diving.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:37 pm
Now buff’s got a 5 min major, and a game misconduct
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
8:38 pm
WOAH GAME MISCONDUCT?
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:38 pm
Holy cow … they just got to Ramsay’s “interaction” with the officials on the streamed video.
Good lord he’s mad …
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:39 pm
Yes – game misconduct.
I think Ramsay just earned more than a few brownie points with his players, they way he just tore into that ref … almost a Bobby Cox worthy rant.
Tom
October 23rd, 2010
8:40 pm
From one angle it looked like a sick penalty. Then the other angle made it look not that bad.
Not sure how I feel about the Game Misconduct.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:43 pm
Shots are, I think, 27-20 end of 2nd period
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:44 pm
Still … Caps played better that period, but seems like we still outplayed ‘em.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:52 pm
*ouch* … caps have 21 hits to our … 10
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
8:54 pm
“*ouch* … caps have 21 hits to our … 10″
A classic rival game….just a little lopsided in hits.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
8:57 pm
Yowz … they just replayed kane’s goal … puck went right through 4 defenders, and Kane simply poked it right between the goalie’s legs. There is no defending against that …
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:01 pm
And THAT is why Kovalchuk will never be an Ovechkin … can you see Kovalchuk chasing down a breakaway and disrupting the shot? No? Me neither …
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:04 pm
Kamal : “The atmosphere at Philips the last few games … very so-so …”
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:07 pm
Modin giveaway, breakaway, and it’s tied.
ben
October 23rd, 2010
9:08 pm
not for nothing but who’da thunk a. NJD would be at the bottom pf the standing.
b. the t-birds are really good in flashes . . . well caps just scored
Tom
October 23rd, 2010
9:09 pm
Both of the Caps goals were by bad turnovers. Dang… What a surprise Sopel-Hainsey were in the middle of this screw up.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:09 pm
Wow, on the replay, Hainsey was completely prone, sliding on the ice, and missed blocking that shot by literally just a few inches … huge effort.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:10 pm
Sopel and Hainsey had nothing to do with that goal … the turnover came from Modin …
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
9:10 pm
Tied, but still up for grabs!
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:12 pm
Caps have turned the screws up full strength here … great test for our guys, to see how they hold up.
Oh, and Burmistrov just drew his 8 zilllionth penalty of the year. Guy is a tripping penalty machine.
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
9:12 pm
Power play!
Tom
October 23rd, 2010
9:13 pm
Litz, I retract the previous comment. Was listening to the Caps announcers and that was what they said. I still stand by the frustration that we are giving goals to the Capitols.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:17 pm
yeah … Sopel just gave up another … thankfully caps went offsides.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:23 pm
Another giveaway, another goal, and caps lead 3-2
Oh, and another hat-trick for an opposing team’s player
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
9:24 pm
Dangit!
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:25 pm
This just drives me nuts … I can handle a breakaway getting behind our defense … but these giveaways in OUR ZONE resulting in goals? That’s inexcusable.
Tom
October 23rd, 2010
9:26 pm
How the hell is Ramsey not going absolutely nuts on the players tonight. We are putting this game on a silver platter for the Caps.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:27 pm
Ovechkin just crashed the goal, and gets called for goaltender interference. 2mins for him on a BIGGER hit than buff’s … and buff gets 5mins + the game.
Tell me that isn’t home ice advantage …
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
9:28 pm
Hopefully a power play. Gosh, do we need it.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:28 pm
Oh, I can just see Ramsay’s postgame scrum already … he doesn’t mince for words, and he doesn’t in any way cover-up. This will be brutal.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:30 pm
PP expired uneventfully.
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
9:31 pm
Wow, we just blew the game on that power play.
Tom
October 23rd, 2010
9:36 pm
4 shots in first 15 minutes for Caps, 30 shots in the next 28 minutes. #$%#$@
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
9:37 pm
Oh so close!
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:38 pm
KANE !!!! TIE GAME!
Tom
October 23rd, 2010
9:39 pm
Nice goal by Evander.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:39 pm
Oh man … they just got to the goal on the stream … BEAUT of a dink, jink, and slap it home.
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
9:41 pm
YES!!
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:42 pm
Caps turned the screws WAY WAY WAY up in the third … score’s tied, but the stats are pretty lopsided their way
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
9:42 pm
I was getting really upset for a second then Kane once again nets it!
Ready for OT?
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:44 pm
Damn. Caps win in overtime.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:45 pm
That’s disappointing … but Kane salvaging the point at least takes a lot of the sting out.
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
9:45 pm
Should’ve passed to Thorby. Was wide open.
Tom
October 23rd, 2010
9:46 pm
Fudge… We got the point but Fudge…
Lee
October 23rd, 2010
9:46 pm
Not a bad game. Still get a point.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
9:47 pm
Kaner, though … 2 more goals … guy’s just amazing.
Rightshot
October 23rd, 2010
9:47 pm
Sorry Thrashers.
BG33Brown
October 23rd, 2010
9:49 pm
Thats a great point after the way we’ve played the last 2 games.
But we should have had 2 pts. 3 terrible turnovers in our own zone. Mason, Modin and Oduya. The Modin one was by far the worst. He’s 5 feet from the blueline and he centers it to god knows who.
Flagstaff
October 23rd, 2010
9:55 pm
44 shots against. Sure, they played with energy. Sure, Kane had two goals. But the Thrashers cannot expect to win when their zone is a shooting gallery.
R. Stroz
October 23rd, 2010
10:01 pm
MODIN SUCKS!
Modin is the result of the ASG bird going dumpster diving.
For those individuals in Thrashers management that thought Modin was a good substitute for Afinogenov, you’re an idiot of Mike Milbury proportions.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
10:01 pm
should never have gotten to that level (btw, it was “only” 38 shots during regulation) …
We gave them 18 — EIGHTEEN — shots in the 3rd period … to our *five* …
TableHockey
October 23rd, 2010
10:13 pm
Wow just heard Kovy was a scratch for NJD tonight – coaches decision. That’s an expensive press box!
My TV provider didn’t have the game so I was only able to follow via the web. Sounds like Mason faced a lot of rubber in the third.
EA
October 23rd, 2010
10:15 pm
Kane rocks! Much better game except the turnovers. Would have loved 2 pts. Hopefully, we are back on track. News of the night-Kovalchuk benched.
R. Stroz
October 23rd, 2010
10:16 pm
BTW, Modin has the worst plus/minus on the team with a -7.
Modin is older, slower, and softer than Charmin.
Thanks Dudley.
Tom
October 23rd, 2010
10:23 pm
Kolvachuk, It took 7 games to determine he was a 100 million dollar mistake.
Atlanta Spiritless
October 23rd, 2010
10:26 pm
Stroz – Modin’s Salary cap hit is much less than White’s.
litz
October 23rd, 2010
10:27 pm
Yeah, but he’s THEIR 100 million dollar mistake.
Said it earlier … tonight we saw the difference between Ovechkin and Kovalchuk — Ovechkin will skate back and disrupt the breakaway. Kovelchuk will stand there and watch as it passes him by.
Tom
October 23rd, 2010
10:33 pm
You got it Litz – Kovy only goes hard forward, As a youth coach it is the most unattractive quality in a player. I love guys who skate harder back checking than they do forward.
R. Stroz
October 23rd, 2010
10:38 pm
Rawhide – I TRIPLE DOG DARE you to put that POS Modin on the MILK CARTON.
Atlanta Spiritless – True, so Modin is cheaper toilet paper.
EA
October 23rd, 2010
10:39 pm
Thev NJ coach said it was his decision to bench Kovalchuk. He was asked if he would play him the next game. He said no decision will be made until tomorrow, Apparently, Kovalchuk was no where to be found. The guys on Hockey Night in Canada said benching him costs NJ $42,000 per game. Moose was booed and pulled from the game. I feel bad for him. Also, in case you missed it, Scott Hartnell finally cut that disgusting head of hair.
Flagstaff
October 23rd, 2010
10:51 pm
R. Stroz– Does that make Modin… Angel Soft?
Thrashy Thrashy
October 24th, 2010
12:13 am
I’m giving this crew 20-30 games to get its act together. After that, I think we’ll have a good idea of what we’ve got. If we’re still getting out-shot and out-faceoff’d by a lot over that time, I think I can adjust my expectations down about 20 points for the season.
Brendan
October 24th, 2010
12:29 am
It was good just to get a point out of this one. Atlanta took three out of four possible points vs. Washington.
Rawhide
October 24th, 2010
12:39 am
R. Stroz – Actually, one gets their picture on the milk carton because they are “missing”…haven’t been seen. Not just for sucking. If you ask me, it’s Little who may deserve the “Milk Carton Treatment” as he is completely MIA on offense.
Anywoooo…The Caps certainly had Semin-chanted evening in D.C. Saturday night, eh?
R. Stroz
October 25th, 2010
4:12 pm
LAST!
Rawhide
October 26th, 2010
10:52 am
R. Stroz – Nope.