Doing the little things consistently contribute to big Thrashers wins
Ding-dong, the streak is dead.
Before Sunday night, Atlanta had not beaten these Bruins since December 29, 2007 when Kari Lehtonen shut them out 5-0. Since then, they have lost ten straight to the Big Bad Bruins.
But behind another stellar performance by goalie Ondrej Pavelec as well as goals by Evander Kane, Dustin Byfuglien, Jimmy Slater and Nic Bergfors, Boston became just the latest victim to fall to the Atlanta Thrashers.
Byfuglien also contributed with 3 assists on the night.
Jim Slaters scores in the first period of Sunday night's game against the Boston Bruins. He was quick to credit Dustin Byfuglien for setting up the play (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
But there are other factors contributing to the Thrashers success besides quality goaltending and highlight reel goals…things that head coach Craig Ramsay wants to make sure do not go unnoticed.
Just as the post-game press conference was wrapping up Sunday night, Ramsay wouldn’t let the reporters assembled leave without making one final point. Obviously the focus of most of the questions circled around the continued great play of Pavelec and Byfuglien…but the coach wanted to make sure that other important contributions got their fair share of attention too.
Plays like Chris Thorburns blocked shot early on in the game as well as the one by Rich Peverley late when the Bruins were on the power play…as shot that came from defenseman Zdeno Chara. Ramsay’s always been one to point out these are the small things that are necessary to win individual games. Doing them consistently, as the Thrashers have, and individual wins turn into five game win streaks.
Ramsay’s players have certainly taken note as well. As Rich Peverley told me before the game, “We’re doing the little things right and that’s going to be the most important thing [as we continue throughout the season]”.
“We’re playing a full 60 minutes…we’re really playing together as a team, as a unit. We are playing with a lot of confidence right now and you can see it in our game. No matter who we’re playing against we seem to have some offense”.
Offense indeed. During this current five game run, the Thrashers have outscored their opponents to the tune of 19-3. Three of the teams kicked to the curb by this up-and-coming Thrashers juggernaut have been division leaders and a Boston team that came into the game with a 12-7-2 record.
The Thrashers attack has found not only potency, but balance as well. Tonight it was Evander Kane, Dustin Byfuglien, Jimmy Slater and Nic Bergfors twisting the twine. Friday night it was Peverley twice and Toby Enstrom and the game before that it was Thorburn, Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Anthony Stewart and Byfuglien.
You get the picture.
And these Thrashers players understand that it’s the little things coming from their teammates that are contributing to the recent success. The gritty play along the boards, the ability to keep pucks in the zone, the battles in mid-ice and the blueline that disrupt the opposition’s breaks…these are the small items that teams do throughout the course of a game that make them winners.
Rich Peverley, seen here racing past Boston's Matt Hunwick, feels the Thrashers success has been due to attention to the little details during games (Michelle Rivers)
And like their coach, they are quick to point out the smart plays by their linemates that lead to their successes.
Such was the case when Jim Slater discussed his goal after the game, making sure credit was given to Byfuglien for making the right choice on how to play the puck. “It was a good play by Buff”, he told me. “Instead of just dumping it into the corner he found me streaking through the middle.
“I think they were on the line change and that’s how I got open”, Slater continued. “Once I saw the open ice I just tried to turn on the speed, pulled it to my forehand and beat him up high”.
Right now, this is a team playing as if they have totally sold themselves out to the kind of play their coaching staff has been teaching and preaching. And just as Ramsay likes to highlight his players achievements and work ethic, they too seem to have a great deal of respect for the men behind the bench.
Of course, it helps when those men come to the team with a track record of success themselves.
As Peverley put it when discussing the influence Ramsay and John Torchetti have had on the team, “Well, obviously the pedigree they have…they’ve both won Stanley Cups…they’ve been around the league for a while and know what it takes to get the job done”.
“They are two smart individuals and we’re luck to have them”.
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144 comments Add your comment
DWTOO
November 29th, 2010
8:17 am
Darn WBF – you beat me to the Leslie Nielsen line. Great comic actor – will always remember him in the body condom in the Naked Gun movie. That movie series was preceded by the Police Squad TV series, which also was very funny. Nielsen’s deadpan delivery was priceless. He’ll be missed.
As for the Thrashers – this is a good streak, but, we’ve been teased before with streaks only to see the team go in the dumpster. I remain cautiously optimistic.
World Be Free
November 29th, 2010
8:23 am
DTWOO-I remember Leslie Nielsen as a stiff when I was a kid. Wasn’t until Airplane! came out that he got his chance to be funny. “Hospital, what’s that? It’s a big building with patients but that’s not important now”.
Red Light-Hunwick came of the ice with a nice cut over his right eye, so I gave the decision to Kane. These aren’t the big, bad Bruins anymore. Kind of sad cuz I always liked the fights when the Broones came to town.
Do you all remember when nobody went to Falcons’ games, in a football town?
jimbo
November 29th, 2010
8:27 am
We had several Falcom fans move into seats behind us at the end of the first. They were talking about hockey being far more exciting to watch than the Birds. There’s hope for us in ATL. Great to see good forechecking and back checking with checks being finished not faked. Can Pavs be any hotter? I’m sure that Ramsey will follow the NHL rule and “ride the hot goalie”.
Flames
November 29th, 2010
8:27 am
The Thrashers are playing excellent hockey. I want everyone on this blog to know that the Thrashers are NOT GOING anywhere soon. That’s to Canada or the Arctic Circle. The Canadian Media is always hoping that no one comes to the Thrashers. The more success we have here in Atlanta, the less their chances of getting this franchise to move to Quebec or Winnipeg. Have you ever noticed that the minute this organization starts to put a couple of wins together and the fans start to get a little excited about the team, that there is a story or rumor that someone up North is trying to purchased this team and move them. That is the media’s way of trying to keep people from falling in Love with this team. No one wants to put their arms around this team and embrace it, if you think it isn’t going to be moved. Stop falling for the Canadian media’s B/S. Embrace this team and tell all the Canadians to kiss our A$$es.
DWTOO
November 29th, 2010
8:35 am
Listened to OTF on the way home last night and there’s a rumor the Sabres are for sale. And guess who’s the leading candidate to purchase the team – Ballsille (sp?). Some things just never end.
Also as Hockey B. pointed out a good interview with Buff.
glovesave29
November 29th, 2010
8:43 am
Hockey vs. Football in the south is just not a comparison that can be made. Selling a bad Falcon team was easier than selling a bad Thrasher team. Football is much more established and naturally has a sizeable advantage in the fan base. That is why you need to go the extra mile and offer the free tickets. I am not saying you do it every game, but when you have a pool of 72K geeked up Falcons fans just a block away, you do whatever is necessary to bring them into Philips. We all know how great hockey is live, so all that is needed is the incentive to get them into the building just once. Those who are paying out the big bucks for tickets I am sure can appreciate what the team would be trying to do by giving away some free tickets…get both a big, loud and boisterous crowd to see the game, and to make more converts to hockey. The Falcons reach out to the hockey community (we in the local beer league get nice discounts for BOTH the Falcons and Thrashers) – I would have been wise for the team to reach out to the NFL team to try a tie in with both games being downtown yesterday.
Spud Webb
November 29th, 2010
8:51 am
Interesting to read some of the posts for sure! Buff on the fly last night, said he preferred playing D. I don’t see anyone posting to move him back to forward! I love it. Team is playing hard, winning the small battles. Great hockey!!! Good job.
World Be Free
November 29th, 2010
9:01 am
Glovesave-no doubt that football is king in our region. But people still stayed away when the product was bad, even though the sport is far and away the #1 sport in our region.
DWTOO-that rumor has been around for some time. Bettman protected the Sabes when they were for sale before. I would imagine the same would hold true today, too good of a market to move the team.
Engelbert Humperdinck
November 29th, 2010
9:08 am
What an awesome doubleheader sports day in ATL. Walked from one HUGE win by the Falcons to see the Thrashers close out a GREAT homestand. TOO bad ASG showed once again why they do not deserve to own a pro sports franchise. YOU had 70,000 extremely happy fans outside your door at 4pm and you had NOTHING outside that rink promoting this hot hockey club. You missed a GOLDEN opportunity that should have been planned for the second the schedules came out. SELL this team to the Hollywood producer who cares, stick your marketing degrees back into the Cracker Jacks box you got them from and then get your tails out of town !
rob
November 29th, 2010
9:23 am
Anyone watching the Bruins feed yesterday heard the announcers there praising the team and what is happening here……..and also heard them blast how quiet the place was through large amounts of time. I have said it over and over but we have GOT to get this through to the music people and Thrash. Get the FANS INVOLVED with cheers, chants, whatever. The bass pumping through the LET’S GO THRASHERS chant completely ruins it…..please stop it! The FANS and the PLAYERS need something to feed off of. Not many FANS chanting get more than a few peole or a section going. Our “Brutally Good Time” highlights need revamping, showing more than just Zach hitting a few people. Some Pavs saves like the outstreched glove save a few games ago and Kane’s penalty shot goal, and any of Buffs, along with some of Eager’s hits…..and how about Burmi’s most recent goal where he dismantled the defender and the goalie with his cuts? Marketing here SUCKS. Dumwad MUST be in charge of that aspect. The players and coaching staff have now been taken care of and the team is on the right track……now it is time for someone who understands the hockey culture to grab hold and steer this in the right direction so this takes off and becomes the talk of the town! It has the potential, it just needs a push in the right direction instead of the direction it has been going for so long.
Incredible homestand!!! Thank you to ALL the PLAYERS and COACHING staff for bringing a hockey spirit back to the Atl! The next two weeks should be interesting to see as we hopefully keep this attitude up!
LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!!
rob
November 29th, 2010
9:37 am
R.Stroz,
HATS OFF TO YOU TO SIR IF YOU BEGAN THE “HEY HEY…..GOODBYE” last night. Watching from home, hearing that chant going was AWESOME because it is high time we start letting the visiting teams know they are NOT welcomed in our house, and that when you are beaten here you can expect to hear about it OVER and OVER! Keep up the yelling and give the visitors grief! HAHAHAHA Love it.
waffleboy
November 29th, 2010
9:57 am
A lot of impressive hockey on this homestand. Watching Enstrom break up two-on-ones and breakaways with ease make me wonder when more knowledgeable hockey commentators will give credit to him for Buff’s play. Buff can improvise out there knowing Toby’s back there. This team is better at clearing pucks out of the crease than any in Thrashers’ history. The d pairs have finally gelled. We have a legit #1 pairing in Buff-Toby, but Oduya and Bogo are playing lights out right now. We all knew that Bogo had the talent but injuries to him and other defensemen have meant his partner last year was changing on a weekly basis. Now that he has Oduya with him every night, you can see those two have worked it out. I honestly think they are a shutdown pair.
14 different players scored in the homestand, would’ve loved it could’ve been 17 for Kaptain Kovy.(retch!) This team is legit: balanced scoring, smart defense and outstanding goaltending. While the pk is struggling, when you’re only getting 4 minors a game called against you, the other team’s pp can’t get much momentum.
Let’s take this show on the road!
rob
November 29th, 2010
10:04 am
waffle,
Ramsey game Toby props in the post game about that very thing. Smart hockey being played by the Boys In Blue and it is a glorious thing to see!
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
10:13 am
Free tickets!? How would you feel of you spent serious money for season tickets and heard the team was giving away tickets?
Pretty damn good, if it meant I had people sitting next to me in empty sections.
Even better, if it meant the curtain comes down off the 400s.
I’m no STH, but I’d prefer we fill the barn. After the inept way this team has been run since day one, they’ve GOT to get tickets to people and seats filled up any way possible.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
10:18 am
Football is much more established and naturally has a sizeable advantage in the fan base.
Bingo. At some point, you’ve got to get those people to know that there is a game starting right next door, and why not make a day out of it? Tailgate at 11am, Falcons at 1pm, Cheap hotdogs at 4pm, and Thrashers at 5pm. If you can’t get them to come to the sport, bring the sport to them.
More probably would have shown up last night if the tickets were free, but I think convincing the Falcons fans to come in at a reduced rate helped a little, at least. Maybe word of mouth will spread?
If the marketing department won’t market the team, maybe we as fans need to post a call to arms, and market the damn thing ourselves.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
10:24 am
While the pk is struggling, when you’re only getting 4 minors a game called against you, the other team’s pp can’t get much momentum.
PK only allowed one goal during this homestand, and it was against the Wings. I’d say the PK is much improved. The PP numbers, on the other hand, only came down because of the Montreal game. Seven attempts, and only one goal.
Still, I see a lot of improvements being made on this team. The best is yet to come.
Tom
November 29th, 2010
10:28 am
Alan R, Great points,
Imagine if someone with the Thrasher’s marketing department had offered a $10 ticket deal to the Falcon season ticket holders in a special email. Market it as a double header deal or “Miss the Traffic and See Some Hits”.
Anything to bring these folks with disposable income who are sports fans and who have already committed to buying season tickets to a sport.
That is the right demographic, isn’t it???
Imagine a full house of already lubricated fans coming off the high of the Falcon’s win. With how well the Thrashers played the joint would have been out of control.
jen
November 29th, 2010
10:53 am
Must say, after suffering through some very bad hockey over the years, watching this team has been a real joy. My thought going into this year was that it would take until Nov. for the team to figure out how to play with each other, but I didn’t think they’d be able to string something along like this. Now the hardest part is deciding if I want a Buff or a Kane jersey for Chanukah this year. Pavs has been beyond belief….I remember when he was whining about not being given a chance to play behind Kari and Moose and threatened to hold out. He’s come a long way since then.
I read the Puck Daddy article….but I think everyone remembers how packed the building was. October hockey in the middle of college football is always going to be a challenge when the team has played like crap for so long. If we can make the playoffs this year and build on it next year by re-siging the majority of this team the attendence won’t be an issue. I seem to recall the begining of the 07-08 seaon having very good attendence, as the team was relatively intact following the playoff run. I don’t think at the time anyone thought Zhitnik was going to fall off the map or that we’d have a 6 game losing streak that cost Hartley his job and basically signed the trade papers for Hossa. You can put a team in east bumble Canada and they’re going to draw, but there just isn’t corporate sponsoship money, not in the current econmic climate. And another Canadian team is going to hurt potential media growth in the States. Let’s face it, no one south of the border except some really die hard hockey fans are going to tune in to Winnipeg/Hamilton vs. another US team. The NHL is finally generating more media buzz about the league, in part thanks to Sid and Ovie (who, incidentally play for teams that were bankrupt or close to it a decade ago), and thanks to the rule changes that made the game more exciting to watch in general. The Glads do very well (which isn’t surprising condering they have a great arena, reasonable concessions, free parking, and close proximity to a good demographic for hockey). The Thrashers really need to work on making hockey fans out of the local media outlets. Mark Hayes (Good Morning Atlanta) does stuff with the Glads throughout the year and makes appearances at the games, etc. They used to do more local level marketing events….there was one time where they had Thrash come out to Krispy Kreme and made Blueland doughnuts.
World Be Free
November 29th, 2010
10:53 am
It was funny to see Toby guard Lucic yesterday.
Rawhide
November 29th, 2010
11:03 am
Regarding the subject of free or discounted tickets to Sunday’s game…
While I certainly understand the STHs concerns about paying full price for seats only to see others around them who paid less than they did for the same section, the fact of the matter is that the Thrashers need to do whatever they can to fill that arena. Discounting happens in all sports and other businesses as well.
I use the examples of airlines and hotels. Any given flight there are some people who paid X for a seat while someone else paid Y. It all depends on when they bought the tickets. Same with hotels rooms.
I would have liked to have seen the Thrashers contact the falcons to offer some sort of deal…say show your Falcons ticket stubb from the 1:00 game vs. Packers at the window and get 50% off any seat in Philips. These folks were already down there and why not try to grab as many as you could at that time.
Also, there were a lot of Green Bay fans there…as is to be expected. These people come from hockey country and would have been easy pickings if given a bargain, I would think.
But, alas…
Anyway…I had 2 tickets I had bought in 205 sitting for me at will call yesterday. After I bought them, the Thrashers invited me to some pre-game events and to sit in the pressbox during the game. So, I took my tix outside and offered them to a couple wearing Falcons gear. They were all but too happy to accept them and I’m sure they had a good time.
Maybe they had a good enough time that they’ll return someday.
Red Light
November 29th, 2010
11:10 am
A little historical data about the current five-game win streak!
The Thrashers first four-game win streak came in the 18th thru 22nd games of the fifth season (Games 329-332)
The Thrashers first five-game win streak came in the 43rd thru 47th games of the sixth season (Games 453-457)
The Thrashers only six-game win streak came in the 65th thru 70th games of the ninth season (Games 721-726)
The current five-game win streak, only the sixth ever in franchise history, is the most dominant in terms of goals-for and goals-against.
Nov. 19-28, 2010 Thrashers 19, Opponents 3
Jan. 6-18, 2006 Thrashers 21, Opponents 12
Nov. 25-Dec. 5, 2006 Thrashers 19, Opponents 7
Dec. 19-27, 2006 Thrashers 19, Opponents 7
Feb. 26-Mar. 8, 2007 Thrashers 20, Opponents 9
Nov. 2-14, 2008 Thrashers 22, Opponents 14
During the six-game win streak, March 6-14, 2009, the Thrashers outscored their opponents 23-9. And, I am almost positive that the three goals allowed in a five-game span also is a record.
Joe Friday
November 29th, 2010
11:12 am
Milbury simply stated the obvious. It stings when the truth hurts, but quit yer bitching and deal with it, he spoke the truth. We have accomplished nothing, but that is in the past and the future is all we have to deal with. Dudley and Ramsay have the reins now, Waddell is screwing up marketing now, apparently, but move forward and just move on.
We will start to fill the stands now going forward with h/s and college football winding down. The Falcons being so hot will get the most buzz, but there’s lots of us former season tix holders that watch the club. With this recent 5 game stretch, a lot more eyes are watching and the seats will start to sell. There is one thing and one thing only that sells tickets in this town . . . and that’s winning. They need to market the heck out of Big Buf, his enthusiasm is contagious, the boys a bonafide star. I just wish they’d move him back to forward so he can start scoring . . .
Red Light
November 29th, 2010
11:14 am
R Stroz: It was indeed Modry who had the only other four-point game by a Thrashers defenseman! Ooops.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
11:20 am
Waddell is screwing up marketing now, apparently, but move forward and just move on.
Preach it, on all counts. Don’t look back, just keep looking forward!
World Be Free
November 29th, 2010
11:24 am
I thought Milbury was an idiot before yesterday’s comments, wo what he said didn’t have much impact on the 30+ years of having to put up with him.
Vivs talks about the Buff trade with Chicago. While he has a good point, none of these trades mean much of anything if we don’t sign all 4 guys to extensions. Ladd, Buff, Eager and Sopel have been improvements over the players they replaced. Now let’s get at least Buff and Ladd on long term deals. You want people in the barn every night? Show THAT type of commitment.
Engelbert Humperdinck
November 29th, 2010
11:28 am
Didn’t have to be free tickets. It could have been something as simple as having Thrash out there with a stick in his (talon ?) in the common area between the dome and philips so maybe some kids leaving the Falcons game with their parents would say .. hey Dad , who/what is that… lets go check it out. Or maybe maybe the Ice crew hotties standing outside the door passing out some info on how good this team is inside. Every guy from 18 to 80 would have walked over there if nothing more than to get a look at those two blonde twins close up.
Red Light
November 29th, 2010
11:30 am
The play of Buff and Ladd during the last two weeks (the whole season for that matter) have done nothing but improve their negotiations for a long-term, high-priced deal. Just think what could happen if they both opt for arbitration? There will be no worries about avoiding the Cap floor next season!!!
Rawhide
November 29th, 2010
11:46 am
Per C-Vi tweet: “Thrashers will call up player to meet team in Denver. Announcement could come today. Burmistov will make trip.”
Russ
November 29th, 2010
11:49 am
Who are these guys playing in the Atlanta jerseys and what have they done with our Thrashers???
Seriously, I have been a Thrasher fan from day one, so it is hard to get too excited about a five game stretch, but this team has never looked as good as it has lately. I hope they can keep it up. They are looking good against good competition and playing as a team, which is great to see after years of trying to build around 1 or 2 “superstars”.
Red Light
November 29th, 2010
11:50 am
The potential attendance problems for the rest of the season, if the Thrashers continue playing well, are limited to the following mid-week games:
Mon Dec 6, 2010 vs Nashville
Thu Dec 16, 2010 vs Carolina
Thu Jan 20, 2011 vs Tampa Bay
Wed Jan 26, 2011 vs Washington
Tue Feb 1, 2011 vs NY Islanders
Thu Feb 3, 2011 vs Calgary
Tue Mar 1, 2011 vs Montreal
Thu Mar 3, 2011 vs Ottawa
Thu Mar 17, 2011 vs Philadelphia
Note: All others are on weekend nights or days or during the holidays.
R. Stroz
November 29th, 2010
11:53 am
Red Light – That’s TOO funny about Modry.
rob – Yes, that was Section 222 that started the singing right after the two minutes remaining mark in the the third period. However, we shared our singing talent at the Dead Wings game on Wednesday as well. For the Canadians game, we alternated between the Nah..Nah…Goodbye and the Ole..Ole..Ole toward the end of the game.
Red Light – I hope you enjoyed our vocal talent yesterday afternoon.
Engelbert Humperdinck
November 29th, 2010
11:57 am
I hate to say anything negative about these last six games other than a marketing SNAFU in the front office because it was REAL fun but when I see Kane get boarded and hurt and NOBODY does a thing about it, especially when they were up a few goals, it makes me realize we’re missing a key piece of the puzzle vital to any good team.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
12:09 pm
but when I see Kane get boarded and hurt and NOBODY does a thing about it
Not sure which game you were watching.
a. Alexander Burmistrov got boarded, not Kane.
b. Ben Eager skated in hard from over half the rink away to lay in some punches. That’s why Eager received a penalty for roughing, along with a second Bruin player.
EA
November 29th, 2010
12:27 pm
I am watching NHL Live. The talk is all about the Thrashers success. Pavs #1 star of the week. Buff is #2.
Smoothie
November 29th, 2010
12:27 pm
RO-EN-ICK, RO-EN-ICK, RO-EN-ICK……YOU SUCK!!!!
When it comes to assessing players’ talents and judging what position they should play. Stick to fishing or whatever the hell you’re doing in retirement. Perhaps you and Milbury can start a business or something since you’re both so intelligent and astute!
EA
November 29th, 2010
12:31 pm
I forgot to mention Pavs was interviewed Total team guy. Ladd interview is coming up.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
12:33 pm
Roenick’s retirement is all about spewing forth garbage on the radio, much like Milbury’s is all about spewing forth garbage on television.
They make a cute couple, don’t they?
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
12:33 pm
EA – Can you possibly provide some quotes? I’m not in a position to listen, but would love to know what they have to say!
Thanks in advance!
LAC
November 29th, 2010
12:43 pm
NHL Live has been All over the Thrashers today… In a GOOD way.
Had Pav’s on and Ladd will be on later. Carl Alzner of Washington, said Washington is having
“issues” with Atlanta and has to get this… “Figure out how to beat them.”
Also like reading the comments on TSN. Nobody saying where will Atlanta move ?
Gee WINNING makes it all go away. I am glad Dudley seems to have a rather free hand with the team, NONE of this would have ever have taken place with that waddell still in charge…
Nice to be winning, but it MUST continue, three TOUGH teams this week, Colorado/Pittsburgh/D.C.
If we win all of those, we are for REAL !
Red Light
November 29th, 2010
1:02 pm
LAC: “If we win all of those, we are for REAL!”
Gretchelby
November 29th, 2010
1:09 pm
Raw Hide! Love this article. Can’t remember I went to the games not just expecting to win but thinking there was no other alternative. The guys look just great…and besides the nightly score by Buff you never know what treat you are in for and who will light the lamp. I have not been so X cited about hockey since X was here…so thanks Thrashers, for giving me a reason to show up. And Atlanta fans will grow with play like this. My dad and some other friends of mine are talking about season tickets, which he has refused to purchase in the past…this looks like play-off hockey and it is only November. My guess for next scorers lighting the lamp…Alex, Boultz, Bogosian, and of course Buff (no pressure)…:)
World Be Free
November 29th, 2010
1:10 pm
Roenick and Milbury have been hit in the head too many times.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
1:11 pm
It’s gonna be hard to beat Washington and Pittsburgh — especially in their own buildings. Thankfully, this is the last time we play in Washington this year. Those are two clubs I’m just hoping for a solid effort from the team.
Colorado? I want nothing less than a win.
EA
November 29th, 2010
1:12 pm
Re comments. One can tell Pavs is very tired of being asked about the fainting incident. Basically he talked about how well the team is playing. He said he can handle the first shot if the defensemen clear the rebound. The goalie coach Clint is very helpful. He kept stressing how it takes a whole team to win. Ladd said he is honored to be the captain. He thinks this team is showing Atlanta a new kind of hockey. He said it is imperative that the team not let up and continue to get points. When he could not hear Stan Fishler’s comment, he said “what Sir?” He is very well spoken and respectful. He has become a Falcons fan. He enjoyed winning the cup in Chicago a little more than Carolina because he was more involved in the process. LAC, did you hear anything else I am missing? I was a little surprised to hear Stan Fischler say Atlanta is one of his favorite teams. A nice congrats e-mail was read from a Rangers game giving kudos to the Thrashers for their improved team.
cousin Eddie
November 29th, 2010
1:15 pm
Did you know that Buf and Enstrom are both 8th rounders. One of the top defensive pairs in the NHL are both from the 8th round of the draft. There is no 8th round anymore!
Smoothie
November 29th, 2010
1:15 pm
During the six-game win streak, March 6-14, 2009, the Thrashers outscored their opponents 23-9.
R/L – I believe the biggest difference this time around is the fact that we beat DET, MTL and BOS during the current stretch as opposed to the 2009 stretch when our win streak was ended in a$$-whoop fashion by the Red Wings and Penguins, was it not? Hope people don’t whine and bitch if we lose 2 of the next 3 on the road. Our sked has been brutal, but as long as we keep hovering around the #8 spot by the end of Dec, we will be poised (much easier sked in 2nd half) for a scary good run I think.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
1:34 pm
EA – Thanks so much for the recap! I’m happy to hear the comments from Pavelec, and Ladd especially. He’s really becoming a major part of this organization, and really needs to be locked up ASAP!
Maybe the Thrashers should capitalize on Ladd’s becoming a Falcons fan, and try to get some of their people in our building.
Smoothie
November 29th, 2010
1:39 pm
We need Jason Heyward, Roddy White, John Abraham and Tony Gonzalez to tweet to all their followers what a great experience hockey can be and tell them to get out and support all the Atlanta teams!!
Seriously, when is ASG marketing going to wake-up and use other pro players to cross-promote hockey? Shouldn’t there be some local commercials running that feature Brian McCann, Jason Heyward, Tim Hudson teasing Dustin Byfuglien about how bad the Cubs are? And if Laddy’s becoming a big Falcons fan, then Matty Ice should be approached about doing an Air Tran ad with Ladd and Kaner to create some creative marketing synergy.
Red Light
November 29th, 2010
1:42 pm
Smoothie: Thrashers beat Montreal, Colorado, Calgary, Edmonton, Buffalo and Washington in that 6-game streak. Three were at home and three were away. And, you’re right, the Penguins ended the streak beating the Thrashers 6-2, and Detroit beat them 6-3 in the following game. Mtl, Cal and Wash made the playoffs that season.
cousin Eddie: Enstrom was picked six spots ahead of Byfuglien in the 2003 Draft. Shane O’Brien, Matt Moulson, Tanner Glass, Jaroslav Halak, Nick Tarnasky, Brian Elliott and David Jones (who you will see tomorrow night for the Avs) all were drafted behind Enstrom and Byfuglien that year.
Pro and college teams are very protective of the season ticket holders. Few want to share those resources with the other teams.
Zombie Steve
November 29th, 2010
1:48 pm
I was almost ready to give up on Pavs; it’s really awesome to see him turn it around like this