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”.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
144 comments Add your comment
Smoothie
November 29th, 2010
1:48 pm
Oh, and why not Stewart Cink doing some type of commercial with Ron Hainsey (avid golfer) and Craig Ramsay (very good golfer as well)? Cink can give Rammer some tips on golf and Rammer and Hainsey can tell Cink how valuable the “chip shot” off the boards can be from off the fairway when there’s a handy grandstand nearby. There are so many possibilities and surely more creative minds than mine can come up with something!
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
1:51 pm
This is exactly the kind of thinking Glovesave and I were trying to promote when we mentioned our bouncing of ideas off each other a few months ago, Smoothie.
Keep the good ideas coming. I know Thrashers personnel read these blogs. Maybe they’ll wake up and start promoting the teams, for once!
Smoothie
November 29th, 2010
1:54 pm
“cousin Eddie: Enstrom was picked six spots ahead of Byfuglien in the 2003 Draft”
R/L – how cool is that!? And now they’re fixing to be the next coming of Rafalski & Lidstrom (I know, a bit of a stretch) on the blueline.
Does anyone else think some commercials featuring Enstrom & Big Buff (think Rob Dyrdek and Big Black) hanging out in the ATL or even sharing a house (remember Enstrom was / is hosting Oduya and Freddy P this summer during camp)…hilarity could certainly ensue. Tiny Tobes & Big Buff: Livin’ Large in the ATL!
cousin Eddie
November 29th, 2010
2:02 pm
That could be a cool commercial. Buff walking around with Toby hanging on his back. All they need is a miniature horse and a bulldog. It should be a series of commercials with them going around doing pranks.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
2:04 pm
It should be a series of commercials with them going around doing pranks.
The series of images I got of that were priceless. You, sir, owe me a new monitor!
Smoothie
November 29th, 2010
2:08 pm
cousin eddie – love it! Perhaps there’s a popular mini-creature from Sweden they could use. It could be a real nuisance eating all of Buff’s snacks from the pantry and chewing up his rap CD’s. Also, since Tobes is a big fan of rap (he likes “sick flow”), it would be hysterical seeing Toby try to convince Big Buff that he actually knows Ludacris or Big Boi and prove it by having T-Pain invite Enstrom onto his boat party with other rappers, but giving Big Buff the cold shoulder cuz he’s a Cubs fan or something silly like that.
Spud Webb
November 29th, 2010
2:09 pm
ahahhahaha WBF, agreed, Millbury always has been a moron, not sure there is much more he can say or do to make him look worse!!
cousin Eddie
November 29th, 2010
2:16 pm
How about they have a dog that they try to teach to play hockey with a stick in its mouth. They could drive around Atlanta and have some impromptu street hockey and then have security chase them away. Man, is ASG hiring, I could do this, for real.
Tom
November 29th, 2010
2:20 pm
Cousin Eddie, or have the boys show up for a beer league game at the Cooler like Max did in Birmingham last year. That would get some media attention and make a great show.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
2:20 pm
Man, is ASG hiring, I could do this, for real.
I’ve posted on more than a few places my offer to do marketing work for them. I’m even willing to work for cheap/free, so long as it gets the name out there.
I don’t even get a herpty derpty from them. It’s a raised nose and a scoff. Because the Thrashers marketing department is doing such a good job getting the word out right now, amirite??
Hoof Arted
November 29th, 2010
2:21 pm
Is this a dream? Somebody pinch me.
What the Thrashers have done lately is amazing. But there is still too many games left before we start allocating our money to playoff tickets. Gotta keep it going!
I love how they are forcing the NHL On The Fly guys and other media types to say nice things about us!
cousin Eddie
November 29th, 2010
2:29 pm
Alan- you need to write a script and hand it to Buff personally. I think he is the personality that would enjoy that and get the idea started.
DWTOO
November 29th, 2010
2:29 pm
CE, Smoothie, et al – You guys are either 1) very creative and talented, 2) have way too much time on your hands, or 3) dropped the good acid.
Keep it up!
World Be Free
November 29th, 2010
2:45 pm
spud-remember Milbury as a Bruin? Np way that hack could play today.
HookyBob
November 29th, 2010
2:52 pm
Brendan: Have you been giving any thought to “Thrasher of the month” for Nov? That would be a good poll,..eh?
For me it is either Big Buf or Pavelec. Pav’s recent .98 save percentage is incredible. Had it been a middling .92 we’d have given up 10 more goals,..and probably wouldn’t own a 5 game win streak. His late 3rd period save definitely gave us a chance to win against the Islanders. On the other hand,…how do you argue with Bufs #s,..5 GWGs, leads NHL in points for a D-man, made JR eat crow, etc. If he continues to improve his D,..you may be hearing the words “Thrasher’s” and “Norris” in the same sentence. Bloggers,.. who is your Thrasher of the month? (Does Rammer count?)
And to think there were folks blogging that Pavs didn’t belong among the NHL’s starting goalies. That kid matured in a hurry didn’t he?
On the free tickets,…why not open up the 400 sections and sell them for $2 or $3. That may get some folks to take a look at our “grand old game.”
Larry E
November 29th, 2010
2:55 pm
Everyone call and email the local TV stations and demand that the Thrashers be given better coverage since we need and want to keep our hockey team in Atlanta. This team is putting on a great show, and I know it’s a long way to go, but give them credit for turning this season around.
Smoothie
November 29th, 2010
2:58 pm
DWTOO, Alan, cousin ed – indeed, I’ve got an overactive mind when I’m supposed to be doing other things. But hey, we’re just pointing out the obvious really. They (ASG) copied the Sopranos for their current in-house Blueland hype machine, why not copy Rob & Big…Tob(es) & Big, DUH! This is so obvious that even some internet bloggers could do it!
But seriously, impromptu street hockey game on Alabama St would be too freakin’ funny and I would PAY money to see that commercial. Buff already has a dog he’s started (or tried to) to train (see his youtube feature from his CHI days) and that could be used in the spots too. Peverley was in that adopt-a-dog PSA and it was priceless. Speaking of Pevs, or as we like to call him, Ten Gallon Dick, the boys over at TBC (well, Morty most especially), put together a whole screen play / script for an in-house Blazing Saddles meets Tombstone film: the Saga of Ten Gallon Dick and the Russian (although Kovy will need to be replaced with Burmy or something or other). Check it out if you haven’t already! http://bluelandchronicle.blogspot.com/2010/05/sometimes-youre-better-off-dead-scenes.html
BlueLander
November 29th, 2010
3:09 pm
Missed Opportunity – Nice of my season ticket rep to send me a note on Friday to allow extra time since there would be a Falcon game going on immediately prior to the Thrash-Bruins. The reps do try hard to take care of the STH’s. However, you have got to wonder what’s up with the marketing efforts of the Atlanta Spirit. 70,000 people walking right by your arena….many of whom would have gladly come in to watch hockey and have a beer…or even try out the sport for the first time…and the best you can do is pass out a few flyers…For months now they knew about the “doubleheader”…the potential to get a few thousand extra seats filled was there…may they got a 100 or so…what about an ad on the jumbotron at the Dome during a timeout…what about a promotion like show your Falcon ticket and get 2 for 1 that runs on the Falcons pre and post game shows. I took my boys to both games and it was a day that they will remember the rest of their lives. What a day! Unfortunately the arena was half filled again. The lack of concerted effort to cross-sell was a big missed opportunity.
R. Stroz
November 29th, 2010
3:10 pm
HookyBob – Give the award to Buffelec.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
3:16 pm
I’ve been a long time reader of the Chronicle, though I don’t comment much on their blog itself (and don’t ever get responses from them on Twitter). I love the screenplay idea. It’s really entertaining, and it’s something that should definitely get some use in the arena.
Screw the “marketing department.” We should just take over. At the very least, nothing would get done, which is a hair better than what we have today
Thrashers27
November 29th, 2010
3:17 pm
It’s almost scary to see so much positive press and overall positive feeling surrounding the team right now.
I can’t help but have an uneasy feeling in the back of my mind like, okay, when are the wheels gonna fall off.
Keep working hard, boys!
Thrashers27
November 29th, 2010
3:21 pm
…oh yeah, I see Colorado’s Stewart is now injured. That’s a shame. Would have been fun to see the brothers play against one another.
SomaAtl95
November 29th, 2010
3:43 pm
Recently I have tried sending suggestions to 11alive and Fox5 about watching the Thrashers more. Brought up how there are more men of color on this team than any other team and how they are making an extremely positive impact (Thinking it may help attendance bringing in an urban as well as suburban flow of new fans) and even suggested if NBC picks up the Thrashers/Pens game late in season as their “NBC Game of the Week” it would be huge for 11alive IF they start planting the seed now. That takes effort though and takes away from the relentless coverage of Football (NFL, College and High School) I just don’t understand Atlanta media, Vick comes along and the media eats it up and all the sudden the Falcons start selling out games (granted vick sold out the falcons, fans and Atlanta overall with his out and out lies about “not doing anything illegal”) – you would think between Big Buff, Stewart, Johnny O, and Kaner the Media would focus on the fact that its a sport for everyone and they could use the support of more fans. Maybe V-103 could truly be “The Peoples Station” and interview Big Buff each week. Aside from the AJC getting any hockey coverage in Atlanta is NEXT.TO.IMPOSSIBLE.
We hafta push WSB, WAGA, WXIA and WGCL to SUPPORT ALL SPORTS IN TOWN.
Anyone have any ideas on how we can push a demand for more local media coverage?
Thrashers27
November 29th, 2010
3:48 pm
I hear what you’re saying Soma, and I’d love to see the extra coverage you’re pushing for, but I don’t like it when people pay extra attention to someone because of something they have no control over. Skin color should be ignored, not treated as a marketing gimmick.
If they pay extra attention to the team, because they’re playing well and creating a buzz, then I’m all for it.
@not_CThorburn
November 29th, 2010
3:55 pm
note to self: scoring goals is less painful than blocking shots.
Also, go back and watch Kane’s fight again. See Hunwick pulling up on the leg of Kane’s shorts half way through the fight trying to dump him? He clearly had had enough long before Kane was through with him. What a loser!
World Be Free
November 29th, 2010
4:13 pm
$1 hot dogs were a good idea
SomaAtl95
November 29th, 2010
4:20 pm
Thrashers27, I more than understand that skin color doesn’t matter, however this is Atlanta where the Mike Vick debacle was made into a race issue when he caused his issues. It wasn’t that he lied to the owner, coaching staff, fellow player and city about his off field activities, his troubles were vilified as racism and you’ll still find people in the Falcons blogs who beat that dead horse.
Listen, I could care less if we had a player from another planet who was purple and green with orange polka-dots, if he scores, backchecks and plays well with the team, I welcome it… the sad truth of it is that hockey is not considered a sport for fans of African heritage in Atlanta because of the perception that no black people play the game. I don’t see it is a “Marketing Gimmick” showing our players of color to an area known for its strides in Equality and Civil Rights, I see it as a way for these guys to say to citizens of a city that would otherwise look them over “Hey, this game is for everyone, and you’ll be surprised at what you see”
The only way to get more fans from a city that is a melting pot is to show that the team itself is a very hard working (and successful as of late) melting pot of players from all backgrounds.
And I seem to remember when the All Star game was here there being a ceremony about diversity in the game. I saw THAT as a marketing ploy, simply because the game was in Atlanta – ground zero of the civil rights movement.
Point is without more media coverage and without showing ALL citizens of Atlanta what they are missing we will not see a whole bunch of sellout games – and we need a full arena every night.
Am I wrong?
World Be Free
November 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
The Thrashers are listed 21 out of 30 on The Fourth Period’s Power Rankings. Four of the Thrashers’ recent victims, Boston (#10), Montreal (#5), Washington (#3) and Detroit (#1) place alot higher than our current slot-I think that will change this week.
What makes me real happy? New Jersey is 28 out of 30. Hope Mr. First Class Organization is happy!
Thrashers27
November 29th, 2010
4:41 pm
Yeah, I hear what you’re saying and I understand that you’re wanting to boost the AIS factor. (Asses in Seats.) I agree with you there, but one of the things I love most about hockey is that race really isn’t a factor in the sport. Everybody is welcome and skin color is just not an issue like it is in the rest of the world.
I think we’re on the same page. I just don’t want to see race become an issue in hockey. It’s great that we have players like Kane, Iginla, Subban, Buff, etc, etc, but it’s not really an issue. They’re just part of a team and part of the league.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
4:56 pm
The Thrashers are listed 21 out of 30 on The Fourth Period’s Power Rankings.
They’re also listed at #18, I think, on The Hockey News.
#9 on ESPN and #4 on TSN evens things out considerably.
Thrashers27
November 29th, 2010
5:01 pm
They’re listed at #13 on Sportsnet.ca
Joe Friday
November 29th, 2010
5:28 pm
If they keep winning, the seats will be full, don’t sweat it. Winning = ticket sales in Atlanta
kracker
November 29th, 2010
5:56 pm
Interesting……tweet – BenThrashers @mirtle Byfuglien scores more, shoots more, hits more, has more gwg and has same +/- as Lidstrom. No way Lidstrom should be ahead of Buff.
Obviously, people in these parts agree w/ James Mirtle. And that is the same +/- on a team w/ a lot of new parts still coming together as on the veteran Wings team, giving the advantage to Buff, one might suggest.
kracker
November 29th, 2010
6:13 pm
Oh, wait…that was Ben’s comment, not Mirtle. duh …Anyway, they are batting it back and forth. But there is not much chance Buff would get more votes than Lidstrom. He would have to win the Hart, too
glovesave29
November 29th, 2010
7:00 pm
I think a cool local TV ad campaign with some humor would get some buzz…how about this. All the Thrashers players all having their clothes custom tailored to have “ATLANTA” down the arm like on the home blues. Buff going down to some Buckhead Life restaurant with it down his polo shirt. Ladd could be at a wedding with it down his tux sleeve. A player could be at a tattoo parlor getting it inked on…
cousin Eddie
November 29th, 2010
7:25 pm
I like it glovesave29- Just saw Matt Hunwick got traded to the Avs. I guess round two of Kane vs. Hunwick is Tuesday.
cousin Eddie
November 29th, 2010
7:28 pm
They could do ads with players working at Home Depot or going to the Georgia Aquarium and freezing one of the tanks and playing hockey on it. Get the corporate sponsors involved. I still like the Rob & Big Black spoof idea. My dad has 4 miniature horses. Just need to find a bulldog and we could get it started!
HooBob
November 29th, 2010
7:44 pm
Guess the “k” and “y” keys weren’t working on the sign-in eh?
If Dudley were in charge of marketing he’d make lemonade out of lemons. This is what I would have expected at yesterday’s Falcons game,..jumbotron Thrasher ads (during the game) featuring Kane distorting Cooke’s face and Big Buf going coast to coast, scoring, and pointing to the “Atlanta” on his arm. Then Thrash and the Ice Girls at the exits selling $3 tickets, with a coupon for either “one free beer” or “$5 off on food.” Get them in the building,..the game will sell itself. Also think $3 tickets for the 400’s will bring folks out,…and then back,..in the higher price lower bowl.
Smoothie, don’t forget Evander Holyfield and Tom Glavin in your marketing. Possibilities are endless for ads featuring the two Evanders.
Liked Alan’s line of “The best is yet to come.”
Rammer’s post game press conferences on the Thrashers website should be mandatory reading. His comments show what a great teacher he really is. Makes me think Stroz and I could be a shutdown D-pair, and we are both shorter than Koby, if we listen to him. Stroz do you want to be the “stay at home” or the “rush up the ice” guy?
Rumor has it Milbury and Roenik are starting a consulting company,..it’ll be called “Loose Cannon Consulting.” With their mouths,… a LLC would be the best business format. They would then be the “LCC LLC.”
We are now ranked somewhere between 4th (TSN) and 24th (CNN/SI) according to the power-rankings. Some folks just take longer to come around.
One other thing not to be overlooked in this team coming together (JF mentioned it a blog or two ago) is naming Andrew Ladd captain, along with A’s for Buf and Toby. So now can “Andrew and the Laddies” or is it “Laddie and the Boys” take this show on the road and make it work. I have to believe so. We were strong on the road earlier this year.
Go Blue,..beat the Aves.
Alan R.
November 29th, 2010
7:45 pm
Apparently, Mr. Hunwick wants a rematch with Evander Kane so badly, he got traded to the Avs today.
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_16736392
Round 2… FIGHT!
UniversalDawg
November 29th, 2010
7:58 pm
It is actually fun to watch this team. It is a blue collar team with no star power but they will play you hard for 60 minutes. Finally, we are able to witness 5 on 5 hockey instead of 4 on 5 while #17 skates around the blue line looking for a break away pass. It looks like the Thrashers made more than one trade with the Devils. We traded places in the standings too.
Rawhide
November 29th, 2010
10:47 pm
OK…I think you guys have had enough fun with this blog. So here’s another one to kick around while we wait for Tuesday night’s game.
backcheck
November 30th, 2010
5:07 pm
Sometimes it takes a Ducks fan. Told you guys this Thrashers team was better than you all thought a month ago, lol.
Dudley and Ramsey are the real deal. Enjoy the ride guys.
R. Stroz
December 1st, 2010
9:09 am
LAST!
Rawhide
December 6th, 2010
2:10 pm
R. Stroz – Nope.