A Thrashers winning streak…what is it?
If I had told you just two weeks ago the Atlanta Thrashers would today be one of the hottest…if not THE hottest…teams in the NHL, you would have sworn I was hitting the holiday spirits a little soon. They had just dropped a tough one to Florida, had lost three straight and six of their last seven. They were playing sloppy, making critical mistakes too often and dropping stinkers on the ice regularly.
Many thought they could improve and play better as a team eventually. But seeing teams like the Caps, Detroit, Montreal and Boston on the horizon…well, things looked like they wouldn’t be getting too much better any time soon. And as for any discussion of taking five consecutive by a combined score of 19-3…well, surely you can’t be serious.
But as it turns out, that’s exactly what they’ve done…and don’t call me Shirley.
Yes, the Thrashers have treated their fans to some of the best hockey ever seen around these parts. In contrast to what we’ve become accustomed to around here for the past several years… it’s an entirely a different style of hockey, altogether.
everyone at the same time… “It’s an entirely a different style of hockey”.
As you’ve probably noticed, ever since this team started the five-game winning streak the good people of Thrasherville have been happy and have noticed thing they’ve never new were there before; Birds singing, dew glistening on a newly formed leaf… stoplights.
Admittedly though, the recent run of great play and team-oriented hockey has left me shaken and disturbed, and all the questions keep coming up over and over again, like bubbles in a case of club soda.
Can they continue to get the same kind of consistent, disciplined performance from all players?
Can Ondrej Pavelec…now 6-4-2 with a 1.62 GAA, .949 SV% and 2 shutouts…maintain that level of excellence?
Will wonder-kid Alex Burmistrov be ready to go tonight after the hit he took Sunday?
How much more can they expect from Dustin Byfuglien, who now leads the team with 25 overall points, (9 goals & 16 assists) and is a +4.
Can this squad continue to outperform their opposition…even when it’s fourth and fifteen and your looking at a full court press.
Can they, when the whole crew is up against it, and the breaks are beating the boys…can they get out there and give it all they’ve got and win just one for the Zipper?
Honestly…shrugs…I dunno.
But if there is a sure fire way to keep this winning streak going, it’s this: score goals and stop others from scoring on you. Or stop other teams from scoring then score yourself, whichever way you wanna do it. Just remember the two key elements here…score more goals and don’t allow them to score as many.
Of course, statistics show they’ve only got a 50/50 chance of continuing the streak…though there’s only a 10% chance of that. But it’s a chance they’ll just have to take, win or lose. After all, you take a chance getting up in the morning, crossing the street or sticking your face in a fan.
Following their successful homestand, the Thrashers boarded a chartered airplane Monday and winged their way westward where they’ll try to keep their winning ways going away from Philips Arena. They’ll begin a three-game road trip starting Tuesday night in Denver against the 13-9-1 Colorado Avalanche. The Avs currently are tied with Vancouver for the Northwest Division lead, both with 27 points. And I’m sure you all join me in saying to the Thrashers…”Good luck. We’re all counting on you”.
That, and let’s certainly hope no one ate the fish as their in-flight meal, instead opting for the steak.
Given the choice between the two…I would have had lasagna.
After their date with the Avalanche, Atlanta will then head to Pittsburgh and Washington later in the week to try and impose the smell of fear upon the Penguins and Capitals.
And now in closing, and to show our support for the Thrashers and our country…let’s all rise and sing our National Anthem.
…ahem…
“Oh say can you see…by the dawn’s early light. What so proudly we hail…in the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose bright stripes and broad stars…in the perilous night…for the ramparts we watched…uh, da-da-da-da-da-daaaa. And the rocket’s red glare…lots of bombs in the air…gave proof to the [Knights!], that we still had our flag. Oh say does that flag banner wave…over a-a-all that’s free. And the home of the land…and the land of the – FREE!”
Today’s blog entry is dedicated to the memory of Leslie Nielsen who past away Sunday at the age of 84. Most of us remember Nielsen for his comedic roles in Airplane as well as The Naked Gun, however he was a dramatic actor prior to turning to comedy. Among other roles, he also portrayed Captain Harrison in The Poseidon Adventure. Before his career in acting, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Thank you for all the laughs, Leslie. May you rest in peace.
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169 comments Add your comment
kracker
November 30th, 2010
11:49 am
Yelling Knights – I am mid-way through a one-step program to kick the habit.
Can the Thrash keep it up? – No, not at a 19-3 scoring pace. But yes, in that I think they can avoid what kills most teams that miss the playoffs by only a few games, the long losing or pointless streak. They should be able to compete on most nights and win their share, steal some games and grab a few single points. Hopefully yhay will be enough.
More hopefully, I am wrong and the Thrashers take 6 of 9 points the rest of the season.
kracker
November 30th, 2010
11:49 am
yhay = that
Paminski
November 30th, 2010
12:13 pm
Zombie Steve – Master Blaster. LOL. Will the Phil become the Thunderdome?
The Thrashers have garnered a lot of applause from me lately. That’s how I developed this drinking problem.
World Be Free
November 30th, 2010
12:16 pm
Red Light-the Pegula rumor has been out there since the weekend. If it’s real, good for Sabres’ fans. Thanks to Golisano for saving the Sabres, but he is not a hockey man. Pegula and wife seem better suited to be hockey owners; they’ll open the wallet and get the players.
Despite what most of you feel about Sabes’ fans, they are a great bunch to be around at a home game. They have the type of hockey passion every team should hope for. I remember playing some of my high school games in front of huge HS hockey crowds. It’s a hockey town, they will do well at the Junior World Championships coming up.
World Be Free
November 30th, 2010
12:19 pm
You want the team to spend more on players? We need more than 10,000 fans int he seats every game. Sorry folks, but that’s the way it is until we get better crowds.
Red Light
November 30th, 2010
12:24 pm
Just got this in my in-box today.
A new market ranking from The Media Audit’s National Report reveals that Buffalo, New York is the top market for professional hockey fans. According to the study, 69.8% of adults in Buffalo regularly follow professional hockey on TV or radio, a figure that is nearly three times the national average. Among all U.S. adults, 23.5% regularly follow hockey. Buffalo was previously ranked as the top market for fans of professional ice hockey in the previous year’s study.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home of the Penguins, ranks second in the survey, with 67.6% who follow ice hockey, followed by Detroit, Michigan (65.9%), Ann Arbor, Michigan (46%), Boston, Massachusetts (45.6%), Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota (45.6%), Denver, Colorado (39.5%), Grand Rapids, Michigan (39.4%), St. Louis, Missouri (38.9%), and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (38.5%).
World Be Free
November 30th, 2010
12:25 pm
Darn-the Caps just picked up Scott Hannan from the Avs. I like Hannan, tough guy, good old school defenseman.
DWTOO
November 30th, 2010
12:38 pm
Pittsburgh second in hockey? Shows what winning will do for picking up interest. It wasn’t that long ago that they were the franchise on the snide…as in KC Penguins. Just win and the fair weather Atlanta fans will return and the rumors will cease.
Wonder what the interest level was when the Pens were sucking wind and the ownership was FUBAR?
World Be Free
November 30th, 2010
1:00 pm
Red Light-that kinda explains the Shiite/Rabies-infested mentality of some of the Sabres’ fans that infiltrate the Bulb twice/year. Mrs. WBF and I had Sabres’ seasons in the early 80’s. A couple good bars within staggering distance of the Old Aud. back then.
Red Light
November 30th, 2010
1:08 pm
Fleischmann must be mystified with the deal, but going to Colorado means he will play with some very solid young players. I think it’s a win-win deal for both teams.
Gretchelby
November 30th, 2010
1:12 pm
I just think it’s amazing that we can get the Thrashers fans to yell anything on cue all together and it be uniform…:) Cute twist on the article Rawhide. Leslie Nieson was “Shirley” one of my favorites….
Rawhide
November 30th, 2010
1:16 pm
Cute twist on the article Rawhide. Leslie Nieson was “Shirley” one of my favorites….
Gretchelby – Ahhhh….well played, ma’am. Well played indeed.
rob
November 30th, 2010
1:23 pm
WBF,
Mason has me wondering too. He held up OK at the beginning but I have seen some things out of him I have concerns about. One of them is his seeming inablity to play the puck without compounding matters and turning it over out of position. Watching Pavs he seems much more fluid and confident getting out and playing the puck to his players which translates into a better transition up ice. Maybe Glovesave (or any others) can chime in on if he has noticed this difference in our goalies?
Thrasher_Ed
November 30th, 2010
1:27 pm
Did anyone notice that the Chicago Blackhawks have signed Garnett Exelby? They signed him to a minor league deal and sent him to Rockford in the AHL.
Looking forward to seeing the Thrashers play tonight even if it is an hour later than usual for the Avalanche. Go Thrashers!
Paminski
November 30th, 2010
1:28 pm
rob – I’d like to hear what Glovesave thinks about Pavs too. He once pointed out that Pavs leans too far forward and I started watching. It looks to me like Pavs has changed his stance since then and look at him go! Goalie consultant helping?
Furious George
November 30th, 2010
2:01 pm
I was actually kinda looking forward to seeing a little sibling rivalry in the Stewart brother reunion tonight but that’s not gonna happpen now. At lest Chris’ absence gives the Thrashers one less thing to worry about, this game should be pretty winable.
World Be Free
November 30th, 2010
2:01 pm
rob-I think Mason is a good veteran signing, he may be helping Pavs with his game. Obviously St.Louis thought they could do better than having Mason back as their number one-we will see.
Red Light-Fleishmann has been the odd man out in Washington-he was a healthy scratch against the Sabres recently. Caps needed to get tougher, but had to give us some skill to do it.
Red Light
November 30th, 2010
2:17 pm
This is one of the biggest jokes, as are most fan ballots, that PK Subban leads Mike Green, Brian Rafalski, Zdeno Chara and Dustin Byfgulien in all-star voting among defensemen.
R. Stroz
November 30th, 2010
2:22 pm
Red Light – Isn’t that proof that Canadian hockey fans are stupid?
Red Light
November 30th, 2010
2:28 pm
“Red Light – Isn’t that proof that Canadian hockey fans are stupid?”
No, it’s proof the Canadiens’ fans are irretrievably loyal and primarily French, which is redundancy at is highest level.
Rawhide
November 30th, 2010
2:56 pm
Per C-Viv tweet: “Details of Tim Stapleton deal with Thrashers. Two-way deal this season, $525,000 over $105,000. NHL deal next season worth $525,000″
Joe Friday
November 30th, 2010
3:16 pm
“PK Subban leads Mike Green, Brian Rafalski, Zdeno Chara and Dustin Byfgulien in all-star voting among defensemen.”
It’s a traveshamockery!
“You want the team to spend more on players? We need more than 10,000 fans int he seats every game. Sorry folks, but that’s the way it is until we get better crowds.”
Sorry, WBF, but that’s not the way commerce works. Ya gots to spend money to make money, or sumthin like that.
This club keeps winning, and the fans will come, but it’s going to take more than a 5 game win streak to undo the damage that Waddell inflicted on our fan base over the years. Hi-evah, I do believe they will keep winning. This club is playing great hockey, not good, but great hockey, far better than any prior club has ever played (which is directly attributable to coaching and to the players all buying in).. Their play is no fluke, barring severe injuries (knock on wood), this club is competitive and the fans will continue to come back, slowly, but they’ll be back, and they make the playoffs, all those Sabre/Bruin/Pens/Wing fans will be back in droves (wearing powder blue).
Joe Friday
November 30th, 2010
3:23 pm
By the way, you want a flashback to the old Thrasher clubs? Click over to the next Wild game you see show up in CenterIce, they stink!
Putting On The Foil
November 30th, 2010
4:08 pm
Speaking of national anthems, I can remember as a kid of about 5 or 6 going to the Braves games and after the final line of the anthem (”And the home of the Brave”) looking up at my dad and asking him what song do they sing for the other teams.
litz
November 30th, 2010
5:05 pm
“By the way, you want a flashback to the old Thrasher clubs? Click over to the next Wild game you see show up in CenterIce, they stink!”
Or just dial up a Devils game … same thing …
glovesave29
November 30th, 2010
5:15 pm
Hey Pam…weighed in on this a week or so ago – But Pavs has definately improved his weight transfer and keeps back instead of leaning waaaaaay forward as he used to. I did notice he has moved his glove position from open and facing forward to facing downward. When you hold the glove in that position, it forces you to lean a bit farther back. Perhaps that is the work of Malarchuk? The benefit of good balance is no more overcommiting and sliding past the post as he comes across. Leaves him on his belly less often too.
I would like to see him use a longer paddle on his goal stick. I have the one he broke in the NYI game, and he uses a 24.5″ model. That’s the same that I use and I am only 5′9″. This will keep in leaning back, as I am afraid video coaches will notice how he holds his glove and burn him glove side.
Kinda hard to find any faults in a guy with a .970 save pct over the past week. But solid fundamentals will keep him in the game when this hot streak cools. The most important attribute is between the ears right now. He feels invincible and the puck looks like a bowling ball right now. Let’s hope Clint keeps it that way
Brendan
November 30th, 2010
5:33 pm
Mr. Deniro, we need to get inside Philips Arena.
glovesave29
November 30th, 2010
6:34 pm
Sometimes people just suck…
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=343514
KLS1
November 30th, 2010
7:11 pm
Keep it going tonight Thrash!
“Nothing to embarrassed about, I sometimes use my maiden name.” RIP Leslie!
Red Light
November 30th, 2010
7:12 pm
Expecting a great game tonight in Denver, and I think the Thrashers are so confident that there will be no letdown from the homestand. Can they win No. 6 in a row? Sure, why not! Thrashers 3, Avs 2.
glovesave29
November 30th, 2010
7:17 pm
Thrashers games now simulcasted on 93.7FM.
Joe Friday
November 30th, 2010
8:45 pm
Jeremy Morin called up to the Hawks with Hoss out hurt. Morin looked great in his first few shifts, his forecheck caused the turnover leading to the Hawks first goal, games on VS right now against the Blues.
Whoever takes on Scott this year is asking for a face smooshing. Long armed baboon, indeed.
World Be Free
November 30th, 2010
9:13 pm
Joe Friday-I knew that statement would draft at least one comment. While I cannot disagree with you, that’s the way it is here for the immediate future. 10K in the seats is not going to cut it, the team needs to win and draw more fans. I just do not see it any other way.
Joey Crabb is a Maple Leaf tonight, just got an assist on Kulimen’s goal. Loafs must like Ex-Thrashers, Joey, Colby Cheese and Clarke. Too bad they dropped Ex after last season. Somebody needs to smash Steve Downie, he is a punk.
I hope we don’t get let down tonight, everyone is on a high right now. This team is bound to play like they did against the Islanders last week. Fleishmann will not arrive in time for the game.
Tampa’s goaltending is average at best. Both Ellis and Smith have save percentages under .900; guess Joe was correct on Ellis though our choice, Chris Mason hasn’t been alot better for the Thrashers.
Hockey Biltong
November 30th, 2010
9:14 pm
WBF – both my uncles served in the RCAF in WW2. One in Africa and one in Europe.Both had incredible stories and one has transcripts in the Royal Dutch Museum in Amsterdam.Buy me a good beer and I’ll tell you some of them, sometime…
BTW, TSN NHL has Atlanta 4th in the most recent power rankings!!!
World Be Free
November 30th, 2010
9:16 pm
Looks like “The Fly” isn’t going to be in ATL anytime soon. Stapleton is a Canadian version of “The Fly”. The man looks like a kid.
Hockey Biltong
November 30th, 2010
9:19 pm
Rangers got time on VS disussing Crosbys’ dirty play…too bad they didn’t show Valabiks’ nuts being pounded by the kid!
World Be Free
November 30th, 2010
9:21 pm
Biltong-I have to assume most of the Royal Canadian airmen served in the RAF. My father in law was on a B-17, later in B-24. They had RAF fighter escorts on their bombing runs. Maybe they rubbed elbows somewhere in Europe. Dad was with us at the Islanders’ game with us last week.
World Be Free
November 30th, 2010
9:42 pm
Thanks to the Maple Loafs for blowing a lead with 7 seconds left then losing in OT to the Bolts. Not sure the Leafs are going to make playoffs Mr. Rawhide.
Hockey Biltong
November 30th, 2010
9:56 pm
damn, it would have been nice to see the dolts lose….
Smitty
November 30th, 2010
9:58 pm
Leave it to the Leafs to blow a lead like they did tonight. Bad face-off, bad battle for loose puck and no coverage on St Louis at the point. Stamkos is the real deal. He set up St Louis for the one timer to tie the game. Wilson’s days in TO have to be numbered. Bad loss for the Leafs. I thought they were going to help us out but they were out coached again.
Tampa and Atlanta are showing the league what a good GM and a good coach can do. I wonder if all the experts still think the SE is a soft division.
World Be Free
November 30th, 2010
10:08 pm
Smitty – it will be interesting to see if Burke dumps Wilson. They have known each other for a long time. Panic will set into Toronto if they keep losing, potentially giving Boston 2 more high draft choices in the Kessel deal.
Smitty
November 30th, 2010
10:14 pm
WBF: They sure gave up a lot for Kessel.
Smoothie
November 30th, 2010
10:25 pm
Love it when other teams choke away wins against the Tampa Bay Dolts…sheeesh! Thrashers on their own, no help from former mates, not that Crabb + C-Mac is much of a lethal combo.
Smoothie
November 30th, 2010
10:27 pm
PEVERLEY!!! POPS ONE IN AND STUNS AN UNWITTING BUDAJ. NICE STICK WORK BY LADD TO KEEP THE PLAY ALIVE.
sorry for all the yelling
iamtheratio
November 30th, 2010
10:28 pm
You know you’re playing good when you MAKE your own LUCK!
Smoothie
November 30th, 2010
10:30 pm
HOLY CRAP WHAT AN AMAZING HASEK-LIKE SAVE BY PAVS!!! GULP.
World Be Free
November 30th, 2010
10:39 pm
Final post for the evening-
Sorry to hear of the death of a fine hockey writer, Jim Kelley. He was a beat writer for the Buffalo News for many years, he later branched out to national media outlets. Kelley was one of the more respected hockey beat writers, always told it like it was with professionalism and deep respect for the game. He was respected by fans, players and mangement alike. RIP Jim
Smoothie
November 30th, 2010
10:43 pm
Just a little shaky defensively towards the end of the period but a nice flourish of offense at the end of the period in which Kaner hits the crossbar on a half-open net! Damn. His line has great jump and I like their chances of scoring a goal tonite. Need Nik Antropov to wake up so he can capitalize on some of Burmy’s sweet passes. Boy is so damn good already, scary.
Tom
November 30th, 2010
10:45 pm
Fast 1st period. 1-0 Thrashers but could easily have been 3-2.
Thrashers outshooting the Avs 15-8 in the first period.
Brendan
December 1st, 2010
12:01 am
The Thrashers had the lead after one period. The Thrashers had the lead after two periods. I don’t know what our record is when that happens, but it’ll be put to the test, as Matt Duchene, former 3rd overall pick, has tied it for the Avalanche.
Pavelec is still playing well.
Can’t believe the Leafs choked that one away, to the Bolts, tonight. Seven seconds away from a 4-point swing on TB, but the Buds lose the battle, 3-1. Colorado gets two (2) points, while denying Toronto one (1) point, for the 3-1 split of the possible points.
Rich Peverley is having a great game.