Thrashers take on Coyotes as fans deal with ‘The Morning After’

The collective moaning and groaning heard throughout town this morning was the sound of Thrashers fans rolling out of bed still feeling the effects of being kicked in the gut yesterday. It’s the feeling you might experience after a long night of consuming hot wings and washing it all down with vast quantities of adult beverages…only without the benefit of actually enjoying the wings and drinks the night before.

Yes…it’s the morning after in Thrasherville.

In case you were away from your internet-fed computer or not tuned in to AM sports talk radio, here is the story in a nutshell:

Atlanta Spirit co-owner Michael Gearon let it be know via the AJC that there was a “sense of urgency” to find additional investor or an outright buyer for the Thrashers who would be willing to keep the team in Atlanta. He stated that they were faced with that as a serious alternative if no one steps forward and indicated that it would be tough to stomach any more $20 million losses.

Later in the afternoon, he then went on 680 AM The Fan with John Kincade and indicated his statement was simply meant to inform would-be local investors that they were open to offers. Gearon stated that he has no plans to dispose of HIS part of the franchise and that he loves both the Hawks and the Thrashers. He is only speaking out at this time, he insists, because he really and for-truly wants anyone in these parts looking to buy the Thrashers to have first crack at the deal.

He then went on about how the Belkin buyout took longer than expected because of their law firm…and then proceeded to discuss at length just how well he thought the Hawks were doing.

I guess the basketball team’s recent string of successful seasons is just a little more fun to talk about for Gearon than what he and his cohorts have allowed the Thrashers to become during their reign as owners.

…shrugs…

Why did Michael Gearon deliver this bit of information and not, say, Bruce Levenson? I dunno…maybe he was too busy working on his opening dialogue in preparation for an upcoming town hall meeting with season ticket holders.

Then again, maybe flaming monkeys will fly out of my…

…ahem…

Anyway…Unfortunately, this is just another cross we in Thrasherville will have to bear until any such person or persons actually step forward. So, you may continue to discuss it if you may, or move on to…

ACTUAL REAL LIFE HOCKEY TO DISCUSS!

Thank gawd that we actually have some honest and for-goodness Thrashers hockey to discuss today. While we are dealing with the aftereffects of the “M” bomb being dropped on Thrasherville by Mr. Gearon, the Thrashers find themselves in Arizona where they’ll do battle with the Phoenix Coyotes tonight.

And just like the “sense of urgency” Gearon commented on in regards to finding new partners or owners, there is also a deep sense of urgency to actually win some games if this team is to continue to make a run at the postseason. Doing so would actually go a long way in helping place some more butts in the blue seats of Philips Arena.

Just sayin’, Mr. Gearon…

The Yotes will provide a tough test for Atlanta as they currently sit atop the Pacific Division with a record of 30-19-9 and are coming off a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals Monday night. They’ve won five straight games and are 13-6-2 since New Years.

They are led in scoring by Keith Yandle with 9 goals and 38 assists for 47 points and Ray Whitney with 11 goals and 33 assists for 44 points. Lead Phoenix in goals scored is Scottie Upshall who has potted 16 to go with 11 helpers.

In goal for the Coyotes is Ilya Bryzgalov who has played to a record of 24-14-6 with a .918 SV% and 2.56 GAA. He has 5 shutouts so far this season. He’s currently on a personal five-game winning streak in which he’s allowed only six goals and dropped two goose eggs on the scoreboard. During the streak, he’s stopped 127 of 133 shots, (.955 SV%).

Last night we got some help from New Jersey and Philadelphia as they defeated Carolina and Florida respectively. The same is true as Toronto knocked off Buffalo in regulation as well. However, that brings win allowed the Leafs to leapfrog over the Panthers into eleventh place and pulled them to within four points of the Thrashers, who now reside in tenth.

Game is at 9:00 our time…I’ll have Trixie put on a few extra pots of coffee in the morning as it’ll be pushing midnight once the festivities in the desert are over. And I think I may sample a few wings and adult beverages while viewing it.

What the heck, the pain in my gut tomorrow morning won’t be any worse then the one I woke up with today.