Thrashers shuffle off to Buffalo in desperate need of a win
Tonight the Thrashers will take on the Sabres up in Buffalo and are in desperate need of coming out western New York with a pair of points. Break it down however you like, tonight’s matchup is just the latest verse in this seasons, “Thrashers Need A Win Real Bad” song.
To illustrate this point let’s turn our attention to the Eastern Conference standings, shall we…
Atlanta and Buffalo both find themselves sitting in the ninth and tenth position in the Eastern Conference. Each has 60 points but the Sabres have two games in hand. Right above them are Carolina and the New York Rangers with 65 and 68 points respectively. The Rangers are coming off a shootout win against the Canes last night. And after their 3-2 win in Vancouver last night, Montreal sits in sixth place with 71 points.
Lurking just below is Toronto, Florida and New Jersey. Thanks to a 2-1 win over the Islanders, the Leafs are but a single point behind the Thrashers while the Panthers have 57 points. The Devils are sitting now at 56 points after Johan Hedberg turned aside all 19 Stars shots faced during a 1-0 win in Dallas.
New Jersey is now an amazing 16-1-2 in their last 19 games.
While the Thrashers attempt to rattle the Sabres tonight, Florida will be in Ottawa to play the Senators. Toronto plays in Montreal tomorrow. On Friday, Carolina hosts Pittsburgh, the Rangers are in Washington and the Devils are in Tampa.
It’s Not Easy Being Green in Blueland
Normally when the Buffalo Sabres are our opponents, I find myself with a serious case of goalie envy. I’ve always been a big Ryan Miller fan and have wished we could have someone like that manning the Thrashers nets over the past several years. But today, as the two teams prepare to square off, I find myself turning green because that organization is preparing to begin a new era under the ownership of Terry Pegula.
It appears Sabres fans will have an owner who not only is a huge fan of the team and the sport, but it looks like he has an understanding of what it takes to run a franchise.
Speaking at HSBC Arena yesterday, Pegula stated, “Starting today, there will be no financial mandates on the Buffalo Sabres hockey department”. He later added, “Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres’ reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup”.
Wow…imagine that.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had words of praise for the Sabres new owner adding that it was “a dream come true for the league because we know this franchise is in great hands”.
…sigh…
And Speaking of New Owners…
While is seems ownership issues will not be a problem up in Buffalo any time soon, we here in Thrasherville can still only hope for such a day. To help move that process forward, season ticket holder Chris Ciovacco is looking to get the attention of local elected officials in this video which he has asked me to share with you.
Ciovacco is the person who has started up the Keep The Thrashers movement and is planning a gathering at the Taco Mac next to Philips Arena Sunday afternoon. I’ll be there and hope to see you as well.
Where else I hope to see you is in the seats of Philips Arena come game time Friday and Sunday. Voicing concern is great and all that, and I support every fan’s efforts to show their support for the team. But nothing trumps butts in seats when it comes to showing any would-be investor that may be “kicking the tires” exactly what NHL hockey in this town can be again.
If you’re still looking to procure your tickets for this weekend and other upcoming games, again I invite you to click –>HERE<– and use the promo code RAWHIDE.
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234 comments Add your comment
Iron League 13
February 23rd, 2011
6:59 pm
I can’t kill penalties – The Thrashers do not need a superstar, but they need more skill up front, period. Food for thought, sometimes a lack of skill forces overly ambitious play and in turn more penalties. Yes, our PK is ABYSMAL, but they need more goals more than they need a specialist or two.
LAC
February 23rd, 2011
7:59 pm
Another loss tonight, The Standard for this bunch. Awful team as it stands now.
Glad Duke is on, fun to watch a WINNER and a coach who Does Konw What He is DOING !
da' boomer
February 23rd, 2011
8:34 pm
Who is the guy on w/Kamal?
Puckhead
February 23rd, 2011
8:46 pm
da’ boomer he is Jake Snyder
Puckhead
February 23rd, 2011
8:48 pm
How many tickets you think will be sold after the last minute of the second period?
Tom
February 23rd, 2011
9:12 pm
Turned the game off…
Tom
February 23rd, 2011
9:13 pm
Congratulations Zombie, I hope it has some win win potential.
Bbbb
February 23rd, 2011
9:15 pm
Ramsay must go. What the heck is going on with this team? Oh… I am sorry.. There is no team… there are bunch of guys staying and watching goals…
Thrasher 4 LIFE
February 23rd, 2011
9:18 pm
Thrashers suck!!! Clap clap clap clap clap
Thrashers suck!! Clap clap clap clap clap
Kiss the playoffs goodbye and atlanta, too!
Winniphlegm
February 23rd, 2011
9:27 pm
Hey everybody, tonight’s game aside, people from Winnipeg (I live there-don’t shoot the messenger) love slamming Atlanta on the main newspaper Winnipeg Free Press. Google it with Atlanta Thrashers and you’ll see what I’m talking about. They think that the Thrashers have no fanbase. This blog says to me otherwise. Go troll on their paper like the moronic Wpg trolls and watch them get all defensive and call you names. I’ll defend Atlanta to the tee. If Winnipeg does get a team back, it should be Phoenix—completely, and I mean completely different story here in Atlanta. Go Thrashers!…just not to Winnipeg.
Thrasher 4 LIFE
February 23rd, 2011
9:29 pm
New coach. SAME RESULTS.
Thrashers are a mediocre team at BEST.
Draft a better goalie next year than Pavelec
Mooseberg
February 23rd, 2011
9:34 pm
You get what you pay for, one of the lowest paid teams and heading to the bottom of the standings….not a top 6 player on the team…barely any top 9. Defense, 1 top 4. This is about as good as it should get.
LAC
February 23rd, 2011
9:36 pm
Ramsey is a bald version of John Anderson. Why bother watching this CRAP. Lifeless, Gutless, No Heart, No Desire, No GOALTENDING.
I, for one, instead of getting 4 more years to SCREW things up, Duds, dudley should have been shown the DOOR. He is as bad as ramsey is, another TOTAL failure of a season, and at this point, I really don’t care if they do move. We Atlanta fans have taken way TOO much of this type play for years and years and it NEVER changes. Just MOVE, then we don’t have to put up with this lackluster play.
We will be DAMN lucky to beat Edmonton for last overall in the NHL, we WILL finish LAST in the East, no doubt about it. Just disgusting tonight, No Chance for playoffs after this CRAP !
Bbbb
February 23rd, 2011
9:43 pm
Look at this Winni… polar guys… Now they even try to choose – they don’t like thrashers, they need phoenix… Good approach.
As for thrashers – end of season was today. Now sell out everyone and let youngsters play..
Tom
February 23rd, 2011
9:43 pm
Do you want to throw up a little in your mouth?
The Devils are going to pass the Thrashers very soon. NJ has made up 22 pts on ATL since New Years Eve.
jimbo
February 23rd, 2011
9:43 pm
Down 4-1. D continues to stink. The Bald Genius decided some 10 games agao to open up the offense. Every other team with any sort of a playoff chance is tightening up on D. Clueless Craig apparently took too many hits to the head during his playing days and has become CONFUSED, CLUELESS CRAIG. Until we get a coach who knows and employs a defensive strategy we will be the laughing stock of the league. Very painful to root for this team.
Alan R.
February 23rd, 2011
9:44 pm
Winniphlegm – Thanks for the support.
Buzzeng
February 23rd, 2011
9:44 pm
At this point, I have to say that my enthusiasm earlier in the year was probably too optimistic and I should have stuck with my expectations that this would be a building year (maybe even foundation building year) as Dudley gets the pieces in place. I am officially shifting gears to being enthusiastic about next year and will enjoy every pleasant surprise that a Thrashers victory gives through the end of the season.
Go Thrashers!
Tom
February 23rd, 2011
9:46 pm
Buzzeng – are you a ticket rep?
KLS1
February 23rd, 2011
9:46 pm
Another chance to win a big game, gone. No wonder there is a dwindling fanbase…win a big game! C’mon, win any game, this is the Sabres…give me a break.
Choke city baby…
Buzzeng
February 23rd, 2011
9:48 pm
Tom – No way, dude! Too tough a job for me!
Blueland Buddha
February 23rd, 2011
9:52 pm
My expectations have now officially shifted. Its all about finding a new owner (here’s hoping Kincade is on to something). An owner that is willing to spend to complement the pieces already in place. If the great news that the Thrash have been sold to a local buyer occurs this winter/spring, I will consider it a successful year. Dont want to think of the alternative…
Bbbb
February 23rd, 2011
9:53 pm
Ramsay! Respect yourself… Don’t say anything after game – just resign!
Hockey Biltong
February 23rd, 2011
9:54 pm
LAC, we all feel your pain. This was the dagger that killed our playoff hopes.meh.
At this point when you talk about Duds, you have to look at his track record. He is the best thing this team has going for it.Tampa and Chicago didn’t blossom overnight,nor do I expect Le Thrash to either. But the two cities did have very successful runs for their hockey club.
Notwithstanding our present ownership situation, who else could we get to fix what ails this team?
Tom
February 23rd, 2011
9:54 pm
Buzzeng… Good to hear. I want to make sure you can eat this summer.
patrick
February 23rd, 2011
9:55 pm
Is the rally on Friday or Sunday? I need to know. I have tickets to Friday’s game.
Buzzeng
February 23rd, 2011
9:56 pm
Tom – Bravo!
World Be Free
February 23rd, 2011
9:58 pm
Time for Ramsay to step aside, this team has no heart whatsoever.
The coach is not motivating the players.
Another disaster at the end of a period, costs us another game.
Hate to say it Rammer, but it time to step aside.
The playoffs are lost-we need to be sellers now.
No reason to buy for now when now is d e a d.
Fat Lady
February 23rd, 2011
9:58 pm
La..La..La…La..La…Lottery
Iron League 13
February 23rd, 2011
9:59 pm
Lame-o.
Hockey Biltong
February 23rd, 2011
10:01 pm
Bring on the Torch!
KLS1
February 23rd, 2011
10:04 pm
We have nothing to sell!
Smoothie
February 23rd, 2011
10:05 pm
WBF – sad but true. Proud day in Buffalo and yet another poop sandwich for the loyal fans of Thrasherville. And somebody give Danny Kamal a hug!
R. Stroz
February 23rd, 2011
10:06 pm
My money is on Sopel being traded.
Iron League 13
February 23rd, 2011
10:07 pm
Everyone harping on Ramsay, well at this point I don’t disagree. Can you imagine that guy being able to pump you up? I mean think about it, there’s NO way. It’s like he’s got chamomile tea on an IV drip.
Honestly though I like Wheeler and Stuart (brute). Shoulda known about Wheeler I watched him light it up a couple times in December at the bulb. Anyways…this team needs an enema and you can supersize that thing if possible.
Sunday Meet @ Taco Mac - Fans Meeting
February 23rd, 2011
10:07 pm
Event: There is no”rally”. We are simply meeting before the game outside Taco Mac. We are encouraging people to get down to the game early, wear jerseys, make signs, etc. Here is the “event” page that talks about Sunday’s place to meet:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=190726347626817
KLS1
February 23rd, 2011
10:10 pm
Somebody other than Ladd or Buff please step up…Kane, Little, Antro, Bogo, Bergie, Wheeler…hello anybody out there? Anybody?
There is no team…our young guys stink, there is nothing to build on from this season with our “young talent”. Next year will be worse…these are not NHL level players.
Rick Dudley
February 23rd, 2011
10:11 pm
Did I just get a 4 year extension for making the Thrashers worse this year vs. last year.
Thanks for hiring me Don Waddell, the job security in Atlanta really can’t be beat.
Don Waddell
February 23rd, 2011
10:11 pm
I considered being an enema salesman.
Don Waddell
February 23rd, 2011
10:12 pm
Then I decided to push product for the Atlanta Spirit.
Mike
February 23rd, 2011
10:13 pm
A good -30 C winter will sort this team right out…
Iron League 13
February 23rd, 2011
10:17 pm
I hate to say I told you so, but I did. I’m being playful so don’t take that the wrong way. I said many times (as razorneck13) that I thought this year was going to be the worst since about the 3rd or 4th seasons and I was right. Stats can tell you A LOT and so can payroll.
That aside, I NEVER thought they’d disintegrate like this NEVER. So, when I say I told you so it’s definitely me patting myself on the back, but not rejoicing in the suckage and again I NEVER saw this stretch happening. I thought it would have been more evenly distributed for sure and I woulda pegged em for about 30-34 wins at best.
KLS1
February 23rd, 2011
10:18 pm
This is a joke…this teams effort is a joke. Win a game…any game…against any team, maybe air hockey?
R. Stroz
February 23rd, 2011
10:21 pm
The Atlanta Hawks just made a trade adding $700,000 in payroll, traded away a future NBA star, and their 2011 first round draft pick and actually made the team worse.
KLS1
February 23rd, 2011
10:24 pm
By the way…we will not be the worst team because that would mean we could win a lottery pick. We’ll win just enough to get another dud in the draft.
Just like when we beat Tampa down the stretch to finish a few points ahead to lose the Stamkos pick. Well done.
Thrashers27
February 23rd, 2011
10:25 pm
It’s enough to make a grown man wanna cry. Heartbreaking! I don’t know what else there is to say…
Iron League 13
February 23rd, 2011
10:25 pm
Anywho…talking about how THIS team sucks in great detail pertaining to the strategies and execution is futile at this point, FU-TILE. I’m over WAAAY OVER coming on here all the time looking for some good news via trade, OVER IT. This season ended in December of last year for crying out loud. Now that attention to Thrashers current events is soley reserved for ownership and management, if that doesn’t change I don’t give a flying crap about who’s on the roster now and never will.
Iron League 13
February 23rd, 2011
10:31 pm
Don Waddell – Well selling enemas wouldn’t have been as fitting as a certain kind of male enhancing manual vaccuum of sorts. Shoulda done that, cuz you really do suck …. very well.
Iron League 13
February 23rd, 2011
10:33 pm
Donny Wad – Hell with F.A.S., LLC on board you’d be tycoons of that industry. TY-COONS!!!
Hockey Biltong
February 23rd, 2011
10:33 pm
Sopel,eh???