Flyers visit Thrasherville for a St. Patrick’s Day showdown
Top ‘o the mornin’ to ya, Thrasherville. Today be St. Patrick’s Day and once again it’s time to don the greens and let yer inner-Irish come shinin’ through. As I’m sure you all are already knowin’, there not be a single drop of Irish blood in me…German/Austrian is me ancestry. But it’s doesn’t make one hill ‘o beans on this day, now does it?
Aye, on this day I’m as green as a leprechaun, and as fate would have it I’m feelin’ just as lucky as one too. The reason I say such a thing is because I just got just back from a pleasure trip.
That’s right…I took me mother-in-law to the airport.
Comin’ to Thrasherville to join us in our St. Patty’s Day celebration be the Flyers from Philadelphia. And Lord knows after what happened to ‘em last Saturday up in their barn, they are sure to be as fired up as a Scotsman who just found out his favorite sheep was stolen. So the boys better mind their pints and quarts once the puck drops on this one.
- Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd celebrate the game-tying goal in Philadelphia Saturday night. The Thrashers eventually won 5-4 in overtime after erasing a 4-2 deficit late in the thid period. Tonight the Flyers head to Atlanta for a St. Patrick’s Day showdown (AP Photo)
Now, as for our Thrashers…to say that we are in dire need of a win tonight would be quite the understatement, indeed. After Tuesday’s night’s misery in New Jersey, their playoffs hopes are-a fadin’ almost as fast as Father O’Flarity after he’s had a few rounds with the boys down at the Twisted Kilt…if ya know what I mean, there.
Goin’ back to that game and the unfortunate call that stripped that poor lad Evander Kane of a goal…one which would have knotted things up late in the third period. I got a call from me old gal friend who lives up in that neck ‘o the woods now. I’ve told you about her, haven’t I…the young lass with the flowing red hair and green eyes that sparkled like emeralds. She loved to hang out behind my house all day and just lounge in the sun.
Patty is her name…Patty O’Furniture.
Anyway, the lovely Patty said she was so distraught over the call that she cursed the refs to be afflicted by “the itch” and have no nails which to scratch with.
This lass might have been blessed by the good Lord many fine features, but understanding and forgiveness are not among them.
But even so, I’m thinkin’ that it matters little because the Thrashers are left with about as much chance of making the postseason as me good pal Mortimer O’Peacock has of getting past farmer O’Leary and to his lovely young daughter. Quite simply put, I don’t much see either happenin’.
Still, I’m hopin’ that our Thrashers can fight the Flyers with the same ferocity as seen in any local Irish pub…or by the wives when their husbands come home late from one. A good time at the ‘ol hockey game is still something we all can fancy on this night.
I’m also tossin’ up a prayer that youngster Bryan Little can actually score a goal again. He’s had the worst of luck of late, clangin’ puck off the pipe and all. In fact, the only person I know who has had a tougher time of it than he lately is me good friend Biggie O’Shooter in his attempt to land a date with one of the Blue Crew gals.
But like I always tell him, he’s like a dog chasin’ a carriage. If he actually did catch it, he wouldn’t now how to drive the darn thing.
And speaking of Morty and O’Shooter…I’m sure before the game begins they, I and the other fine gents over at The Blueland Chronicle will be meetin’ up outside of Gorins in CNN Center. I mean, I do believe it’s mandatory that a hockey game on St. Patty’s Day is to be proceeded by tossing a pints or five down the gullet.
I really do like those lads, but they kinda remind me of bagpipes. Yeah, they don’t really cause a stir or make much noise…unless, that is, they’re filled with air. Then comin’ outa them is such a God-awful sound, the likes of which the old cow died of.
So as we wait for game time to arrive, I’ll leave ya to discuss tonight’s game amongst yourselves. After all, there’s still no tax on talk…not yet at least.
But before I go, please allow me to bestow upon ya a blessing that me dear old mother gave to me: As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.
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96 comments Add your comment
O'Brendan
March 17th, 2011
5:42 pm
I’m down for some Killian’s Irish Red, Red Light!
Red Light
March 17th, 2011
5:46 pm
Here’s a few quotes a dug up from interviews with Freddy Meyer, Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell about Flyers captain Mike Richards. Meyer played with Richards in Philadelphia.
Meyer about Richards being one of the best all-around players in the game
“It defines him as a player. He can beat you in all aspects of the game and he works extremely hard at his game to get to where he is today. I’m not sure he does it too much anymore, but in his first few years in the league he was fighting a decent amount too.
From the day he was drafted, he was thrown into the next Bobby Clarke role in Philadelphia. They figured out that he was a high-character individual and he was going to bring more to the organization than just scoring goals, and that he was going to be the kind of guy that you can build a franchise around.
I’ve played with a lot of leaders and captains, and sometimes the best leaders aren’t guys that are going to get in the middle of the dressing room, throwing their gear around and yelling and screaming. It’s more of a guy who shows up every day for practice, shows up every day for the games and works as hard as he can work and leads by example.”
Hartnell about Richards
“He’s a competitor. He’s a great captain. He leads by example every night on the ice and he’s a great professional. Guys see that and follow suit and it’s nice to have a leader who comes to play every night. That’s what you need.”
Briere comparing Richards to Briere’s former teammate Chris Drury
“The similarities are really easy. They are both winners. They are both competitors, very competitive guys. They play the same way. They play with an edge, they are not the biggest guys but they’re not afraid to get their noses dirty. They are both good penalty killers and good on the power play. I think the difference is that I see Richards as more of a playmaker, where Drury was more of a goal scorer when I played with him.
The way they approach the game, the way they compete and the way they prepare themselves. Both of them are very quiet. They lead by example and they both have it in their eyes and demeanor that they are ready to play and ready to compete. You don’t have to worry about them. They’re not guys who are going to come in and scream at anybody, but all you have to do is take one look at them to know what’s going on inside them.”
ZAvalanche
March 17th, 2011
6:07 pm
Interesting interview RL. Personally, and this hurts me to say, I would take Richards over Drury. Very slim margin though. Do I have the option of taking both of them?
Swede
March 17th, 2011
6:07 pm
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=358431
Talks continue with new owners!
ZAvalanche
March 17th, 2011
8:59 pm
Holy crap!! Go Thrashy!
HookyBob
March 17th, 2011
9:47 pm
Mr Tiller: Two thoughts come to mind. The 1st is that your bride and none of your in-laws read your blog (highly unlikely),..or you have an incredible relationship with your in-laws. (Methinks it is the latter.) My hat comes off to you.
Even though my surname begins with “Mac” a bit of Irish blood flows through my veins. For those who do not know St Patrick endured hardships and pulled his people, who had endured countless hardships, together,..thus he became the patron Saint of Ireland.
The Thrashers, or rather their fans, could use a patron Saint. Mr Stroz, without being trivial, is there a way to honor Mr Benning as the Thrasher’s “Patron Saint?” (There is no question he exemplied all things we admire.)
O'Flagstaff
March 17th, 2011
10:40 pm
…Happy birthday, Rammer.
Maximus Decimus Meridius
March 17th, 2011
10:46 pm
Are you not entertained??
O. Stroz
March 17th, 2011
11:20 pm
O it felt good to yell PHILLY SUCKS.
LAC
March 17th, 2011
11:50 pm
Good Gut Check game tonight, proves Phils. is NOT that good. Just tough they tied it.
Loved Wheeler losing it only to get it, Great. Good hustle and a number of guys played with their heads, made for an easier game. Anyhow Great Win and if we win in Buffalo… Watch out !!!???
Lastly cliffy, STFU, ok, you are a little whiner who needs his dirty diaper changed, so change it and eat it and never return. Leave Sage alone, he speake the Truth, you only complain like a little whining kid, Please GO AWAY cliffy !
LAC
March 17th, 2011
11:57 pm
You have to say 5 out of 8 points against NJ/Phila. is not that bad. Should have had another point in the very least in NJ, That was a GOOD goal.
Thanks Swede, love reading those whining canada fans and theis stupid logic saying move all Southern teams. What a bunch of complete LOSERS, jus like little “cliffy”.
O'Brendan
March 18th, 2011
12:07 am
Beautiful win. Who cares about tossing a ‘pity point’ back to a team we cannot catch, anyways? Sure, it would have been better to win in regulation time, but really, a win is a win, no matter how it was obtained.
Looking around the league, the Thrashers gained two points on Carolina, the NYR, Toronto, Buffalo, and the NY Isles. Niiice.
Hockey O'Biltong
March 18th, 2011
12:10 am
Nice win boys, even when it looked dour…..
O. Stroz
March 18th, 2011
12:17 am
Me Irish horn was blazing celtic tunes at the ahrena.
O'Hanson Brothers
March 18th, 2011
12:39 am
O’Brendan, you should care about tossing a pity point to a team we can’t catch. While the win was great don’t forget the first tiebreaker is non shootout wins, and in a year where if we do catch 8th place there is a good chance of a tie, we need those wins because we lose that tiebreaker with all the other teams in the race right now. Just sayin. Go Thrashers! Beat Buffablow…..in regulation please.
Swede
March 18th, 2011
7:17 am
God I have those stupid canadians. They are missing a brain since they dont understand WHY we´ve got into these circumstances.. Give Ottawa a bad team for 11 years with shitty owners and gm´s making horrible decisions hurting the club for 10 years and see what their attendance will be.
glovesave29
March 18th, 2011
8:13 am
Now THIS is fun! I missed yesterday, but read up where Sage…who’s been a condescending jerk to everyone for years, is complaining about being picked on.
Priceless!
Nice win last night. Still think playoffs are a long shot, but wont stop me from cheering and hoping to make it in somehow. Especially since if we make it in, we’d play PHI or WAS…two teams we’ve had some success against this year.
Anyone for TJ’s on Saturday night against Buffalo? If we win, Rawhide – pleeeeeese use the photo I sent. C’mon…it’s JUST nature!
GO THRASH – POM POM
Sage of Bluesland
March 18th, 2011
8:44 am
No, Glovesheep, read again….I could care less for the derivations–it’s the exact imitators (of my name) where I draw the line–as some, including the esteemed beat-writer, ‘blamed’ me for a comment which wasn’t mine.
Can you read and comprehend at the same time? I’m thinking ‘public’ [school] was in your background, eh?…
A2B
March 18th, 2011
9:02 am
Sage I’m guessing you’re not too far removed from public school either. You have at least five gramatical errors in your response as well. Maybe we should check ourselves before we start correcting others first. Not to mention, doesnt a sage require that you are well versed in all areas and able to spread wisdom to others? Its just a thought…
Red Light
March 18th, 2011
9:11 am
As World Be Free mentioned not too long ago, the Flyers are on the skids right now and the Thrashers have taken advantage of them. However, as O’Hanson aptly said, the win column is vital and with 30 wins, Atlanta trails every team they are battling for the 7th and 8th spot. A tie in points at the end of the season would be disastrous without more games in the win column.
As you can see from below, the Senators, Islanders and Panthers all will have a say in the outcome of this race.
Current number of wins, upcoming games through Friday March 25
Rangers 37 • Montreal, at Pittsburgh, Florida, Ottawa
Sabres 34 • Atlanta, Nashville, at Montreal, Florida
New Jersey 33 • Washington, at Columbus, at Boston, at Pittsburgh
Carolina 32 • Islanders, Ottawa, at Tampa Bay
Toronto 31 • Boston, at Minnesota, at Colorado
Atlanta 30 • at Buffalo, at NY islanders, Vancouver
World Be Free
March 18th, 2011
9:27 am
Busy day so I will be good for one post until tonight. A win is always good, especially against Philly and on St. Patrick’s Day. My Irish side of the family is smiling bright today. BUT-
This blowing leads thing is mind-boggling, for a team coached by a defensive specialist. We keep going back to coaching and the inability of this team to hold a lead. It is no good making playoffs if we can’t play playoff hockey. Buffalo can be had, the steam of the Boyes trade has worn off. But remember the Sabres are well-coached, they will find ways with their limited offensive abilities to crack the Thrashers. Our team defensive weaknesses are evident to everyone in the league.
glovesave29
March 18th, 2011
9:29 am
Baa Baa Baa Baa
Call me a sheep if ya want…doesn’t bother me a bit. I’m proud to be a die hard fan. These tough times will make it all the sweeter for me once we do become a good team. Anyone can be a fair weather fan.
I have a hard time believing Bill “blamed” you for a comment that isn’t yours. He has access to all of our email addresses. He is well aware of where things come from.
Again – for the millionth time – I invite you to talk hockey with us. But as usual, you will not – ’cause you admittedly know NOTHING about the sport.
GO THRASHERS!
So someone did a derivative of your name…get over it.
Saga Of BlueCheese
March 18th, 2011
9:48 am
I only come to vilify those who don’t follow my thoughts….about stinky cheese.
I cant’ speak about hockey, since I only played netball.
Tom Lysiak
March 18th, 2011
10:05 am
“It’s interesting to me that they’re in this predicament,” he said. “With their lineup, they should be higher in the standings.”
Comment copied from the TSN story about the game. This was Brian Boucher trying to figure out why we are having to fight for a playoff spot. Wonder what he is trying to say????
Also, loved Pavs sailing his water bottle off the boards after they tied the game. At least the guy cares.
Red Light
March 18th, 2011
10:43 am
Tom Lysiak:
It’s because they don’t put away teams they should beat!
The Thrashers are 15-16-6 against current playoff teams, but only 15-13-6 against current non-playoff teams, which means they have earned the same number of points against both types of teams.
I truly don’t want to be the harbinger of bad tidings today after a nice win, however, for a little dose of reality lets take a look at the two teams currently in 7th and 8th in the Eastern Conference.
The Rangers, like the Thrashers, have 11 games remaining on their schedule, while the Sabres have 12 games left on theirs. For the sake of argument, lets say the Rangers go 3-5-3 in their last 11, earn only nine points and finish with a record of 40-35-7 for a total of 87 points. In order for Buffalo to get to 87 points, lets say they go just 3-4-5 in their last 12 games and finish with a record of 37-33-13, also good for 87 points.
In order to finish ahead of both teams, the Thrashers would need 16 points to get to 88, which means the fewest number of games they must win out of their final 11 games is 6, because going 6-1-4 would get them 16 points to finish with 88 points on the season.
A note of caution comes from both the Sabres and Rangers earning 12 points or more in their remaining games. That would put the Rangers at 90 points and Buffalo at 88, and that means the Thrashers could lose the tiebreaker with number of wins.
I think the best way to gauge what is necessary is to watch the number of wins that Buffalo, New York and Carolina earn. The more wins those teams get, the steeper the hill becomes and the more exasperating going into OT becomes, particularly if you don’t win them.
Red Light
March 18th, 2011
10:45 am
Six of last year’s eight playoff teams in the Eastern Conference are currently “in” the top-8 right now. The exceptions: New Jersey & Ottawa
Six of last year’s eight playoff teams in the Western Conference are currently “in” the top-8 right now. The exceptions: Nashville & Colorado
Sage of Bluesland
March 18th, 2011
10:45 am
“…I have a hard time believing Bill “blamed” you for a comment that isn’t yours. He has access to all of our email addresses. He is well aware of where things come from….”
It must be hard to read and comprehend at the same time for some?
1. Rawhide is NOT the “beat writer”. Vivlamore is the AJC’s assigned “beat writer”. Rawhide provides the peripheral fan viewpoint. There IS a difference between the two. Vivlamore even issued an apology to me when I suggested he check the source; I just wish the normal name(s) could be posted with the fraudulent ones, as some little children choose to remain anonymous.
2. I don’t mind “derivatives”–it’s the ‘exact’ impersonations which are damaging.
I’m starting to question even “public” now. Let me guess, “Georgia Public”?
Know nothing about the sport? I beg to differ. As Cornbread so astutely pointed out, you simply score more than the opponent–and that means you “win”.
There. Any further questions?
Red Light
March 18th, 2011
10:47 am
I think the magic number to get the 8th seed again this year is 88.
Agree or disagree?
Mr. Willson
March 18th, 2011
11:00 am
Here we go again. The late push for the playoffs to only fall 1-3 points short.
I LOVE the quote from the Philly goaltender (Boucher) last night,”"It’s interesting to me that they’re in this predicament,” he said. “With their lineup, they should be higher in the standings.”
No DUH!
Cliff Fletcher
March 18th, 2011
11:45 am
nice win last night, as much as i hate givings up the late goal. great to see bryan little got the monkey off his back too, lits works hard most every night. time to go to buffalo and even the score from a few weeks back.
sage, i have no idea why you come to this blog. you are just hide behind your computer screen and cry about someone using your name, what the heck do you now about blog protocol? stick with counting beans if that’s what you actually do for a living.
Keebler Elf
March 18th, 2011
11:52 am
Timmy is my hero.
Sign him long term.
Spud Webb
March 18th, 2011
12:01 pm
Agreed, 88 and if the Thrashers do THIS “going 6-1-4 would get them 16 points to finish with 88 points on the season.” i’ll be eating a GIANT ribeye………oh yea baby!!
Mark MAncari, my new buffalo sabre.
Spud Webb
March 18th, 2011
12:01 pm
Agreed, 88 and if the Thrashers do THIS “going 6-1-4 would get them 16 points to finish with 88 points on the season.” i’ll be eating a GIANT ribeye………oh yea baby!!
Mark MAncari, my new buffalo sabre.
Spud Webb
March 18th, 2011
12:01 pm
Meant, new favorite Buffalo Sabre!
World Be Free
March 18th, 2011
12:05 pm
Red Light, thanks for your insight, as usual. You know as much as we hack on the Thrashers about their shortcomings, we know that folks in Buffalo, Carolina and New York are doing the same to their teams for similar reasons. Boucher’s statement says a number of things, one being that this lineup is pretty good in comparison with the other teams around us in the standings. It really comes down to leadership on the ice, having players with Stanley Cup experience who can rise up now because we really are already in the playoffs. Coaching-still can’t “teach” these guys to hold a lead.
I discounted the playoffs 2 weeks back, not believing we had the juice to get the points needed. But we are just as mediocre as the other teams around us, so let’s see where it all falls out.
LAC
March 18th, 2011
12:07 pm
Need to remember, Buffalo, Carolina, Toronto and New Jersey hold the tie braker over us if a tie.
Toronto is 2-1-1 against Atlanta.
Carolina is 4-0-1 against Atlanta. 1 game left but would make no difference.
Buffalo is 2-0-1 against Atlanta. 1 game left but would make no difference.
New Jersey is 3-1 against Atlanta.
So this could be a factor in case of a tie in points.
We reached 30 wins last night… and are 2-1 against Philly this season and 6-1 in the past two…
Again little “cliffy” go find another home, you are as meaningless as counting raindrops in a thunderstorm !
Tom
March 18th, 2011
12:11 pm
Why are we in this predicament?
Simple, 3 regulation wins in the last 36 games.
If we make the playoffs we are officially the Cardiac Kids.
Badger Bob
March 18th, 2011
12:19 pm
To defend Sage for the first time ever, using the exact name is bad form. Though, like the rest of you who know and love him so well, I could tell it wasn’t his post about 1 sentence into it. I guess that’s one benefit of predictability.
R/L, I think 87 will end up being enough (in that four of the six teams fail to get more than 86 points), though I’ll also bet the eigth place team ends up with 90. Agreed that that’s the Thrashers target, not 87 or 88.
Stan Drulia
March 18th, 2011
12:29 pm
Was very suprised by the game last night… Dare I say it looks like there is some fire in our team out there? Both Philly games of late were enough to make me somewhat forgive the horrid last couple of months… but just barely. I guess Saturday night might be the big one – do or die.
BBBBHHHHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Red Light
March 18th, 2011
12:43 pm
Interesting that both Rangers and Sabres longest winning streak of the season is just three games.
Red Light
March 18th, 2011
12:44 pm
Thrashers OT game winners this season…
Dustin Byfuglien (3)
Ron Hainsey (2)
Zach Bogosian
Tim Stapleton
Andrew Ladd
Bryan Little
Anthony Stewart
Rawhide
March 18th, 2011
12:56 pm
I don’t know about you all, but I’m about worn out with the green text….so here’s a new blog for ya.
Mr. Heat Miser
March 18th, 2011
5:40 pm
Wonder how many Flyers fans last night were bandwaggoners? Kudos to the Flyers fans for being loud and proud but don’t dare heckle me in my own house as i so rudely had to inform some of you. Good to see you tuck tail and run back to your nattio furniture.
oh well
March 19th, 2011
11:00 pm
WOW. Fantastic hockey. End to end rushes. Magnificent saves. Glorious scoring chances. Passion. Heart. Desire. Determination. Pride. Love it. Nothing like college championship ice hockey. Anyone know when the worthless Thrashers play another completely meaningless game? Will not watch. Just curious. Kind of. I lied. Could care less.
R. Stroz
March 22nd, 2011
4:36 pm
LAST
Rawhide
March 23rd, 2011
10:18 pm
R. Stroz – Nope.