AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThrashers should be well-rested
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Interesting matchup tonight with former teammates Keith Tkachuk and Bill Guerin facing off with their new teams. San Jose didn’t skate this morning because they played last night in Chicago (a 4-1 win over the Blackhawks). The Thrashers however are well-rested, coming off a pair of off days and a practice on Wednesday.
I asked Bob Hartley how you balance giving guys a deserved time off, without losing some of the momentum gained over the strong recent play. He said that without fail, players are more focused when they come back from two days off, plus they appreciate the rest - especially this time of year. Monday was scheduled as an off-day, Tuesday was a reward for the recent winning.
The Thrashers could be looking at another two-day rest next week. They’re off on Sunday, and as we speak have a 10 a.m. practice scheduled for Monday, but there’s a chance that could get canceled as well. We’ll see how the team plays tonight after the layoff, but Bobby Holik said yesterday (I think it was Holik, don’t hold me too it) that it’s crucial that this team gets to the postseason with some energy. You don’t want to expend every last ounce of effort just getting there, then be exhausted once you get there. The schedule is certainly in the Thrashers favor in that department.
Dan Kamal pointed out this morning that after tonight, the Thrashers will have more road games left than home games. But even when there are two straight road games (Sat vs. Pitt. and Wed. vs. Florida) there is plenty of time off for rest, so I wouldn’t be too concerned about that, despite the fact that the team is playing lights-out at home.
Also chatted with Hartley this morning about Steve McCarthy, who was a hot topic of discussion on yesterday’s blog. Really nothing has changed there. McCarthy continues to ask for extra practice work with Brad McCrimmon to stay sharp. Hartley also said that other than one game, the defensemen who are playing have all done well and don’t deserve to sit. (I’ll let you figure out what one game he was talking about). He did say he’ll get McCarthy in the lineup before the playoffs:
“My plan is to definitely play him before the end of the season,” Hartley said. So there it is, we haven’t seen the end of Mac this season.
Like I said yesterday, Slater is in the lineup. He’ll likely skate between Mellanby and Vigier, if Larsen skates with the Holik/Dupuis line. But as we know, once the game starts, it’s like a blender and anything can happen.
Around the league: Interesting to note that Todd Bertuzzi will make his debut with the Detroit Red Wings tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. If he’s healthy, and we know that’s a big if, that could turn out to have as big an impact in the playoffs for the Red Wings as the Tkachuk/Zhitnik trade has had during the regular season for the Thrashers… Flyers forward Todd Fedoruk is doing fine after taking a knockout punch in the head from Colton Orr on Wednesday night. The Rangers neurologist Claude Macaluso told the AP that Fedoruk was awake, and there were no neurological problems. He was just having some issues with short-term memory. I’d probably want to forget a punch to the face too. Here’s the knockout punch on YouTube:
Comments
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 22, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Fedoruk got knocked the F*ck Out!!!!
I like our chances against a tough team tonight. Them playing last night is pretty big.
I bet we get on them early
5-2 Thrash. Hossa Hat Trick
By Brian
March 22, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Buzilla - I didn’t see it when it happened, but I was watching some post game stuff and they said that Fedoruk was begging the trainers not to take him off on the stretcher, but they did anyway. Might have been Melrose now that I think about it…
Craig - glad to see you are even linking to fights on youtube now.
By Craig Custance
March 22, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
Brian — There’s still nothing better than a good hockey fight.
By GaVaHokie
March 22, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Funny… everyone at TSN during the trade deadline said that Fedoruk should be the guy to defend Crosby in Pittsburgh.
By GaVaHokie
March 22, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Getting to tonights game… I expect Guerin to man-up on Tkachuk… this will be a good night to get some scoring from Holik, Slater and Dupuis.
By Ryan
March 22, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Brian, it was Melrose. Yep, he didn’t want to leave the ice on a stretcher.
SJ is a scary team, very important game tonight. Thrash genarally play flat after long rest periods. Just happy to have a Thrashers game on tonight.
By Rawhide
March 22, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
“Boating accident?? THIS was no boating accident”!!!!!!!
“We’re gonna need a bigger boat….”
“Smile you Son of a B***”……….BOOOOM
GO THRASHERS - HOOK THE SHARKS!!!
By Craig Custance
March 22, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
“Rawhide, it’s all psychological. You yell barracuda, everybody says, “Huh? What?” You yell shark, we’ve got a panic on our hands on the Fourth of July.”
By kracker
March 22, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
CC - Evidence of your (and the team’s) success: More people seem to be checking for your blog around 2:30-3:00PM. I know I do if I’m not too busy at work, if I am, then I see it later.
By thrashersfan
March 22, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
If this team didn’t seem to be on a mission of late, I would expect them to lose. If my memory serves me well, the Thrashers don’t play well after an extended break, and they certainly don’t play the West very well….
I think it was Ranallo in the previous Blog making some very good pts about why McCarthy isn’t playing. I still think he should be, even over the big man Sutts, but Ranallo is probably right, Hartley prefers Andy’s size and his ability “when he chooses” to move guys out of the way. McCarthy just doesn’t have that and while quite gifted offensively, the team is well covered in that dept.
Let’s make “another” statement, this time to a very good Western team. Go Thrashers!!
By Brian
March 22, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
Craig - I disagree with you. There is something better than watching to hockey enforcers go at it. Have you ever seen a drunken fan try to fight a hockey player?
Bonus points for the vintage unis and of course for it being Rob Ray. Back me up on this Ryan.
By ranallo10
March 22, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
Come on Custance, I posted a link for that mauling yesterday…STOP STEALING MY THUNDER!!
Crazy overhand right by Orr, Fedoruk has turned into a punching bag as of late.
By Brian
March 22, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Rawhide - stop commenting about boating accident quotes and tell us if you put the jersey on yet!
By BAF
March 22, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
Fedoruk protecting Crosby? Those people need to get real. Fedoruk showed exactly what he is last night. A tomato can versus a guy that knows how to fight.
By ranallo10
March 22, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
I personally liked watching Tie Domi beat the ever living snot out of a fan who tried to get at him in the penalty box. I hate Domi, but that was enforcement at it’s finest!
By Craig Custance
March 22, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Brian — Great link, thanks. I stand corrected.
By Rawhide
March 22, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
“You go in the cage?,…the cage goes in the water?,…..sharks in the water?….OUR shark?…….and your in the cage?
(singing)….Farewell and ado my fair Spanish Ladies…..Fair well and ado fair ladies of Spain…..
By Craig Custance
March 22, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
ranallo - Sorry, just wanted to get it out front if people missed it. Or for people ignoring ranallo posts. Whichever.
By Rawhide
March 22, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
Jersey will be on my person at 4:47 pm, Brian…..
It will be in the building at 6:00 sharp when the gates open!
By Craig Custance
March 22, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
kracker — Thanks for noticing. I’m more than willing to ignore the teams success and take credit for any growth this blog experiences this season.
By Craig Custance
March 22, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
While we’re on the topic of fights, Eklund is now saying fighting in the NHL needs to be outlawed. Thoughts?
By Craig Custance
March 22, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
So Rawhide, does that mean this blog has officially jumped the shark when we start quoting Jaws before the Thrashers play San Jose?
By Rawhide
March 22, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this
“….well I don’t know about you,. but I’m not about to stand here while you conduct some half-a*******ed autopsy on this shark and watch that little Kilner boy splash out all over this dock…..”
BOYS, WE MEET AT SIX WHEN THE GATES OPEN - TIME TO ROLL!!!
By caveman22
March 22, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
Outlawing Fighting?? Then what the hell would we watch hockey for?? But seriously — there is no way you can have a “contact” sport without fighting, hell even Little League has fighting (ok mostly parents vs parent/coach/umpire/spouse —- just pick one. And calling hockey a contact sport isn’t right — it’s more like this:
contact — baseball/basketball/soccer
collision — football/lacrosse
HI-IMPACT BUTT KICKING —- HOCKEY !!
By ranallo10
March 22, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
I say overreaction by Eklund, I think the people who are getting into fights no darn well what they’re getting into, and should know when they can or cannot fight. Deaths happen in boxing, even with protection and a ton of precautions…if it were to happen in hockey due to fighting, it would be an enormously somber day. BUT, that’s part of the game. You can’t ask people to continue to make clean or legal hits without telling those people they’ll be enforced in an unpleasant manner if they don’t abide by the legalities of the sport.
Imagine the day where fighting is outlawed, and players suspended for the season due to engaging in fights. Then imagine a star player being hit with a low blow, knees taken out, serious career threatening injury being highly likely, and the sort of reaction that would cause to the sport. I think the loss of a big name player is far more impactful upon the sport than the potential long term damage to an enforcer (who by the way is typically a willing combatant).
Eklund sometimes seems to say things for shock value…he’s like Kincade.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 22, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
That’s gay….
Anybody know if there is a promotion tonight? Perhaps a Sutton Cup?
By Brian
March 22, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
Craig - please don’t outlaw fighting.
Rawhide - keep us updated.
Craig & Rawhide - Don’t ever play “Lady of Spain” again! Sorry, that is the only quote I have for this blog…
By ranallo10
March 22, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
know darn well, not “no”…I’m retarded
By Brian
March 22, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
Craig - Jumped the shark? Very clever and you even made it apply appropriately. If only Ted McGinley had a new hockey blog…
By Bob
March 22, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Eklund needs to be outlawed.
What they need to do is get rid of the instigator penalty, let the boys police themselves and you’ll see a lot of this b/s stick work and elbows up disappear right quick.
Brody: [Drunk] I’m tellin’ ya, the crime rate in New York’ll kill you. There’s so many problems, you never feel like you’re accomplishing anything. Violence, rip-offs, muggings… kids can’t leave the house - you gotta walk them to school. But in Amity one man can make a difference. In twenty-five years, there’s never been a shooting or a murder in this town. Hooper: Fascinating. Want a pretzel?
By Thrashers27
March 22, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
I’d love a shot @ that sawed off, squirt Domi! Not because I dislike him, but just because it would be fun. As a matter of fact, I wish I could skate well enough to even attempt to drop the gloves with anyone. How fun would that be!!!
Let’s Go Thrashers!!!
By Scott
March 22, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
KTFO all the way.
And for people wanting to ban fighting in hockey it’s dumb. Fighting is part of the game and everyone likes a hockey fight. Let’s take away the body checks too while we are at it. Make it PC for all the little kids and soccer mom’s out there.
By Bob
March 22, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
Bob: Yeah, but I’m not drunk enough to go out on a boat. Ranallo: Yes, you are. Bob: No, I’m not. Ranallo: Yes, you are. Bob: I can’t do that. Ranallo: Yes, you can. Bob: Where’s the damn Shark? Ranallo: At the game. Bob: Well, what are we doing sitting on this damn boat. Ranallo: I know, time to go to the game. Bob: But with traffic, I’ll never get there in time. Ranallo: I can get there in 45 minutes, who the heck is driving your boat? Bob: Cannot, takes at least hour and a half. Ranallo: Shut up and drive. Bob: Will not. Ranallo: I’ll drive Bob: You’re drunk, I’m going home and watching it on TV Ranallo: Who cares, my friend is playing tonsil hockey with Sutton (did I tell ya he’s a really nice guy) after the game, I gotta go. Bob: you’re drunk. Ranallo: Am not.
Go Thrash.
By JayBird
March 22, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Buzz, it’s Andy Sutton Vagisil night…anybody with a 6’6’ 245lb pu$$y gets a free tube of vagisil!
By ranallo10
March 22, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
Fighting should be banned from tonsil hockey…
By LAC
March 22, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
I believe we should have “Paper Fight” between periods…
Go outside, grab an Atlanta Constitution. fold it up and pick a partner… he who draws blood first gets free dinner & rinkside seats to first playoff game. And…. AND… If the paper is destroyed YOU have to take it for a year.
We could record, and play between periods would draw quite a crowd I’d say and overall winner gets to take on ANDY SUTTON… provided he is fast enough to get up there between periods, OH… but would that be easier if he were in the PRESS BOX!!!!!!
Just a MUCH better idea than any of the BABY ownwers could come up with !!!
Hate to say it… ATL 2 SJ 4.
By GaVaHokie
March 22, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Well, Koci, the new call up for the Blackhawks has less than 8 minutes of playing time in only 5 games and has already racked up 78 PIM. His first game he had 3 separate 15 minute penalties for fighting majors, game misconduct in only 2:30 of Ice Time.
That’s a bit ridiculous!
I don’t mind guys like Jody Shelley, George Laraque, Tie Domi and Eric Boulton who provide quality ice time for their team and drop the gloves every once in awhile.
By Brendan
March 22, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
Is Koci one of the “Hanson Brothers?”
By Ryan
March 22, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
Brian, yes I remember that well. Where do you find these things. Great stuff man!
I know it may not pertain but, SQUISH THE FISH!
By Daniel
March 22, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this
Dupuis socres! but props to slater for busting his hump and making the play happen. hopefully sitting out lit a fire under him. GO THRASHERS!
By John B.
March 22, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this
Pretty pathetic that the NHL, or most sports for that matter can’t afford to get competent officials. You’d think with all the money they make, that they wouldn’t hire people who aren’t solely refs.
By Ryan
March 22, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this
John, my thoughts exactly. How, can you miss those calls. If this continues I fear the Thrash will play for respect rather than the win. What happens then is that they lose bad, while looking for redemption.
By Brian
March 22, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this
Ryan - I have been looking for that clip for 15 years now. Thank God for youtube…
No comments on the game right now, will wait ‘til the 3rd is over.
By Beau Vighn
March 22, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
I am watching a legit Cup team tonight but they are not in blue jerseys. SJ is owning us in both zones.
By russian
March 22, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
This is not PLAY Offs game. It is disgusting. I want to through up. ;-(
By luckydog
March 22, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
The Thrashers are well-rested all right.
In fact they haven’t gotten off the couch yet.
This looks like an exhibition between an NHL contender and an over-30 rec league team.
Let’s hope it’s a one-night thing.
By B. Thenet
March 22, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this
Looks like Sim is out for the year.
Hello Dupchuk line.
A very poor effort by the Thrashers and the refs.
By thrashersfan
March 22, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Like I’ve been saying….We ain’t there yet!!!
By thrashersfan
March 22, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
The Sharks simply out-played us. Kovy, Hoss, & the rest, couldn’t get a anything done as SJ stood everyone up at “both” bluelines, and center-ice for that matter. Give SJ all the credit.
And our inability to clear the zone when other teams are cycling down low? Pathetic! Would love to know time of possession tonight.
Best part of the game was the Batman & Robin video of the shark on the rope ladder. Must have missed that one.
By UpperDeck4Life
March 22, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
It is being reported that Sim got a broken facial bone during the fight with Bell. They are saying this could cause him to miss the rest of the season.
By Brendan
March 22, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
Tampa Bay won. Montreal won. Islanders won. And the Thrashers lost in regulation. Okay, that could have gone better. The only club feeling lower than the Thrashers tonight is Boston. They led the Habs 3-1, and lost 6-3, I believe.
San Jose was the pick of Scott Burnside (of ESPN.com), in preseason, to win the Cup this year. He had Buffalo vs. San Jose for the Finals. San Jose has been a contending club for some time now. They were upset in the 2004 Western Conference Finals by Calgary when they were the #2 seed. Their Head Coach, Ron Wilson, has been to the Finals before, in 1998, with the Washington Capitals.
Enough of the history lesson, tonight I felt the Thrashers were the victim of some bad calls. The 1st San Jose goal stemmed from a play that was offsides. The 3rd Sharks goal was arguably goaltender interference, as the player crashed the net and the puck caromed in off his skate.
Vesa Toskala was solid in net for San Jose. I think he’s their “backup.” Evgeni Nabokov is their other goalie. Cheechoo, Marleau, Goc, Thornton, Carle, McClaren, Hannan … this is a well-constructed team. Doug Wilson is a decent GM. San Jose is now in its 15th season. Believe it or not, the Sharks have only missed the playoffs five (5) times in their history. They’ve had three (3) 99-points or more campaigns. Their best, to date, is 104-points, back in 2004. The Sharks have two division titles, but only one appearance in a Conference Final (2004). In the previous two seasons, the Sharks were eliminated by the eventual Conference winner. This year’s team might be their best ever roster. Even if it doesn’t capture the Pacific Division.
By R. Stroz
March 22, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this
I want a REFUND! They played like a bunch of drunks hungover from the previous night’s activities.
By Bob
March 22, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
Our boys played bad, but the Sharks are the best club I’ve seen this year.
That sucks if Sim is out for the year for that, I have no clue why Coach sat Boulton out when everything was clicking. That would have been his job tonight to try to spark.
Everyone else wins tonight. The division may come down to that last 4/7 game.
By JayBird
March 22, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. We looked slow from the start and the Sharks took advantage of it. Only two players played decently and that was Slater and Lehtonen. I sure some of you will say Kari played badly but he didn’t have a bit of defense in front of him. If it wasn’t for some great saves, we would have lost 10-1. If we don’t play better on Saturday against the Penguins, we could be looking up at the Lightning again. I really hope Sim isn’t out for the year, that would really hurt. Was anything said about Belanger? I know he came off the ice after crashing into the boards and he didn’t come back.
By R. Stroz
March 22, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
Is it just my opinion or are the following players just too slow:
1) Holik
2) Sutton
3) DEVO
4) Rat, even though I like the guy.
By R. Stroz
March 22, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
The Sharks must have had a great scouting report. Their players were in the passing lanes, on what seemed like, every clearing pass. Also, they ran a great trap on Kovy as well as having him shadowed wherever he went.
By Thrashy Thrashy
March 22, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this
Give San Jose a lot of credit, but the Thrashers were God-awful tonight. The only guy who showed any spark in the first two periods might have a broken face. Good times.
By R. Stroz
March 23, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this
Ranallo10- Just for kicks, pick your top three Thrasher anti-stars for the Sharks game. The only rule is you can’t pick Vigier for all three.
By R. Stroz
March 23, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - It’s time to wash the jersey.
By Jameson
March 23, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this
Yup, looks like we’ll be seeing a lot of the Chuck-a-Puis line. I guess it’s a good thing MacKenzie has been practicing with the team.
By Jameson
March 23, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this
On the bright side, Dupuis really looked like the poorman’s Kozlov in the first. It could be interesting if he develops some chemistry with the Chucks.
By Bob
March 23, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
Might want to burn the sweater after that outing.
I watched the game in fast forward on Tivo, but mabye Belanger was sat down after he made that absolutely horrible decision to try to center the puck instead of going up the boards on that clearing attempt that led to the Sharks first goal.
Sim sucked on that line, so if he’s gone, it’s ok. Dupuis will be a better fit there and now Slater and Boulton will both play.
By mb
March 23, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
Well, thank goodness we aren’t in the West this year. The futility of last night reminded me of all those games vs. the Devils in the early years. Ugh.
Now that Sim had it beaten out of him, should we call it the Chuks n Snot line? Sorry about that. I do give him credit for trying to wake up the team, but that was ill-advised to say the least. Hate losing him.
While the offsides call was very close, don’t forget that it was a Belanger giveaway, and a really bad one at that, that led to that goal.
Stroz, #1 on that list of too slow in my book is Mell. I’m sorry, but the guy is a liability on the ice that will be exploited come the playoffs, just like last night (please, please, #19 prove me wrong).
Lots of credit to San Jose…they played as a (highly skilled) team within their system, while we were a collection of individuals, each trying to make the big play and completely out of synch with the others. Coach has some work to do.
By CM
March 23, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
I think Boulton sat, at least in part, due to the concern over the Sharks’ success on the PP (and their own lack of time spent in the box) and Boulton does tend to be rather spirited. Maybe a little spirit is what they needed though, because even without the PP the Land Sharks still muscled 5 goals on us. 5 very painful goals.
By CM
March 23, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
I completely agree that they appeared to be totally out of sync. The Sharks were more in sync with our passes that we were. I suppose the last 5 minutes of that game is what it looks like when a team just rolls over.
It’s not over yet, however. Let’s go BLUE!!!
By Ryan
March 23, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
16-27-2-2 Thrashers record all time when having 4 or more days between games. Being well rested does not seem to favor their play.
By farthammer
March 23, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
It’s a shame Sim injured himself, but that really sums up that game for the Thrashers. I woulda thought they’d put up a little more of a fight for me, coming to the only game I can over spring break. Best thing about that game is that the Sharks are in the western conference. If we gotta play them again this year, I think we’d all be happy with that (even though we’re all, maybe the team itself included, getting ahead of ourselves with the playoff talk). I think the team can make the playoffs, it’d be a shock if they didn’t, but participating and winning in the playoffs are two different things. Again, very happy we’re not seeing the Sharks again soon.
Ron Wilson was brutally honest in his press conference. Basically said the team relies on Kari way too much… and the rest of the defense is terrible. I haven’t been able to see as many games as I’d like, living out of town, but boy do they have to clear the puck better. To much left-to-right and not enough up-and-down. Twice in the second period the puck was winged parallel to the blue line in an effort to clear.
Just a terrible night in every way imaginable. Let’s hope there’s not another one like that any time soon.
By ranallo10
March 23, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
R. Strotz — “Ranallo10- Just for kicks, pick your top three Thrasher anti-stars for the Sharks game. The only rule is you can’t pick Vigier for all three.
That stipulation makes it difficult…where to start?
Simple answer: 3. Offensive Forechecking 2. Defense as a whole (all 6 players) 1. Vigier AND Mellanby (they share the anti-star, setting a new precedent for ineptitude in a hockey match.
Did anybody else see Vigier get hit in the feet with a pass, then look like a dog that’s been hit by a frisbee?? “WHERE’D IT GO?? I COULD’VE SWORN I FELT SOMETHING HIT ME.”
But all around last night was a bad game. Not even the top line (Kozlov, Hossa, and Belanger) played well, as they were on the ice for the first two goals. 4 points from one line for San Jose, 1 point from four lines for Atlanta.
They’ll bounce back, but this is a benchmark game that shows you how far the Thrashers will progress in the playoffs. Buffalo Sunday aside, I don’t think this Atlanta team can hang with the biggest of big boys…but I hope they can prove me wrong.
By beau vighn
March 23, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Sim has no business trying to be a tough guy. The problem is what I have always said with this team. There is not a Bona fide bad arse to take care of on ice flare ups so Sim get’s decked and is probably gone for a while.
By ranallo10
March 23, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Guillame Desbiens, Boris Valabik — next years “Bona fide bad arse[s] to take care of on ice falre ups”
By Tony H
March 23, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
You bloggers are the experts - not me. But, I will say that you can watch any game with teams that are trying to make the playoffs or improve their position in the playoffs and they play with a true sense of urgency. Our effort could be equated to the first exhibition game of the year.
I think that the guys just got a little to cocky thinking they had it made. Well, they don’t.
Further, don’t think for one minute that every team won’t view the tapes and see how crappy our D is. It was embarrassing to watch our attempts to clear the puck. Say what you will about Kari’s efforts but when your D can’t keep you from having to face 30+ shots every night, you are going to get burned at some point.
Nobody likes to lose but at least make an effort. It was a joke and the first time I have ever left a game early.
Thrashers - you better get your act together or you may not even be in the playoffs.
By R. Stroz
March 23, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Ranallo10 - The Kozlov, Hossa, and Belanger line could not physically match up with the Sharks top line. The Thornton line just moved our guys around like a bunch of paper dolls. I would have thought that BH would have recognized this problem at some point and put some bigger bodies on the Thornton line. The problem seemed to be that the Thrashers don’t have BIG AND FAST players, with the exception of Hossa. Either our players are BIG OR FAST, not both. This could be a major problem in the playoffs.
Tony H. - I also left the game early for the first time in my life. I’ll usually stay to the end; but, there was no hope in this game. I was holding on for a comeback like the New Jersey game last year, but no such luck.
By Bob
March 23, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Guys, it’s one game. They laid a stinker. Don’t sweat it, the club is playing great. In the off chance that we make it the Finals, the Western Conference teams are going to beat each other up so bad in the 3 previous rounds, the one left standing is going to be much more ripe for the picking.
I also wondered why Hartley had Hossa’s line against Thornton, that was stupid. Should have have had Holik’s checking line out against them, it was probably an experiment by Bob to see if Hossa’s line could handle it come playoff time, experiment over.
Move on, nothing left to see here, Pens up next.