AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 03
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Drunk zamboni driving okay and so is Sim
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First let’s start with some TV talk, which is a hot topic with the blog commenters. I’m still poking around to get to the bottom of the Charter communications/VS situation. But as far as the Thrashers playoffs coverage goes, every game will be televised. Fox Sports South will pick up any games that VS. and NBC don’t televise. And that’s going to depend on who the Thrashers draw in the playoffs. If the Thrashers play the Rangers, that series might appeal more to a national audience than, say, Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Now, FSS can elect to also televise a game if VS. is doing it, but I can’t see a scenario where FSS would want to spend $30,000 to televise a game that is already being televised. FSS will pick up games until the Eastern Conference finals, then NBC/VS get them all.
While we’re talking about TV, some of you guys were complaining about a glitch at the beginning of the Boston telecast. Turns out, the NHL appointed timeout coordinator in Boston gave the refs the green light to drop the puck 40 seconds early, which sent some folks behind the scenes scrambling to cut out of commercial. FSS will also be doing Thrashers Live, it’s pregame show, live from Phililps Arena on Wednesday night instead of from the studio. Thrashers co-owner Bruce Levenson will be the guest, and the Stanley Cup will also be there.
I’ll see if I can find out more about Charter and VS., although if you’re into sports, I get DirecTV and it’s been great. I get all the sports packages (even caught some of the Tigers Opening Day yesterday) and have been happy with it. Now they just need to give me a break on my monthly bill for the endorsement.
On to team news. Jon Sim practiced with the team for the first time since breaking his orbital bone. At first I assumed it was non-contact, until Andy Sutton checked Sim into the boards early on. I was surprised to hear from Bob Hartley afterwards that Sim is cleared to play in games immediately. He won’t against Washington, but Sim hopes to get in the lineup this weekend. Hartley wasn’t quite as clear about when he thought Sim might return to the lineup, saying that the team was playing pretty well right now and he wasn’t too eager to make lineup changes. Let’s say the Thrashers clinch the division on Wednesday, do you really want to rush Sim back? But then again, you don’t want him playing his first game back from injury in the playoffs.
Hartley said there won’t be any other lineup changes, so for those of you on McCarthy watch it looks like it will go another game. Kari Lehtonen is in goal, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see Johan Hedberg against Carolina. But that’s only because of his success (and Kari’s struggles) against the Hurricanes, not because of any info I’m getting from the team.
Had a great interview with Slava Kozlov before practice that stretched a little longer than Hartley wanted. Put it this way, if Kozlov pulled a muscle in practice, I was getting the blame. But Slava was great, he has an interesting story to tell and I look forward to writing it as soon as I get done with all the other interviews. Also spoke with Joe Sakic and Jay Feaster for a Hartley story I’m doing for the playoffs, but again, I’m not giving away any of the gems from those interviews until the story is written. I’ll give you a heads up on when those two stories are running as we get closer to the playoffs.
I leave you with this: If you like to drink a few beers, then drive the Zamboni — turns out that’s okay in New Jersey. A judge overturned a Zamboni drunk-driving conviction on Monday ruling that Zambonis aren’t motor vehicles because you can’t take them on highways or carry passengers. The AP reports that the driver had a few beers, some vodka, a couple Valiums and some Sambuca with his morning coffee (who doesn’t?) then resurfaced the ice. Probably not the best idea he’s ever had.
