AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDrunk 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.
Comments
By caveman22
April 3, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
I’m first
By Tom
April 3, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
Great news on Simmer. Getting him back will help Ilya and Walt a great deal.
By where's Steve MC?
April 3, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
hey CC, the Thrashers are on 680 AM, not 790. You might want to let the sports editor of the web page know. This is the 2nd time thats happened. When John Kincade finds out, he’s gonna rip you guys hard. Craig, your coverage is excellent.
By where's Steve MC?
April 3, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
When Kari gets the win on Wednesday, he will have earned a well deserved rest for the final 2 games. Let Moose and McCarthy have at it those games.
By kracker
April 3, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
To heck with the games, I want to drive the Zamboni! (beer only)
By Brian
April 3, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Sutton finally checks someone and it turns out to be the injured guy on his own team…
By Buzilla Baby Blues
April 3, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
TB loses tonight….we win tomorrow…we clinch the Division?
By Matt H
April 3, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Go Canes Go!!!
Thanks for checkin’ up on the VS. situation, CC. It ain’t the Pentagon Papers, but it still involves a large number of innocent people getting f-ed over by large and powerful organizations.
By ranallo10
April 3, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
Custance (or anyone else for that matter), would you please clear something up for me in regards to the Chicago Wolves active roster?
Apparently on March 1 of this year, Niko Dimitrakos (RW from Philadelphia) and Trevor Byrne (D from Washington) were loaned from their NHL teams to the Wolves, and are currently playing with Chicago.
How is this possible? Does Atlanta not have an exclusive agreement with Chicago? Does Dimitrakos count against the NHL Veteran policy for the Wolves (the one that keeps the active roster from having more than 4 NHL “veterans” at one time — the same rule that got Brathwaite and Wanvig benched earlier this season)??
I’m not fully aware of the workings of the AHL or their affiliate memberships with the NHL, so some clarification would be appreciated.
By Craig Custance
April 3, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Buzilla - yes
By Russ
April 3, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
Buzilla - The magic # is 4, so yes to your question above…as long as Tampa loses in regulation.
By Brendan
April 3, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
I’ve never heard of “loaning players” from one organization to the other, even at the minor league level.
I wouldn’t have thought that possible. And I seriously doubt that Dimitrakos and Bryne could be called up to play with the Thrashers, assuming they clinch the division and intend to rest players.
By Brendan
April 3, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
Are jello shots considered “drinking?” I only ask because I have zamboni keys dangling.
By Brendan
April 3, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
considering that the games with Florida, Toronto, and Boston are over, I suspect it’s time for a new blog poll.
How ‘bout this one: How many games until Hossa hits 100-points? (Heatley’s already there, I believe. He might have 50 goals again.) Or, will Slava reach 30 goals?
By Nate
April 3, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
Hey CC, DirecTV is great for sports, eh. I went ahead and got the MLB SuperFan. Eight games on one screen! Are you kidding me!?! Center Ice is great for cheering against other teams…like tonight. Go Canes!
By Brendan
April 3, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
Who will win the +/- honors for the Thrashers? Hossa (+17) or Hnidy (+13)? When will Ilya hit 40 goals, vs. Washington or @Carolina? And who will finish with more goals, Kozlov or Tkachuk? Both have 27.
Sorry, I’m jus’ tossin’ out ideas for a new poll question.
By ranallo10
April 3, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Brendan, I agree, I doubt they could be called up. But I’m curious as to how a minor league team can loan a player to a competitor in the same league.
Philadelphia put Dimitrakos on waivers earlier this season, so perhaps it’s something that only is allowed with unclaimed players?
By Ben
April 3, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this
Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure that not all players on the minor league teams (Gwinnett and Chicago) are under contract by the Thrashers. Minor league teams can go out and sign other players who they don’t have to worry about being called up if they want to. So perhaps Dimitrakos just signed to play for the Wolves after being waived by Philly. If that really is what happened, then I hate it because it’s taking playing time away from one of the Thrashers legit prospects.
By Bob
April 3, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this
It’s been done before to loan guys from one AHL club to another.
Generally, it’s done to loan players that you want to get playoff experience, to a better team who is likely to have a long run and get your guys playoff experience.
So I’ll assume here, without looking at the standings of any of the clubs involved, that the Wolves have a better record and are playoff bound, and the teams loaning out their players are out of it.
It’s a win/win for the Wolves as Chicago has always run their club as a win first situation, not straight developmental for the Thrashers, and they’ve been successful. I think the Wolves may even outdraw the Hawks up there.
The club loaning the guys out gets development out of their guys by getting them a playoff run, and the Wolves get some better players to have a longer run. Win/win.
By Bob
April 3, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
Great news on Sim, I’m amazed he came back that quickly.
So, uh, what’s a zamboni driver get paid?
By fan-of-the-game ..eh?
April 3, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this
Our Zamboni driver must either place or show in the dubious Zamboni ranks. He hit the wall of the Zamboni gate about like Ilya hit the player’s door the other day. When full of water a Zamboni has significant inertia. Workers spent the rest of the break and part of the next pounding the wall back into place.
He almost hit my favorite Ice Girl too. She was working on the goalpost hole when he took a hard right off of the back boards. I believe it was the last Buffalo game.
The judge who said Zambonis don’t get out on the road is making an assumption that is simply wrong (do good judges assume?). They have been seen on streets of my old home town. And are the streets ever slick afterwards.
Speaking of slick streets,..do any bloggers here remember “Hooky-Bobbing”? That is grabbing onto the back bumper of a car and sliding along to your destination. Bare spots and sand at the intersections add to the excitement. Current cars (1990 or newer)don’t have bumpers that you can readily grab onto,.. but in the old days this was a legitimate way to get around town.
Here’s hoping our Zamboni driver(s) are called on to make us good ice into June. “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a new Zamboni.?”
Go Blue.
By Chris
April 3, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
Charter and VS reached an agreement so no one should miss a game.
By Brian
April 3, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
fan-of-the-game ..eh - my old boss in college always talked about Hooky-Bobbing but never goaded me into it. I just got a strange look a few weeks ago when someone from up north was here and showed pictures of the huge snow drifts and I said “wow, that reminds me of playing King of the Mountain”
By ssiscribe
April 3, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
Well, Thrashers won’t be able to clinch the division tomorrow night. Tampa scored twice in first three minutes of third period, turning a 2-1 deficit to a 3-2 lead.
Game over. 3-2 Lightning.
Need to win tomorrow night, bigtime.
—30—
By R. Stroz
April 3, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
The Canes need to stay lost at sea.
By farthammer
April 3, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
I do believe, and somebody please check my math, that the Hurricanes are now out of the playoffs officially.
By Pinball34
April 3, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this
Nice job Cants…should’ve mailed that one in…
By rockdr99
April 3, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
I believe that Carolina is out — They can’t catch Tampa or the Rangers — So they must catch both Montreal and Toronto, which is impossible, because they play each other on the last day —One of them at least will end up with 91 points — The most that Carolina can get is 90 —-
By rj
April 3, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
Carolina is OUT !!!! Woooooo !!! Now the Thrash need to hang onto first in the div.
By Lee
April 3, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this
Crap, TB beat those friggin Hurricanes. Oh well, we need to win the next two and clinch!
By thrashersfan
April 4, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
Thrashers’ continue to control their own destiny. They keep wining, the division is their’s. Go Thrashers! Beat Wash, beat Car, & definitely beat Tampa.
By Geneen
April 4, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this
Eagerly awaiting that Kozzy story, CC! If only you could post your interview transcript, too!
By Ryan
April 4, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this
So apparently Charter and Versus have reached an agreement and I will be able to watch playoff hockey afterall. Yes!
By Brendan
April 4, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this
Can’t believe the ‘Canes blew a 2-0 lead in a “must win” game. Now, I see articles out there, “were both finalists last year just a fluke?” I don’t buy that. This is just the “effect” of the salary cap.
The Islanders showed a lot of heart pulling out that win vs. the Rangers in the shootout. They’re still alive, mathematically.
Can you believe the St. Louis Blues are over .500? Big progress for them from last year.
Congrats to Buffalo for locking up the #1 seed with a win over Pittsburgh, at Mellon Arena.
Colorado stayed alive with an absolutely HUGE win over Calgary at the Saddledome. What a finish to this season. Which brings us right to the Thrashers, and the one-point lead we have over the Bolts. This is a must-win game vs. Washington. It’d put us up 3-points, with two to play. Hopefully, Carolina will use their remaining games to evaluate talent, rather than to derail our divisional title aspirations.
By Braves fan 202
April 4, 2007 3:30 AM | Link to this
The thrashers need two wins out of the last thre, i know that if tampa loses some they wont need two, but they better have the mind set of must wins. Ill be there tommorow rootin em on hopefully they will get the gimme against washington. Caveman22 i love the blog
By Tony C.
April 4, 2007 4:38 AM | Link to this
Yer man starts his day with a shot of ‘bucca and TWO valium-rough gig that Zamboni driving, the stress must be indescribable….although if it’s the Zamboni driver @ the meadowlands, he may have a legitimate anxiety reason-If Lou fires his head coach for a 100+-point season and a probable Division Banner, think what happens to the zamboni driver who leaves the ice rough in front of the bench!!!
Looking forward to another tight game against the capitals…hopefully Hanlon(spl?) won’t sick goons on Hoss again.
LET’S GO BLUE !!!
By B. Thenet
April 4, 2007 7:49 AM | Link to this
The one time I root for those scum in Raleigh, they let me down.
I was hoping to see the SE title clinched tonight, however it should be a rocking crowd tonight to celebrate our playoff berth.
By Russ
April 4, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
Taking a look at the NHL standings it is unbelievable how little is settled with only five days left in the regular season. Detroit and Calgary look like a good bet to meet in the first round, but any other potential first round opponents could change with the results of each game. It’s making for a lot of good playoff type games right up to the end…good stuff.
Let’s hope the Thrashers can get the division wrapped up before the last game vs. Tampa. It’s not that I don’t think they can beat Tampa if they need to, but there are going to be enough stressful games in the playoffs. After the Thrashers beat Washington 5-1 tonight the magic number will be down to 2.
By Bob
April 4, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
fan of the game, we called it Skitching and it was the only way to get home from school (what, walk in that snow)? The most fun was the school buses since they had the high bumpers, just don’t get behind the wheels or it was a face full of slush.
This may be coming down to the last game Sat. night. If Tampa is within 2 pts entering that game, they can still win the division with a reg. win. And that’s the way it should be, the boys need to stay sharp heading in. Every game a must win. Imagine how fun that game will be Sat. night to beat Tampa in a one game playoff for the division.
By Sebastian
April 4, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
Yup, we called it skitching too… a skateboarding term, I think (a la Back to the Future). Dangerous? Sure, but fun too. Then again, we used to ride our bikes in the wake of the mosquito control trucks… which might account for my occasional walking blackouts, hah.
Glad to see Sim the Pest getting back into action (keep your head up next time, Jon, even if the guy you’re fighting is 4-6 inches taller than you!).
I’d love to see us whip the Caps senseless tonight, oh and Coach Hartley, if Hanlon calls you out again, you can take him! And please DW, please keep Coach H.
Go Thrashers, WE BELIEVE!!
By GaVaHokie
April 4, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
I hope the Thrashers win the next two games with Washington and Carolina… I want Lehtonen on the bench for the Tampa game… don’t want Tortorella sending Paul Ranger diving into Lehtonen to “take him out” before the playoffs.
By Brendan
April 4, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
If Atlanta just wins these games vs. NON-PLAYOFF BOUND opposition, it renders the final game vs. Tampa Bay as meaningless. I’m not sure that Don shouldn’t call up Brathwaite or Michael Garnett. Paul Ranger might be injured, but that doesn’t mean Tortella won’t send in the battering RAM via some other player.
By thrashersfan
April 4, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Who was that Tampa player that took Lehtonen out last yr?
By where's Steve MC?
April 4, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
Yeah I’m glad you guys remember that from last year (Ranger cheap shot on Kari) because i sure do. That’s Tampa Bay for you though, cheap hockey at its finest. Does anybody know if there is a way they can miss the playoffs altogether? I would love to see those punks get locked out of the playoffs.
By Georgiaboy
April 4, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
Fire Billy Knight
By Russ
April 4, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
It was either Dingman or Artyukhin who ran into Lehtonen. I thought it was Artyukhin, but the article on ESPN from that game makes it sound like it was Dingman.
By Brian
April 4, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
where’s Steve MC - Bolts lose next 2 and get 92 points (which they already have).
Rangers lose to Mtl in OT or beat Pit and get 93+ points
Mtl beats NYR and loses to Tor in OT and gets 93 points (would lose tiebreaker to TB based on wins so must break 92 points)
Tor beats NYI and Mtl in OT and gets 93 points (would also lose tiebreaker to TB based on wins so must also get more than 92 points).
Only way it happens. The fact that the only way it happens is if Toronto beats Montreal in OT makes it tough let alone all the other stuff that must happen.
Personally, I would rather the Leafs not make it. As well, if we are the only team in our division that makes the playoffs all the naysayers start their talk about the SE.