By Hnidy's Knights

April 11, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Craig, Are the Thrashers gonna call up anybody to fill Rucchin’s spot? I think adding Krog could be a good move, given his experience on both teams this year. The blue hair is TOO COOL!!!

Let’s Go Thrashers!!!

By Rawhide

April 11, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

What’s all this fuss I hear about Blue Hairs in Blueland???

I mean, first of all, what a very INSENSITIVE thing to call our senior citizens! These are poeple who deserve just a little more repect!

I mean, we shouldn’t be going around calling our elderly,………

Huh-what?

Oh, players going with bright blue hair??

OOOOOHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh….

Never mind.

By Thrasher_Ed

April 11, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Hnidy Knight, They don’t need a call up to re-place Rucchin. They are having to scratch players from the line-up already, with Steve McCarthy, Derek McKenzie.

By Bob

April 11, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

Kari and Sutton dyed their hair bright blue? Really? A Blueland Mohawk? Really?

Does anyone else find that a little disturbing?

I can hear Avery calling Sutton Big Smurf already.

I guess Kari is taking Cam Ward’s advice to heart (to remember to just have fun with it).

What was Coach’s reaction, Craig?

By kracker

April 11, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

How’s the beard going, Craig? I need shoe polish on mine. Or that stuff Walt Frazier hawks.

Maybe Kari can lift the mask and blind Jagr on a breakaway…blue hair? Did Savard sneak back on the Thrash playoff roster?

By Craig Custance

April 11, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Bob - Hartley was having fun with it — said something along the lines of ‘there must have been a sale on blue paint in Atlanta.’

kracker - I’m going clean shaven for the playoffs, my wife prefers it and she’s the boss.

Hnidy - No call ups, the team that finished the season will start the playoffs.

By kracker

April 11, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

Ah, CC you’re sensible and you listen to your wife. We need a new hockey guy.

By wacthrasher

April 11, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

ITS HIGH TIME THE THRASH GOT SOME INK!! I love seeing it everyday now with something on the front of sports after being a reader for over 5 years.

My only question is…when will Terence Moore write some BS article acting like he knows something about hockey. Terence do all of us Thrasher fans a favor. In fact, don’t show up to a single post-season game. None of us want you there!

GO THRASHERS! I cannot wait ‘til Thursday Night!!!

By storstark

April 11, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

We already got the only pick we needed: Maggie the Monkey. Admittedly she said that Edmonton would lose to Carolina, but I’ll take her over (Hack) Alan Muir any day.

By B. Thenet

April 11, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

Avery is a very selfish player. Just ignore him, and he will do tons of damage to the Rangers all on his own.

Ilya needs to just play his game, and not let Avery get inside his head. That alone will drive Avery crazy.

I expect Avery or Hollweg to take a cheapshot which cost the Rangers at least a game and turns the series in our favor. He has been behaving way too long in NY, it will change once the playoff spotlight is on him.

By Hnidy's Knights

April 11, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

I’m gonna stick with my prediction of a few days ago. Thrashers win in 5 games. Lehtonen gets a shutout in 1 of the first 2 games in the ATL. I think Bobby Holik and Marian Hossa step up big time. Kovalchuk has goals a plenty. It all goes down on April 20th in Philips when we win the series. And blue hair will be everywhere — come on Thrashers fans, step it up, it will wash out in time for our parade down Peachtree Street after we win the cup.

Let’s Go Thrashers!!!

By Hnidy's Knights

April 11, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

Now if we could only get Kamal, Odgers, Darren and JP to dye their hair blue too!!! Totally cool!

By BB

April 11, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

CC - Guy named Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has Eliot beat. He’s picking the Thrashers to go to the Cup finals.

Here’s the link

By Craig Custance

April 11, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Rutherford’s a good guy — thanks for the link BB.

By Tom

April 11, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

If the blue hairs get to the game early, do they get a discount?

By GaVaHokie

April 11, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

Storstark… I’m with you, I’m sticking with Maggie the Monkey… all her picks look good to me, except Minnesota over Anaheim.

Stick Jon Sim on Sean Avery. They can get on each others nerves.

Better yet, let’s see Exelby suck Avery and Orr into taking stupid penalties by getting in their face, fake like he’s gonna fight, and then back off… he used to do that so well. Haven’t seen him do it in awhile.

By N2Hockey

April 11, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

seriously! I saw you taking your easter pic out front as i drove by, haha cute, CRAIG! Also went to the party last night at jil’s and kincade gave you major props! But yeah dude, come on, carry your camera…. We need intro’s to one another, we’re huge HOCKEY gods here around the corner from u…

By Sam

April 11, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Rutherford’s right. I think we can take any team in the East. Anybody tell the NY media that the Thrash owned the Rangers in the season series, 3-1? ….with most of those games played BEFORE the trade deadline upgrades.

The blue hair is waay cool.

By Craig Custance

April 11, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

N2Hockey — Next time you drive by and I’m out front, say hello.

How was the party last night?

By Dgrvly

April 11, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Come on Thrasher fans, this is the franchises’ first playoff game in history and there are still tickets available in the 100’s section 24 hours before gametime. If you try to find Rangers tickets to games 3,4,6 you’ll find there are none, if we don’t sellout our first playoff game, I think Atlanta will once again be the joke of the national sports media, just like we didn’t sellout braves playoff games in the past. With over 5 million people in the metro area it’s unacceptable. I’ve got my tickets for game 1, do you?

By Project 16-W

April 11, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Hold the Blue Cheese, Please This blue hair business concerns me, and our former BlueNote Walt Tkachuk may remember why. In 1999-2000, the St. Louis Blues had the best record in hockey, which earned them the President’s Trophy and home ice advantage for their playoff run. Several of the confident and enthusiastic Blues dyed their hair bleach blond (including Jamal Mayers’ memorable tiger-striped eyebrows). It’s all fun and games until someone gets unceremoniously thrown out of the playoffs, like the Blues were by the ever-dangerous San Jose Sharks in the first round. I’d prefer it if our pretty blue Thrashers forget about cosmetics and try to focus on hockey. Only the toughest and most determined squad of battle-worthy men will hoist the Cup this year, and no one will care what color their hair is.

By N2Hockey

April 11, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

i give sutton credit, i really DONT like him, but for him and his GOLD locks to do it, i give him props

By Bob

April 11, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

Alright, it’s about 24 hours from Go Time.

We need to get serious here.

Everyone, and I mean Everyone needs their game face and voice on tomorrow night. We need to yell, scream, cheer, Rag the Rags, from the moment our boys hit the ice. I don’t care if the BlueJerks score twice early, you each will yell, cheer, scream until you can speak no more. NO sitting on hands, no standard Atlanta b/s. Anyone that goes home with a working voice, is just not cheering loud enough. You got all day Friday to recover in time for Sat. afternoon.

This is Our Town. This is Our House. This is Our Time.

Unleash the Fury

By roger

April 11, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

we aren’t the least bit worried about this avery guy..he’s nothing more than an irritating wanna be player..who’s only goal is to fight and start fights…we play around goon’s like this..and let’em hang themselves..from the sinbin

By Project 16-W

April 11, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

For the avoidance of doubt: (1) neither Grampa Mel or Uncle Walt was on the 99-00 Blues team; (2) I’m all for team spirit - the kind that wins games; and (3) I do in fact have my tix for Round 1.

By A-town As$clown .....formerly caveman22

April 11, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

Kari could play with Blue Balls for all I care, just shut’em down baby!!!!

Go Thrashers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Tony H

April 11, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

Dgrvly, I agree with you completely. Not only is it an embarrassment, it means that many of us will end up sitting next to Ranger fans who are by far the most obnoxious bunch I have ever been around.

We all need to be the Thrashers seventh man and it does make a difference to the players when the fans are rabidly pulling for them. Thrasher fans should have bought out Philips so that few, if any, Ranger fans could get in.

Come on! Get your tickets and bring your friends! Once they see the product and excitement, maybe they will become true blue, too.

By Matthew At The SLC

April 11, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

Craig, what a cop out, dude. I’ve been growing my playoff beard since we beat the Canadiens at home by 5 goals. You remember, it was game that Sim came within a centimeter of a hat trick. The beard is lucious and full, and ready to be taken out into BlueLand. From Thursday, I will no longer trim the beard, letting it grow wild and uneven, until the Thrashers are through with this season. And then, depending, I may pull a Mike Vick and just let it grow until the Thrash bring home Lord Stanley’s Cup for real. So I beg you, in the name of all that is Tkachuk, please win it all this year!

And once again, Craig… that is a weak excuse. If Kinkade is making an attempt at growing some man hair, then you have no excuse to hide under. Your wide knows and understands the score. She’s just going to put up with it, and you’re just going to have to sacrifice some nookie until the playoffs are over. Sounds fair, right?

By jonnytix

April 11, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

To Dgrvly,

The only tickets really left for Thursday are $140 club level seats. Everything else is pretty much gone. The problem is there are too many still left for Saturday. As of yesterday only the $15 seats were gone. $30 seats probably are gone by now but IMHO too many others remain.

If you are going on Thursday stop by the advanced ticket window for Saturday tix. No service charge there.

By LAC

April 11, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Craig…….

WHO DROPS THE FIRST PUCK ????????????

      The Great
     NEIL BOORTZ 
          or
    THE PAINTED LADY 
   ??????????????????

Someone with PAST PLAYOFF TIES NEEDS TO… Neil would be a PERFECT choice, plus he could do a couple Dave Schultz jabs to boot!!!!

How about it ???? GET NEIL !!!!

By Brendan

April 11, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

I’m ready for the Blueout! The beard is not comin’ in as nicely as hoped. But I shaved Monday morning. By tomorrow night, it’ll be much better.

By danlmac

April 11, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

CC: After last year I take Darren’s picks with a grain of salt. In 06 he picked Dallas and New Jersey going to the finals. Also, picked the NY Rangers as the biggest surprise (in a positive way). Dallas was gone in 5 games, and the Rangers in 4 (they lost to NJ). NJ was gone in the second round.

Me thinks it would have been better for the Tharshers if he’d picked NY.

Go Blue (despite Darren).

By storstark

April 11, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

Don’t blame me, I bought myself a playoff strip and one for the seat next to me. Figured I could always find a friend willing to pay for it. If not, I will not be selling it to an opposing fan. I will pay an extra forty dollars a game not to sit next to a Rangers fan.

By Hotrod

April 11, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

Great week of practice.

Speed and focus was up about 20% compared to a normal season practice.

We thought Kari might have gone with the Finland flag on his head till he took his mask off revealing the mohawk.

This is going to be a great series! Go get em Thrashers!

By Oh..Canada

April 11, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

With apologies to Robert Service.

The Law of the Cup

This is the law of Lord Stanley and ever he made it plain:

“Send not your Rangers,foolish and feeble: Send the Thrashers, your strong and your sane-

Strong for the red rage of battle; sane,.. for I harry them sore;

Send me men girt for the combat, men who are grit to the core;

Swift as the panther in triumph, fierce as the bear in defeat,

Sired of bulldog parent, steeled in the furnace heat.

Send me the best of your breeding, lend me your chosen ones;

Them I will take to my bosom, them will I call my sons;

Them will I guild with my treasure, them will I glut with my meat;

But the Rangers—the misfits, the failures—I trample under my feet.

Desolute, damned and dispairful, crippled and palsied and slain,

Ye would send me the spawn of NY gutters—

Go! take back your spawn again.

Go Blue

By Brian

April 11, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this

Buf - NJ - Atl - Ott

Cal - Ana - Van - SJ

By Pinball34

April 11, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

LAC: Great selections for the puck drop… you are a true Atlanta hockey fan…I take back everything I’ve said about you….Johnny Reb would go over real well now, eh?

By CupCrazy

April 11, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this

FREE BEER FOR BLUE HAIRS…..

sorry, just pullin’ your chain, it is time for a blue wave in ATL.

GO THRASHERS.

By jason

April 11, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

Hey Craig, can you tell the person that made the “Hockey Quiz” on AJC.com that they’ve screwed it up. The American-born player is named Tkachuk not Tchachuk, or whatever variant they put.

Reminds me of that End-of-Year Quiz asking who the celebrity was that went to games wearing sunglasses and a Thrashers jersey with “LJ” on the back. The correct answer was NOT PGA Tour member Lee Janzen.

By JayBird

April 11, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

The only time I want to hear Boortz and drop on this blog is if someone writes in with the news that someone dropped that a*******hole from an airplane at 20,000 feet! Just don’t let a white guy drop the puck because Rev. Sharpton will protest that a cracker dropped something black.

By Justin

April 11, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

hey cupcrazy: There is no reason to start or participate in ‘the wave’ at a hockey game. leave that at turner field

By Bob

April 11, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Unleash the Fury

By Tony C.

April 11, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Can’t we leave the race-baiting for those other ajc blogs???

So Big Andy and The Kid dyed their hair-cool. Now we just need to concentrate on red-as in the redlight goin’ on!

The reason why the 100-level tickets are still availible is because they’re expensive-average joe fans do not have the loot to just drop $200 a seat-but that is the way things go.

It doesn’t really matter-we just need to get a “Let’s Go Thrashers/Let’s Go Blue” chant started early I think it’d be cool if the guys came out for warms ups with blueland lready rockin!

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

P.S. Anybody watching this Pitt/Ott game? Pretty good action, I’m surprised that Pitt has been unable to adjust to Ott.’s game-plan. Still, good action.

By JayBird

April 11, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

It’s called a joke, lighten up Frances, don’t be so sensitive.

The Pittsburgh-Ottawa game is pretty good, glad to see Cindy Crosby whine and cry. Am I the only one tired of announcers kissing his a$$ constantly? Yes, he is a great player but if he screws up, admit it.

By volstar

April 11, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

I think Blueland will rock tomorrow. The first hockey playoff game should be something everybody wants to experience. I think the Thrashers have a great fanbase, Atlanta loves hockey they just needed a reason to take it to the next level.

By LAC

April 11, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

Pinball34… What did you say ?

When the Painted Lady, arrived the seas would PART. Once saw two NYI players hit each other while looking at those 36C, no…Hummm, 38D… Maybe… Oh Yes I asked her once 40D.WOW !!!!!!!!! Always the CENTER of attraction in our section and Boortz could never keep his eyes off her most nights.

Jaybird, YOU RULE !!!!!!!! Great Comment !!!!!!!!!

But CRAIG… HELLO CRAIG…. Contact Boortz and have him come out thursday night, tell him he can keep the puck too !!!!!!

Game 1. Atlanta 4 NYR 2. Game 2. Atlanta 3 NRY 1. Game 3. Atlanta 3 NYR 2…OT. Game 4. Atlanta 2 NYR 3. Game 5. Atlanta 5 NYR 2.

WE WIN !

By Tony C.

April 11, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

Oh it’s a slaughter now, the crowd is mocking Fleurry…..isn’t the other game SJ vs. Nash-Vegas? Why can’t we watch that? Oh wait, that’s right Sidney is more compelling…even if they’re down by 4 with under 10min to play-I’m sure everyone would much rather watch a blowout featuring Sidney (Don’t you wish you had my agent) Crosby….still at least the BabyPens can score on a 5-on-3 (PP is the area I am most concerned about for Le Thrash)

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

UNLEASH THE FURY

By Scott

April 11, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

LETS GO THRASHERS!!!!!!!!!!!

I can’t wait until tomorrow night. The only thing that sucks is I’m stuck in Montgomery and can’t make Thursday nights game. I’m going to try my best to be at the arena for Saturday’s game though. I was rocking my Hossa shirt all day today and my car is decked out in Thrashers window clings.

LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!!!!

By Brendan

April 12, 2007 12:40 AM | Link to this

Luongo has given up a 4-2 lead. Bob, you said this would happen. Nashville scored in the final minute to force OT with San Jose. By the way, the Sharks lost Cheechoo on a somewhat questionable play. On the game-tying goal, San Jose had three (3) chances to clear the zone and failed every time. Nashville scored on a long shot from the blueline. In OT, in a divine-like act of redemption, Rissmiller got the winner for the Sharks in the 2nd OT, at 8:14.

The Pens added two late goals. The refs made sure the Sens would be on the PK for the rest of the game, since Ottawa was starting to just relentlessly run the Penguin players, with nothing to lose in a 6-1 game. The Final score was 6-3, and Crosby did score on the PP in the final minute.

Vancouver and Dallas are headed to OT. Not a great night for two goalies making their playoff debuts in Fleury and Luongo tonight.

I look for Naslund or Ohlund for Vancouver or Modano for Dallas in this OT.

By Paul

April 12, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this

THIS IS A JOKE!!!

By Paul

April 12, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this

THIS IS A JOKE!!!

By Paul

April 12, 2007 1:42 AM | Link to this

THIS IS A JOKE!!!!

I am a die-hard NY Rangers fan living in the Atlanta area now. I lived here just about 3 years, and coming from a REAL sports city, NYC, I have to say you fans are pathetic. I am not saying this outta disrespect, but c’mon people this is the first Tharshers playoff game in Franchise history. If you look for tickets at Madison Square Garden, they are all sold out already. This is the same as the Atlanta Braves, they cant even sell out for a playoff game either. I am ashamed of this as a sports fan, and a little disappointed because there is no atmosphere at Turner Field for the Braves and Mets games when I go………maybe if they give away a John Deere tractor or some chewing tobacco some of you rednecks would show up and support your team.

By Paul is a tool

April 12, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this

Paul,you freaking greasy, smelly pig, you can go f-ck yourself. Your stereotypes are cute but not being from here, you don’t understand the reality of a city like Atlanta. People actually leave a sh-thole like NY and move here for a better life, unlike the rat infested, p** smelling life in NY. Since the majority of Atlantans are transplants who keep their affiliation with their childhood teams, there aren’t many original fans of Atlanta teams. That being said, you need to worry about your beloved Rectal Rangers being humiliated by the Thrashers in this series and not the attendance at Philips Arena. I will tell you about one thing they are giving away at Philips this weekend for you Rangers fans and that is free a$$ whipping. Come on up to section 319 and I will give you yours!

By David

April 12, 2007 2:17 AM | Link to this

New York City Metropolitan Population - almost 19 million people

Atlanta Metropolitan Population - around 5 million

When you have 4 times the amount of people to draw on, you can understand why a market can sustain that many sports teams. That’s about the dumbest thing I’ve heard from anybody lately. Do we want the tickets sold, of course. Is Atlanta the hockey town that Detriot or Boston is? No. Can we make it better? Yes. Go back to NYC and complain about something useful, like the mets being in 2nd place behind Atlanta.

By Paul

April 12, 2007 2:29 AM | Link to this

hey A*******hole ill be in section 310 find me there ill be in a rangers jersey u smelley inbred idiot…..btw get off ur sisters back ur hurting her….and ur mom is in the other bedroom waiting for u, u stupid hick

By BLUELAND

April 12, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

Lets go ThrasherS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL the way!!! The Atlanta Thrashers were Barry Melrose’s pick fir winning the CUP!!!!! WE’ve got this!!!Lets GO THRASHERS ………………

By Bob

April 12, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

Paul, save your breath, you’ll need it to blow up your date. You must have a very large brain, to hold so much ignorance.

Brendan, I had a hard time going to sleep last night as I am so pumped for today, but eventually I couldn’t stay up and watch the end of that Dallas-Vancouver game, but man, it was a doozy! Dallas is going to have a hard time coming back from that big disappointment, but you can see Turco is on a mission. Luongo is over-rated.

Great Job by the AJC. Most of us have given them a hard time for the lack of coverage, but today they got on the ball. Kudos to our fine rag today! Front page of the paper. Front page of the sports section. Nasty Nest is front page of the Living section!

Come on boys and girls, let’s bring it tonight. Nostandard Atlanta fan b/s, we have hockeyheads. We are not cheese eating surrender monkey lame Braves laissez faire weather fan milk toast khaki wearing latte drinking momma’s boys girlie men, we are HockeyHeads!

We need to bring da noise, all night. Loud, Louder, Loudest, cheer your butts off all night, all game, from the moment they hit the ice. Even if we get down a goal or two, bring it. Rock the house. Loud.

This is our Time

unleash the fury

This is our Place

Unleash The Fury

Will you ever quit? NO!

Unleash the Fury

By storstark

April 12, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

FRONT PAGE!!!! COVER, SPORTS, AND LIVING. We finally got it. Now let’s kick some a$$.

By kreedham

April 12, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

NY Post has a poll on how far the fans think the Rangers will go in the Cup quest. Almost 36% said just one round. Even the NY faithful don’t see them winning. Funny 21% think they’ll win it all.

By Tom

April 12, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

Simple breakdown of how this series will go: The standard playoff cliches apply to the Thrashers as much as they have ever applied to any team. Goaltending and specialty teams will decide it. Even strength, the Thrash are the better team. Lundqvist could mitigate that somewhat with a stand-on-his-head performance, but as long as Kari is solid, we’ll be okay. Thrash have been MUCH better on the PK since the trades, and as long as they maintain that higher level of play, we’re fine. Pants loads of stupid and untimely penalties, however, could be our undoing. The Power Play has me worried. They need to somehow find a good stroke man up. If they can goad Avery, et al, into some bad penalties and make them pay, we gain a mental edge. Road performance will be key as well. Gotta win either Game 3 or 4 in MSG. Thrash in 6.

By Rawhide

April 12, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Nice write up on the Nasty-Nesters,……320, eh?,…I’ll be a couple rows over,…I’ll pop by tonight to say howdie!!!!

Outside of Florida,…guess which opposition areana the Thrashers have faired the best in since their inception?

MSG!

How special is THAT?

By Bob

April 12, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

Tom, you are spot on. PK has been much better, and needs to stay that way. Kari needs to be solid (after further review, I like his blue hair, it shows he’s loose). But the PP does need to click, we need to be at a 18%+ clip converting them.

Rawhide, we have always played the Rags well, haven’t we? Guess you better cover your kids ears around those Nasty Nesters (just kidding, of course).

By CM

April 12, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

I hear a train a comin, Chuk…chuk… chuk…chuk…chuk..chuk..chuk..chuk..Hoss..hoss.hoss.hoss.hoss.hoss.hoss SCORE!!!

I know, pretty silly, but I’m stoked for tonight!

LET’S GO BLUE!! FREAKIN’ RIP THE RANGERS!! AND SEND PAUL THE @SS CLOWN PACKIN’!!

UNLEASH THE FURY THRASHERS!!

By GaVaHokie

April 12, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Hey Craig… can you kick Tim Tucker in the balls for us for bringing up a financial story the day of the first playoff game? Nobody wants to read that crap today!

As far as the blue hair goes… Kari shaved his head bald according to Waddell this morning!

By Rawhide

April 12, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

BOB - My tax-exemptions will be with me and will join right in!

GO THRASHERS - RIP THE “RUMP”-RANGERS!!

By Ilya k

April 12, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

ANYONE ANYONE PLEASE…..what channel is the game on tonight. I tried to record it this morning but could not find in the Comcast tv guide.? Comcast channel # ??????

By Ilya k

April 12, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

I AM FEELIN CUP CRAZY!

By Paul is a tool

April 12, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

Paul, you sure are cute when you get mad. UR, UR, UR. Nice, too lazy to even spell out your. It won’t be hard to spot you tonight, you’ll be in the 15 year old Brian Leetch jersey that is 2 sizes too small and has chili stains all over it. While you are a Philips, maybe someone can hose you off like they do the elephants at the circus. A good delousing and a shave of your back, you might be presentable…until you open your fat yankee mouth.

By Brian

April 12, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

I hear you guys about being excited. I think I am getting out of hear early enough to beat traffic and I want to be at Philips by noon. Ok, not that early, but I am going down nice and early as I can’t wait.

By CM

April 12, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

So rumor has it that Kari left Sutton hung out to dry with the blue hair?! That’s funny as crap, I hope we get to see it. Maybe he’ll be one of the intermission interviewees. Too bad they aren’t giving out blue wigs tonight. Maybe we should dye those terrible mullet ones..oh wait, I don’t have it anymore.

Has anyone heard if Kari’s parents are in town? Just wondering, you know, just because :)

Wow, big Hoss and little Hoss on the ice together tonight, in the playoffs no less and their folks in town from beautiful SK to witness it. They could possibly be the two quietest people in the arena tonight. They win either way!

BELIEVE IN BLUELAND!!!

By CM

April 12, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

Brian - noon, that’s hilarious. I’m with ya.

Is it time yet? Are we there yet??

By LAC

April 12, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

Just IN…. Blowup doll Explodes, causes massive head injuries to NYR fan at Motel 6… More to follow…. Stay Tuned.

Atlanta 4 NYR 1.

By Andy

April 12, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

Im a Ranger fan living in NJ. I came to this site because I love to read views from opposing fans..Anyway, I jsut want to say we are not all like Paul or the stereotypical obnoxious NYR fan. In fact, if you stop and look, you will see that most of us are passionate, knowledgeable hockey fans who love our team and love to talk hockey with other fans.

As for this series, I can’t wait. I think it’ll be entertaining as there’s alot of talent on both sides. For those of you who think Avery is nothing more than a glorified juvinile dilinquent, watch him in this series. This kid has ALOT of skill. I never knew until he was traded here.

Good luck to you guys and your team…..though not TOO MUCH luck.

By the way, I’ve been to ATL about 5 times this year on business and it seems to be a great city!

By Rawhide

April 12, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

ILYA K - SportsSouth,…..

CM - No we are NOT there yet!!! Sheeze, and I told you to go to the bathroom before we left,…’cuz I’m NOT STOPPING!!! Now just settle down back there!!

BRIAN - I would join you at noon, but I gotta wait for the kids to get outa school. I failed in my attempt to get the day declared a state holiday so they could be out!

GO THRASHERS - BEAT THE NEW YORK RUMP-RANGERS!!

By Rawhide

April 12, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Just our luck! The ANDY’S of this world are NOT the one’s who move down here!!!

LOL!

Oh well, it’s like I’ve always said,…NY fans are one thing, but at least they aren’t Philly fans!

Andy, thanks for popping by,….we will expect reports on the ground next week from Da GAH-den!

By GaVaHokie

April 12, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Waddell on 680 said the blue hair was gone… Andy washed it out and Kari shaved his head.

Kari’s parents are not in town. :(

By Andy

April 12, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

You got it RH.

In fact, if you want to have some intelligent hockey discussions with the “good” Ranger fans, I invite you to Hockeybird.com and Rangerland.net. They are the 2 best fan sites on the net. As long as you are looking to engage in some knowledgeable back and forth rather than attach (ala Paul), you’ll find a great group of hockey fans.

By Tom

April 12, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

If it is true Kari shaved his head I am a little worried.

Seriously, his mask is fitted for his head and all that hair. If it gets loose or if he is thinking about the mask that will not be a good thing.

But I do hope that we leave the Rangers and their fans mumbling about what happened to them Thursday Night down in Atlanta, and will they ever win a playoff game again.

By Bob

April 12, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

I’m not suprised about the hair, that was kind of goofy, but at least it shows Kari and Sutton and the boys are loose!

Turn on Mara on DaveFM right now, she’s do hockey songs for the lunch hour, pump up the volume! Playing Holiday by Green Day right now, great pump it up song!

Unleash the Fury

By Christy

April 12, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

WARNING - CNN center overrun by teenagers for the annual robotics competition at the World Congree Center through Saturday. I.e. - if you plan on eating in the atrium before heading into the arena, give yourself plenty of time since sometimes the kids eat dinner in the atrium before heading back to their hotels. Ditto for Saturday.

By ssiscribe

April 12, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

Don’t post on here much at all, but have followed the team since its inception. Moved back to Atlanta in August and went to a couple of games this year.

I’ll be there Saturday afternoon, and as somebody who has been blessed to go to the World Series, Super Bowl, Olympics, Daytona 500 and the Masters, I’m as excited about Saturday as any of the above. I really, really think if the Thrashers can win this first-round series, then the entire city’s going to get on board.

I hope Philips rocks tonight. I hope we get Game 1. I hope I don’t shave until June.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Eileen

April 12, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

I loved the blue hair on Andy and Kari. It shows spirit and a great sense of humor. They believe in Blueland. Go Thrashers!!!

By CM

April 12, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Bob thanks for the tip!!

By Brian

April 12, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Hey guys, it’s 12:30 and I am still at the office. But I just received word that there will be a Blueland block party at 4:30pm. It will be on the Philips Drive side of Philips Arena (CNN Center would be on the opposite side, so go to the other side of the arena from CNN Center). For those of you that have kids there will be games, face painting, etc.

I will definitely be there in time for that. WARNING: if you are wearing a Rangers jersey I may check you into a sidewalk partition.

By Matt H

April 12, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

Does anyone else find it strange that a line from a dopey little college comedy, voiced by Tom Green no less, has become the slogan for our hockey team?

I mean, weird in a good way. When I was at that Sabres game a few weeks back and saw that little “Braveheart” montage, I laughed my a* off. But, still, WTF, right? Whatever works.

UNLEASH THE FURY!

By Brian

April 12, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

Andy - Thanks, you are the guys I love to hear from.

Rawhide - The Andy’s of the world do move down here. It’s guys like Ryan & I, Tom, Brendan, who are from up north but make the logical move and support the Thrashers as our home team that we actually watch live. This is our home now, we support it. If not, we would have never left…

By CJ

April 12, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

UNLEASH THE FURY

By Russian

April 12, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

I can not wait anymore. :-( I want to go now. But my Damn Boss, he is F* Braves fun and he does not have clue about hockey. 6 more hours…..

By Brian

April 12, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Matt H - 90% of what I have seen in Philips I have seen in other arenas first. Even The Simpsons did an episode that started out with Homer & Marge on the KissCam at the stadium.

T - 5 until puckdrop

By Bob

April 12, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Make it very uncomfortable for the Rangers to skate on our ice tonight.

Make it very uncomfortable for a Ranjerk fan to wear his sweater in Our House tonight.

Make it very uncomfortable for a Ranjerk fan to even think about starting a cheer for his club.

You know what Rabid Fan looks like on an average game day, going all Ookie Balookie and bangin on the glass. That’s what I want each one of you to look like tonight. If you can talk in the morning, you are not yelling loud enough.

Unleash the Fury

By Rawhide

April 12, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Ladies and gentlemen, Gen. George S. Patton:

Men, this stuff that some sources sling around about Blueland not wanting to fight, is a crock of BS. Bluelanders love to fight, traditionally. All real Bluelanders love the sting and clash of battle.

You are here today for three reasons. First, because you are here to defend Blueland and your Thrashers. Second, you are here for your own self respect, because you would not want to be anywhere else. Third, you are here because you are real men and all real men like to fight.

When you, here, every one of you, were kids, you all admired the champion marble player, the fastest runner, the toughest boxer, the big league ball players, and the All-American football players. Blueland love a winner. Blueland will not tolerate a loser. Blueland despise cowards. Blueland play to win all of the time.

I wouldn’t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Blueland have never lost nor will ever lose a war; for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best and it removes all that is base. Bluelanders pride themselves on being He Men and they ARE He Men.

Hockey is a team sport. It lives, sleeps, eats, and fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is pure horse crap. The bilious bastards who write that kind of stuff for the Saturday Evening Post don’t know any more about real fighting under fire than they know about f#cking!

We have the finest food, the finest equipment, the best spirit, and the best men in the world. Why, by God, I actually pity those poor sons-of-b*** we’re going up against. By God, I do! I don’t want to get any messages saying, ‘I am holding my position.’ We are not holding a G******* thing. Let the Rangers do that. We are advancing constantly and we are not interested in holding onto anything, except the enemy’s balls. We are going to twist his balls and kick the living crap out of him all of the time.

Our basic plan of operation is to advance and to keep on advancing regardless of whether we have to go over, under, or through the enemy. We are going to go through him like crap through a goose!

You may be thankful that twenty years from now when you are sitting by the fireplace with your grandson on your knee and he asks you what you did during the first ever Stanley Cup run in Thrasher’s history, you WON’T have to cough, shift him to the other knee and say, ‘Well, your Granddaddy shoveled crap in Madison Square Gardens.’ No, Sir, you can look him straight in the eye and say, ‘Son, your Granddaddy rode with the Great Band of Brothers of Blueland!’

That is all.

By Paul

April 12, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Listen U dumb Redneck idiots. I saw the post that some genius wrote about showing 21% of Rangers fans saying they will win the cup. The reason for that is ……………….we are realistic fans. All of you idiot fans think the Thrashers are going away with the cup, thats just not a realistic thought. Its OK though, u dummies are too focused on Nascar and College football to drown ur futile brains.

By CM

April 12, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Tom - you’re freaking me out with that talk about Kari’s mask. I mean it makes sense, but geez, let’s hope it’s a non-issue! The kid doesn’t even get to blink tonight.

RH hmm, lots of references to “men” in your last post, as if to say the women aren’t in on this too, but it’s all good. Love ya just the same fellow Bluelander.

I hear it comin’, it’s getting closer Chuk, Chuk, Chuk, Chuk….

By Brendan

April 12, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

When the fan sitting next to you’s face is covered in goo, (thrown by a rangers fan,) **you’ll know what to do!

Unleash the FURY!**

By Brendan

April 12, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

Christy, thanks for the tip. We’re definitely heading down EARLY.

By Rawhide

April 12, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

CM - Point taken. I’ll speak to the General about that!!!

By Matt H

April 12, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

I really hope some fans band together and each bring a giant letter to spell out “Unleash the Fury!” in the stands at Philips.

By CM

April 12, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

Roger that RH, no worries. Anyone here can handle it, I just thought it was funny. Hope the tax excemptions have a blast tonight. And go ahead let ‘em get their faces painted for crying out loud and don’t make ‘em wash it off for school tomorrow.

Matt H - that’s a GREAT idea. Hopefully another Bluelander thought of it as well.

How about now, are we close at least? Geez..

By Matt H

April 12, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Someone get on that!

By JayBird

April 12, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

Wow, that sure is tough quiz on hockey the ajc put up. I guess it came down to the number of periods question or the what is the skating surface made of question to round out that quiz. Come on, stupid things like that just help fuel the stereotypes about southern hockey fans.

I’m about to leave home now, pick up my girlfriend and head down to Philips to soak in the experience. It is almost surreal that today is finally here. Tonight should be intense and physical, I look for a 4-2 win tonight with Hoss scoring 2 goals.

By Rawhide

April 12, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

CM my 14 year old might do that, but my 15 year old is WAYYYYYYYYYYyyyyyyyyyyy “too cool” for that.

He doesn’t even smile for his hockey team mug-shots.

But maybe I can slip some blue dye in his shampoo,…hhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm………

By Brian

April 12, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

Tom & CM - it’s a standard mask that is more fitted for your entire head, there are 4 straps in the back that can be pulled tighter or loosened…

By Bob

April 12, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

No Thrasher ever won a game by dying for his team. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his team.

Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.

Games may be played with sticks, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.

We herd sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people. Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.

General Bob S. Hartley

Unleash the Fury

By Tony C.

April 12, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

The Kid can just wear a ‘do rag if his mask feels funny on his head…as far as the fit-it is form fitted-to his face! the straps are adjustable for the back and top…”block party” hrrm…will there be beer?

Well it’s serious count-down time….Playoff hockey @ The Flatscreen-can you dig it?!

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

LET’S GO THRASHERS !!!

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

LET’S GO THRASHERS !!!

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

By storstark

April 12, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

Andy, welcome aboard, nice to be reminded of why hockey fans can be the best of all sports fans.

Paul, go f*k yourself.

I suspect the Rangers have awoken a sleeping giant…

By CM

April 12, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

Sigh of relief I was hoping the mask wasn’t that custom. Geez..thanks Brian! Now with that out of the way I’m only concerned about the PP and staying the heck out of the box. We’ll destroy ourselves tonight if we have to kill too many penalties and keep that amount of pressure on Kari constantly. If it’s anything like that Dallas/Vancouver game last night though, eww I shutter at the thought…

RH - Blue dye in the shampoo, love it!

One last sentimental thought. Really this goes more for players than us fans but still. I was extremely blessed to have amazing coaches growing up. I remember one of them encouraging us one afternoon with this phrase standing in the dugout of our homefield when I was oh 10 maybe, and I’ve never forgotten it. It goes like this, If your mind can conceive it and your heart will believe it, then you can achieve it Ah, precious memories..

I BELIEVE in Blueland!!!

All I can think of is the 1980 Miracle. I’ve watched it twice this week. ‘The legs feed the wolves.’

Go get ‘em Thrashers

By Russ

April 12, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

I wish someone would have talked Kovy into going with wooden sticks before the playoffs started. You know how his sticks snap in half about 50% of the time when he really tries to crank on a one-timer on the PP…well I’ve been having a recurring nightmare that some time in this series that is going to happen and lead directly to a breakaway in the other direction.

Anyway, GO THRASHERS!!!!!!!!!!

By Rawhide

April 12, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

* CM, STORSTARK, BRIAN, BRENDAN, JAYBIRD, ‘ZILLA,….EVERYONE,…..*

Time to head down to the show folks,…see you at Blueland.

CM - that CHUK, CHUK, CHUCK-ING,….IT’S GETTING louder!!!!

By Brian

April 12, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

Ok folks - I AM OFF TO PHILIPS!!!

By Bob

April 12, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

And I’m off too. Men, we reconvene here at 0800 to toast our victory, and plan our strategery for the next Roast of the Rump Rangers

Unleash the Fury

By Brendan

April 12, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

… on my way, and all scruffy, too! Thrashers 4, Rangers 2.

By storstark

April 12, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

On my way guys, you’ll be hearing me tonight!