AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 24
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Hedberg getting in a groove
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So is it ever good when they announce that the plane you’re supposed to fly from Toronto to Atlanta had to be re-routed to Cincinnati and now they’re trying to find another plane? No? Didn’t think so. But here I am, in beautiful gate A1d in Toronto. Waiting.
Big win for the Thrashers last night, they needed that one. For the most part, they did a lot of good things. They stayed out of the penalty box, except for a brutal Bobby Holik roughing penalty that not only led to a Maple Leafs power play goal, but happened behind the play, which was a Slava Kozlov (if I remember correctly) led rush up the ice.
I was sitting next to Ken Campbell, who writes for the Hockey News (and did the great cover story on Thomas Vanek, give it a read if you haven’t already). About the moment Toronto pulled the goalie in the final minute, I turned to him and said - ‘there’s no way this game doesn’t go into overtime, right?’ He smiled, because we both knew. Toronto was getting too many good looks in the final couple minutes and it just seemed like a matter of time.
For the first time all season, the Thrashers showed the ability to overcome adversity. This is a team so far that has fallen apart at the first sign of trouble. But in this game, Toronto scored before the guy who sang the anthems found his seat. And that last goal could have been devastating. The Toronto crowd was going crazy in the overtime, and you just could feel the momentum building in their favor. But if there was one play that turned the tide, it was a defensive gem from Steve McCarthy. Toronto had a 3-on-1 midway through overtime and he sprawled on the ice to break up a pass. Moose didn’t even see a shot. It was an absolutely great play, one I wish I could have included in the game story, but I pounded that out in about five minutes. Sorry Mac, that was a great play that should have been in there.
The Kovalchuk line was outstanding. Anytime you get eight points (Kovy 3, White 2, Perrin 3) from one line, things are probably going pretty well. Marian Hossa, however, was a non-factor. He’s due a big game sometime soon. Slava Kozlov played better - he was one of four Thrashers to finish with four shots (Dupuis, Little, and Sterling the other three). And Kozzie looked as dependable as ever in the shootout. Tobias Enstrom had another strong game. What a find he’s turning out to be.
As for Moose, after the game you could tell he was still pretty upset about that last goal, even though the Thrashers pulled out the win. Until that goal, the third period was as good as I’ve seen him play all season. He was making big saves in an attempt to get out of Toronto with a win. After the game, he said he was starting to get in a groove for the first time this season. I don’t know when Don is planning on starting Pavelec, but I’d hold off if I was him because Hedberg seems to be getting his legs under him.
I asked him if this is as good as he’s felt all season, and he answered: “Yeah, but it’s all pretty relative, right?” He finished with 32 saves and took out Mats Sundin in the shootout. I think he’s on to something there, just take out the shooter and you’re in good shape.
Alright, I’m rambling, being stuck at your gate for hours at a time will do that for you. I should be able to get to a lot of your comments this morning if there’s anything you have questions about. Also, I’m turning the reins over to Carroll Rogers for Nashville and Chicago so expect a new coach, Hossa extension, blockbuster trade and winning streak while I’m trying to sneak away for a couple days.
