AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 30
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Thrashers will continue to ride Moose
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I thought it might be fun to see an all-rookie goalie matchup tonight between Carey Price and Ondrej Pavelec, but that’s going to have to wait. Price will start for Montreal, as teams continue to get their backup some action against the Thrashers but Johan Hedberg will continue his string of starts. Ultimately it comes down to winning, and the way Moose has been playing lately, he gives the Thrashers the best shot at winning.
Don Waddell pointed out that, although this road trip is a grind, the games have been spaced out evenly so Hedberg has been able to handle the load for now. I don’t anticipate many lineup changes tonight. The lines at the morning skate were the same, although Bryan Little and Pascal Dupuis were both centering the Kovalchuk line. Both Dupuis and Little have been bothered by hip injuries, but Waddell said Little is now 100 percent, so I expect to see him tonight.
With the large media contingent that comes with a game in Montreal, came the usual questions to Marian Hossa about his contract status. He re-iterated that, yes, he changed agents. That yes, he loves Atlanta but winning a Stanley Cup is his ultimate goal and that will be the most important thing when determining where he’ll play. I asked him if he was more inclined to wait until he a coach is named, and he said that the coach is a factor, but not the biggest factor.
I chatted briefly with Haydar about playing with Kovalchuk and he’s obviously pleased with the opportunity. He said he really felt like things started to click in the third period of the Chicago game, so look for some more chemestry in game two. Plus, Kovalchuk loves playing in these big Canadian markets, so he always has an extra push in games in Toronto and Montreal.
With Ottawa looming, and Tampa Bay the final stop on this road trip, this game becomes even bigger. Ottawa is just sitting at home waiting to play the Thrashers and you know the how well the Thrashers play in Tampa, so tonight is almost a must-win, or at least a must-get-points if the Thrashers are to keep their heads above water. Heck, with a win they could pull even with Florida in the Southeast and could pull ahead of New Jersey to get out of the Eastern Conference basement. Baby steps, folks. Baby steps.
Commenting on your comments: Brendan: Thanks for the French lessons. You know, you’d think three years of French classes in high school would mean I could string together a sentence, but here I am in Montreal and I’m drawing a blank. I did try to watch a few minutes of the French channel in the hotel room, but quickly lost interest and went back to TSN.
Bob: Wait, so you’re saying I’m not going to win a Pulitzer?
GaVaHokie: I don’t know if Lang and the Thrashers were ever close, but I know they had serious interest in bringing him to Atlanta.
Marcus: I told Dan that I enjoyed his broadcast, and he said his No. 1 thing is to try and bring energy to his broadcasts. He certainly does it.
Hockeyfan: You’re a very knowledgeable poster, I wish you commented more. Winter was the agent for Peter Bondra (he also represents both Hossas and Hasek, not to mention the starting goalie for Montreal tonight).
author=Craig Custance
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