AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMaybe a rookie can change the luck in Tampa
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Thrashers are going with the kid. Ondrej Pavelec will start in goal tonight as the Thrashers try and end their strong road trip on a positive note. I like the decision, especially considering the team has struggled in Tampa so far this season. You might as well mix it up. He seemed genuinely excited to make the start, and admitted that playing here last time has helped relieve some of the nerves. It’s a good spot for him and Don Waddell said he earned the start with his strong play in two relief appearances of Johan Hedberg.
The Lightning have been struggling lately, which meant Torts wasn’t in the best of moods at the morning press conference. But who better than the Thrashers to turn things around against? Tampa Bay is 16-5-1-1 all-time at home against the Thrashers and have outscored the Thrashers 11-4 in two meetings in Tampa this season.
The Thrashers will need to get off to a good start against Tampa, which is hard to do. As you know, the Lightning usually come out flying. That may be one reason Waddell’s top line tonight is Kovalchuk-White-Hossa. If Kovy and Hoss can get an early goal, that would be big for a lot of reasons. For one, it might relieve some pressure on Pavelec. But this team showed last game that it’s now capable of coming back from a large deficit which was certainly in question the last time the Thrashers were in Tampa. So in that regard, a fast start isn’t as critical as earlier in the season.
As for the coaching search, Waddell said this morning that he hasn’t contacted any teams about receiving permission to interview an assistant, although he can use other avenues than just direct contact to find out if an assistant is available. There still doesn’t seem to be any urgency in the coaching search, as Waddell continues to stress that winning games right now is much more important than making a hire.
There’s been an inordinate amount of buzz surrounding the Thrashers and potential trades. I’m not saying there won’t be any deals, but I also want to add that the Thrashers just recently played in Montreal and Toronto - where A) There’s tons of media and B) It’s a good spot for scouts up there to see a team they might not typically see. So stuff might get blown out of proportion more than usual. Now when a reporter I respect, like Jim Matheson, says Thrashers director of player personnel Mark Dobson attended his third Oilers game in a short span, I take notice. Although, I don’t think the Thrashers are currently interested in Dick Tarnstrom, as some other websites suggested. So cross him off your list, especially considering the Oilers recent injuries on the blueline.
But here’s why you have to be careful about internet trade rumors. The other day, I was chatting with Bobby Holik and we were watching the huge media scrum around Hossa, which led me to ask Holik if he was doing any negotiating with the team. It was a 30 second conversation, which I used as a quick note in the paper. The next day, I go online to a few hockey websites and see a headline: “Holik to be traded?” That’s how some of this stuff gets started.
I would wonder if there’d be interest around the league in a guy like Steve McCarthy if he continues to sit. I saw Don Waddell talking to him for awhile during the morning skate. Here’s what Waddell had to say about that conversation:
“I don’t want to lose him. He’s done everything for us. His plus-minus [Mac is currently at -12] has been very misleading… If you go through those goals you’ll find very few that were his fault. Sometimes you get caught in circumstances. He’s battled every night, he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. I told him not to lose faith in us. We haven’t lost faith in him.”
Comments
By Brian
November 3, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Buzilla didn’t win!!!
By Sara
November 3, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Glad to see Pavalec is getting a start. This is really a perfect time for DW to evaluate Pavalec’s performance in the NHL. The time is going to come, whether this season or next, to make a decision on the goaltending. Eventually Lehts or Ondrej needs to get moved - no sense in having two potential number ones when either one could garner something more useful in a trade, I would think.
By Tony C.
November 3, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Haven’t lost faith hmm? Want McCarthy believing in himself do you? ehmrrm? Back to the puck carrier he should not play. Yes? Know where opposing players are when passing out of zone should he. Prevent mistakes these things will.
Play him not against top-line forwars you should. Against slower, more tactical lines play him. Pair him with Popovic you could. With Zhitnik you should not. With Klee you must not. Too slow is Klee, to rash MCarthy is. With a methodical player should he play. Let him bring the puck up, shine as the “offensive one” he wants.
I dunno. Mayb you can tell I watched like all the StarWars movies yesterday. But hey, if DW can act like Yoda, so can I right?
By Sam
November 3, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
Yikes! Risky move especially against an extremely frustrated Lightning club who couldn’t score squat in their 3 game road losing streak. Maybe their woes will continue but that’s an awfuly tough offensive machine on their home ice. Good luck Pavelec!
By R. Stroz
November 3, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this
stendec - Where’s the play by play tonight?
Try to find something positive. By the way, saying I’m postive they suck doesn’t count.
By David
November 3, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this
i hate tampa so much…
By R. Stroz
November 3, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this
Where’s Brendan? Are you on vacation dude?
By luckydog
November 3, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
Well, that went south big time — right about the time Darren was talking about how good the Thrashers looked in the first 10 minutes…He had barely finished when Ex auditions for NHL Bloopers on their first goal, and it’s all TB after that…Maybe we’re just waiting for McCrimmons’ speech before the third period again.
By Tony C.
November 3, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
Ok that 3rd TB goal was just awful. Why would you leave a man unattended RIGHT at the side of the net?
I realize my hockey knowledge is extremly limited, but uh, aren’t you supposed to take the pass and leave the shooter to the goalie? just a thought.
By GSU-Lee
November 3, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
Maybe rookie can change luck in Tampa
Nope.
By Lee
November 3, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this
David we all do
By luckydog
November 3, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
Well, well, well….maybe there’s something to this third period thing after all…sure was tonight anyway.
Sweeeeet win.
By stendec
November 3, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
Well done, Thrashers! Fell behind. Rallied. Got critical victory. Did not fold up. Displayed mental toughness on hostile ice. Needed division triumph. Kid did okay in net. Offense finally seems to be out of slumber. Perhaps a winning streak is in order. Hope so. Nice effort all the way around. GO BLUE!
By stendec
November 3, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
Stroz. Got tired on being belittled. Waited until game ended. Liked what I saw for most part. Glad to see triumph. Again, GO BLUE!
By Midfield
November 3, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
Next time at Philips, keep looking at Kovalchuk, people. Twenty years down the road you will tell your grandchildren about it.
By R. Stroz
November 3, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this
stendec - No offence, but maybe you should wait until after the game in the future as well.
By Tom
November 3, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
Do you get the feeling that Ilya is putting this team on his shoulders?
And if you think about it, Ilya always has shots that just barely miss the net. Right now they are all going in just inside the post. Like a golfer getting hot with the putter.
By ranallo10
November 3, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
Hossa, nice goal. Perrin, nice pass. Kovalchuk, wow. Pavelec, great in the crease.
Atlanta played great again, I assume that means the third period of Ottawa’s game was a sign of things to come. They overcame adversity tonight, and were able to put the game away with Kovalchuk’s empty netter. Wow, I like being a Thrashers fan!!!
By Sara
November 3, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
Awesome game! This showed exactly why the Ottawa game was so important, even though the comeback fell short. Sooo nice to see Hoss finally get the monkey off his back a bit. Pavelec looked good, especially for his first start. Caught some bad breaks, let in a softie, but made some outstanding saves as well.
By Russ
November 3, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this
Kovy’s a freakin’ stud.
By Brian
November 4, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this
WOW I just finished watching the game (on tape, eh, dvr delay…). I wonder if all those naysayers still think that there was no moral victory in getting those goals in Ottawa. Or maybe did that give our Thrashers the confidence to come back from a 4-1 deficit tonight???
By R. Stroz
November 4, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this
Craig - Since Marian Hossa just changed agents, do you know who Marcel Hossa’s agent is currently?
By Brian
November 4, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this
Not only was it a great victory for the rookie Pavelec, but check out these other stats:
rookie Enstrom: 1G, +2, 2nd in TOI
rookie Little: 2A, +2
rookie Popovic played a full game tonight also.
Oh yeah, free agents Perrin & White also got points and were in the + column. They are both hovering around a 1/2 point/game.
But, I am sure the DW haters will be spewing again in a few days…
By rj
November 4, 2007 7:28 AM | Link to this
Jeff Schultz should be gone instead.
hahahhahahhahha
I wish the Thrashers would work on a more physical game much like Tampa plays.
By Craig Custance
November 4, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this
R. Stroz - They have the same agent, Ritch Winter, although Marian says the switch to Winter had nothing to do with the fact that he is also Marcel’s agent.