AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USKovalchuk earns NHL honors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Let’s start this blog off with some non-surprising news - Ilya Kovalchuk was named the NHL’s first star of the week. He joined Henrik Lundqvist (second star) and Marian Gaborik (third star) in the weekly honors. A couple interesting factoids in the NHL press release — Kovalchuk was the first player to register consecutive hat tricks since Alex Kovalev did it for PIttsburgh in 2001. He was also the first to reach that accomplishment in two road games since Mario Lemieux in 1995. That’s not some bad company right there.
As much as Kovalchuk sparked the team with his outstanding performance in Tampa Bay, a few guys mentioned again today the play of Ondrej Pavelec as being a big part of the comeback. Steve Weeks said that after a save on Lecavalier by Pavelec, the team got a big boost and he maintained that strong play as his teammate rallied to complete the comeback. Because of that, Pavelec will get the start against Washington when the Thrashers return to Philips Arena on Tuesday night. It’s a well-deserved opportunity for Pavelec, who despite being so young and inexperienced, has been able to keep a high level of confidence so far. He’s getting more comfortable in the dressing room, and you have to credit guys like Bobby Holik and Marian Hossa for making him feel comfortable during the long road trip. Hossa said they tried to include the young goalie on trips out to dinner and things like that, especially since they all speak the same language. It would be something if this kid could get hot during this stretch as the Thrashers battle back towards the .500 mark.
Practice report: Garnet Exelby, who took a puck off his ankle against Tampa Bay, tried to practice, but didn’t make it all the way through today. He’ll be a game-time decision for the Thrashers against the Caps. The duo of Ken Klee and Exelby have been the most dependable pair so far this season, and you can tell they are earning Don Waddell’s trust. Speaking of Don, look for a Mark Bradley column on him. Mark was at practice today, and it’s always good to hear what he has to say.
Spoke with Kari Lehtonen today, and his rehab continues to go well. He said that physically, he’s in the best shape of his life right now and is looking forward to getting back in hockey shape. He’s working the groin a little bit, with the slide board and an exercise machine and said his return is right on schedule. He declined to set a timetable, but nothing indicates that the original 4-6 week prediction has changed.
Lastly, Brett Sterling was sent to Chicago. He hasn’t played since the loss to Nashville, so it’s good for him to go to the AHL and get some work. Waddell has been really happy with the play of the fourth line — Boutlon, Slater and Thorburn, so it was going to be tough to get Sterls back on the ice.
Comments
By Thorburn's Thugs
November 5, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
first?
By Walter_Sobcheck
November 5, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
first!
By ranallo10
November 5, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
It’s about time Sterling was sent down, I’ve been waiting for that for the past few games. Sitting in the box is useless for a rookie…but now I’m worried about Haydar as Larsen seems to have improved since his stint in the pressbox.
Good luck Brett, work on digging for pucks and battling for position while you’re in Chicago.
By Hockeyfan
November 5, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the X info. I was wondering why he wasnt on the ice. Thanks for the Sterling info so I can do a little shuffling on my fantasy league.
Any truth to the rumors that Don hasnt talked to anybody yet about being the new coach? Why dont we just go ahead and let the Beast have the job and see what happens with the GM change at the end of the season?
By hockeythrash
November 5, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
Hopefully they don’t do the same to Haydar as they have done to Sterling. Problem is they won’t send Haydar down because they are sure to lose him on waivers.
The fact of the matter is that haydar has played well and is producing. Hopefully it is as has been suggested that he was out of the lineup for ‘match up’ reasons against TB.
You have to beleive a trade is a strong possibility and that some of the lesser producing forwards maybe on there way out of Atlanta.
Not sure you can say Larsen improved from his time in the prsee box. I think he had less than 8 minutes on the ice.
By Hockeyfan
November 5, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this
Do you really think that another team would be interested in “lesser producing forwards”
By Sam
November 5, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this
Ouch. Gotta hate that for Sterling. In the head it makes sense. In the heart, its got to hurt. But he’ll be back. Might build his confidence a bit to get back to playing and scoring on a regular basis.
Kovy’s playing unbelievably (an understatement) but he’s also even (in +/-) now, too. And while he shares the league lead in goals with Zetterberg, I have to think its an even bigger accomplishment for a player on the Thrashers vs a player on the Red Wings (no disrespect, but get real).
When will the paper publish a story on Kovalchuk??? Does it always have to be about football…pro, college AND high school coverage?
By Tony C.
November 5, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
Russian
How do you say “bada$$” in Russian? Am I right in thinking “Bombadir” is the closest translation of “sniper”?
Just thinking maybe we could have some sort of cheer set up for #17 when comes back to the Flatscreen.
GO BLUE !!! #17 OWNS YOU
By FormerIslesFan
November 5, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
CC, quick question for you. Does Pavalec have a nickname yet (other than the ones we here seem to be giving him)?
By ranallo10
November 5, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
FormerIslesFan — Pavelec had “The Wall” in yellow print on his previous goalie helmet, with black and gray bricks behind it. I believe he’s got bricks on this new one (symbolizing the wall I imagine), between the Wolf and the Thrasher.
I kinda like the homage he’s done with his new helmet, the blending of three teams on one mask.
I know you asked Custance though, and I’m interested to hear the actual answer.
By earth mover
November 5, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
It is a loooong season boys and you cannot win the division in nov- we will be fine with just some patience- get the kids out there and let’em go- our strength is in the forward area and the rook in the nets is going to get better - you have to learn to win especially in hockey- the caps game will be a nice test to see if we play down to our comp or just roll them as we should- go thrash
By Craig Custance
November 5, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
FormerIsles — I haven’t heard any nicknames for Pavelec, and usually hockey players always refer to other players by nicknames. So far, he’s only been called Ondrej. I’ll ask him if he’s called anything else back home.
By marketing team
November 5, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
Dear Lifetouch Portrait Studios, Thank you for the excellent team photos. As usual you do not disappoint. The spotlight you brought in was a very nice touch. Mr Kovalchuk always falls for that one. No one can capture that deer in headlights look like your organization. I see Mr Enstom finally got a picture, I’ll have to check and see if he’s performing well enough to put him in the program. I like the way you put Mr. Klee closer to the camera so he LOOKs Bigger, very scary. Best of all, the clever use of a blower, I never knew hair could stand up so tall. Hedberg is speachless about his pic. Thanks again and look forward to our continued sucess. The Marketing Dept.
By Boulton's Bruisers
November 5, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
Marketing Team—What the hell are you guys gonna do about the fact that Thrashers fans can’t even watch their team on TV because you fools can’t secure an adequate TV contract? Get to work, you slackers.
By Kozlov
November 5, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this
The Russian word for sniper is….uhm, sniper.
At one point I was calling Kovy ‘the postmaster’, ‘cause of all the post shots he had. But know, I think he zeroed in and is hitting the net like there is no tomorrow. I can still call Kovy ‘the postmaster’, but now because he delivers :)
By marketing dept.
November 5, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this
Sorry Mr Bruiser, We don’t handle that in Marketing. There’s a guy upstairs that handles T.V. network stuff but he’s on vacation until spring, something about being in poker tournaments and becoming a bullrider or something. If you like I’ll put a yellow postie on his desk for you, but there are several there already. Gotta go my mocha latte is here….
By GSU-Lee
November 6, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this
Good article by Darren Elliot
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/darren_eliot/11/05/kovalchuk.outburst/index.html
By Tony C.
November 6, 2007 5:41 AM | Link to this
Read the above article 1st
An Yall say Elliott ain’t a homer. Whatabout the last paragraph?
By Thrasher Ryan
November 6, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
We are in a virtual tie with Washington. Identical records—5-9-0. If we win tonight, we will leapfrog over Washington and Tampa Bay in the SE division. We will be 3rd in the SE with 12 points. As Craig was talking about—baby steps. Gotta start somewhere, and keep chipping away. If the Thrashers win tonight, 3rd in the SE tomorrow morning won’t sound bad at all…
Thrashers 5, Capitals 3
By GaVaHokie
November 6, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
Boulton Bruiser… I believe there is a limit on how many games can be televised. Even the Maple Leafs games… in fact, their last game was only available on the Montreal feed.
By Jay Bird
November 6, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
I posted this on Ice Man’s blog as well but thought I would put it here too. Kovalchuk has scored more goals than any player in the NHL since 2001-02 with 214.