AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLetting it ride with Lehtonen
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s another quick-hit road trip, this time to Boston. The team changed plans and will practice in Duluth on New Year’s Day. A win this afternoon guarantees that the Thrashers are at least .500 at the halfway point. But as you know, the games don’t get any easier from here on out.
The most encouraging thing for the success of this team has been Don Waddell’s decision to give Kari Lehtonen a majority of the starts, and Lehtonen responding to it with solid play. Waddell said this morning he’s been impressed with how Lehtonen has battled during this stretch, which sometimes isn’t always the case with the young goalie. He’s starting today and this will be his eighth consecutive start. With the way the schedule is set up in the next couple weeks, Lehtonen could theoretically start every game. There isn’t another back-to-back until January 17th and 18th, although Waddell indicated this morning that he’d like to get Moose some work during this stretch.
Jim Slater didn’t make the trip to Boston as his illness continues to keep him off the ice. Waddell said it’s been tough because Slater was playing so well (minus the lack of goals) before the illness. I don’t expect to see many changes from the 5-0 win the other night.
Happy New Year’s everybody. Anyone have a New Year’s resolution for some of the Thrashers?
Comments
By Brant Myers
December 31, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Important game tonite boys! Gotta get over and stay over that pesky .500 mark. The Bruins are going to be hell-bent on getting a little revenge from Saturday night and hopefully we can use this to our favor… make them overplay every aspect of their skidding game. When oh when is Savard going to get rid of that ridiculous “soul patch”???
By Brant Myers
December 31, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Important game tonite boys! Gotta get over and stay over that pesky .500 mark. The Bruins are going to be hell-bent on getting a little revenge from Saturday night and hopefully we can use this to our favor… make them overplay every aspect of their skidding game. When oh when is Savard going to get rid of that ridiculous “soul patch”???
By Brant Myers
December 31, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Important game tonite boys! Gotta get over and stay over that pesky .500 mark. The Bruins are going to be hell-bent on getting a little revenge from Saturday night and hopefully we can use this to our favor… make them overplay every aspect of their skidding game. When oh when is Savard going to get rid of that ridiculous “soul patch”???
By M. Hossa
December 31, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
For New Year I resolve to play like I plan to stay in Atlanta
By Buzilla Baby Blues
December 31, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
Gotta love Hockey at work!!!!
I am useless normally, but even more so during a game!!!!
By PJ
December 31, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
Buzilla I’m with ya.
By Ken Klee
December 31, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
I resolve not to make Rawhide curse anymore!
By Colin Stuart
December 31, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
For New Years Eve and New Years I WILL play like I want to stay in Atlanta!!
By XLB
December 31, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
I resolve to read Craig Custance’s bolg more often!
By Steve McCarthy
December 31, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
I resolve to not be quite so negative!
By Sara
December 31, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
Yeah I was having fun listening to the game at work too - right up until the B’s tied up the game at which point some very unprofessional words came flying out of my mouth. Whoops.
By Maal
December 31, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
PJ, Buzilla, same here. And they actually have things for me to do … do they not realise there is HOCKEY?!
Thrashers resolution: Stop going up 2-0 then letting the other team put up 3 unanswered.
By J
December 31, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
I listened to the first period in my car during my lunch break, but everything’s blocked at my desk, so can’t see/hear whats going on. 3-2 Bruins…this seems alot like the first game against Boston (Dec 12). :(
By ThrasherAlan
December 31, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
Maal, correct..seems like they get overconfident, lack of focus by the defense. we need to shop for some better d-players
By ThrasherAlan
December 31, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
try this game summary site http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20072008/GS020576.HTM
By ThrasherAlan
December 31, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Amended Thrashers resolution: Stop going up 2-0 then letting the other team put up 4 unanswered. Ugly @#$%*&
By ThrasherAlan
December 31, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Yikes now it’s 5….need to change this losing game plan… shake it up DW, try something else. Except for a game or two earlier this year, when they are down by 2 or more, they seem to fold up the tent and say it’s time to head for the ATL.
By J
December 31, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
ugghhhhh. 5-2????
Let’s Go Islanders! (that hurts my fingers just typing that)
By stendec
December 31, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
Pin this loss squarely on Waddell! Moose should have been in goal. KL was sharp early especially on late breakaway. Offense staked him to 2-0 lead. KL focus and concentration went to Hell after first period! Physically and mentally fatigued. Bad Waddell call! KL MUST BE PULLED AFTER THIRD GOAL! That is not open to debate. Does not matter if in first period or closing minutes. When KL allows three goals he is brain-dead! Thrashers needed this one. BADLY! So disappointed. Do not get me started on soft goals. Will cut KL some slack since he should NEVER have been between pipes in Boston! Will never condone number of goals allowed. Anyone agree? Happy New Year!
By Brendan
December 31, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
5-2?? We led, 2-0, right?
By Kari L.
December 31, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
I resolve to never leave my net when playing future games unless it is for a timeout or intermission.
By R. Stroz
December 31, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
The Thrashers should have waited until after the game to get plastered.
By ThrasherAlan
December 31, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
stendec.. agree, after you give up 3 - 4 straight goals, KL’s head was not in it on this one. The old coach used to say you always make changes to a game you are losing, but if you are winning game, stay the course.
By ThrasherAlan
December 31, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
leave the net??? Hmm, doesn’t JH do that too??? That is a terrible habit. I can understand leaving less or the net for the offense or potential scorer to see, but a top line goalie needs to make better decisions. KL is a fairly wide body in front of the net, with quick reactions. He should be able to stop nearly all the top scorers when he is on his game. He needs to study Luongo’s moves, now that is one quick guy, at least in the 07 playoffs.
By Thrasher Ryan
December 31, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
KL MUST BE PULLED AFTER THIRD GOAL! That is not open to debate. Does not matter if in first period or closing minutes. When KL allows three goals he is brain-dead!
Yeah, I said that yesterday on Rawhide’s blog. 3 goal limit for the kid. This game went down the toilet after KL got caught behind the net and they scored. He got flustered, lost focus, and it all went downhill.
Moose Hedberg needs to start in Raleigh. Moose does well in Raleigh (see: last year).
For all the apologists, this one can be DIRECTLY PINNED ON KL.
By Kari L.
December 31, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
The big difference between the Moose and me is that he is considered to be in the top 5 of puck handling goaltenders and I am in the bottom 5. That is why I stay in crease unless I am drinking at bar in 2008
By LAC
December 31, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this
Great first… Then LAME as dishwater.
What is going on with this team, good game, bad game, good game, bad game.
These guys are professional players making TONS of $$$, but in the second & third periods we quit, simply quit.
We have to shake this lineup up with a trade of some type, just coasting will NOT win games.
Like a lot have said, first line center and scoring winger would be very nice as well as some SIZE on defense… we looked like marshmellows on D today…
Come on waddell season HALF over… And I for one sure DO NOT SEE ANY PROGRESS !!!!!!!!!!
So what’s your great plan now ?
By stendec
December 31, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
Happy New Year Craig. Let it ride with Letemin? More salt in wounds? KL ONLY faced 37 shots. One goal came on shot taken from Salem! So-called #1 Thrasher netminder allowed tally every 7.4 shots. Not good at all. Happy New Year!
By aroha
January 1, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
Flashbacks to 2006-2007. Kari is no good for more than 6 or 7 starts in a row. And he’s no good after he’s given up 3 goals or more. Yet DW followed in BH’s miserable footsteps, rode him ‘til he broke, and who knows how long it will be before his confidence comes back. Moose BETTER get the start in Raleigh. There is NO FRIGGIN’ WAY Kari would be able to start every game in a 2 week period at this rate. He is not the 2006 Cam Ward of the crease.