AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 22
Monday, September 22, 2008
Kovalchuk wins it; prospects win, too
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The second half of Monday’s Thrashers training camp practice was an intrasquad game, and not surprisingly Ilya Kovalchuk looked like the best player on the ice.
He scored twice, on a penalty shot during the game (they use penalty shots in lieu of two-minute minors) and in the shootout after the game (while the goalies came out on top in the shootout against Brett Sterling, Colby Armstrong, Jason Williams, Slava Kozlov and Bryan Little). Kozlov scored the other regulation goal.
Erik Christensen got a couple of breakaways during the game but converted neither. He did deliver a hit that lived up to his “Crusher” nickname; he flattened Junior Lessard in what looked like a heck of a check.
Another big spill: Todd White dropping to a hit by Ken Klee. The refs called a penalty on Klee, but teammates ribbed White before and during his ensuing penalty shot.
There’s more to getting ready for the season than learning the new coach’s system and getting your game back up to speed. You’ve got to get your tools of the trade ordered, too. Several Thrashers players visited with Kirk Smith, the southeast representative for Easton, to discuss their sticks.
“They want to change the curve,” Smith said. “They think the flex is too high or too low.”
One change: Eric Perrin is going to a wider stick.
