AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USKovalchuk 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.
Comments
By Brendan
September 22, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
When I saw the headline, “Kovalchuk wins it,” I thought it might be an article about the captaincy of the team.
By GaVaHokie
September 22, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
When I saw the headline, “Kovalchuk wins it,” I thought it might be an article about the captaincy of the team.
… ditto for me. :)
By the hoff
September 22, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
the title got me as well. we’ll just have to wait longer till Kovalchuk gets the C. thanks for the updates for those of us who live way up here on the lake and can’t make it down there. Army is gonna help lead this team, it’s gonna be fun watching him for a full season “crush” people. i’m hoping the Thrash are more physical this year. that was lacking severely last season.
By Brendan
September 22, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
It was a false sense of euphoria. Oh well. There’s still plenty of time to name him Captain.
By NASCAR Dave
September 22, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
Glad to see the rest of the team sees what we see… TODD WHITE is a friggin WIMP!!!
Give KOVY the CAPTAINCY!!!
NUFF SAID.
By kracker
September 22, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Kovy is in form already and there is some hitting going on. Did Bogo participate?
I guess they do the PK & PP practicing later after the roster is trimmed considerably. Makes sense, anyone having PK or PP skills and a chance to impress for an early call-up will survive the first waves of cuts anyway.
Eric Perrin is going to a wider stick. How so? A longer blade or what? Wider off the ice? A thicker shaft?
By kracker
September 22, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
Oh, sorry Mike the Perrin question was for you.
By kracker
September 22, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
FYI
Lines for Rookie Games Posted by: Ben Wright at 3:46PM EST on September 22, 2008 Here are the tentative lines for tonight’s rookie game in Music City.
Forwards Esposito- Holzapfel- Machacek Painchaud- Kaip- Pospisil Paquette- Siddall- Stoesz Anderson
Defense Kulda- Lewis Denny- Lehman Postma- Marchesi
Goalies Turple Carrozzi
By Mike Knobler
September 22, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
kracker It’s the blade. From what he was doing with his hands when he told me, I took it that meant the blade would be taller.
Zach Bogosian did not participate.
By ant banks
September 22, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
any body care to predict how we do this year?
By Tony C.
September 22, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
ANT BANKS?!!???
Dude! I still got your first solo joint on tape!
By Mike Knobler
September 22, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Thrashers prospects win in shootout against Predators.
By wristshot
September 23, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
Everything I’ve heard about Kozlov in the last week or so has been very favorable. From his off the chart fitness level to scoring yesterday he sounds like he’s come to camp ready to regain his old form.
By Sara
September 23, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Darren Eliot did an interview with Kovy for Cnnsi.com that’s worth checking out. Apparently the fans aren’t the only ones ready to see the C slapped on Kovy’s jersey. :D
By Nikita
September 23, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
Well, every other year is a good year for Koz — so hopefully this will be a better year than last.
I feel good about the team. Not euphoric, but good.
By ThrasherNY
September 23, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Interesting that Darren Elliot already has Junior Lessard penciled into the lineup. He is not even on most of our radar screens; surely not on mine but the RW is lacking. I just figured a center was going to get pushed to the wing.
By Alan
September 23, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
Tony - Thanks for bringing back memories!
By ranallo10 (in AT)
September 23, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
ThrasherNY — I’m worried about it, personally. I’d rather see a C like Perrin or even Little (I hope not) put on RW than see Lessard play more than 10 games. Nothing against Lessard, but he’s not the top 2 line player that this team needs.