AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHockeytown welcomes you
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First things first, and that’s who’s playing tonight. Beats me. John Anderson switched from his usual policy and in an interview after today’s morning skate said he wouldn’t reveal tonight’s lineup. This game is the first of back-to-backs, but he didn’t make any changes last time in that situation. He did say everybody is healthy and able to play if needed, and I didn’t notice anyone missing.
Spoke with Brad McCrimmon and Marian Hossa, both of whom pretty much said they’ve moved on from their time with the Thrashers with no lingering hard feelings. McCrimmon does have lingering home ownership in the Atlanta area; anybody in the market for a house?
Spoke at length with Don Waddell, who is pleased with the team’s showing through six games and gave a very optimistic description of where the Thrashers are and where they’re headed. He said during the season he lets Anderson call the shots on how to use the players, though they discussed it before the season. So the decision about when to give Johan Hedberg a chance in net is coming from the coaches (aside from that contact lens situation Lehtonen had in the first period at Florida).
Ate lunch at the Hockeytown Cafe, and sat not far from team photos of Detroit’s Stanley Cup champions, two featuring a very young-looking Slava Kozlov. He wasn’t the only current Thrashers star on display. Over the door at the entrance to the restaurant is a photo of Mathieu Schneider, Brett Hull and Jason Woolley holding the stick with which Hull scored career goal No. 732, passing Marcel Dionne for third on the all-time list. Schneider and Woolley assisted on the goal, which came Dec. 8, 2003 at Anaheim.
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By Bob
October 24, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Ate lunch at the Hockeytown Cafe
Man, the AJC should pay you hazard duty, God speed in getting out that hell-hole and bring us some good mojo for a win tonight, Knobler!
By ThrasherTim
October 24, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Been reading the blog for months now in anticipation of the new season and finally decided to join the fray.
I am originally a Northerner (upstate NY)who never cared about hockey until I went to a Thrasher game a few years back and got totally hooked. Nothing better than celebrating a goal is there?
Can’t wait to finally see some hockey on TV this weekend - we have our hands full though against the Cup champs and B’s on the road. It’d be great if we could come out of the weekend with at least 2 points and some consistent efforts.
I would say so far, the #1 issue I see is scoring from any line other than Kovvy’s. But it’s early.
Time for the power play to deliver!
P.S. - Here’s hoping someone delivers a couple of solid body blows to Hossa tonight!
By Nikita
October 24, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
Welcome, Tim. And everybody — let’s go Thrashers!
By Mike Knobler
October 24, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
Sterling is playing in place of Boulton tonight.
By Bob
October 24, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
Sterling is playing in place of Boulton tonight
Let me know when they give him a shift.
Hoss with the unassisted, like Derwood said, it was nice to see when he did that for us.
They skated well but the Wings just have too much for us.
By ROBO
October 24, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
THOSE 2 GOALS……MUST HAVE BEEN THE DEFENSE’S FAULT……..RIGHT…..?….ROFLMAO…..
By Mike Knobler
October 24, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Marty Reasoner is out the rest of the game after taking a slap shot on his knee cap early in the second period.
By Bob
October 24, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Actually, Robodec, I wouldn’t pin those on Kari, but on our general lack of talent, they’re just plain outclassed tonight
By Tom
October 24, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
Is it me or is Army and Christianson both struggling this season. I do not know if they are pressing or that Pittsburgh might have know something.
Detroit is a heck of a team, but overall these two are just taking up space and not finishing some plays that are being given to them on a silver platter.
By Nikita
October 24, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Christensen maybe. Armostrong was our 2nd hardest hitter tonight.
By Brendan
October 24, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Tom, Armstrong had at least one quality chance on a PP, when he made a nice deflection that was stopped. Christensen seems to show moments of being an exciting player. But yes, both these two hoped for slightly better starts than they’ve had. Let’s not forget, Tom, that Christensen and Armstrong are in their contract year. It’s only October. Many players around the league start off slow, trying to find their sea legs. But Armstrong has shown some good speed, in patches. It’s early, still. This whole team is still adapting to the new system.
By Mike Knobler
October 24, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Guys, a lot of teams are going to lose to these Red Wings. They’re stacked.
The Thrashers do need more offense from Christensen and Armstrong. The Thrashers also need more offense from Jason Williams.
Some good news for you: It was a shot from Williams that Jim Slater knocked in for Atlanta’s first goal. Both Armstrong and Christensen got assists on Sterling’s goal, and Anderson was happy about the way all three of those guys went hard to the net on that shift.
By Wings fan in Ga.
October 24, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Bob, I ate at Hockeytown Cafe in August and it was great. As for that area being a hell-hole, I have been in parts of Atlanta that are just as bad, probably even worse.
By stendec
October 24, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
(Thrasher goaltender) 45 4 41 .911 59:30 0
Allowed four lamp-lighters on 45 shots. Quickly gave away lead after team worked ceaslessly to forge tie. Continues to surrender three or more markers per outing. Unfocused Finn. Torpedoed teammates in middle period. No NHL caliber talent. Made prima donna Maryann Hossa look like second coming of Wayne Gretzky. Will drag team down with him.
What was rgat about the playoffs John Petrino?
Completely uninspired effort.
GO FALCONS!
By stendec
October 24, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
Did the Thrasher netminder groove (willfully allow) the two Maryann Hossa markers?
“(Maryann) showed he’s one of the best players of the game,” Thrasher goalie what’s-his-name gushed in juvenile hero admiration. “For sure, it was easier before when he was on my side.”
Scoring on the Thrasher goalie is the norm NOT the exception.
No additional comments are required!
IS THAT A MOOSE SIGHTING?
By stendec
October 25, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
Are we so in awe of dead Wings that we viewed them as unbeatable? If that is the case, the trip to Motown was unnecessary. Should have just skipped stop for straight journey to Bean Town. Mail it in. Thrasher netminder did! Give me a Thrasher with heart. I know, that bird species extinct. Someone should have knocked the Hell out of Maryann Hossa. Repeatedly! Just a matter of time before Illya “Wake Me When It’s Over” Kovalchuk jumps ice. Do not blame him. Can tell he has lost interest in wearing blue. Obvious! Coach John Petrino talking playoffs. What is wrong with THAT damn picture?
By stendec
October 25, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
A note to John Petrino, uh, Anderson. If Moose wins between the pipes in Massachusetts he deserves to start UNTIL HE LOSES! The Hell with fragile mentalities! If Moose falters then play whoever the Hell you wish! Sort of like presidential election. No one worth a damn to choose from!
By MB
October 25, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
I wasn’t able to catch the whole game, but I thought Sterling accounted for himself quite well. Scored a goal, obviously, but also didn’t let himself get pushed around in the corners. Got to a lot of pucks and showed a lot of energy out there. I hope Coach leaves him out there for several more games so he can try to get in the flow of things.
From the parts of the third I saw, looked like Army and Christensen’s line was cycling fairly well. Maybe they stunk it up the rest of the game, but they looked okay to me.
Let’s hope for a better result against the Bs.
By stendec's doctor
October 25, 2008 1:00 AM | Link to this
stendec, you forgot your meds again!
Lets see, one for blood pressure, one for anxiety, and one for incessant b!tching.
By lordstan57
October 25, 2008 3:30 AM | Link to this
On Hoss’s first….. Schneid’s and Kari looked like pooh! Just where in the hell was Kari going on that play???? And Schneider was beaten like a wet drum, looked like a schmuck! and not for the first time this season. He looks SLOOOOOOW! Absolutely lousy hands! The Marian’s have humiliated him down low. Definitely not impressed.
Henrik’s goal….. Slates never freakin reacted!! Stick was on the wrong side!!! Looked like he was LOAFING!!! Guess he figured his work was done since he lucked out on one earlier EH?
JW has shown ZERO!! And will someone please tell these guys that when you clear the puck on the PK……. TO CLEAR IT WITH AUTHORITY!!!! Drill the blasted thing!!! 11 secs left……… sheez…..
By Birdie
October 25, 2008 4:08 AM | Link to this
Schneider got trapped when his partner was stripped of puck and Hossa was in full flight. He actually drove Hossa wide but his goalie didn’t (for some unknown reason) stay in the net and hold the short side. Hossa also made a very smart play,holding on and low and behold was rewared with an OPEN net! Don’t be so critical of the ‘D’, one made a rookie error and the other was abandoned by his goalie
By jerry
October 25, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
We’re home! On the south side of .500.
By dhj_1962
October 25, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
stend*ck is a idiot
By stendec
October 25, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
dhj_1962 is a CLUELESS idiot! Happy holidays.
By dhj_1962
October 25, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
HAHA!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU TOO!!
By dhj_1962
October 25, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
stendec…i notice you put go falcons at the end of some of your statements, did you bash them last year? are you just a fair weather fan? your assesmnets of Thrasher play is just so far off on MOST points its hard to believe you are watching the same game i am. anyone else feel this way. freedom of speech is a wonderful thing, keep bloging you booger eater, we all need a laugh.
By Tony C.
October 25, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Name me any goaltender in the league that would’ve stopped Zetterberg’s 2nd goal.
Honestly, that was one of the most impressive displays of eye-hand coordination I’ve ever seen. I don’t blame KL for that one.
I thought that Sterling/ec/Army looked good on the cycle that led to Sterling’s goal. That was the best I’ve seen ec play as a Thrasher-the patience with the puck when he got it in the corner-shielding it with his body-the the chip-pass to the crease- I was agog.
That looked like a hockey play…..If I’m Coach, I may just ride that combo for a bit.
As much as my darker angels would’ve liked to see it, I’m glad nobody ran @ hossa.
Also, WTF was up with #17’s effort last night? dude was not moving his feet much-Hainsey played both points on the PP it seemed.
By Max
October 25, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Hey, what’s happening with Perrin? 45 points last season and he’s not playing more than 12 minutes per game! ???? Little is playing 20 minutes??? and we have one of the worse powerplay in the league!
I just don’t understand….
By kracker
October 25, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Mike Tell the guys we loved the comeback attempt and them not quitting after the two quick Wings goals in the 2nd. Too bad they fell a bit short but they played a credible game against the one of the best, maybe the best team in hockey.
By kracker
October 25, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Also, WTF was up with #17… I think Ilya’s getting a little frustrated w/ hitting the posts, just missing, etc. Beyond just getting the big goal, I would have loved for his shot right off the FO to have scored instead of just missing the corner…it would have gotten him (and the team) going confidence wise and maybe we steal that game.
On to tonight!
By stendec
October 25, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
Yes, I am guilty. I post regularly on Bulldog, Falcon and Thrasher fan sites. I have followed Atlanta professional sports for over four decades. Try not to overly criticize Bulldogs because these guys are studen-athletes. Falcons and Thrashers collect hefty paychecks so they can handle any damn thing fans dish out! Yes, I called Falcons when they stunk out loud. Will do so again! Will continue to expose Thrasher cancer (goaltender) every chance I get. Yes, Illya Kovalchuk will bolt for whiter ice the first chance he gets! No points for being close (post-ctossbar misfires). Thousand of practice shots taken. No excuse for such misses. Professionals are PAID to PRODUCE! So produce. No sympathy for Russian in these quarters. Production separates superstar players from average players. The white armor of Illya continues to darken with each game. Deteriorating into a Maryann Hossa? Saints preserve us all. Just some asides. Guys and gals, let us put aside personal attacks of each other (enough of that crap on Falcon blog). Derogatory comments directed at me will be henceforth answered in kind. Enjoy the game. Hope a Moose is between pipes tonight!
By Nikita
October 25, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
I don’t get the Perrin thing, either…except in that Perrin has been centering a line with relatively unseasoned players in the Anderson system and on this team. Maybe Anderson’s saving his line for later, as I suspect is the case with Slater and Thorburn. At the same time, Schneider and Hainsey have been getting INSANE minutes, and they’re getting them mostly from the Swedes. So all the dependables appear to be losing minutes in favor of the newer guys.
By stendec
October 25, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Enough with the Red Wing worship. These guys are not hockey Gods! It is no damn privilege to LOSE to them on their ice or in any other arena. Take some pride as Thrasher fans. DAMN!
By Russian
October 25, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Reasoner got big bruse on his knee. I like to see line up like that:
Kovy-White-Little (keep them together)
Sterling-Crush-Army(give Streling opportunity show himself)
Slava-Williams-Perrin(this line may works)
Boulton-Slater-Throburn.
By jb
October 25, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
If Reasoner’s out for the season, you’ll se a lot more of Sterling (which is good). I’d like to see Kovy/White/Little; Sterling/Perrin/Williams; Kozlov/Christensan/Armstrong; Boulton/Slater/Thorburn. If they call up a forward, I’d have to guess it would be Crabb/Lavallee/or Stuart.
By kracker
October 25, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Reasoner’s out for the season
I haven’t heard anything like that. He’s hoping to play tonight, though I figure he’s out a game.
By GAThrash
October 25, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
Reasoner is not out for the season, he will give it a skate this afternoon and see how it feels. He is the best PK guy we have….he better not be out. The PK goals that get scored are at the end of the kill when he and Perrin are off. We need both of them all year long!