AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThree very challenging games
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fresh off consecutive road games against last-place teams Ottawa and the New York Islanders, the Thrashers this week play the first-place teams from the Northeast and Atlantic Divisions.
First come the New York Rangers, Wednesday night at Philips. Then come the Boston Bruins, Friday at Philips and Saturday at TD Banknorth Garden. The Bruins have won 14 of their last 16 games. The Rangers have cooled off a bit after their hot start; they’ve lost three of their last four games. But they still have almost twice as many points as the Thrashers.
The Thrashers played the Rangers tight in Madison Square Garden but lost 3-2, as Nikolai Zherdev had a goal and an assist and an overall excellent game. Even a point tonight would keep up some of the Thrashers’ momentum from Saturday’s victory against the Islanders.
The NHL’s Winter Classic publicity machine rolls into town Wednesday night at Philips, where fans will be able to see inside the truck that will produce the Wrigley Field outdoor rink for the Jan. 1 game between Detroit and Chicago. It’s the world’s largest mobile rink refrigeration unit, a 53-foot truck custom-built in Mobile. Because when you think outdoor rink refrigeration, Alabama is the first state that comes to mind.
Comments
By Brendan
December 9, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
When I think about outdoor rink refrigeration, I think Albuqueque, New Mexico. But, yeah. Alabama’s just as good.
:)
By Brendan
December 9, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Also, these two Bruins games comin’ up as litmus tests to see just how far the T-birds have to go. Putting in a solid effort and taking away a 1-point would be very nice. I will keep an eye out for Marc Savard to see if he winks up at the GM box.
The Bruins spent a lot of money in 2006 to go win the Cup. At least this year, the money appears to be paying dividends. In retrospect, Savard’s $5 million appears to be a steal. He’s consistently on the NHL Leaderboard for Assists. And he can score, when called up to do so. Everyone remembers his Game Three overtime winner vs. the Habs, in the 1st round of the Playoffs.
By nfieldr
December 9, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Brendan, it’s snowing today in Albuquerque. It’s the “high” desert you know (elevation 5300ft)… and it does get cold here.
By Brendan
December 9, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
That’s some weird, wild stuff, nfieldr. I … uhhh … did not know that. Ed, did you know that? — Johnny Carson.
By LAC
December 9, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
Maybe the the END is coming for asg.
David McDavid WON, it just shows how underhanded and completely dishonest asg really is.
The NHL should now step in and takeover the Thrashers before these 8 little LYING bumbs destroy the team along with our stupid GM… Nice to see them be exposed for what they are LIARS !
By Mike Knobler
December 9, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
LAC The defendants weren’t the ASG, though. The defendants were TBS, a division of Time Warner. So the ASG pays no price for this.
By ww5
December 9, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
mike - your article about letemin doing great at practice because he found no pucks in the back of the net was pretty funny. no goalie in the nhl finds many pucks in the back of the net when they play the thrashers!!
By ranallo10 (in AT)
December 9, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
I will keep an eye out for Marc Savard to see if he winks up at the GM box.
$10 says he winks at the nearest ice girl first. $20 says the one he picks to wink at is underage. $50 says he knows the girl is under age before he winks at her.
Knobler — Which is interesting, as Seydell and Turner’s relationship with Daddy and Daddy-in-law seems to be what lost Turner this case…among other things. Bob and Brendan had a great point though — what if McDavid were to use that $300+M to purchase the teams? I highly doubt it would happen, but at the right price it would seem both parties would make money at Turner Broadcasting’s expense.
McDavid wins his trial, an Illinois governer is arrested for corruption…what’s wrong with the world?
By Hockeyfan
December 9, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Not sure why Savard would be winking at the GM box. Is that where the beer girls from Wild Bill’s sit?
By Stevo
December 9, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
I would love for McDavid to use this money to purchase the Thrashers. At this point, the ASG might be willing to sell the team to recoup for some of their losses.
By LAC
December 9, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
I know Mike, I was making a point.
By Brendan
December 10, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
Ranallo, I’d lose all three (3) of those bets! And even with the price of gas being so low, I can’t risk it. Ya know, regarding Marc Savard, I keep scouring internet for interviews where Savard openly talks about what happened. The closest one I could find, was entirely fabricated by me, at this very AJC site, as a hypothetical Onion Op. Ed. Here, now, is a snipet.
Brendan: “Marc, I just wanted to thank you for taking some time to sit with The Onion to discuss your career.”
Marc Savard: “Sure thing. Anything for The Onion. I particularly liked your piece on the Boy Scouts offering to conduct free mammograms.”
B: “Yeah, that organization is truly dedicated to the cause, too.”
MS: “I understand where they’re comin’ from! (Laughing). I’d like to volunteer for that sort of thing, too. When it comes to charities and Community Outreach, I’m a very hands on kind of guy. I’m all about servicing the community.”
B: (Chuckling) “Point well taken, Marc. Though, uhh, most people do that with their pants on. Say, our readers would really like to know what happened during your time in Atlanta. More specifically, the circumstances surrounding your departure from the Thrashers organization. Can you shed any light on that?”
MS: “The only ‘shedding’ I recall were the clothes.”
B: “Oh, Mr. Savard. You do GO ON!”
MS: “Actually, my attornies said, “it’s really an internal matter, much like the salary and length of Don Waddell’s contract. Speaking of Don, how are his horizons looking?”
B: “Uhhh. Uhhh.”
MS: “That good, eh?”
B: “Well, you’ll forgive me. It takes time to properly sugarcoat a reply.”
MS: “Well, take all the time you need.”
B: “Marc, permission to speak candidly?”
MS: “Permission granted.”
B: “Marc, the Thrashers never really fully recovered from your loss, up the middle. The Center position has been a ‘hot button’ topic and issue for the Thrashers. Many have speculated that Marian Hossa left, in part, to the absence of a genuine Tier I center to help him achieve his goals and objectives, and to excel as a professional.”
MS: “Brendan, I find your candor MOST REFRESHING!”
B: “Well, thank you, Marc. But, I was hoping you’d elaborate a bit on what caused you to leave Atlanta?”
MS: “Well … I’m not really supposed to say this. But, it was due to a genuine lack of nightlife in Atlanta. I like to get my ‘groove’ on. If you feel what I’m sayin’? And well, aside from ‘Wild Bill’s,’ Atlanta just didn’t hold my attention any more.”
B: “So, it had NOTHING to do with Don Waddell being a bumbling, inept, bozo of a GM.”
MS: (Pausing for a moment) “Well, I don’t want to lie. That did play a role. But, ya know. Not all of that was Don Waddell. It’s not Waddell’s money. He’s got to operate within a budget. But really, when Boston can pay me ‘market value’ and get me back into a traditional Hockey market, an ‘Original Six’ one at that, it’s hard to say no.”
B: (Very piqued) “Marc, I’ll be direct. Did the Bruins recruit you, while under contract to Atlanta?”
MS: “No. No, everything was ‘by the book.’ Going to Boston was my decision. And it was the best decision for me, as it related to my kids, and a difficult time for me and my family, personally.”
B: “Marc Savard. Thanks for dropping by!”
MS: “My pleasure.”
B: “Off the record, will we ever see you back in a Thrasher blue?”
MS: “Off the record? If you ever see me back in that town, Atlanta, GA, you KNOW if FLUBBED UP BAD!”
B: “Well put.”
By dhj_1962
December 11, 2008 5:48 AM | Link to this
least KL would have taken the stick if his had broke(first goal), at least Kl wmoose 3, rangers 0, thrashers 2. sick, atould not have cleared the puck right into the chest of a ranger(2nd goal) and what in the HELL was he thinking on the 3rd goal??? he pushed it right to gomer.
By WW5
December 11, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
rest assured, as soon as these guys (asg), issue a denial about anything, the opposite will happen in the near future.