Thrashers

By Mike Knobler

January 8, 2009 11:23 PM | Link to this

I saw Bryan Little after the game. He’s close to returning, he said. Then he showed his sense of humor isn’t bruised, just his ribs.

“We won tonight, so I’m out until we lose,” he said.

By Russian

January 8, 2009 11:24 PM | Link to this

This is exactly what I said. WOW. I could not believe, that Thrashers can play very well on hockey. Perfect respondce for every players. I hope they will continue play well in the future.

By B. Thenet

January 8, 2009 11:32 PM | Link to this

Build on this.

What more can you say, a great effort from top to bottom except for Boulton’s nonsense.

By BlueSpark

January 9, 2009 12:42 AM | Link to this

Seriously, that can’t be the same team. Crisp passing, denying entrance at the blue line, finishing. Like night and day.

By MB

January 9, 2009 12:44 AM | Link to this

I still can’t believe what I saw…Slater actually finished!!!

I guess I’ll have to take back my “Slater couldn’t score in a wh0rehouse” comment.

Not even Boulton’s gross stupidity could mar this game.

Congrats, boys!

By Brendan

January 9, 2009 1:03 AM | Link to this

If the Thrashers could play like this every game, they’d be a better team. Bah-dum-pum. Try the veal, folks. It’s terrific. Don’t forget to tip your waitress.

Okay, what are the odds … give or take … that Don Waddell will now say, “See? See? We’re a GRRRREAT team. It’s just “too many guys taking too many nights off.” “Hilar-i-ous,” says the GEICO Caveman, staring at the GEICO Scoreboard.

Heavy, disgusted sigh. Look, tonight … there’s no doubt about it, the Thrashers probably displayed the best they’re capable of. That was it. Don’t expect a repeat performance. And why not?

Here comes a DUH5, “because they’re not a good a team.” Bluster is just that. Bluster. This team doesn’t have an identity. It hasn’t learned Anderson’s system … it’s not physical enough to be a truly imposing team … and the season is half over. And, this just in, the BUDGET isn’t getting any BIGGER. Shanahan is not destined for Thrasher blue. If anyone wants to know what the VERY BEST the Thrashers can do … they saw it tonight. Hope you recorded the game. It won’t be back. So, if you missed it. You MISSED it.

By Barry

January 9, 2009 2:07 AM | Link to this

This team is just…makes no sense. How they can go out and look like they did against Tampa just so lost, out of sync, couldn’t complete a pass if their first born depended on it, THEN they come out and play a full 60 minutes complete game like this? Huh? Everyone played very well. Everyone was checking and doing very well with sticks in lanes, blocking shots, and having much better defensive pressure tonight. How come they haven’t been playing like that before? They all have a Red Bull before the game or something? Hopefully they can use this to build on and see “hey…this is what we have to do each game to win” and drill it in their brains. :)

By dhj_1962

January 9, 2009 7:12 AM | Link to this

lmao at Brendan…. mmmmmmmm…they will play just well enough the second half to miss out on Tavares and Hedman. can’t wait to hear from Stendec. intrestinq quote from j williams…”no one communicates on the ice, quietest team i ever played for”.

By GaVaHokie

January 9, 2009 8:00 AM | Link to this

Amazing what happens when you concentrate on defense and play a physical game… you actually score more points than when you’re trying to be aggressive on the forecheck.

By h

January 9, 2009 8:47 AM | Link to this

A very good game. It is nice to know this team has it in them. Means nothing if they can’t duplicate this effort on a regular basis……on another note, Boulton should be a healthy scratch for the next……oh………forever…..just pure stupidity…..almost like he was begging for them to lose……when you actually get a good game out of Boris “The Horrible”, you don’t mess with it……He should never see the ice again…..best part about it was he kept getting his butt kicked…..sit down and shut up!…..I’d rather see Hoffman or Stuart or ANYONE take his spot…..really, what is the point….don’t go away mad…………

By truehockeyfan

January 9, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this

One game to build on. that was great. DW has to be asking himself, ” why don’t they play like that every night”. I am very proud of the entire team tonight. Keep up the great work. Remember, YOu are only as good as your last game. We need a winning streak so lets go out and get one.That sure was enjoyable to watch.

By PB

January 9, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this

WOW, what an awesome game. And for those of you that missed it, I recorded it and will have it playing in a continuous loop for a while. First game from this season that I have kept to watch again.

My favorite parts: That penalty kill was incredible, looks nothing like the last time I saw it. In fact, I have never seen the Thrashers that aggressive on the PK. I think some recent personnel changes on that unit (Crabb) have helped a lot, but the attack-the-puck PK is a style they I hope they will use a lot more.

Slater scored an awesome goal. What a great move. Thorburn’s great pass and Kovy getting in on the play was gravy. I love the smile on Kovalchuk’s face, he was so happy for his teammate with that beauty.

Even outside of the PK, the guys switched off seamlessly and supported each other. Where most games if the puck comes out of a scrum the Thrashers just did not end up coming up with it. Last night, guys were following each other up and supporting the puck, and when it was loose it seemed like more often than not the Thrashers were able to come up with it and continue the play.

The pass from Slava to Kovalchuk for that blast on the power play. Good thing that shot hit the net, because otherwise it might have blasted through the boards and killed the fans in the first three rows.

And best of all is what I did not see. No bad east-west passes at the blue line, no slinging the puck around the boards to an opponent waiting patiently, no opponents getting quality scoring chances from standing in the Thrasher’s crease.

Love the win, but love the new type of game even more. Let’s just hope this can turn into some more games like last night. Go Thrashers!

By John Schuerholz

January 9, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Scott Wright

January 9, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this

Great game last night!

I share the opinion expressed by many - it’s one game and doesn’t mean much if it can’t be repeated with regularity.

It also brings into sharp focus the frustration I’ve been feeling most of the first half. If they weren’t capable of this type of game then the games we have been seeing would not have been so disappointing. They showed they are capable.

By Scott Wright

January 9, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this

h I have to take issue with two things you said. 1. Boulton: granted the double minor was stupid and put the Thrashers in a dangerous position. I along with every other Thrasher fan was hoping that they wouldn’t self destruct and during the first 30 - 45 seconds they looked like they might, but… Boulton was duped - clearly Rupp tricked him into the roughing penalty - it happens, I’ve seen it before (I saw Boulton dupe someone similarly early this season and we benefited). More importantly, Boulton is the only one on this team who has shown himself willing to consistently drop the gloves and this team needs that. Thorburn has shown a bit more desire to throw down lately, but not anything like Boulton. Plus I think Boulton works hard out there on a more consistent basis than a lot of the others on the team. I say keep playing him. 2. “Boris the Horrible”? Give me (and him) a break. I’ve seen a ton of improvement in him since the beginning of the year, not to mention his appearances at the end of last year. I’d say he’s close to, if not already, a solid third pairing d-man, and if he continues to develop and improve, he may one day be a 1st pairing stud. A lot of people think of Coburn as “One who got away”. I think Boris has shown more in his time in Atlanta than Braydon did, and I think he has more upside

By Brendan

January 9, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this

Don Waddell does not wonder “Why don’t the guys play like that every night?” He knows why they don’t, and can’t. Waddell just prays that the OWNERS don’t figure out why they don’t, and can’t, play like that every night.

Then again, maybe I’m completely wrong, and both the owners and GM know EXACTLY what they’re doing: Trying to load the team up with high-end draft picks, so the franchise can be sold out on the open market at a PREMIUM price.

Cha-Ching! Buy low. Sell high. Find a patsy GM, only too willing to collect a paycheck for lottery draft finishes, then find an avid buyer, when the team is chock full of 1st overall and 2nd overall picks. Rubbin’ my chin … sounds like a sound strategy to me, cooked up by a bunch of BUSINESSMEN. Trouble is … if you ANNOUNCE THAT as “the Plan,” you’ll alienate your season ticket holders, who WILL find a BETTER WAY to spend their money and their evenings.

I guess, for them, it’s better to APPEAR incompetent … than to be seen for who they TRULY ARE. They don’t CARE. And they’re NOT TRYING. It’s a business venture. Nothing more. If the team happens to experience a hiccup of success along the way, so much the better! It segues nicely into more bluster and obfuscation. Tell me, again, how Don isn’t the PERFECT GUY for their plan? They could scour the Earth four (4X) times over … they’ll never find a better GM candidate to facilitate their “business plan.” Who ELSE would go along with it?? (Or be too stupid to realize he’s being retained, because he’s inept.)

By h

January 9, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this

Scott-Seriously, no one, and I mean no one in the NHL is afraid to fight Boulton…..so he can fight all he wants but it doesn’t make anyone lose sleep at night…..desire is great, but it doesn’t win you games, it doesn’t score goals, and it doesn’t skate. He is the least talented player on this team by far and taking stupid penalties doesn’t help at all. And Boris? Boris is only a solid 3rd pairing on THIS team….he has a long long way to go….just watch the 2 games before the Devils game….you don’t even have to watch the whole game….just watch the 30 seconds before each and every goal…..you’ll see something very familiar…..yep…a Bobo mistake or half baked effort….is he better than last year? probably, but he still has a long way to go….he needs to start using that 6’7” body…block a shot or two….make a few good punishing hits in the defensive end to make opponents look behind them when they go near the boards….THAT is what he needs to start doing more of….until then…..still “horrible”……for now

By drahcir61

January 9, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this

Ilya Kovalchuk SHOULD NOT be an All Star this year. He’s a great talent but a -12 +/- & 50% of his points (20 of his 40 points) came on the powerplay … 50%!!! That’s pretty pathetic.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 9, 2009 1:42 PM | Link to this

drahcir61 — They tend to pick one representative from each team…who else is more deserving?

Kozlov and Little are the next best options, and Little is technically injured.

Regardless, All-Star games mean nothing in regards to the quality of the player. Afterall, fans vote in the first half, and are allowed to vote multiple times.

Hence why Montreal is fielding almost the entire starting lineup for the East.

By Hotrod

January 9, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this

I’ll take it. They got it in them.

A couple wins a week by hook or crook is my rest of the season goal.

Great to see Kovy somewhat enthused.

By Bob

January 9, 2009 4:28 PM | Link to this

He knows why they don’t, and can’t. Waddell just prays that the OWNERS don’t figure out why they don’t, and can’t, play like that every night

I don’t know, Brendan. I truly believe that he’s perplexed and thinks this lineup is capable of that play night in and night out. But mabye you’re right and they’re just laying in the weeds waiting for the suit to be over and to able to sell the club for max profit.

By Brendan

January 9, 2009 5:12 PM | Link to this

It might be true, Bob, that Waddell is their “perfect patsy.” That is, that Waddell isn’t smart enough to realize he’s being retained … BECAUUUUSE he’s inept. He’s being retained … because he’ll lead the franchise into the lottery draft. Remember, this is YEAR TWO of the building project. Bogosian, 3rd overall, was the 1st of their lottery draft selections (2008). Hedman or Tavares will be the next (2009). And then, there’s NEXT year (2010), and the year AFTER THAT (2011). Meanwhile, Waddell will either (A) wonder why he’s the unluckiest GM in sports, while being a USEFUL IDIOT to the ownership, (and their plan to sell,) or (B) stop pretending to be an idiot and starting running the club like a real GM should. In other words, Waddell is, and always has been, aligned with the ownership’s plan to sell the team for MAX dollars. He is a “willing victim,” if the “B-part” is the truth. If the “A-part” is the truth, then Waddell’s just a poor schlub who, God Bless ‘im, just can’t do any better. And isn’t AIDED any by this Regime. I mean, ownership group.