Thrashers

By Hanson Brothers

January 12, 2009 8:37 PM | Link to this

Mike, starting times has been a subject of at least two of your predecessors’ blogs over the years. The Thrashers used to have 7:30 starts mid-week then changed a few years ago to 7:00 for all games, then I think last year pushed Friday’s back to 7:30. I for one like the 7:30 starts the best. Living and working outside the perimeter, traffic is usually horrible trying to get to 7:00 games. It is evident I am not alone, as it is usually 7:30 before the arena fills up. That 30 minute difference makes a huge difference in traffic. I wish they would go back to 7:30. I like the Sunday 5:00 starts but for gosh sakes don’t ever schedule them when the Falcons play at 1:00. That was the biggest traffic mess I have ever seen. The police blocked all access to CNN parking decks and forced traffic trying to get to the Thrashers game to go in circles.

By Tony C.

January 12, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this

I like the later-starting times. But really, I don’t get to go out on weeknights so…as long as I can record it, I’m ok.

GO BLUE !!!

By Bob

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

The Thrashers used to have 7:30 starts mid-week then changed a few years ago to 7:00 for all games

Agree with you, the 7pm weekday starts are impossible to regularly get to and manage a job and family. They really would draw better if the arena was out in the burbs.

By Corey

January 12, 2009 9:31 PM | Link to this

I just wish the first game with Kovy as captain wasn’t at the same time as the Tech Duke game… Game times don’t matter much to me, I walk to the games and go to school. Just wish we were winning more.

By Atlanta Spirit = Criminal Buffoons

January 12, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Spirit -

I am a THRASHERS Season Ticket Holder, and I am BEYOND being fed up with your ridiculous 7 pm Weeknight starting times.

You all belong in Hell for subject your paying customers in a traffic-gridlocked city like Atlanta to such absurdly early starting times.

If you persist in this nonsense much longer, you will lose my family’s business.

Don’t believe it?

Try me.

By sam

January 12, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this

As far as national anthems go, I like the words of O Canada better than the SSB although I am a very proud U.S. citizen.

Start times for the games during the week probably should be at 7:30 with the traffic nightmare in Atl.

By EA

January 12, 2009 10:02 PM | Link to this

I know some of us with kids prefer the 7:00 start during the week. The 30 mintue difference is going to vary from person to person depending on the commute and schedule. Whatever brings in the most fans is my vote. On an even lighter note. The Thrashers sure looked handsome in their tuxedos at Casino Night. In my humble opinion, none more so than the Moose. I just wish the team had a more successful season to celebrate.

By B. Thenet

January 12, 2009 10:13 PM | Link to this

When you look at how many people work outside of downtown nowadays, it is pretty hard to defend a 7PM start time.

By Brendan

January 12, 2009 10:23 PM | Link to this

I prefer the 7:30 start. But I think they could compromise a bit at 7:15 or 7:20 for the puck drop. I’m not exactly sure when National anthems had to be played at the commencement of sporting events. I’m going to guess it happened in War Time, and just never stopped.

But seriously, why do we still have anthems played, outside of International competitions? Every team in the NHL is composed of players from 4 or more countries. It’s not as if the Thrashers, or ANY team, are composed of 100% American-born or Canadian-born players. Do we really need an anthem to remind us in which country a team is based? People don’t know Ottawa is in Canada? It’s the Capital city. People can’t figure out Atlanta is located in Georgia, which is part of the United States? How? Isn’t basic geography taught in public schools?

Lighten up, Francis! The anthem stays. Fiiine. But if you want to get your family home sooner, you could skip the anthems and shave off a couple of minutes. If there’s one person in the arena … who DOESN’T KNOW what country they’re in, the beer vendor should cut them off and call the paramedics.

By kracker

January 12, 2009 10:27 PM | Link to this

I used to go to the weekday games, I can’t do it anymore since I get to work at 7AM. Downing several beers, getting enthused (or disappointed), driving or riding MARTA home and trying to unwind and get to sleep doesn’t work for me. And the post games are out of the question. I just ain’t that young anymore, hehe. So I just do the weekend games mostly.

By Brendan

January 12, 2009 10:39 PM | Link to this

Anybody watching this dandy of a game between Dallas and Detroit on VERSUS? It’s 4-4, headed to overtime. Marty Turco looked just awful on the 4th Red Wing goal. Detroit took an insane amount of penalties from the 2nd period on, and Dallas has made them pay. One penalty went to Marian Hossa, right after Turco had just stoned him from point-blank range. Hossa got flagged for a hook, I believe. He gave the ref this pouty-lipped look. For a minute, I thought he was gonna cry. He grumbled about it all the way to the penalty box.

OT is starting. Red Wings are on the PP, from carry-over time. Again, it’s on VERSUS. I believe Dallas vs. Detroit was the 2008 Western Conference Finals from last season.

By Brendan

January 12, 2009 10:41 PM | Link to this

Daley just won it for Dallas. The Stars got two (2) goals from their 4th line, tonight. Detroit looks “mad.” In the 2nd period, Dalls outshot them, 23-10.

By J(Z)

January 12, 2009 11:07 PM | Link to this

There’s nothing better than when the Stanley Cup FInals were in Edmonton a couple years ago, they start singing the Canadian Anthem and then the singer holds the mic to the sky and the fans sing. It really sounds awesome. And it’s such a great song.

And I totally wish the start times were always 7:30. Traffic is much better. Having to work late doesn’t make things a dealbreaker!

By jltmilaftw

January 12, 2009 11:21 PM | Link to this

I wish the Thrashers played more afternoon games. It seems that early in the THrashers francise years they played more afternoon games. I loved going to them. I wish they played more. It seems like other teams play afternoon games. Why don’t the Thrashers play more.

By Steve

January 13, 2009 12:01 AM | Link to this

I would like to see 7 on M, T and W and 7:30 on Th, F and Sat.

Sunday should be at 7 until football season is over and 3 in Feb, Mar and April.

No matter what the Thrashers do, people that claim to be fans complain.

By Alan

January 13, 2009 12:49 AM | Link to this

Depends on which burbs you’re talking about, Bob.

Hey, I’d love to have the arena where I live… but something tells me you wouldn’t be willing to drive to the southside. I wouldn’t blame you for not wanting to.

Don’t move the arena, move the start time back to 7:30pm, across the board, for Thrashers home games.

By Tony C.

January 13, 2009 1:17 AM | Link to this

Anybody else see the end-show note about #17 getting the C on NHL:OnTheFly?

Seems like Larry Murphy and Greene both are in favor of the move-in fact it’s the first time I can remember Greene saying something nice about the organization and not an individual Thrashers player…ever.

Anyway, I don’t think it matters much what fans say they prefer as the start time. FUBAS doesn’t really seem to pay attention to minor details like that.

By Sara

January 13, 2009 7:15 AM | Link to this

I’ve never gotten the whole 7PM start time. It was meant as a “family friendly” move so more parents would be willing to come and bring the kids to games. As if the 30 minutes really makes a difference. With young children myself, weeknight games are just completely out of the question no matter what time they start or where they put the arena. I’m a lot closer to Gwinnett than Atlanta but I’m not about to take them to a Glads game mid-week either. Traffic issues should be the primary scheduling driver IMO.

Mike I’ve thought about the anthem issue before myself. It does seem silly since it doesn’t really represent everyone well. Nor are they actually playing for country. I could care less if they played the anthem before games or not. Actually around here I’d probably prefer the “not” - that way I wouldn’t have to hear that stupid “Knights” yell every time.

By Sara

January 13, 2009 7:22 AM | Link to this

BTW, someone on the last blog asked about Pavs not playing in Chi-town. Last I read, there is word of a knee injury. Mike any confirmation on that from the Thrashers? While normally it might not matter, as long as it’s not so serious that it could effect his career long-term, if he’s going to be out for significant time, it could very much impact possible deadline trade scenarios that could involve the movement of a goalie.

By BAF

January 13, 2009 7:48 AM | Link to this

I like the idea of playing the other anthems at least once a year. Wonder if the word “knights” would show up in any of them?

By Nikita

January 13, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this

It’s about impossible for me to make a 7 p.m. game without leaving work early, so I prefer 7:30.

By Jim

January 13, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this

Since I work downtown, it’s much more convenient to start at 7 on weekdays. I bus in and my wife drives down to meet me for dinner before the game. I like 7;30 for weekend games. Especially during football season.

By AuburnZ

January 13, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this

I like 7:30 games. I realize the AS thinks that 7pm games allow families to bring their kids and still get home at a reasonable time, but for traffic I prefer the 7:30 start time. Also, I like it when the night games all start at the same time, just makes it easier to remember.

By Rockem Sockem Thrasher

January 13, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this

Sara I check the Chicago Wolves, Thrasher and AHL sites and could not find any info on Pavs. The Wolves did call up Robert Gherson from the ECHL on the 7th.

As far as I can tell 12/28/08 was the last game Pavs played. The Wolves are using Turple and Gherson right now.

By thomas

January 13, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this

I’ve been a season ticket holder for every five year plan.They are losing me after this year, but 7:30 has always seemed to be this best start time because of the traffic. I used to never stop on 78/85 dowtown, now ALWAYS sit and sit and sit. (See u next year Gladiators!!)

By h

January 13, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this

I’m a big fan of the 7pm start……even with overtime, I am home by 10:15…..and I live OTP. Contrast that start with any Braves game which ends closer to 11pm…..I’d rather have the extra half hour on the back end anyway.

By MB

January 13, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this

Used to prefer the 7:30 starts when I worked in Cobb, but now that I work in Inman Park, I’m a fan of the 7 o’clock start. Like h mentioned, I like getting home at a decent hour afterwards.

As for the anthem, my wife’s a huge fan of “Oh Canada,” and we typically go to several games featuring the Canadian teams for that reason. I enjoy hearing the “Star Spangled Banner” at games. I rarely hear it anywhere else, the performances are usually good, and depending upon what’s happening here and/or abroad, it often makes me reflect on why I love our country and what has been sacrificed along the way. Kinda corny, I know.

And for some of those same reason, it absolutely galls me when the yahoos in the crowd yell “Knights.” The guy behind me who yelled it last game was also one of those who repeatedly yelled “shoot” on the power play when we were just gaining possession in the corner…real genius.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 13, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry, but many of the players from other countries don’t give a crap about the National Anthems played. While it’s an honor to the city/nation (for the reasons MB mentioned above), it’s 82 smacks in the face to the players from abroad. Next game you’re at take notice of how many players skate away at the end of the National Anthem. You’ll notice that most of those players are of different nationalities. Why would Kovalchuk or Havelid care about The Anthem? If I were from Sweden, I wouldn’t care. In that case I’m Swedish…so I’d stand there and be polite but think the whole time “will they just HURRY UP so I can skate a circle behind the net before the puck drops”.

As someone else mentioned, the best thing about other anthems being sung is you don’t hear “Knights” or “Stars” yelled during them.

As a fan, I would support hearing different anthems in select games throughout the season. Let’s say each team takes their roster’s nationalities at the beginning of the season, then selects one game during the 41 home games to play a new anthem. I’d be supportive of that choice…it’d be a cool tribute.

By Bubba

January 14, 2009 10:01 AM | Link to this

Since the majority of the people going to games live on the northside of Atlanta and outside the perimeter the arena should have been built between 75 and 85 near 285 somewhere. That would have made sense.

The games should start at 7:30. It is way to hard to try to get to a game at 7 - you feel so rushed after leaving work and racing to get downtown.

Everytime I hear about how much moeny the Atlanta Spirit Group says they lose on the Thrashers I look at beer prices and food prices and think there is no possible way they are losing money. When you charge $7 for a $1 beer you can’t lose money.

By jcwhitingjr

January 14, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this

7:30 will always get my vote. Atlanta traffic is just too much of a pain in the arse.

No real comment on the Knight yahoos other than to say they annoy me, too.

By Kopfjaeger

January 14, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this

The only start time that has pizzed me off to date was the 5pm game V the Bs. Unless you did a double football/hockey that day getting to the arena sucked ! Everything was blocked off ! APD at their best !

As for the Canadian National Anthem, I love it ! Growing up in Buffalo I always thought of it as just another part of the game and actually miss them doing both. They used to sing it every night for the players & the fans from north the border. Except the Leafs’ fans….screw them ! :) It also sounds best when it’s a tenor dude who switches from French to English through out it. Great Song !

By DICK

January 15, 2009 12:06 AM | Link to this

Went to the Ottawa game and besides the loss I have only one thing to say. The only FAT woman that has any business singing before a game was KATE SMITH and she’s long gone.

She inspired the FLYERS like no other ! That woman tonight couldn’t motivate an earthworm !