AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDeep-sixed … again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What is it that makes the six-game winning streak so elusive? What makes it so wily, so cagey? Is it its ability to adapt to any environment and survive in any climate … like Rambo? Is it its heightened intelligence? It’s sixth sense, if you will?
Once again it has slipped through our fingers, shimmying off into the shadows just when we thought we had a bead on it. It’s the Road Runner to our Coyote. The Moby Dick to our Ahab. The Trix to our Silly Rabbit. Well, I’m sick of being the damn Silly Rabbit. I just want to taste the damn Trix for once. I think it was Yogi Berra who once said, “You can’t win ‘em all … especially when you’ve won the last five.”
I’ll have to take your word on this game, as it wasn’t televised. Again. Tell me … when your average cable system has 600-some channels on it, how can you not find one to televise your major professional sports franchise in a heated chase for its first-ever playoff berth?!! For God’s sake, if I flipped through the channels, I’d see about six shopping networks, “Da Vinci’s Inquest” (what is this show? and why is it on a 24-hour loop on some of these networks?), and about 14 stations airing the “Greg Behrent Show.”
Long story short: This team needs to be on the TV at this time of year.
To make matters worse, I couldn’t get the NHL.com audio stream working. So I was left to watch this game through the eyes of a buddy, who IM’d me play-by-play as if he was my own personal GameCast. It sure read like an exciting game.
I was going to post the transcript of our IM account of the game, but too many times we diverged into filthy talk of coworkers and friends, saying things that if they were to be printed here, we’d have too much explaining to do to wives, employers and clergy.
Here was his best line, though:
(9:03:20 PM): xlb’s head is somewhere around his duodenum tonight
Now … I don’t know what a duodenum is. But I’m pretty sure I don’t want my head near it.
It was actually a pretty exciting way to follow the game. When Tkachuk scored to pull us within one, I could sense the deflated crowd, the anticipation of the Thrashers picking up the pace for a final charge. Sounded like Mellanby had Belfour dead to rights in the final scrum and just couldn’t get the puck up off the ice. Ugh.
Also sounded like the PP was terrible, Lehtonen let in two softies and bobbled several others. I’m beginning to really believe he has depth perception problems.
Anyway … I’d love to hear your accounts and assessments of the game. We’ll be right back at ‘em Monday vs. the Crapitals … on Versus, no less.
Comments
By Daniel
March 11, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this
Ice man: The audio on nhl.com wasn’t working for me either- a little tip I learned from the early days of the internet is to go the website of the flagship station of your team, or if that doesn’t work the opposing team and stream from their site. That’s what I did tonite. I listened to the cats broadcast online… Have to say, listening to another team’s broadcast crew just feels wrong, almost like cheating on your spouse. Whenever they get excited you know its bad for your guys, and the goals your team scores are met with little fanfare. Plus, I gotta say, I just plain love the way Kamal calls a hockey game. Overall, a disappointing night for Thrash fans. The team came out with no fire, I just hope this is a one game stop and not the beginning of a slump.
O, and the duodenum is the first part of the small intestine that food goes after leaving the stomach. Never thought I’d get to use that biology 101 tidbit.
By RedandBlackAttack
March 11, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
I would like to see Hartley play Hedberg more often just to get Lehtonen some rest once in a while. Four to five games in a row or longer in the net is grinding sometimes. We need to win the division number one, but we also need to be fresh for the cup race too. Besides, it will keep Hedberg sharp as well.
At any rate, the Thrashers can win five in a row for the rest of the year and drop the sixth game to win another five in a row. That formula is a winner right there! Go Thrashers!!!
By wristshot
March 11, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
Well Iceman, you picked a good game to miss! We looked listless at times although Belfour made some great saves during our few offensive outbursts. Kari was deep in the net on Horton’s bomb from the blueline, I know he wants that one back. It was his first bad goal in several games though and he still gave the boys a chance to win this one.
On a side note, Slater again had less than five minutes TOI and was -1. Think we’ll see Boulton tomorrow night?
By stör stark
March 11, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
The Thrashers have a tendency to play poorly after a big win. Right after being the first team to beat the 12-0 Sabres this year, they played an ugly game against the Bolts. I think that they sometimes have a difficult time recharging after games like Thursday night’s against Montreal.
Ice, I think that’s kind of a sad commentary on the AJC that they can’t even provide one of its writers with the ability to watch the professional sports franchise he’s covering. I went to a bar with a satellite that had the FSN Florida feed. The other alternative would have been to listen to Kamal on the radio. Either option would have been vastly superior to second or third hand accounts over AIM.
By Brendan
March 11, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry the team didn’t win, but it was made worse by Tampa’s OT win at Calgary. Well, time to focus on Ovechkin, Semin, and Kolzig.
By stendec
March 11, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
Sori Letemin had quite a run. Too bad he reverted back to form! Marshmallow goals. Two points the Thrashers COULD NOT afford to lose!
By stendec
March 11, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Sori Letemin had quite a run. Too bad he reverted back to form! Marshmallow goals. Two points the Thrashers COULD NOT afford to lose!
By stendec
March 11, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Sori Letemin had quite a run. Too bad he reverted back to form! Marshmallow goals. Two points the Thrashers COULD NOT afford to lose!
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 12, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
They played like poo as a team. Made it exciting at the end.
By Wayne
March 12, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Think how bad it is for a Thrashers fan out here in the sticks (Alabama): the wonderfully incompetent SportSouth chose not to televise the game (again), and 680 The Fan keeps fading in and out (worse, it shares the frequency with an Air(head) America station…
By Rawhide
March 12, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Wayne,…
Have you tried logging onto 680s web site and listened to the game via internet stream????
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 12, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
yahoo! sports also has a live feed to watch the games sometimes. Or you can suck it up and get the NHL center Ice package. That sh*t is great!!!!
What do you guys think about Sutton pouting about his playing time?
Personally, I think he should count his blessings that he still has a job. If I was DW, I would have traded him for two broken sticks and some rollerblades.
I’m sure DW tried to move him but nobody wanted to pay a first line price for a third line d-man.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 12, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
And I don’t want to hear about how many blocked shots he has. The only reason he has so many is because he is constantly out of position.
The guy was a foward in the minors
By Rawhide
March 12, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
I think Suts should indeed be thankful he is still around. I honestly thought he was gonna end up on waivers like Kaponin did.
But, truth be told, I think he is doing OK in his new role as a third line defender. 7-9 minutes on the ice is just about right for him.
By Bob
March 12, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
zilla, I think Sutton is going to have a rude awakening when he goes to the market and trys to get more than what Waddell paid him in his last contract. I think he’s a $1m a year guy, tops.
By Ice Man
March 12, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Game day, gentlemen!
First off,
Stor: Remember, I don’t ‘cover’ the Thrashers for the AJC. I’m just a dude who likes hockey who also works at the AJC. It’s not a commentary at all on the paper if I don’t get to see the game. The real sad commentary lies with the team, the league and our local networks. They need to get these games on TV. The purpose of this blog is just to be a gathering place for Thrashers fans. I just get the conversation rolling.
I know a lot of you say, get Center Ice … except I work at night, so I’d only really get to watch it two nights a week. And Mrs. Ice Man would have something to say about that. I had Center Ice back when I worked days … it is truly awesome. I still do subscribe to MLB’s Internet package, which also is awesome. And if the NHL ever does something like that, I’m all over it. I had heard they were tinkering with the idea, but it never materialized.
Game on!
By Ice Man
March 12, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Secondly, on Sutton.
I thought Craig’s story today was really well done. He got good stuff out of Sutton’s head. Boy, I HOPE he can read the writing on the wall, as he states, because he is NOT a top-line d-man, not even here. If he wants to stay, he better learn to make the most of 13-14 minutes.
By rick
March 12, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
One thing to me is obvious(power play sucks,) man, they could not even get into the offensive zone. I don’t know what the problem is,coaching, new players, or flat out speed. Kari let a couple in but made some great saves early. Got to do something about the pplay. Go Thrashers!!!!
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 12, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
I did likes Craigs story as well.
I also agree with Bob that he is 1 mil a year player. Back when you can clutch and grab he would have a higher value. He is a BIG dude. I think part of his problem (which a friend of mine pointed out) is that he uses a pretty short stick. Since he is 6’6 he is allowed to use a longer stick than normal (Take a look at Chara’s stick…and a freakin redwood).
If he had the extra reach he may be able to poke check some guys as they go screaming past him. I think he thinks it would hurt his shot….I am willing to risk it…
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 12, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this
Bob- one more thing about “Sidebar”
they bartenders there have HUGE RACKS!!! and low cut shirts. It’s like a scummier Hooters.
Get the Hotzerella Sticks too. Fantastic
(no I don’t work for this bar)
By Bob
March 12, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
I can see a Sidebar postgame trip in my future, after the next boys night out game.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 12, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
I am reposting this for the ICEMAN:
It refers to naming of the top line…
what do you think of the “Chuk Norris” Line?
Since Sim and Mell both play on the line they really are a minor part anyway.
And nothing is more powerful than Chuk Norris.
I hear his tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried. Ever
Something along those lines.
Maybe the Nunchuk Line (spelled correctly would be Nunchaku…but who cares)
that is my 2 cents
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 12, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
both of which, in my humble opinion are a bit more menacing than the Chuck Wagon…
By störstark
March 12, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
That’s funny. My girl used to be a bartender at sidebar. you should eat at slice (next door) instead. some of the best pizza in the city, then you can booze and foos (or air hockey!) at sidebar afterwards.
I know the caps hate us, but I don’t see how Blue fails to take out some frustration from saturday on them. We’ve used Washington for stress relief and a springboard into win streaks all year. I don’t see how that changes.
Ice: Sorry about the confusion. Also, I know the only two posts I’ve addressed to you have seemed a little anti, but quite the contrary, I appreciate the debate you provoke and the opportunity to discuss this team.
Jävla helvete Capitals—Gå BLUE!!! (“to hell with the caps, GO BLUE!”)
By Brendan
March 12, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
I wonder if Andy Sutton can really get as much moola as he thinks he will in the offseason. I thought his actual value last season was $900K and this $1.0 to $1.25 million. But, with artificially escalating salaries, perhaps he’s worth more than that now. Wait ‘til we see what arbitration brings this Summer. It has not been a friend to the GM’s.
If you’re Andy Sutton, would you really be willing to take LESS than $2.0 million a year? I’m guess he’ll come looking for 4-years/$10 million. Someone might pay him that. You never know. Two-years, $3.8 million is about where I think GM’s would pay Sutton. But the market sets the value. So who knows? He very may well get 4-years/$10 million.
By Tony C.
March 12, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
Sutton is actually playing a bit better tonight….Boulton’s set-up on Tkachuk’s goal was gorgeous-who knew he had hands that could do that???
I think more important than Sutton’s asking price is Slava-Matic’s price….
That line looks awesome. How many good chances have they had tonight? 7?
I hope DW can keep them together next year. Belanger havs been an excellent pick-up.
Damn Ovechkin is a badass!!!
LET’S GO BLUE !!!
By Brendan
March 12, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
It’s trite and it’s overused, but tonight was a big win. We’re at 84-points. According to Kincade on 680TheFan, no team has ever reached 94-points and failed to be in the playoffs. If that’s so, our magic number is 10-points. But methinks it’s actually more than that. Russ, Tom, Matt H., Rawhide, Thrashersfan, who’s got the “magic number” calculated? I know the Rangers won over the weekend, but I’ve forgotten how many points they have now.