AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThrashers more than earned it
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The reason I feel such a kinship with the Thrashers is because I moved here in July of ‘99, just a few weeks before the charter team converged for training camp. I came here to be the NHL Producer at SI.com over there at CNN Center, thrilled at the idea of being able to walk out of my cubicle, down a flight of stairs, across a food court and into an NHL arena.
I had spent the past two seasons covering the NHL for ESPN.com out of Seattle, which meant a drive to Vancouver just to get a little face time at an actual game. That the Thrashers and I arrived here at the same time brought about an instant relationship. Even though that hodgepodge of leftovers and never-beens was clearly a train wreck, I could tell that the personalties involved were going to make this a nice experience. Kelly Buchberger, Ray Ferraro, Gord Murphy … none of them were going to make an impact in the NHL anymore, but they were good guys to have around. Solid citizens who would never embarrass the team.
I remember driving up to Duluth for one of the first practices. Everybody had different gear bags from their old teams; I remember a Red Wings frame around the license plate on Norm Maracle’s car. I asked Curt Fraser about it, and he said, “Yeah we’re gonna have a big bonfire tonight. All that stuff’s gotta go.”
One of the first exhibition games here was against the Rangers, and it couldn’t have been more surreal. At the morning skate, I remember leaning up against the glass where the Zamboni comes out, watching Brian Leetch and Theo Fleury and Mike Richter skating in Atlanta. It was very, very weird. I interviewed Neil Smith, Fleury and Richter, and Manny Malhotra, whom I really thought was going to be a star for them. We talked about how he had played on a line with Wayne Gretzky the previous season and how it felt weird to have Gretzky be retired now.
Opening night against the Devils was equally surreal, watching Martin Brodeur lead the team onto the ice. And when the Thrashers came out to Little Feat’s “Oh, Atlanta,” I got chills. That song is on my iPod to this day.
The other game that stands out from that year was an early game against Buffalo, which was coming off its bitter defeat in the Stanley Cup finals to Dallas. Patrik Stefan scored twice on Dominik Hasek and we all thought he was going straight to the Hall of Fame. He told me after the game that he had never met Hasek before, which I thought was odd, since Hasek is like a god in the Czech Republic and Stefan was one of the country’s top young stars. “Well, he probably knows you now,” I said, and Stefan laughed. Sadly, that was about the high point here for Stefan, who played a nice game of hockey but was hardly the impact player we thought he’d be.
I went to the All-Star Game in Toronto that season, too. Two words: Petr Buzek. He was our All-Star.
Then the years kind of rolled on by. Every fall, I’d say, this is the year. I like this team. And my friend Dolie would scoff at me and look disdainfully at the roster. The team stayed away from big-name free agents, and a parade of marginal NHL players masquaraded as our marquee players: Andrew Brunette, Donald Audette .. guys like that. Nice players, but not anybody who was going to lead the franchise to greatness.
Then came 15 and 17, like thunderbolts from Zeus’ hands landing on the Philips Arena ice. Suddenly, we saw what NHL hockey could be. From the moment they arrived, they were superstars. And they would have been anywhere, not just in a Southern expansion city. With 15 and 17, there was an air of legitimacy right away.
17 dominated the YoungStars game one year; 15 ruled the All-Star Game the next.
Then the setbacks. Then the tragedy. Goalie troubles like I’ve never seen. Then the lockout. We lose the All-Star Game, but we gain a top-shelf goalie prospect. The the trade, disrupting our imagined future. Then Lehtonen gets hurt, more goalie problems … and we miss the playoffs by two points in what should have been a coming out year.
Which brings us to this moment. And here come the Rangers again. The last team to play a playoff game against the Atlanta Flames will be the first team to play a playoff game against the Atlanta Thrashers. It will again be surreal to see those famous jerseys out there. But it won’t be intimidating. This time, we belong on the ice with them.
Though it be this team’s first playoff game, it has been taking its lumps and paying its dues for seven long, grueling seasons. This team is ready. I’m more than ready.
What are your memories of the early years?
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Comments
By Dolie
April 10, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this
My memories are of scoffing at your overly positive nature for the past seven years as I looked disdainfully at the roster! ;-)
But it’s finally paid off — playoffs, BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Hanson Brothers
April 10, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Great post Iceman. And I loved your eh to Z article. You are truly in playoff form. Lets hope the Thrash are too. I’ve got my oven timer counting down to the face off. Go Thrashers!
By Wreckin' & Thrashin'
April 10, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
Your best blog entry yet. Awesome man… just plain awesome.
By Daniel
April 10, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
Iceman- 5-5 tie to Buffalo in year one? Is that the one you’re talking about? I was there, my first hockey game. I didn’t know anything about anybody, and we all know how hockey is to a first-timer in person, but imagine a 5-5 tie to Buffalo at that time?! It was like nothing I had ever witnessed, and I was hooked.
I remember listening to Kovy’s first NHL goal on the radio, in a game against Boston. So many games and memories…Ferraro’s 400th, Beating the snot out of the B’s one year and single handedly keeping them out of the playoffs, getting the snot beaten out of us by so many teams, I remember one game where we didn’t even register a shot on net for the whole period (or maybe it was one shot) and Having a goal scored on us with something like 1 second remaining in the period. The early days were rough, but it was little things that got me by. Guys like Hnat Dominchelli, lead to guys like Andy Sutton. (All jokes aside, Sutton is still playing in the NHL, and at times act as a great big pylon, er I mean, shot blocker). Any Thrasher fan can go on and on (DW coaching, The “Phillips Arena Thrasher Fans”- Brave Heart Thrash and Grandma Thrash, All the goalies, From Fankhouser, Norm “Bagadonuts” Maracle (Still had my all-time favorite Thrasher goalie mask, the dream catcher thing looked KICK AZZ), Pasi, THE DONKEY KICK IN T.O.!!!! Kovy’s goal celebrations, HOCKEY LOVE, I’m gonna write a friggin encyclopedia, you get the picture!!!!
Its been so long. And now we’re here. I’m pumped, scared, thrilled, excited, nauseated. I’m a Thrashers fan, I’ve been living on fried bologna and for the first time, I’m getting steak and I’m going to enjoy my steak, for as long as I can have it. Give’ em hell boys. GO THRASHERS!!!!
By kracker
April 10, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
Fine memories, Ice. I wasn’t here for the early years - though I do remember the Flames w/ Jiggs McDonald, Boom Boom doing color, goalie Buschard [sp], the Downtown Connector big line, the 1980 Olympics goalie Jim Craig. I started paying attention to the Thrash in 2002, talking hockey with a Buffalo transplant (they sucked like the Thrash, needed a buyer, etc.) My interest has grown from eyeing the Thrashers games on the little PIP screen on my TV and switching the picture when I saw their arms go up for a score to watching nothing else but the Thrashers. From going to a game during the season to being a STH next year.
I wish I had been listening to 680 the FAN today, I would have been at Jullians for Kincaid and the PO warmup festivities w/ DW, Coach Bob, Odgers, Mellanby’s dad. It was good on the radio though.
By Rawhide
April 10, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
Wonderful stuff, Dave! Great timing for it, too.
My first game in person was the fall of 2000. I was given tickets while walking down the hall at work, (was doing some contract stuff at Coke’s headquarters),…anyway, I had always liked hockey, enjoyed watching it as a casual fan.
My boys were 8 and 7 at the time and were well acustomed to Braves games et. al. and as we took our seats prior to the game the little tax-exemptions, pop-corn box in hand, sat back in there seats assuming their normal positions for a relaxing evening as they had done so many times at Fulton County Stadium / Turner Field.
Yeah,..RIGHT!
The first time someone was JACKED UP agianst the glass, the two of them leaped from their seats, pop-corn flying everywhere, and they pointed toward the ice, screaming at the top of their lung,..”Oh YEAH, daddy,…did you see THAT”!!! They never sat back down. They told me they could “feel” the game, hear the blades cut through the ice, hear the pucks on the sticks…they loved it!
My wife was strangely quiet that night. In the middle of the game I asked her if she was ok. Her eyes sort of misted up as she looked out toward the ice where the Thrashers were playing Philadephia. “My dad’s favorite team was the Flyers”, she said. He had passed the summer before. To this day, we always make at least one Flyers game per year, for him. She holds his old Flyers sweater folded in her lap.
My oldest has never played any organized sport other then hockey,..my youngest joined him later. Yeah, when I watched them skate together around the ice with the championship cup last month, I thought of that day 6-1/2 years prior.
The four of us will be there Thursday as a family to watch the very first ever Thrashers playoff game in their history.
We can’t wait!
GO THRASHERS - RIP THE RANGERS!!
By thrashersfan
April 10, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
I was here in ‘72 when Boom Boom’s “de Flame” started. And if my memory serves me right, a few yrs later when Lysiak was out with a groin injury, Boom Boom was doing color commentary and said, “yea…like…de…Lysiak…he got the groin.” Priceless!
I remember the playoffs against the hated Flyers. The fights when both benches cleared and every player had somebody - they were literally lined up across the center of the ice.
There was the game where Harold Phillipoff(sp?), or was it Willi Plett, broke Schultz’s nose?? Loved it!
The playoff series with LA and the unbelievable play of Rogi Vachon, and that little guy - Marcel Dion. I think it was our one home game against them and the refs called multiple penalities right of the bat. It was 3-0 quick and LA never looked back. Those great corner seats at the OMNI? I think we paid $20 for that game.
Anyone remember the blockbuster trade with Chicago? Lysiak! They traded Lysiak! I guess it was similar to the Joe Thornton trade last yr. That pretty much doomed the Flames. Ownership needed avg attendance of 13K to break-even but only got 11K. So off to Calgary they went.
My biggest complaint, never got to see the Great One. Can’t believe I never flew the short-hop to Tampa all those yrs.
1999 and the Thrashers arrive. What can I say, I was very excited to say the least. Won’t bore you with their history, as most of you know it. A frustrating 7yrs but they finally made the playoffs. Just hope they make a series of it with the Rangers. There’s no reason they can’t win this round, but isn’t it too close to call? It will come down to special teams and staying out of the box. Or, will it all come down to the goalies? Yea, the goalies.
Go Thrashers!!!!!!!
By Bob
April 10, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this
I’m sittin here looking at my framed opening night ticket 10/2/99 against the Devils, I can picture Stefan dishing to Buchburger for our first goal like it happened, oh, 8 yrs ago.
The first big win we had against Philly (we always played them tough), how excited Fraser and Waddell were after the game in Jocks and Jills.
Rhodes cross checking Tkachuk from behind, Maracle and his donuts, a kid named Sylvester comes up and we think he’s the next one (for a couple games anyway), Amanda Jahn after it was a little chilly in the arena one night, groins, Ndurs’, Emerson’s, Svartvadet’s, endless misery, it will all make the first beer that much sweeter Thursday night as we settle into the seats, and the cigar that much tastier if we raise another banner.
Unleash the Fury
By rockdr99
April 11, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this
Great post — I was an original Penguins season ticket holder — Noel Price and Keith McCreary — then five years later, an original Flames season ticket holder, the same Noel Price and Keith McCreary with Jacque Richard and the Boomer’s shiney shoes as he walked across the ice down the ramp right past me — the chicken dangled over Bobby Clark, toothless with his wild hair — McCreary picking a wig off the ice after a pier 6 brawl against the Flyers — Jiggs — Jim Huber and his great articles, Alan Truex, the AJC butcher of the Flames — the departure
The years of waiting for 1999 — calling from the grand canyon to designate my seat location — Sylvester’s hat trick — the mouse pad game, I still have mine — sharing Iceman’s hope each fall — the tragedy of Heatley, I can still remember his face as he got on the elevator (I had just missed getting his autograph) — the trade — hope again — goaltender disaster — the great Dunham choke against the Capitals — despair — and finally a team to get excited about, or another letdown —
For once I hope LAC is right, he says Thrashers in five — I am optimistic, but guarding against false hope — I see that USA Today quotes the betting line to be 7-5 Thrashers in game one —
I just know I’ll be on my feet screaming Thursday night — These are my guys — GO THRASHERS, UNLEASH THE FURY —-
By Kelly
April 11, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
That was so beautifully written I almost cried. :) Go THRASHERS!!
By Buzilla Baby Blues
April 11, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Bench clearing brawl against Edmonton…fantastic.
X’s first two fights in the NHL. Two KO’s…
Damien Rhodes on the regular guys telling them the story of how he lost one of his testies. The nickname of ‘One-Nut Rhodes’ soon followed.
Breaking Buffalo’s steak was awesome earlier this year…
my list can go on and on.
By Matthew At The SLC
April 11, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Playoff beard? Savings of $20.00 on Gillette 5-bladed Razors.
My worn-out TrueBlue Kovalchuk SWEATER? $175.00
Holding 16 tickets to 14 possible home games in 1 guaranteed round and 3 possible rounds of Stanley Cup Playoff Hockey in the very palm of my hand (with only 2 home games guaranteed)?
FREAKING PRICELESS!!!
My 27th birthday is June 7th. I wasn’t born when the Flames played.
All I want for my 27th Birthday is Lord Stanley’s Cup!!!
Is that too much to ask?
By Typical Ranger Fan
April 11, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
Uh,…yeah yous guys,
I remembah da first time I went to ah Rangers Game.
One of my uncles, (my mom had a LOT of bruthahs appearently ‘cuz every week I had a new one hangin’ around da house),..he took me an my sistah to a game at da GAH-den.
Allz I remembah is hows I sat there alone most of da time ‘cus he my sistah wuz alway away doin’ supthin’….
When we went home my uncle and my ma got into one of doz big fights all ‘cuz another “uncle” was there visitin’ or sumpthin’…
Me an my sister went to a lot of Ranger games,…for a 12 year old, she sure had a lot of friends dat worked there. She was always going off somewhere wid three or four guys all da time.
Most of the older guyz there were really nice. They wuz always tryin’ to shows me how to play a kinds hockey that’s done wid my tonsils.
Yo,.yous guys…anyone play on line games?
By Al
April 11, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
oh my gosh…all the memories!! i still listen to that little feat song and it takes me back to those warm-ups.
now the playoffs are finally here, so it’s time for the real fun to begin.
By pblsn
April 11, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
i still have ticket stubs from Flames games from ‘73-78. my dad took me every year for my birthday for 6 straight years. now at 45, i’m taking my girls. it’s been a loooonnng time coming. i’ll be there thursday screaming like i was 12 again. Go Blue!
By Alex
April 11, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
The second year with that Audette- Ferraro- Brunette line they were good. They were a playoff team halfway through that season before they fell apart. Lat year when they finally beat the Red Wings was my faviorate moment.
By JAR
April 11, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
I knew better the inaugural year, but every year since, at the beginning of training camp, I have told my wife “Wer’e going to the playoffs”. Her response - “Yea, that’s what you said last year” So finally, after 7 years, I was able to say last weekend - WE ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS BABY!! By the way, remember Stevie Guolla??
By Jiri Slegr
April 11, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
You guys can’t forget me, can you?
GO THRASHERS!
By Buzilla Baby Blues
April 11, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
Julia Guolla?
By Hnidy's Knights
April 11, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Here’s some flashback names…. Tony Hrkac, Pascal Rheame, Shean Donovan, Hnat Domichelli, Mike Weaver, Bob Corkum, Jarrod Skalde, Todd Reirden, Denny Lambert, Richard Smelhik…. Ahh the memories.. I have great memories of a game in 02 at Philips when the Thrash beat Hartley’s Avalanche. Man, it’s been a long time coming. As Mark Richt would say, Time To Finish The Drill..
Let’s Go Thrashers!!!
By John
April 11, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Superstitions: The first Thrasher game I went to was against the Lightning early on in that first season. I was so excited to be going to a hockey game in Atlanta. The Thrashers won that night, and I’ve parked in the exact same parking spot every time I’ve gone to a game since. The emotions and good feelings I had walking back to my car on that first night have always carried on with me. After one of those (many) losses over the years, I would walk back to my car, in that same spot, and remember the first win over Tampa. Somehow those memories always got me through…because of a parking spot.
By 1980 Atlanta Flames Fan
April 11, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Steve Hummer wrote that the Flames lost the playoffs to the Rangers on April 12, 1980 at the Omni. I may be wrong but I think that the Flames won their final home game at the Omni against the Rangers and then lost the series in NYC. I took a break from my studies at Tech to attend the game and was seated just to the side of the Rangers bench after benefiting from a duplicate ticket back in the cheap seats. There was a pear-shaped (OK, a really fat) guy sitting in the front row in front of me who had a cow bell that he shook in the face of each Ranger as they headed to the bench. He especially was giving it to Phil Esposito that night to the point that Esposito started calling him a “fat sh*t” at one point. The Flames were winning the game and about five minutes later, several Rangers stood up on the bench and started swinging their sticks at Flames fans in the two rows behind the bench just down from where I was sitting. After a couple of ejections, order was restored and the game was completed (with a Flames win I think). I looked online but couldn’t find a record of the 1980 Flames-Rangers playoff to verify it one way or another.
By sodapants
April 11, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
OMG!! REIRDEN!! lol.. I remember his board nickname was ‘read end’ because he stunk so bad (kind of like Sutton these days! heh)
Regardless… Reading all this is really nice. Brings back all the things people normally want to forget about, but at the same time makes it even sweeter. Here’s one not mentioned yet… Ilya in Edmonton getting busted for the illegal stick… coming out of the box and scoring with the legal one…. then asking the Oilers bench if that stick was ‘ok’ with them… perfect.
I think that’s the same night he chased Comrie around beating him up…
By B. Thenet
April 11, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
A few memories:
The look on Curt Fraser’s face when someone on the ice did something foolish(happened alot)
Denny Lambert doing the Chicken Dance to goad Peter Worrell to fight him.
Odgers’s Breathe-Rite strip
Dean Sylvester’s hat trick
Jiri Slegr’s yellow laces
When Pascal Rheaume was centering Heatley and Kovachuk.
Hordichuk’s first shift when he demolished some Hab(been mostly downhill for him since then IMO)
Beating the Bruins 5-4 on poster(not Poster) night, I think Tamer had the GWG and posters rained down on the ice.
Rhodes jumping Tkachuk from behind after the play
That save by Fankhouser, the one that was called a Pens goal…you know the one.
By Ric
April 11, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
A friend of mine was working for Fox Sports and we got down in the locker room after a game. It was really wierd because they had just got beat up pretty bad. I was new to Atlanta. I moved here in September of ‘99. There was an after party going on at The Westin or something and my friend asked me if I could drive Norm Maracle to the party. I got lost driving from Phillips to The Westin. Norm was a nice guy about it. I finally found it and just dropped him off and went home.
By thrashersfan
April 11, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
pblsn, was I right about playoff ticket prices for the Flames in the mid-70’s? I’m thinking I paid $20 for lower-level corner, but it might have been $40.
By jonnytix
April 11, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
OK Thrash fans it’s time to step up! The first game is almost a sellout with only $140 Club seats available but…..way too many tickets for Saturday left. Only the cheap seats ($15) are gone.
Get those Game 2 tickets now!
By LAC
April 11, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Just FYI or FTR… The Last Flames game was April 6,1980… Not April 12 as stated in an earlier artical.
Great to see the GREAT coverage by THE BLOGGERS, yes you too rockdr99, show some class now during the playoffs.
We will win 4 games to 1.
Simple, we are a better team than NYR.
Biggest concern… STAY OUT OF THE BOX!
We go there and results could be different.
Watch for either Ottawa or Buffalo to lose in first round… If Ottawa goes, NO CANADA teams left in East how great would that be !!!!!!!
The tsn clowns pick of course NYR… Let’s show them who is BOSS !
By LAC
April 11, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Thrashersfan… Ken Houston broke Schultz’s nose, one punch and OUT… We were near… remember THE PAINTED LADY !!!!!!!!!!!!! He nailed him whack!
Then the night Goal Judge, NEIL BOORTZ was either talking to or staring the Painted Lady, he missed a goal, never turned the light on, She was showing the cleavege that evening WOW !!!!!!!
Then Neil got into a shoving match with Schultz once, then called Flyers on his show, on WRGN 680, remember 261-9764 you’re on WRNG, to see how broken his jaw was… GREAT !!!!!!!
Hope Neil drops The First Puck !!!!!
By LAC
April 11, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
As Da Boom like to say…
Let me tell you dis about dat !!!!!!!
By Brendan
April 11, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
My early memories are of Game One, the 4-1 loss vs. New Jersey, and just being thrilled to be there, watching NHL hockey in Atlanta. I was standing and clapping at the opening faceoff, wondering why everyone else was so calm and dossile, for the most part.
Then, came that 5-5 tie with Buffalo. It had everything. Two goals by Stefan, Hasek chased from the net, and Buffalo scored on a penalty shot. Atlanta led 5-3 after 2 periods, and I thought we were on our way to our 1st ever win. It turned out to be our 1st ever point. But I’ll take it. And then, the offsides call out on Long Island that lead to our 2nd goal, in a 2-0 win over the Isles. It was our 1st win. Hey, the Thrash had a legit goal before the non-called offsides goal.
And finally, there was a gathering at Centennial park on Saturday, where they handed out Inaugural Season team photos and Thrashers players were on hand to sign them. It was the 1st time I met and spoke to Don Waddell.
By Bob
April 11, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
That save by Fankhouser, the one that was called a Pens goal…you know the one.
That was Jagr, and it was NO GOAL
F’in refs jobbed us on that one, it was in his glove and no way they could see if it went over the line.
That’s ok, Jagr already got his lucky break in Philips, no more soup for you!
I getting this damn facial tick back after reading the litany of useless dmen Waddell brought through here over the years, man has that ever been our Achilles Heel.
We need more Cowbell
By Fred B.
April 11, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
Ice Man, I too moved to Atlanta in ‘99 remembering what an exciting time it was for the city. The were still constructing Phillips Arena and they conducted tours for people that wanted to see the construction up close I’ll never forget walking in and seeing all the suites stacked on one side of the building - I thought awesome what a concept bringing fans even closer to the action. I was also in the building last year right after DW signed Kovulchuk to the new contract. The building erupted after the announcement and thinking what a bright future for Blueland. GO THRASHERS!!!!
By yellowjax
April 11, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Oh the memories from the Flames. I am sitting in my office with framed trading cards of many of the old guys. Lysiak, Bouchard, Da Boomer. I too was at the game when Houston one punched Dave “The Hammer” Schultz. When the benches cleared Schultz, being the tough guy he was, picked the smallest guy on the ice to pair up with. I think it was John Stewart (not that John Stewart), who may have been the smallest guy in the league. Houston skated up from behind, spun him by the sholder and bam - lights out. For those of you wanting to relive some of those moments do a search on YouTube (Atlanta Flames Fights) and incredibly there is footage of several good brawls with Philly. Johnny Reb, the Painted Lady, I’m getting weepy. GO THRASH!!!
By rockdr99
April 11, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
Someone wanted some stats — I had a chance to run some — Since the trade, we are 12-5-1, with 53 GF and 41 GA, the Rangers are 12-3-4, with 60 GF and 37 GA — The Rangers had three games with a margin of victory of five goals or more, we had none —
Our power play was 14-82 (17.1%), our penalty kill was 9-70 (12.9%) —
The Rangers power play was 16-100 (16.0%) and their penalty kill was 13-96 (13.5%)—
They gave up 26 more power plays than we did, playing just one more game —
Kovulchuk was 9 + 6 = 15 Tkachuk was 7 + 8 = 15 Kozlov was 8 + 9 = 17 Belanger was 7 + 4 = 11 since 2/26 Hossa was 8 + 13 = 21 Zhitnik was 2 + 12 = 14
Mellanby, Sim, Dupuis combined for 8 + 7 == 15, virtually all on the first line
CONCLUSION — OUR BALANCE AND DISCIPLINE WILL PREVAIL —-
WE WILL “GO DO, THAT VOODOO, THAT WE DO SO WELL” —- CCHHAARRGGEE
By CM
April 11, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Ice, Daniel, Rawhide, you guys are bringing me to tears! Wow this is good stuff. You see, I’m a native here in Atlanta and have lived through the years of exciting and the years of disapointing baseball seasons and playoff appearances, but this is different. We have a hockey team playing in the post-season for the first time in 20 years. Now I’m not old enough to remember the Flames, but it is a bit eery that we’re facing the same team, on the very anniversary of that night, don’t ya think?
I’ll be honest, what I know about hockey doesn’t amount to beans compared to most of you, but I know I learn something new everytime I watch on TV or go to a game, and that’s on purpose. I want to know all there is to know, but I most definitely sense the passion that’s enveloped in the most excellent display of testosterone and blood and grit and talent and determination and tempers that we call hockey. I certainly am a huge sports fan and I absolutley love to support my home teams (well 2 of them at least) so this Division Championship (oh heck yeah) and playoff action is exceptionally thrilling to me, admittedly a student of this awesome game.
Yesterday I received my tickets for tomorrow nights game in the mail and I was stoked, dispite the standard ticketmaster card stock, but whatever. However, today I got to see what the season ticket holders (some of you) got and I had to take a moment. That gleaming picture of the Stanley Cup, it felt almost like something sacred, not like every other Braves playoff ticket I’ve ever had or seen, but something far more difficult to achieve and perhaps far more treasured and esteemed. Well after I stared and thought and pined I quietly sent them away to our client as I was told. All I know is that regardless of what “their” ticket looks like (and what was paid for it), I’ll be there too, with my ticketmaster card stock in hand, sporting my blue everything, at the first ever Atlanta Thrashers Playoff Game, screaming my head off as if to encourage my team to kick the crap out of the Rangers and learning just what playoff hockey is all about. I hope to see a helluva display of KILLER INSTINCT out there tomorrow. I haven’t decided how early I’m going to leave work. I sure don’t want to miss much of this party!
Take care Bluelanders!!
UNLEAS THE FURY!! CHUK THIS RANGERS!!
By Ice Man
April 11, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Guys,
I would never insinuate that your memories are foggy after 27 years, but according to the International Hockey Database (which is a pretty solid source), the last Flames game WAS April 12, 1980, and it WAS at the Omni.
Those of you who are saying April 6, are probably thinking of the regular-season finale. But then they played four games in the playoffs.
Here’s the link: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=NHL1927&season=1980&leaguenm=NHL
By Conclusion
April 11, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
I had a chance to run some numbers - 32 points versus non playoff teams from the SE division (33% total points for the year)
By Bob
April 11, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
Alright, it’s about 24 hours from Go Time.
We need to get serious here.
Everyone, and I mean Everyone needs their game face and voice on tomorrow night. We need to yell, scream, cheer, Rag the Rags, from the moment our boys hit the ice. I don’t care if the BlueJerks score twice early, you each will yell, cheer, scream until you can speak no more. NO sitting on hands, no standard Atlanta b/s. Anyone that goes home with a working voice, is just not cheering loud enough. You got all day Friday to recover in time for Sat. afternoon.
This is Our Town. This is Our House. This is Our Time.
Unleash the Fury
By Zach
April 11, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
I was a freshman in high School and my Christmas present was a trip to see the Thrasher play two game on the west coast. The first game we won against the kings 7-6 in OT, ,and the second we won 4-2 over the ducks. It was a great feeling being able to stand and cheer 11 times in two nights for your team.
And how do the Rangers have a “distinct advantage in net” with a goalie who’s playoff gaa is 4.5. If Kari is our biggest weakness then I’m feeling pretty good about our chances.
By Hossa Hossa Hossa
April 11, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this
Sitting the row behind Bernie and his wife on Heatly’s return to Atlanta. 8-3 Hossa Hossa Hossa is born
By Mack
April 11, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this
Went to my first hockey game on my 20th birthday.. Atlanta Knight vs. the Houston Aeros. Within two minutes Chris Lipuma dropped the gloves and just destroyed some nameless IHLr.. I was totally hooked. Almost cried when we lost the Knights, did cry when we got the Thrashers, and will probably cry again as the puck drops tomorrow night for the first ever playoff game.
GO THRASHERS!!!
By Brendan
April 11, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
It is time to get serious. We fans have to gear up for this. Some of these games might go 4-5, even 6 periods. I kinda hope not, as our team isn’t young. But there’s nothing like overtime in a Stanley Cup Playoff game.
Unleash the Fury!!
By Ice Man
April 11, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
Oh, man, me and Dolie were at the ‘Hossa Hossa Hossa’ game vs. Senators. It was tremendous. I almost got into a fight in the stands during the pregame with some dillhole.
It’s funny I was at a lot of the games you guys have mentioned: Sylvester’s hat trick, the Edmonton game when Comrie ratted out Ilya’s illegal stick, and then Ilya jumped out of the penalty box and scored on a breakaway with Shean Donovan’s stick … then he skated past the Oilers bench pointing and talking smack….. Then the next year, he and Comrie threw down. I was at that one, too.
There was a game vs. the Leafs about three seasons ago where we scored like five unanswered goals in the second period. …
The ‘Hossa Hossa Hossa’ game could be the best ever. It was just unbelievable that night.
By hossa hossa hossa
April 11, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
Tkachuk nets winner in OT vs. Sabres - Great live but Kamal’s Radio call I heard later (D Patrick’s Homer Call of the Week) was priceless
By Brendan
April 12, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this
Has anyone yet mentioned the 9-0 pasting of the ‘Canes in Raleigh last year?
The Flyers game, last year, when Atlanta rallied from down 5-3, with 10:00 left in the 3rd to win it in OT on the Greg deVries goal. The 7-6 win over the Red Wings, where Patrik Stefan scored late, after Garnett blew a 6-2 lead. That Devils game last year, in Jersey, where Savard won it in the OT.
But another thing I remember from the early years … was simply the constant “scowl” on Coach Curt Fraser’s face.