AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRangers earn Game 1
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When Kari Lehtonen decided to just drop that rebound in the crease, leading to the Rangers’ fourth goal, I said to myself, “Self, I hope this doesn’t end up being a one-goal loss.”
Well, sure enough, it was … although, frankly, the Rangers outplayed the Thrashers for most of the night. But that fourth goal is exactly the kind of goal that has been driving us crazy all season. The puck gets up around Kari’s chest, and instead of catching it, he acts like there’s a mosquito buzzing around his chin and swats the puck down to the ice at the side of the net. Easy rebound goal.
And that was the difference.
The Thrashers mounted a tense and furious attack in the final minute, but they spent so much time passing the puck around and then settled for a long shot from the blue line with too much traffic in front of the net. It looked like the Norman Dale offense — pass it off four times before you shoot.
The final scramble was close, but they couldn’t poke one in. And now we have to win four of six. Certainly not undoable, though not preferable. Though the Rangers pretty much controled this game, it wasn’t so dominating that we have to feel like there’s no way the Thrashers can win Game 2. If anything, the way the game played out, it showed that either team could win any game.
On the plus side, I loved Belanger’s goal … but I really loved his casual celebration, as if to say, See guys, no problem. And Dupuis showed again that he comes to play 60 minutes. I thought the physicality was adequate, there were a lot of big hits.
So we clean the ice off and prepare for Game 2. I wouldn’t even begin to suggest that this series is decided after this loss.
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Comments
By Russ
April 12, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
Kari has to be better.
The defense in front of him has to be better.
The star players have to be better.
The Thrashers defense allowed Jagr and Nylander to control that game.
Take a look at the top four scorers for each teams’ stats for this game:
Jagr, Nylander, Straka, and Shanahan combined for 2 goals, 4 assists, and +5…Hossa, Kovalchuk, Tkachuk, and Kozlov combined for 0 goals, 1 assist, and -3.
That’s only one game though, not time to panic. I saw stendec is already talking about benching Lehtonen, I hope Harley doesn’t even consider that at this point and I don’t think he will. This next game is almost a must-win for Atlanta. It’s not so much losing 2 at home as it is just the fact of possibly being down 2-0. Home ice generally doesn’t mean a whole lot in the playoffs, therefore if the Thrashers can gain the split on Saturday I think they are fine heading to New York 1-1…but they don’t want to put themselves in a position where they have to win 4 of 5 (very difficult, but not impossible).
Of all the predictions I saw I don’t think anyone predicted an Atlanta sweep anyway, so don’t give up hope after one game folks.
GO THRASHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
By stendec
April 12, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
Line up Sori Letemin defenders. The Thrasher goalie gagged this one away! His butt should be on the bench until next season. I do not give a damn if he makes a million stellar saves! Anyone see that no-brainer on the decisive fourth goal? Such mental lapses MUST NOT be tolerated. If he remains between the pipes the guys in blue will be lucky NOT to get swept! A magic moment turned to crap by a too young netminder. The Braves lost, too. Sigh. If only KL had the mental toughness of that goalie in Vancouver who stole a win for his team. KL showed his true colors. Not blue but red, as in embarrassing!
By Daniel
April 12, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
Kari got caught. He was anxious/nervous/excited. He needed to go through that. Short term it sucks, but long term Kari will be the better for it. I think he’ll rebound (no pun intended) from this.
Other than him, my only complaint is Hossa and Kovalchuck. I expected more from them, yes the ranger’s d is gunning for them, but that’s the playoffs and they need to overcome that.
Positives? Alot actually, our grinders played well, Dupuis, Holik, Boulton, Larsen et. al. I loved the hits and
By Ice Man
April 12, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
i’m watching the braves right now … they haven’t lost yet. Although … it looks grim.
By Ice Man
April 12, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
NOW the Braves have lost.
By Daniel
April 12, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
Kari got caught. He was anxious/nervous/excited. He needed to go through that. Short term it sucks, but long term Kari will be the better for it. I think he’ll rebound (no pun intended) from this.
Other than him, my only complaint is Hossa and Kovalchuck. I expected more from them, yes the ranger’s d is gunning for them, but that’s the playoffs and they need to overcome that.
Positives? Alot actually, our grinders played well, Dupuis, Holik, Boulton, Larsen et. al. I loved the hits and actually think that over a series those hits are going to make a difference against guys like Jagr and Avery. Lundquivst is not a wall, and I think his prowess, while there, is a bit overstated. I never felt that he was in control over the game, only that Kari was not in control.
This series is gonna be close. An quite honestly I believe that if Kari wets the bed on Saturday, we can win with the Moose. IMO opinion we could have won with him tonite, but as I said before I think Kari needed to get that first game out of the way. Now he needs to settle down and help his team.
GO THRASHERS
By Daniel
April 12, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
sorry for the double/half double post.
By Brian
April 12, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
I thought Kovvy did ok, he had some shots, he almost got lose a time or two, it seems like he is just on the verge of breaking out. Hossa on the other hand didn’t do much.
Yeah, Kari made a boneheaded play but he did all right other than that, I am not worried. We can win this easily. They didn’t lie down and die, they kept it close. I think we will win on Sat. My big complaint is the number of times where it was even strength and someone from NYR skated circles in our zone with the puck.
By Brian
April 12, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this
Other thoughts from tonight
It is playoff hockey, get rid of all the gimmicks during stoppages. They must think we have the shortest attention spans in the world because there were not 2 seconds where either the game was going or something was on that jumbotron. It got way too distracting tonight, I don’t know why.
Sat next to a guy from NY, he was great. Knew the game, wasn’t obnoxious, and we had friendly banter. He is in town until Sat for G2.
Had everyone in my section laughing when they showed the Hawks and I shouted “the closest they will ever come to the playoffs is tonight”
Shirley Franklin getting booed was classic. Nice that she made an “appearance”.
Great turnout by Blueland, extremely loud, couldn’t tell that there were NYR fans here, I was very pleased.
Pleasure meeting you Rawhide…
By stendec
April 12, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Only one higher seeded team has lost to a lower seed to date. Guess who that is? What an embarrassment to the South in general and Georgia in particular. Thanks KL!
By stendec
April 12, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
Turn the Moose loose. Perhaps he can remain focused and not allow his mind to wander for a full 60 (or more) minutes.
By Ice Man
April 12, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t go that far, dude. The 3-6 matchup is hardly has any meaning in terms of who is favored.
And you could say: Look how many flaws there were in our game and was only a one-goal difference. A few corrections and it’s a different series.
A bummer? Yes. An embarrassment? Nah. Not even close. You should have watched the Pittsburgh game last night.
By Russ
April 12, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
stendec - My guess is the Predators losing to the Sharks…but it’s hard to say because the Thrashers are also a higher seed that has lost to a lower seed…which one were you referring to?
By Brian
April 12, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
stendec - have you lost your mind? It was 1 game, but the gun down and back away from it. This is by no means over.
Not only are you wrong for even making such a complaint so early in the series, but you are factually wrong because the #5 Sharks beat the #4 Preds…
Besides, great showing by the fans tonight. Hockey in the South is alive and well.
By Brian
April 12, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this
yeah yeah yeah… PUT the gun down, not but the gun down…
By stendec
April 12, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
My error. You are all correct. KL next Bernie Parent. I concede. Fantastic. Superb. Electric. A brick wall. Wonder who will face the Rangers in the next round?
By Brian
April 12, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
stendec - “moderation” my friend. These mood swings are awfully dangerous that you are showing us. Even if they are part sarcasm.
IceMan - nice point on Pit last night. Now THAT was an embarrassment…
By zach
April 12, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this
Here’s my opinion…
Yes, we did not play well enough in the first two periods to win this game. But with our hitting throughout and the heart we showed in the third period, I think we showed a very good side in trying to come back.
I feel very optomistic about our chances in Game 2.
go wings up 1-0 :)
By stendec
April 12, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this
All I am saying is that KL is extremely young. He is prone to youthful mistakes. Such errors led to early playoff exits! The Thrashers will not score four or five goals per game. They will be fortunate, considering this season, to net three per night! If the goalie, whoever he is, allows two or more goals then percentages do not favor the guys in blue. I guess my hate of any New York or California teams enters into my thinking. This one hurt. Dang it!
By j nes
April 12, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
If the thrashers can play that physical through this series they will wear ny down to nothing. Did anyone see how p** jagr was after he got drilled? It completely took him off his game. I say keep gunning for him. Take him out cheechoo style for all I care.
NY showed that they are outmatched physically in this series. Atl has to step it up offensively to win.
By O'Ree
April 12, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
I think that is the biggest sign of disrespect that the LOW CLASS thrashers fans boo the Hawks players and the mayor. While it is true that the Hawks team isn’t up to par with the other teams in Atlanta that gives Thrashers fans no right to boo. The fans also let the BOO BIRDS rain down when the mayor of Atlanta was shown on the jumbotron sitting next to Atlanta Spirit, LLC ceo Bernie Mullin.
The thing is the underlying fact is that the idiotic fans booed because not of who they were but the color of the basketball players and the mayors skin POINT BLANK — PERIOD.
No no no this is not another person playing the race card, but someone calling a spade a spade. While the Thrashers need more minority fans the classless fan base surely didnt give minorities a reason to return to BLUELAND.
WAY TO GO FANS
By Bob
April 12, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
Don’t sugar coat with the b/s Rangers earn Game 1 nonsense. They most certainly did not. It was handed to them on a silver platter by one Kari Lehtonen Pitiful performance from him for Game 1. Should have left the Blueland Mohawk, I guess. I can’t believe Coach didn’t yank him after that absolutely inexcuseable 4th goal he let in. He played bad, folks, and we’re done in 5 unless he turns it around quick.
On the bright side, last year the Canes lost the first two, at home, behind Gerber. They then went to Montreal, put Cam Ward (read Moose! here) tween the pipes and skated a Cup.
Lehtonen should feel shame, he played like crap. One more period like that on Saturday, and get Moose in there. Pitiful performance by our goalie, that was the game.
By j nes
April 12, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
Thrashers finally on front page of ajc.com…..for losing?
Where was the coverage when they clinched the playoffs/division?
Thanks for making the best sports franchise in this town look like losers
By stendec
April 12, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
ANY team with a killer instinct can exterminate the Rangers. They did not face one with such an instinct in Game 1! As Sean Connery said in Darby O’ Gill, “More is the pity.” How true. Which team will forever be known as the one which lost its initial HOME playoff matchup? MITP!
By JayBird
April 12, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this
No, stendec, do us a favor, pick the gun up and please put yourself out of your misery. There is nothing like a so-called “fan” who bashes the team constantly. Yes, we didn’t play the greatest game but it was 1 game. Ice Man has it right, we played badly and lost by 1. The intensity we played with in the 3rd is how we will play the rest of the series. Think about it, none of our bigs guys did much of anything and we lost 4-3. Kari was miserable on the 4th goal but what can you do? I love Moose but Kari is the franchise and we need him in order to make a run.
By zach
April 12, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this
i agree with jnes, we tripled them up on hits in this game and some pretty intense ones too
By JayBird
April 12, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
O’Ree, you are a moron. I guess you didn’t hear the loud ovation for Evander, who the last time I remember, is black. I don’t know about the spade thing but calling a dumb f-ck a dumb f-ck seems appropriate after reading your nonsense.
By Nicholas Irwin
April 12, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this
Alright…I just can’t take it anymore.
Just to make sure, we are talking about the same Moose who gave away a three-goal lead earlier this year in a display so pathetic, Lehtonen hasn’t come within half-a-mile of it this year. Oh yes…and the same Moose who showed far more of a propensity to let in cheap goals than Lehtonen. Give him one start, he would do alright, but if he got a second start, he was sure to single-handedly toss the game away through a cavalcade of crappy goaltending.
Seriously, man. Did Kari refuse to sign an autograph for you one time? Did he run over your cat? Are you Swedish? There has to be some explanation, and I really want to know what it is.
We gained momentum from that game. With so many players getting their first playoff experience, we would have been in dreamland if we had won it. We’re perfectly fine as long as we just carry it over into the next game. If we bench Lehtonen, we toss away all that momentum. If we bench Lehtonen, we throw the series away. And for what? How the hell is he ever supposed to get more comfortable in playoff situations if you bench him for the year the first time he makes a mistake? What possible good could that do? And how is it that you fail to remember any of Moose’s boneheaded gaffes this year? Why is it that those are complete abberations and Lehtonen’s are evidence that he will never be worth a crap? And why is that you think that the world thinks you’re clever in any way for coming up with that odious nickname?
You have absolutely no idea what the hell you are talking about in the slightest. An embarrassment to the South? An embarrassment to Georgia? Yikes, dude. Get a freaking grip. Nobody who actually watched the game could possibly think we were an embarrassment. The only embarrassment tonight is you.
Oh, and by the way, evidently you didn’t watch the third period of that game last night, because Vancouver had the freaking game put away and Luongo absolutely coughed it up like a hairball. Yes, they eventually won in overtime, but if Lehtonen had done the same thing, why is it that I have the feeling you wouldn’t praise him for his “mental toughness” and would instead blast him for the two meatballs he let in to tie the game up? Oh, I know why. It’s because the exact same thing has happened to Lehtonen at least 20 TIMES THIS YEAR AND EVERY SINGLE TIME, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID!!!
I want you to listen very carefully, so I’ll put this in all caps: THERE IS NO GOALIE IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME OF HOCKEY WHO HAS EVER OR WILL EVER LIVE UP TO THE STANDARDS YOU HAVE SET FOR KARI LEHTONEN. You actually said it yourself. You don’t care how many spectacular saves he makes, if he makes one boneheaded play, he should be done for the year. That is sheer brilliance!!!
By j nes
April 12, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this
O’ree, I was kind of thinking the same thing, but nobody booed Holyfield? How do you explain that? Maybe the classless fans you speak of just didn’t want to get thier a*******e$ kicked.
P.S. the hawks deserve to be booed, they suck
and as far as mayor Franklin, I have never seen her at a game till now so she deserves it too. Holyfield was definately at a game last year with Chris Tucker. Where’s Lil John? That’s who we need—he should be the team mascot, sorry thrash
By Kelly
April 12, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
Yes, we lost and it sucked, but I was proud to be in Blueland tonight!! It was awesome!! We’ll come back, why?? BECAUSE I BELIEVE!!! I figured out where the name Blueland came from…several times tonight I had to remind myself to breathe. :)
By Bob
April 12, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
Guys, you can whistle throught the graveyard all ya want. Stendec is right. Lehtonen played like crap. Our boys played well enough to win, Moose was back there tonight and we’re up 1-0.
Thems the facts.
Lehtonen lets in one more softie on Saturday and give him the hook and get Moose in there. Tonight’s game was on Lehtonen, he looked like s** from the drop of the puck.
By stendec
April 12, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
Hi JayBird. Are you the one that thinks drug-smuggling Michael Vick is THE Falcon? Just asking. Sheesh!
By BG33Brown
April 12, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this
The real difference in this game was the Rangers positioing defensively. They played playoff hockey and didn’t give up the middle. We allowed way to many Rangers to play the puck between the circles.
I have to agree that Kari sucked but we didn’t help him out with our defensive positioning.
To be honest, I am extremely happy with the way we played for our 1st playoff game ever!
Need game 2. BTW, what a great crowd. There weren’t more than 100 ranger fans there.
By JayBird
April 12, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
The Falcons? I don’t a damn about the ghetto birds. Vick is a worthless piece of crap, I would never defend anyone like that.
By JayBird
April 12, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
that is give a damn
By stendec
April 12, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this
JayBird. Thanks. Peace.
By South Side Freddy
April 12, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this
Looks like there are only 3 more Thrasher games left. Go Braves
By Nicholas Irwin
April 12, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
If by sucked, you people mean he gave up one bad goal and otherwise was perfectly acceptable for someone in their first playoff game, then yes, I guess he sucked.
By stendec
April 12, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
Mr. or Miss Irwin. Points well taken. What good is it if a goaltender makes wonderful save after wonderful save if the end result is a defeat? Professionals are not judged by form but result. Thank you.
By Nicholas Irwin
April 12, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
Oh, and here come the vultures who don’t give a damn about hockey but are on here just to prematurely laugh at our misery because their lives are so pathetic, they have nothing better to do. Everyone who fits that description can just kiss my a*! Just to let you in on a little secret, South Side Freddy, this is a seven-game series.
By Bob
April 12, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this
Nicholas, Lehtonen struggled from the get go. He looked shaky all night, I watched him whiff on a puck that was laying right in front of him for a good 2 count and almost give up another softie in the 2nd, he was bumbling the puck all night. He was brutal. Simply brutal.
By CM
April 12, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Tonight I saw what we’ve all seen on so many other nights, and it yielded the same friggin’ result, go figure. What appeared to be lazy play (the legs feed the wolves) and the occasionally burst of “oh hell yeah, it is the playoffs, let’s get our game faces on”. Kari looked good, he had some great saves, but those rebounds have once again proven to be killers. And the slow defense, geez the slow defense. Nuff said about that. (How many giveaways did Sutton have anyway?) Aw heck, he wasn’t the only one.
I am proud of how physical they played, though it still wasn’t enough. I just don’t get why they don’t put more bodies on guys and just take the puck away. And I’ll never understand their passing game (or the lack thereof) and the need to make so many friggin’ passes on the PP. Frustrating is hardly the word.
I liked what I saw from Ex, thought Dupuis was a stud, de Vries on the other hand, slower than just about anything you get sick of waiting for. I wish Hossa could return to form, the boy has got to be hurting. Once again, I loved watching Holik, he delivered some sweet candy grams tonight. He’s awesome.
I know it’s just one game, but it was an awfully big game, one that we needed to win. Hopefully they will have whatever was in their way tonight past them and can focus only on winning the game, Kari covering those rebounds and smacking ourown rebounds right back in their faces.
I guess you have to give something to Lundqvist, it appeared (from my birds eye view at least) that he had some spectacular saves. Still, too few shots on goal.
Kudos to Blueland for showing up bigtime tonight. The house was rockin’ and I must say a lovely shade of blue.
Tomorrow, I’ll be in a better mood.
Dang it, just dang it!
By Bob
April 12, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Oh boys, we’re down 1-0, nothing to freak about.
Lehtonen has one more period like that and he’s gone, and I have full confidence in Moose.
That was an awesome job tonight by all my fellow Thrasher fans. You all brought the noise, all night long. Keep that same intensity up Sat. and we’re good. Great to see hardly any Ranjerk fans there tonight, I think I saw 4 all night long, great job Bluelanders.
By Rawhide
April 12, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Some thoughts from section 316:
First,…we lost ONE game by ONE goal. Get a grip folks,…..if you guys are on the bridge already,…GODALMIGHTY are you gonna be ready for the next 5-6 games???
Second,…Yup, Kari muffed that glove save and it led to what became the winning goal. It sucks. But he faced, what,…38 shots? 30 in 2 periods. Too much! Not time to throw him under the bus.
Third: Blueland looked and sounded great!!! The blue lights on the boards,AWESOME!!! The crowd,..absolutely frantic. You all shoed up and came ready to do your job. Well done!
Fourth: and THIS REALLY SURPRISED me: For all the NYR blow-hard fans that we heard in here over the past few days going on and on about running in 8-10K of their Blueshirt fans………..uh,…where were yous guys????? Basicially, an big NO SHOW!! I guess maybe a hundred,..maybe a buck fifty??? So,…don’t come in here yappin’ about taking away our home ice advantage by outnumbering us. You didn’t even come CLOSE.
Tampa fans out did you 10-fold last Saturday.
Philips belonged to Blueland, as it should.
We’ll get ‘em Saturday.
Brian,….the pleasure was all mine.
By wh
April 12, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this
Rangers led early 1-0, Kari gives a softy, 4-2 and Rangers never looked back. Of course no one on this post will admit Rangers played 3rd in full clock kill mode. Screaming for the backup goalie after game 1 - typical. Home Ice Gone. Think they were tight tonight, can’t wait for how they approach Game 2 with home ice 0-2 possibility. Bob, your right any other team in the league beats the Rangers tonight (Luongo made 72 saves in vastly outplaying Turco) Also, Jagr sure did look old ripping 1 timer on PP goal. I know the Rangers suck NY is for F* (or whatever). Fact of the matter is your down 0-1 at home, Split in hand which any team would accept on the road. Are we all still in agreement that Kari is far superior to King Henrik? I do have to admit that I was shocked that there were as few Ranger fans in the Building than I expected. Does it still look insulting that the Rangers would rather play the Thrash than the Devils. Fire away.
By Jameson
April 13, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
Bob, I have to disagree with you… I mean Lehtonen certainly had moments he shouldn’t be proud of, but 38 shots? How many saves should he have to make?
By Rawhide
April 13, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
Oh,..couple other thought,…
The Hawks got Booed ‘cuz they SUCK. Hope those guys got an eyefull of what “playoffs” are. They’ll never see it exepct in the stands.
Mayor Franklin got booed because she is a politician. I boo every politician that has their mug thrown on the jumbo screen to cheese it up. Even the ones I vote for. Sports are a harbour from the real world and that stuff. Of course,….had she NOT been there we would have asked why we got stiffed by the Mayor. So,..whatch-gonna-do?
BTW, where was Sonny?
CM,…..here kid,….take an apirin and get some sleep. It’s gonn be Oh-KAYYYYYYyyy, (patting CM on the head and tuckin’ into bed)….
WH - Your team was the better one tonight. Not gonna debate it. One game, though. Oh, and you had to out-shoot us by an almost 2-1 margin to win by one. Not sour grapes,….but don’t go punchin’ your tickets to the next round just yet. I’m sure you and all the other 5 Ranger fans that showed up are very happy tonight. You should be.
But, my friend,….”tomorrow is another day”….see you Saturday.
By stendec
April 13, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
Hi Jameson. Is that J. Jonah? As many as it takes. THAT is what wins STANLEY CUPS! Goalie toughness even when the team offense is AWOL. Netminders get too much credit for wins and too much blame for losses. Since they are the LAST line of defense that is the way it will ALWAYS be. That is hockey!
By kgrim
April 13, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
You guys should have been there. If you were you would have seen that our defensemen were outplayed by their defensemen. Kari is not at all at fault, they just had much better shots and we had fewer good opportunities. The team clearly took the momentum as the game went on. We were one bounce away from tying or winning that game, and the FANS WENT CRAZY!!! The Thrashers had the jitters. Most of them have never experienced something that intense. I never have. They will be ready for the next game as a result. When Holik’s line came out hitting like they did, the Rangers were shaken. We let Yagr roam too much. Borat says CRUSH HIm!!!
GO THRASHERS
By R. Stroz
April 13, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
Normally, I don’t would rather make smart a$$ comments and harass the morons of the world like P & S.
However, Moose has been winning key games lately and Kari hasn’t, other than Buffablow. Moose stole the last Ranger game and was in the pipes for clincher against Carolina. Kari gave up soft or monkey goals to Pittsburgh and Washington of late. Kari did play well against Tampa, but the game didn’t count. Kari doesn’t appear to be mentally ready for the pressure games. So here is the dilemna, Moose is winning the clutch games of late; but, Kari is quicker but lacks focus at times, so who do you put in the pipes?
My observation is that when Kari gives up two soft goals, alot of rebounds, or looks like he is having trouble handling shots, yank him quickly. Has anyone ever noticed the number of eyedrops Kari puts in his eyes during each commercial break? Just an observation at the Tampa game while sitting behind the bench.
So, start Kari, if he looks bewildered, yank him for Moose. I’m not worried about upsetting Kari’s confidence in the short term, I want to win the series, period. Or start Moose, if he lets in two soft goals, yank him for Kari. We have two good goalies, lets ride the hot one!
By wh
April 13, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
Certainly haven’t punched the ticket to Round 2. Final scores are final scores so I will not debate you on 2-1 shots - but doesn’t that indicate who dictated play? Ice tilted Thrasher way for last 12 minutes and still the margin. I am pretty sure we will see the same style of game game either way on Sat, wide open with lots of chances. In the end Kari gives up WAY to many rebounds to dangerous scorers. This is certainly not a call for Hedberg - Backups are backups for a reason. This really goes back to my initial post before I was forced into DB mode by responses. I will assure you of this - If Kovalchuk plays like he did tonight and the last several games I attended down the stretch It is lights out. Also - Who would have predicted Marcel scoring a goal, drawing a penalty against his brother and Hossa Hossa Hossa being essentially invisible? No Hossa, No Kovalchuk - No Chance. Again - Fire away.
By CM
April 13, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
RH LOL I know, I know, it is going to be okay, but ahhhhhhh!
Must have been a bad night for Atlanta sports, the Braves lost also, to the Nats who led a game for only the 2nd time in 8 games. Time to sleep this one off…
Sweet dreams..
GO GET ‘EM ON SATURDAY THRASHERS
By R. Stroz
April 13, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this
wh - Turn off your parents computer and go to bed, you have school tomorrow.
By Ice Man
April 13, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this
R. Stroz,
You stole my thunder for tomorrow’s blog … But I’ve said it before this season: I think Kari has trouble with depth perception. Yes, every stoppage in play, he sprints to the bench to put solution in his eyes. The bad fourth goal tonight was typical, he misjudged catching it with his glove, something he’s done a lot of this year.
If I were a betting man, I would bet that he’ll entertain the thought of lasik surgery this offseason.
I think you have to start him again in Game 2, but my leash would be super-short. I mean, one mistake and it’s yank time. It’s that important.
You guys may have noticed that I didn’t blog the day before the game, and that was because I was so mad at Sutton and Lehtonen for their little hair shenanigans. Just not the way to demonstrate focus, kids. Even though Hartley laughed about it in the paper, clearly somebody got the message across to them to get them to get rid of that stuff. That was the first bad omen of the playoffs, in my opinion. If I were Tkachuk or Holik, I would have kicked Sutton’s a* right there in the locker room.
By wh
April 13, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this
Iceman - Kari is what - 22? In the end this playoff result means nothing to the franchise. Fans will remember getting there and that will be enough. This guy is suppose to be your horse for the next 10 years. You pull the plug now and you could lose him forever - similar to the shelling Fleury took in Ottawa last night. Every playoff minute he logs is $ in the bank down the road. With Hockey’s culture of playoff beards etc .. I can’t see the Blue paint being a distraction. These guys have never been under the gun so did not realize the intensity required - particularly against the veteran group they faced tonight. Did Sutton stink it up? Yeah. Did you feel like it was watching a Norris winner do the same? I wouldn’t think so.
By R. Stroz
April 13, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this
The main problem tonight was soft and/or slow defense. If Slutton was benched for all of his give ways tonight in the manner as Kovy against Washington, Slutton would be on the bench for a month. The other Andy showed up tonight. The one who is slow, passes to the other team in the form of a clearing pass directly in front of the goal, and refuses to use his body as a weapon. I thought that Andy had gone away for awhile. Oops, he’s back.
The other problem on defense, DEVO. Here’s a question wh would like if he is still awake, how many times can a Ranger skate around DEVO? I don’t know because he never stopped them. He looked like he was hynotised after the third circle.
Sounds like some of the same problems during the regular season doesn’t it.
On a good note, Holik came to hit and Rat was busting his a$$. Good to see some of the old guys kick into gear.
By Ice Man
April 13, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this
I’m all for youthful exuberance, believe me. But on the day before a much-anticipated playoff debut, you don’t want your goalie sitting in a chair getting his hair painted blue. It opens the door to too much criticism … especially with the New York media in town. If the Thrashers had been blown out tonight, the blue hair would have been associated with Lehtonen FOREVER. Even if he turned into a Hall of Fame goalie, it would always be referenced as, “remember when Lehtonen dyed his hair before his first playoff game?” …
So, to me, it just falls under the category of ‘act like you’ve been there before even if you haven’t.’ … And, more to the point, Sutton’s no kid. He should know better, especially after admitting a few weeks ago that he lost his focus after losing his spot on the top d-line.
By wh
April 13, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this
wh never sleeps. Devo = Devries? This is my assumption. Lets face it, Thrashers are built on scoring goals. It’s like a pick up game (for lack of better term) There is not 1 D’men (Zhitnik is a stamina freak but never scared the hell out of anyone as a flyer) that you can send out there and play line match shut down. Unfortunately, Coburn may have been that guy - down the road. I go back to my previous statement Hossa (Slava) MUST come up big. Kovalchuk as well. The dude is potentially 1 of the top 3 goal scorers in the league. If he is not scoring he not only is not contributing, he hurts.
By R. Stroz
April 13, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this
Ice Man - Sorry to steal your thunder for tomorrow’s blog.
I have two thoughts on Kari’s eyesight. One, the pollen is getting to his eyes. Two, he has a depth perception problem in the form of an eye focusing problem. As a projectile nears a person’s eyes, their eyes must constantly refocus to the incoming object. If for some reason, Kari’s focus doesn’t readjust quickly enough, he will have difficulty pinpointing the object. I’ve noticed Kari is really good within five feet of the other player and puck, but not nearly as good outside of fifteen feet or so.
By stendec
April 13, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this
My final word on this Friday The 13th! The Thrashers will be the next professional team to bring a championship to Atlanta. The Braves may within years. The Hawks and Falcons NEVER WILL! At least not in my lifetime! No one will be giddier than I when the guys in blue hoist the Cup! Only please, PLEASE, PLEASE do not get ousted by the New Yorkers! Peace. Nighty night.
By kgrim
April 13, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this
There is no way to prepare players for the atmosphere that existed at Phillips. It was historic. They held up well. I think they’ll be fine. Definitely, Dupuis was a stud. Kovy fell down a lot and fumbled several passes. Once they get used to this level, they’ll kick a*.
By wh
April 13, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this
R Stoz - My god I hope you are wrong. This sounds like the Alex Smith hands can’t grip a football. Kari was a top 3 pick, I would think (hope) he was physically checked fully. Pollen?
Have you ever cut your hands off working with yard tools?
By R. Stroz
April 13, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this
wh - Devo does equal Devries. Everyone on this blog knows about the defense issue with the Thrashers. For an interesting stat, look up the average number of shots per game given up by the Thrashers.
However, I would be glad to let XLB (equals Exelby) match up against the Rangers anytime. Havelid and Zhitnik are good technical defensemen but are not as intimidating as XLB. Coburn may work out some day but didn’t appear very smart or tough while playing in Atlanta. Maybe Hatcher can teach him the ropes in Philly.
By R. Stroz
April 13, 2007 1:07 AM | Link to this
wh - I know about the focusing problem from playing baseball. After turning 25, I was having trouble getting the same jump on the ball and the problem wasn’t my weight. I went to my friend, the eye doctor, and yes my focus speed had slowed down, so I moved to the infield.
As far as pollen goes, it can screw up a person’s eyesight. The eyes get itchy and the differing amount of fluid in your eye screws up your normal visual cues. Eye drops help this problem.
By Brendan
April 13, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this
Folks, please!! Game TWO is a fresh sheet of ice. If that game is disaster, then it’s time to regroup. But honestly, this game, despite errors by the boys in blue, could have gone our way. Dupuis hit a goal post or cross bar with 1:41 left in the second period. Larsen and Holik were both left alone in the slot. Larsen fired right into Lundqvist and Holik missed the net entirely. All good chances. Even at the end, it was a two-man advantage. This game was within reach. But it’s not easy to play an uphill game for 40-45 minutes, starring at a two (2) goal deficit.
The key to Game Two will be scoring first, then keeping out of the box. And finally, neutralizing Jagr, Nylander, Straka, Roszival and Marcel Hossa. For everything that went wrong tonight, it was still one heckuva game. I’m sorry the team didn’t win. But let’s not throw them under the bus. If Kari has a bad 1st period on Saturday, put in the Moose. He’s the Lehtonen insurance policy.
By wh
April 13, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this
Down the stretch X probably played as well as any Thrash D - Zhitnik just for the fact he can play all 3 roles may get the nod. Despite the fact hat he is a crowd pleasing hitter - i do feel that he can be exploited. Trading prospects for Players got Thrashers in the Playoffs. It is a tough feat to accomplish continuously - This is the Rangers 2nd Playoff appearance in 8 years - both of which occurred when we were forced to build under the cap instead of mortgaging again for the latest broken down has been. I watched the 87 Canada Cup all stars as Rangers - The problem was it was 15 years later. So to beat this to death for the last time - Run and Gun, 6-5, 5-4 etc. is the only way Thrash can succeed as currently constructed. The problem is goals can be hard to come by in the Playoffs.
By R. Stroz
April 13, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this
wh - Last observation for the night. The Thrashers play like crap after a four day break. Most of the bloggers on this sight are aware of this problem too. The game Saturday will provide a much better barometer of things to come.
By Nicholas Irwin
April 13, 2007 4:11 AM | Link to this
I don’t know about the next team to win a championship, but I do know that the Thrashers are one of two franchises in this town that are not massive disappointments and that are in good shape, generally speaking. I don’t know who will win the next championship, but if I were a betting man, I would certainly bet either Thrashers or Braves (the other one of the two, obviously), although picking which one is somewhat arbitrary. I do think way too much attention is paid to the Falcons and that perhaps more should be paid to the Thrashers and Braves in this town, although it is a football town, and I understand that (all this coming from someone who is a fan of all three teams, by the way…never really cared about the Hawks).
As far as this year for the Thrashers, as much as we didn’t want to admit it, this year was really all about getting our feet wet in the postseason. I’m not saying we shouldn’t win this series…I do think we’re the better team. And trust me, I would like nothing more than to win the Stanley Cup, but I’m not guessing it’s gonna happen this year. And frankly, if it did, it would be a little bit frightening. My point is mistakes are inevitable in your first time through. How soon you can learn from them is the key. If you can learn quickly, you can put together a nice little run, and it is certainly possible. Short of Buffalo, there is no team in this conference that I feel we shouldn’t beat in a seven-game series. But if not, you just have to put what you learned into practice next year. Let’s hope we learn quickly.
By MrHughes
April 13, 2007 4:44 AM | Link to this
Kari doesn’t have problems with depth perception. The kid just wears contacts. That’s what the solution is for, and he’s used it all season. He missed that save because he was too ramped up. Hockey players with poor depth percepetion don’t make it up to the NHL or put up the type of numbers Lets did this year. As a final thought… with all the clutching and grabbing I saw last night, it is amazing the Rangers were only called for two penalties… I love the fact that their stars played great, ours didn’t get on the scoresheet and they still had to escape a 2 man advantage at the end. We will win this series folks…
By mariettaGator1979
April 13, 2007 6:57 AM | Link to this
Not being able to clear the zone after the Rangers PP and a less than stellar game by Kari were the negatives.
Good intensity with hitting was the plus.
Three goals in a playoff game should have been enough.
Game two will be the difference. Win & we need one in NY to come home 2-2. Lose & the trip to NY will be looooong.
Believe in Blueland!!!!
By It's so easy....
April 13, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this
even a caveman can do it. You people act like you have played in the playoffs and know exactly what to do. I believe it is a little harder to actually play the game instead of dissecting it from a chair. Try being a 23 year old kid, yes, I said kid, and doing your job in front of 18,000 screaming people, your boss, your boss’ boss, and millions more on TV. I’m sure it was a little intimidating. Sure Kari made a mistake, but haven’t we all?
I thought the team came out fighting, not literally, and did a decent job. No, they didn’t win, but nobody expected them to sweep the Rangers anyway. There is another game on Saturday; the guys have all had a taste of playoff hockey and know what they need to do. They’ll be fine. IMHO, our guys have nothing to be ashamed of.
By luckydog
April 13, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this
Everyone’s exhausted the Kari topic and the 4th goal, but can someone tell me what the heck Exelby was doing on the Ranjerks 3rd goal?
He seemed to be politely escorting Marcel Hossa through the slot, giving him plenty of elbow room to be in perfect position for a nice tip.
Yeah Ex had a big hit on Jagr at mid-ice, but in front of the net is where he earns his money and that one was UGLY….
I also say this: If we have a chance in this round, Tkachuk is going to have get a couple of clutch goals.
PS: Man, I LOVE Belanger and Dupuis’ games! They are in the middle of everything every shift. Keep them around, Don…
By SW
April 13, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
Quick question:
With the delayed penalty near the end of the game, was anyone else yelling Turn the puck over? I’m not sure how much time was left when the refs arm went up, but it was under 2 minutes. The Thrashers were digging the puck out of the corner not generating a real scoring chance Why not just give it up, take your timeout, and maximize your 6 on 4 time instead of screwing around 6 on 5? Perhaps it’s too much to expect from the guys on the ice, but shouldn’t someone be yelling that from the bench? IMHO, we wasted precious seconds on that one.
By Rangers fan woohooo!!
April 13, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this
LET’S GO RANGERS!!! Can’t wait to be at the game Saturday when we win again!!!!!
By Chris
April 13, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
SW: I’m not sure they picked it up immediately. The call was a little off the play.
Echoing other statements: It’s one game. Lehtonen really only made that one mistake - in the end this could prove positive as he now knows the focus he needs for 60 full minutes.
Jagr really was the difference in this game; for all of you begging - PLEADING - for someone to put the body him remember he is shifty and big - you gotta smack him good like Ex did to get in a good shot. He hasn’t survived this long getting drilled 5 times a night.
We’ll get’ em Saturday, we’re going to get one up there, and it’ll come down to best of three.
By SW
April 13, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
Chris: Only one game - no argument here. Kari came off, they had 6 on 5 for a few (seemed like at least 15) seconds, so there was an awareness and an opportunity. I’d rather have 1:30 of 6 on 4 than 1:11.
As for KL, his last two allowed were soft. But he is our future. Talk of pulling him is crazy. BH needs to show him he has the confidence of the coach and the team. Chalk it up to first time jitters. He comes out and has a solid game on Sat and all is forgiven. A win Sat and it’s a best of 5 series and I still like our chances.
By SW
April 13, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
OK - before everyone jumps on me, Kari may have come off before the penalty just for the extra skater - I’m not sure of the exact timing … Never Mind (To quote Emily Litella)
By Bob
April 13, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
You guys may have noticed that I didn’t blog the day before the game, and that was because I was so mad at Sutton and Lehtonen for their little hair shenanigans. Just not the way to demonstrate focus, kids. Even though Hartley laughed about it in the paper, clearly somebody got the message across to them to get them to get rid of that stuff. That was the first bad omen of the playoffs, in my opinion. If I were Tkachuk or Holik, I would have kicked Sutton’s a right there in the locker room.*
Yep, the second I read that on Craig’s blog I was shocked. I figured Coach’s reaction would be “get that crap out of here” and was even more shocked when I heard that Coach laughed it off.
This is the NHL, not pee wee.
I was also very disappointed to read this morning that Mellanby gave no talk at the team dinner or pregame. That’s what he’s there for, he’s been in the trenches. He’s got to prepare guys like Lehtonen to get ultra focused on every shot, the boys to be prepared for every shift.
It also was concerning that Hoss just disappeared last night, I thought Kovy played ok, but Hoss is concerning.
With all that, we did only lose by 1 goal and they can regroup, but that loss was very demoralizing because of that boneheaded play by Lehtonen. Coach needs to have him on a short leash tomorrow.
By mar1jdh
April 13, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
I think we’ve established for good or bad that KL didn’t have his best game yesterday, but that was only part of the problem. More alarming to me was the lack of crisp outlet passing by the entire team. Pucks seemed to be bouncing of of sticks and fluttering away. Possession was never established, turnovers ensue. I’m nervous for Saturday as ice conditions will be bad following a Friday night Hawks game. Lets worry less about goaltending and more about the other 5 guys on the ice getting it done and playing with skill.
By misha
April 13, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Just to throw in my two cents - I don’t think it helped that during the first two periods, all we did was pass the puck to a Ranger. It was Kari’s first playoff game, cut him a little slack. We have another game Saturday. But we won’t win if we keep giving New York the puck.
By ABow
April 13, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
I want to go to the game on Saturday but don’t have tickets yet. Is the game sold out? How expensive were scalped tickets going for last night?
Thanks
By CM
April 13, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
Did anyone watch the game on TV? Someone asked me if it was even on because they couldn’t find it.
Today’s a new day everyone and tomorrow we have a brand new game to play. Let’s hope the guys who need to refocus will do so and at the end of the day show the dozen or so Rangers fans at Phillips that this series is not going to be a walk in the park.
LET’S GO BLUE!!
By ThrasherGator
April 13, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
I like that Kovy is willing to put a hit on someone but it seemed like he was more focused on that last night than scoring. I hope he leaves the hitting to others and does what he gets paid to do on Sat.
By BG
April 13, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
this text will be bolded What the heck is wrong with this city when we can’t even fill Philips Arena for the Thrashers 1st ever playoff game. I sit on the side behind the benches and there had to be 1000 empty seats on the opposite side in club level.
I’ve heard that in order to buy season tickets for the club level, you have to buy both Thrashers & Hawks tickets…so that leaves it to mostly corporate purchases…well Atlanta business…fill your seats!!! Or how about Atlanta Spirit and Philips abolish that lame rule and start gettting some attendance at our games!!! It’s ridiculous!!
By rj
April 13, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
A little bit of adversity early in the playoffs is never a bad thing. Now they just have to respond with a step up in intensity from the opening faceoff.
I saw way too many circle outs instead of crunching hits. When a Ranger has the puck he must get hit as hard as possible. This has been a Thrasher issue all season.
By Dan
April 13, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
Atlanta You have too many non north american players. The rangers have only one non-north american line. Enjoy your summer,
By michelle
April 13, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
well i for one, was highly impressed with the consistent pace of the game. the intensity never seemed to let up on either side….there was maybe a 15 minute overall time where it slowed down, but for the most part it was crazy fast.
i thought the 4th goal was completely avoidable, but you learn from your mistakes, you get over playing your first-ever game and move on to recover the series. it’s the first game but they have a long way to go and i’m behind them 100%.
go thrashers.
By misha
April 13, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Uh, Dan …. our record against the Rangers during the regular season was our 3 wins and 1 loss. I think our players can do just fine against the primarily N. American lines.
By tim
April 13, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Kari played mediocre at best but the defense against the Jagr’s line couldn’t get the puck away from them so they kept it in our zone way too long. Our defense needs to go full speed. I’m tired of seeing them get circles ran around them. The positive is all the goals came on our 3 and 4 lines. We need our top players to step up.(Hossa, Kovalchuk, and Koslov)I have faith that we will come out Saturday and kick a$$
By storstark
April 13, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
I know everyone is focusing on the loss aspect, but I have to say that the biggest positive I took away from last night was the house.
We were LOUD, it was ELECTRIC, it was AWESOME. Even when we were down. I saw exactly three Rangers fans all night. We were going to steal the scarves from the Rangers fans at the end of the night and only ended up running into two of them (both smartly tying their scarves around their waste so I couldn’t lean over and cherry pick it off their shoulders while they were riding the down escalator.
Anyway, I’m proud of the fans. They really showed up. Now the team just needs to do their part.
By Rawhide
April 13, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
BG - As one who sits regularly in the club seats,…most of those people who own those seats are either upstairs in the suits or up the the club area food concourse at tables that still overlook the ice.
It was indeed a sellout.
By BGKAHUNA88
April 13, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
stop all the insanity with LEHTONEN it wasn’t all his fault. it’s time you guys held that shaky A$$ defense accountable.
the reason why the RANGERS wanted the THRASHERS was that although they go for the big hits they are not like the DEVILS defensemen which stick to you like glue. plenty of open space in which to roam and play a european style game.
GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS
By pblsn
April 13, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
i was there the whole game but apparently missed Hossa, Kovalchukand Kozlov? did anyone see our ‘stars’ last night?
By Rawhide
April 13, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
Much as I hate agreeing with the likes of BK88,….his point about the defense is correct,…that plus the terrible passing.
Going into this series, the two teams look very even, though. Electric offense,…so-so defense,…young, inexperienced but promising goalies,…for both teams.
Last night, the Rangers defense was that much better.
Being outshot the way we were didn’t help either.
The ONE thing the Thrashers have a serious edge in is coaching at this level. BH has MUCH more. So, this is where we HAVE to have that edge come into play. What does he do to counter what the Rangers came with. We will see.
Oh, and I’ll ask again,….what happened to all the Ranger fans showing up last night???? I heard it all week how they were gonna show up by the THOUSANDS…I was even EXPECTING it.
They were a NO SHOW but for about a hundred or so.
The Thrashers have already out-done the Braves in fans packing the home place.
GO THRASHERS - RIP THE RUMP-RANGERS A NEW ONE!!
By Bob
April 13, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
Yep, there were no Ranjerk fans to be found, the few I did got heckled but good, but none showed up.
My memory isn’t what it used to be, so help me out here. When we played the Rangers during the season, wasn’t Sutton the guy that shadowed Jagr? And I thought he did a pretty good job of putting his big body on him, no? I guess mabye that’s because Sutton used to be on our top pair, but Zhitnik and Havelid don’t look up to the task. Coach may want to re-think he D pairing against Jagr’s line.
Alright, that game is behind us. There’s a lot to improve, but one thing that needs to remain a constant is us, the fans. You guys did great last night. Just awesome, even after we got down 2 goals, everyone kept supporting them. We need to keep that up tomorrow, all game long.
Unleash the Fury!!!
By BGKAHUNA88
April 13, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
well i can’t speak for all RANGERS fans but we had 100 tickets spread out and i think about 96 of them made it. same for saturday. so for those that said they saw 2 or 3 fans total. come on be real. hell i expect more than 3 atlanta fans at the garden for game 3. don’t fool yourselves.
GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS GO RANGERS
By Tony C.
April 13, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
We were booing shirley in the 300’s because her “Pothole Possee” still hasn’t fixed the bpothole in front of my house…and we send a notice every month for 3 years!!!
We cheered the champ, clapped for the hawks, and oh, I know it’s fashionable, but not EVERYTHING in this town is about black/white.
That 4th goal hurt…but I think the boys can get it back
LET’S GO BLUE !!!
By Andy
April 13, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
Perspective from an NYR fan….
Thought the fans were GREAT last night. It is certainly nice to see hockey alive in Ga - much like it is in Carolina.
As for the game, the Rangers played their game well but some of their kids made rookie mistakes - like Girardi on the 3rd ATL goal.
If ATL’s physicality is not answered, it will become a BIG factor in games 4-7. Count on Hollweg being in the lineup Saturday.
By storstark
April 13, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
Bob, Sutton did a great job of shutting down Jagr during the regular season. I think BH has been apprised of that situation since Kamal and Bernie were talking about that this morning on the radio. We might see a different shift on Saturday. The problem was really size. Jagr was overpowering last night with his 245 pounds, but Sutton is much bigger.
Andy, I agree with you on all points. Particularly the part about the physicality. There were a lot of huge hits and it takes a couple games for the impact of those to show up. Unfortunately, that might be too late for us. We still need to contain guys better. With the exception of Dupuis, Rangers looked a lot faster and had too much wiggle room. Also, thanks for participating on our board and showing us what CLASSY Rangers fans are all about.
By wh
April 13, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Sutton is 6’6” 245 - Jagr is 6’4” 245 with long reach and Hall of Fame Skill- The Guy hasn’t scored 600 goals because he doesn’t present a matchup problem every night for every team in the League. The big hits are crowd pleasing but I did not see the Rangers prevented from cycling down low repeatedly.
By Tim
April 13, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Brian—-You’re an idiot. At least the guys from the Hawks supported the Thrashers by coming to the game. You should also check the history of both teams because the Hawks have a few more playoff apperances and wins when matched up to your beloved Thrashers.
By Russ
April 13, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Dan, you’re right non-North American players suck (sarcasm). It looks like all four Rangers goals last night were scored by non-North American players…it looks like you better re-evaluate your statement. People just need to get over the whole European vs. North American player thing…it’s just stupid. How do you think this series would stand right now if not for Jagr, Nylander, Rosival, and Hossa last night? 1-0 Atlanta, right? Sorry you had to deal with the burden of those Euros on your roster.
By Power of Light
April 13, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Who cares about hockey? It is a sport reserved for the homosexually repressed. If my son said he wanted to play hockey, I would buy him a dress!
By Brian
April 13, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Tim - allow me to interject with some factual information rather than emotion. Yes, if we go all the way back to the 1940’s the Tri-Cities Blackhawks did go to the playoffs before they moved to Milwaukee, St. Louis and eventually Atlanta.
However, the Thrashers have only been in existence since the 1999-2000 season. So if you want to match up the two teams, let’s look at who has more playoff appearances since the 1999-2000 season:
Atlanta Thrashers - 1
Atlanta Hawks - 0
As a side note I did receive free tix to a Hawks game (the only reason most people go) this year against the 76ers. Both Bob Hartley and Slava Kozlov were in attendence to that game as well, so the support you can say is going both ways.
Now Tim, do you also dance to La Macarena or is the Hawks playoff appearances the only area in your life that you are stuck in the 90’s?
By Christy
April 13, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
Good morning all.
Two or three recurring thoughts last night. First - anyone remember the scene from the Untouchables where the T-man is killed and the word “touchable” is scrawled behind him? That’s what I thought about Lundquist after we scored the 2nd goal. If Kari can shut down the other end, Thrashers can get to the King.
Second - as I watched Holik’s line have a monster game I couldn’t help but recall all the posts about how Bobby wasn’t worth the money. I’m thinking he just earned a big chunk of that check last night. He, Larsen and Dupuis were the main reason Atlanta was even close to being able to tied it up at the end of the 3rd.
Finally - wow, what an atmosphere. I’ve been to concerts at Philips that weren’t as loud as the crowd. Nice to see.
By Brendan
April 13, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Christy, Blueland was certainly rockin’. The Thrashers were not let down by their fan base. And it was good to see. The Rangers never took the crowd out of the game.
Way to go, Bluelanders!
By Ilya k
April 13, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
If you win the RACE to the PUCK in the corner you win the hockey game!
When the Thrashers skated they won the races. When they stood around they lost those races.
Hockey is a fast game…the team that skates the fastest usually wins!!!!!!!!!
By Jsmooth
April 13, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
I think a lot of you are overestimating the Rangers’ team speed. Other than Marty Straka, Nylander and perhaps Prucha, the Ranjerks aren’t all that speedy. I think we have the edge overall with Belly, Dupuis, Kovy, Hoss (if you compare him to Jagr), Slates (whom I think should play more).
Our combo of size, strength and speed on the red line should be the advantage we exploit if we are to win this series. Last night, the forwards did a pretty good job of back-checking and breaking up plays. The problem is our blueline as the D gives up the zone way too easily and then seems afraid to hit anyone near the circle. Finally, late in the third, our D-men started hitting in the corners and voila! we were moving the puck out faster and easier.
Now if we can just tighten up our passing and stop fumbling passes, we may have a shot. Oh, and it would help to shoot more when your open on the PP (see Havelid’s wrister on goal # 1) or when the D gives you a free look from the circle. One of these days, we will score a goal on the PP when Kozzie decides to flip a wrister at Walt and he re-directs it in.
BELIEVE IN BLUELAND!!!!
By andy
April 13, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
Hey, can you stop with the “Ranjerks” thing? It makes you seem….well, less than intelligent.
And I think you underestimate the Rangers’ team speed. Yes, Strake, Nylander, and Prucha can skate. But, you left out Cullen (one of the quickest guys in the league), Ortmeyer (deceptively fast) and Hollweg (who will be in the lineup Saturday).
By Thrashersfan33
April 13, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Section 120 here with a few comments..
Yes. Blueland was rocking last night and should be the same on Saturday. Very proud of the fans. I agree with the person who said that Evander was cheered because he came to games in the past not because of his skin color. I think a lot of us season ticket holders can deal with ordinary peeps jumping on the bandwagon, but when politicians start doing it, it is shameless.
Yes. KL made a few mistakes, but he wasn’t the only one. Even if you are going to blame him for the fourth goal, you need to blame Kovy, Koz and Hossa for their stats at the end of the night. There were issues with all aspects of the Thrashers TEAM last night, but it is only game 1 and I am sure Hartley and Walt will have things in order for game 2.
Please…put Holloweg in. Avery was getting upset last night with XLB, Jagr wasn’t too happy either, so go ahead and bring in Holloweg. I think one of them will lose their temper in the next game and provide us with the game winning power play.
Remember…this is a best of 7 and the Thrashers have the second best record of any opponent in Madison Square Garden (Florida has the first) so I am not worried about going to MSG tied 1-1.
GO THRASHERS!!
By NYR
April 13, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
Don’t make too big of a deal about a 3-6 matchup. The Thrashers were only 3 points ahead of the Rangers in the standings so it should be a pretty balanced and long series. (the 4 and 5 seeds have more points than the Thrashers) Also, this is hockey, 8 seeds upset 1 seeds pretty regularly.
GO RANGERS!
By Bob
April 13, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
I look for Hoss and Tkachuk to both step up their games on Saturday, that will be a big difference maker.
We need to pot the first goal tomorrow, that is a key to the game.
Remember, the noise we brought last night, we bring it again tomorrow, and Game 5, and Game 7 if needed. Even if we get down a goal or two, which we did last night, you guys keep bringing the noise. For some crazy reason, my voice is fine today, but I sure yelled the whole game. Keep it up fellow Bluelanders, I am very, very proud of my fellow fans for last night’s great support, let’s keep it boys and girls.
Unleash the Fury
By Brendan
April 13, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
Remember what Christy said, folks. There’s gonna be a lot of congestion at CNN Center on Saturday. So … GET THERE EARLY. I’m gonna leave the house at 12:30, find my usual parking spot, and people watch. By my count, there weren’t 10 Rangers jerseys in the crowd. Good!
Where’s the victory party? Slice? McCormick’s? Jocks-n-Jills? HardRock Cafe this time?
By Jsmooth
April 13, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
Andy,
Lighten up! Who cares if I rag on the Rangers’ a little bit. That’s what the playoffs are for! Just because you can’t think of something clever to come back with, don’t get all p**.
And Ortmeyer is hardly what I would call fast. I’ve read several posts by Rangers fans who have admitted that their D is slow and mediocre. Pretty much the same as ours!!
By Brian
April 13, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
Brendan - they are having another “block party” before the game, so plenty to do if you get there early. I would love to know where a good victory party is as well.
By wh
April 13, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
I have to ask - whats with the proud of our fans thing? Isn’t support for the home team suppose to be a given? I wonder if people at the Garden will be backslapping “Hey thanks for showing up for a playoff game!” Half of this post is self congratulatory pandering to those who “cheered for a whole game” Their are some astute Thrashers Fans on these posts that make relevant points. Others .. Not so much.
By Brian
April 13, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
wh - the reason there are all the references to the fan support is because for the last week all we heard was how Ranger fans were going to come in and take over a 1/2 empty building and we would be outcheered in our own arena.
That could not be further from the truth and to be honest, I was flat out surprised myself by just how good the fan support was especially given that I was afraid there was some truth to what was being said about us.
With that being said, this is all a reply to the claims that our “weak fan base” would not give a playoff atmosphere which it did, so we can kill that debate.
By wh
April 13, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Agreed - There is a far more interesting debate - The Panic with Kari. Congratulations to Hartley for destroying Kari’s confidence for the rest of the playoffs. Here’s a scenario I haven’t seen asked - When Hedberg gives up 3 quick ones and it is 3-0 in 1st - Where do you turn? I was in agreement at the start of the playoffs that Hartleys coaching was an edge over Renney. This decision coupled with watching Ilya skate with Mellanby? I believe that has shifted.
By Brian
April 13, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
wh - my first reaction to the Kari benching was you can’t win unless Moose goes undefeated for the rest of the playoffs. If he loses G2, what do you do? If you win G2, do you keep him in there and just bench whoever loses last?
What I do think saves this move is that G3 & G4 in MSG are back-to-back. Now BH can save face and bench a good goalie on the basis of “I want to rest someone on back-to-back nights” (if that decision has to be made for G4).
I don’t think Moose will give up 3 in the first, so I don’t want to even analyze that scenario.
Mellanby decision had me thinking too, but I have been preaching that Holik will step it up for the playoffs, why not Mellanby? Although don’t be surprised if Simmer is back out on that line in G2. He focuses his lines on pairs, with Tkachuk & Kovvy being one pair and Hossa & Kozzy being the other. Whoever the 3rd player is doesn’t matter, although I can’t imagine him removing Belanger from Hoss & Kozzy.
By wh
April 13, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
He should have waited for game 3 if he felt he had to make this move particularly using the back to back games logic. Fans love Moose (Best Jobs in Sports are Backup Goalie and QB - if only __ was in there things would have been different), but there is a reason Kari started 70 games. Think the Rangers aren’t happy to see a backup particularly after winning a game 1 for the 1st time in 10 playoff series?
By Brian
April 13, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
wh - yeah, I’m not sure it makes sense to push the panic button so quickly, personally I felt good heading into G2. But BH knows Kari’s biggest struggles, and that might be why he feels he wants to do this down 1-0 instead of down 2-0…
By wh
April 13, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
I posted to this scenario last night w/ Iceman. See above somewhere. I just saw a post from you earlier about physical nature of Jagr’s play. His physical presence makes a huge difference. No he is not going to pound someone - but it is pretty rare that anyone in the league can take the puck away from when he has any leverage whatsoever. I am sure you have seen him in the past but you will see it again tomorrow, he is very difficult to separate from the puck. This is why he is a hall of fame player. That being said - I think the Thrashers have no choice but to try to pound him, but this is a classic risk/reward scenario. I also believe that you will see some of the Ranger heavyweights who were scratched last night as a 4th line to counter the hitting from last night. There was a very similar scenario against the Flyers down the stretch where this occurred (though not w/ the cheap shots from that game) That may be the primary advantage to taking the game 1 Road Game, they really don’t need to win tomorrow (Not that 2-0 is a hell of a lot better than 1-1).
By Brian
April 13, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
wh - I think we are getting into semantics here on the Jagr “physical” play. I’m talking about last night where he wasn’t even touched most times, so it didn’t matter if he was Theo Fleury or Martin St. Louis. He wasn’t even challenged to begin with where his size became an issue for us.
Now if you bring in Hollweg or some of your heavyweights, I encourage it. On home ice BH is going to have the last line change and no offense to your coach but I think BH wins the matchups if you start throwing those guys out there.
By wh
April 13, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
I agree that Renney would not want to see too many scenarios where a stoppage could impact w/ Heavies out there. Hollweg though is a far more aolid player than credited for (he is not jari kurri) Colton Orr (in the event this speculation even occurs) will be sent out to hammer at XLB directly. You know how it goes - we send a meathead to the box, you lose your best defenseman. This type of nonsense generally doesn’t occur in the playoffs but the Rangers can not allow continuous runs on our skill players w/o response.
By Brian
April 13, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
wh - but even if it’s not on a line change, who are you going to send them out against? We aren’t Buffalo who rolls 4 lines. Sim-Slater-Boulton probably didn’t get much more than 5 minutes last night. You might get them against Holik/Dupuis who I think will beat them, or you have to go against one of our big 2 lines who will burn them. And it wasn’t just X who was hitting last night, a lot of Thrashers were throwing their bodies around.
By wh
April 13, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
I could not say when … It would occur when momentum and the forecheck are going well. Is there risk - yes. But, going home 1-1 is a fully acceptable result .
By Andy
April 13, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
Hey Jsmooth, It was directed solely at you…Just that I have seen it a few dozen times since yesterday and it’s getting tiresome. As for not being able to think of a clever comeback for “Ranjerks”……please.
And Ortmeyer isn’t a defenseman.
By Andy
April 13, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
sorry, I meant NOT directed solely at you…..
By Brendan
April 13, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Gang, that wasn’t “Euro Disney” out there when Ilya was layin’ some smackdown. He hit some people. A couple of times. And it was GOOD to see.
If there is a fight brewing, I don’t think it’s XLB and Jagr. I suspect it’s “X” and Hollweg. They have history together. Hollweg injured XLB for a time. When they next met, “X” tangled with him. It’s probably on UTube.
Brian tells me that Zhitnik’s never been in a fight. I believe him. I can’t recall one either. Since Zhitnik is our best D-man, it really hurts us when/if he takes a penalty. Hopefully, his “fightless” streak will continue. It’s somewhat rare when 5:00 of game time passes without Zhitnik out there.
I don’t often throw props out to Brad Larsen, but I thought he had a pretty decent game. Yes, he was on the stat sheet. But when he came over to Lehtonen to tell him not to throw the puck back at a Ranger player he had just stopped, I thought it was a veteran move. And Darren Eliot mentioned it, too. Maybe Kari was getting a lil too caught up in the emotion of the evening? Folks, Lehtonen will be back when the series shifts to NYC.
By Fuskie
April 13, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
That was the most fun I’ve had at the Arena for a Thrashers game. The first 5 minutes was intense, the stands full, the fans loud, the beer cold and the heart pumping. Even if I did miss 20 minutes from the mid 2nd period to the mid 3rd period. The NY video was really funny but give credit to the winners of the Unlease The Fairy/Furry/Flury/Fury video. Blueland was rockin’ the house last night!
Fuskie, who thanks all those who waved back to the Comcast Zamboni rider during the 2nd intermission…
By Brendan
April 13, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Sorry for posting this twice….
MEMO to 680THEFAN, last time I came to a Saturday afternoon game, your station had incessant March Madness tournament coverage. And literally in mid-sentence, it was interrupted to bring us the Thrashers game. No lead ins. No teasers. It was as if the station “apologized” for having to interrupt the basketball coverage to bring you some “weather update.”
This time around, how ‘bout you give us a FULL HOUR of lead-in coverage? And hype it up, for Cripessake!! These are playoffs!! You are the FLAGSHIP STATION of the Atlanta Thrashers. FLAAAAAGSHIP. May I say, “flagship” one more time? Good. Time to ACT like it. One hour!! Give us an HOUR of coverage to lead in to the opening faceoff.
I don’t want to hear some spiel in rebuttal about how hockey kills your ratings on 680AM. If you don’t want to carry Thrashers games, I’m sure some other station will.
By Nick
April 13, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
Someone please teach the Thrashers how to pass. I think too many people overlook things like that and when you have Ilya 10 feet in front of everyone else and you miss the pass and they take it the other way thats horrible. Considering Kari had 32 shots against him after 2 Im not disappointed in him. Considering Ludqvist had only 16 Im disappointed in our offense. Please “Ice” do not overlook the things such as passing to blame it on someone who had no offensive help all night. Bob Hartley putting in Moose only makes it worse for Kari next time, the confidence he had is now lost even more. The little things have ruined 27 years of revenge in the making, not Kari
By storstark
April 13, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
bob asked about postgame, I’d like to know what people think. Sidebar is best bet IMO.
If there’s not too many, it can go down at my crib in Inman Park, not too far away from DT. I’m smoking two pork shoulders all day (someone will keep adding the hickory while I’m at the game) and have a fifty inch HD for the later games as well as foosball. This obviously contemplates only invitation of the core regulars (you know who you are) rather than every person that stumbles onto AJC. let me know if there is interest.
By Brendan
April 13, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Sidebar will be packed, Storstark. I think I might try HardRock Cafe this time, for postgame. Just to be different. It’s not even that bad of a hike from Philips.