AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 19
Friday, October 19, 2007
Started With Rangers, Ended With Rangers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(With apologies to the late Pres. Gerald Ford): Ladies and gentlemen of Blueland, our long national nightmare is finally over.
What began with a 4-3 loss in game one of the first round of the playoffs to the Rangers ended with a 5-3 win over that same team. The last time we spoke of a victory was the last game of the regular season, a 3-2 shootout win over Tampa Bay. Seemed like forever, did it not?
So, the post-Hartley era stands at 1-0-0.
A few plays and players stood out to me tonight.
The first goal, scored by Dupuis on an awesome backhanded pass from Brad Larson, was thing of beauty. Garnet Exelby’s strong showing, (21:37 TOI, 1 assists, +2), and playing stand up defense. Moose did very well coming off the bench. For that matter, I thought Kari looked very sharp B.G., (Before Groin). Todd White with a goal and a helper. The Baby Blue line hooked up for another score. And it’s always nice when a power play goal is scored before the announcer can finish citing the penalty, as with Hossa’s.
But the best showing of the night was the overall physical game. I was getting ready to put out an Amber Alert for it prior to last night. XLB’s shot on Prucha was landed just in front of their bench but I felt it in section 106, (OW-ICH)! The Thrashers are a team that cannot allow them selves to be pushed around. Last night they were clearly the more aggressive team. This must continue.
These are all very, very good visuals to take away from Philips. However, there are still some ominous signs that don’t bode well for the future, (I know, I know, I’m raining on the parade).
Once again, we were out shot 36-28, (The 36 being the main concern).
We still have not held a team to fewer then 3 goals in any of the seven games this season.
The Thrashers were beaten in the face off circle by a 36-24 margin.
The Rangers converted 3 of 7 power play opportunities.
So, there is still much work to be done. But at least that fat goose egg has been shoved out of the W column, and that was job number one. The work continues in Tampa tomorrow.
Oh, and if you wondering, we are four points out of the #8 spot in the conference.
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