AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFinding the Winning Formula
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two points is two points. Anyway you get ‘em is good, especially if your wearing Thrasher blue these days. It matters not that it took getting the extra point by way of the gimmick known as the shootout. Going into the Hockey Mecca of Toronto and pulling away with a win is, well, good. Here is a list of what else was good about Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout win as well as some un-good and ugly items needing to be addressed.
THE GOOD: Again, the two points of course. Also, for the first time this season the Thrashers were not, repeat, were NOT out-shot, (36-36 including overtime). In fact, the shots favored Atlanta in the first, third and OT.
Enstrom, with his first goal is also el-goodo. Not to be overlooked was his game-high 28:05 TOI and a +2. Perrin with a goal, two helpers and a +2 is way good as is White’s two-point night. Sterling teaming up with Haydar with the assists on Perrin’s goal was good to see. Our young-uns, (sob), they are growing up so fast. Winning face-offs 36-27 is also a good thing.
But the biggest “good” star is for Kovalchuk, (goal, two assists and the winning shootout tally to go with his +2 rating). Kovy continues to play at an unbelievable level. The difference tonight was that he wasn’t alone out there.
OK, sorry, but I have to…
THE UN-GOOD: While it’s nice that we held three separate leads, it’s un-good that we could not hold any of them. It didn’t come back to haunt us this time but normally it will. Getting out-shot 17-7 in the second and going 0-5 on the power play is also un-good.
I was going to put Slava Kozlov in this section, (-1), but look who showed up for the shootout, (as he normally does). Here is hoping that gives him a jump-start.
THE UGLY: Giving up a goal 13 ticks into the game on the wrap-around by Sundin is ugly, (oh, THAT’S what a top-line center can do). Allowing one just a minute-twelve into the second is also aesthetically challenged. But giving up the game-tying goal with 9.3 seconds left on the clock is the most-est ugly. (New Jersey Devils flashbacks anyone)?
This seemingly unshakable habit of allowing scores at the very beginning AND the end of periods is ugly, no… butt-ugly. Gotta get a grip on that.
There were much more good things then un-good and ugly in Toronto Tuesday night. Not surprisingly, it led to a win.
So, I guess the formula to success is G>U+U = 2 points.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By R. Stroz
October 24, 2007 1:15 AM | Link to this
Did I win!
By R. Stroz
October 24, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this
Knock on wood, when Buzilla doesn’t win, the Thrashers do.
Two points for the insomniacs.
By R. Stroz
October 24, 2007 1:48 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - I have a couple of more goods.
1) McCarthy breaking up a 3 on 1.
2) Kozzie teaching Kovy his shoot out form.
By Thrashers27
October 24, 2007 1:54 AM | Link to this
The boys looked decent tonight. Not great, but decent. You’re right about lettin gin goals early and late. They really need to get a handle on that. The late goals bring back memories of the game against Carolina last year when they gave a goal late in the second and third if memory serves.
McCarthy needs to sit. He gives up turnovers like he’s playing for the other team. He did break up a two on one rather nicely though, so I’ll give him a break for one more game. Otherwise, bring in Pops to see how he can do. Klee looked like he was playing for the other team at times tonight as well. Bottom line is that the “D” is the weakest link on this team…as it has always been. At this point I’d rather see blueline help brought in, rather than a center.
Anyway you slice it, I’m glad to see two points. We’re now only nine points out of first.
Keep plugging away boys!!!
By BigBill
October 24, 2007 4:42 AM | Link to this
Pretty solid effort last night… Funny how the first minute and last were so sloppy…
Glad to see White showing up more,but he got shoved off the puck several times as did Perrin, but they played good positional hockey inthe game for sure.
Klee has to sit, simply too slow and seems to be out of position a lot,
McCarthy good on two on one, but lost the puck a couple times…Hedburg looked sharp,I thought he had the puck long enough in the last minute for a stoppage… But that WAS IN Toronto so that makes a difference,
Hope Thorburn is in lineup in Nashville remember totoo has a history of Head Hunting, esp on Ilya… so watch out.
By Bob
October 24, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this
If it wasn’t for Kaberle, the Buds would have an even worse blue line than ours. That was some nice pond hockey to watch.
I wasn’t happy hearing it, but the Toronto announcers just kept saying at the end, “if the Leafs can sustain the forecheck here, we can tie it up, Atlanta is not strong in their own end”, and then they proceed to keep the puck in for like 2 1/2 minutes there at the end except for one mid ice clear. That was hard to watch, I kept yelling at the TV, clear it!
Kovy played a hell of a game. And very nice to see him score the game winner in the shootout and then act like he meant to do it, good show of class, I think fatherhood is maturing our young boy. What is wrong with Hossa, does he even care? He is definitely mailing it in this season.
By UpperDeck4Life
October 24, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
Usually in contract years players play their best hockey….Hossa it seems to be having the reverse effect. I would love for him to stay…but at the same time if we could get a top for defenceman and a young wing in return for him…I’d take it in a heartbeat. I would love a deal to either the Avs or Wild that would get us say Liles and Svatos/Wolski or Burns-PM Bouchard. I want Hossa to resign, but if things go south on that front…or he keeps playing this way, I mean Little and Haydar have more points than he does and Sterling has the same amount with a better plus minus.
Oh, and Steve McCarthy and his -10 officially has the worst +/- in the NHL. It’s time for him to sit and Popovic be given some ice time. Oh, and Jimmy Slater and his -7 can take a spot next to him in the sky box as well.
Here is a telling stat as well, Thrashers goaltenders have a 4.33 GAA and a .871 Save % on the season. Those kind of stats won’t get you to the playoffs.
By Sara
October 24, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
I was glad to get the 2 pts, especially since I HATE losing to the Leafs, but the bottom line is the team barely squeaked out a win against a team playing about as bad as they have been. Doesn’t actually say much. Glad to see White score a goal since he owed us one after his bone-headed screw up led to the Sundin goal. Why does this team feel the need to pass the puck back into its own zone all the time??
Hedberg has played un-good too. A goalie has to win that fight on the line to keep the puck out and he lost it - twice. I initially wasn’t overly worried when Kari went down because Moose has been huge for us, but you can’t tell from the past two games.
The overtime was fantastic though - I would have thoroughly enjoyed watching that game if I hadn’t had a personal interest in it.
One other good, BTW, was the Thrashers managing to stay out of penalty trouble. Historically this team has struggled to keep its cool against the Leafs (although not having to put up with Tucker is a bonus there), but they didn’t resort to chippy play often (benefits of dumping Sutton and the wonder twin elbows), particularly in the last couple of minutes when they spent the whole time chasing the Leafs around the defensive zone.
Lastly, would someone please call the American Embassy in Slovakia and tell them to put out an APB on Marian Hossa? Apparently he didn’t make it back to the US this summer. rolls eyes sheesh!
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 24, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
R.Stroz - I will not have you make allegations that when I win the “first post contest” that the Thrashers lose. You have very little statistical data to support your slanderous accusations. Perhaps one of the resident stat nerds could help you dig up some numbers on this but it would be futile. I alone do not control the destiny of this franchise with my posting habits.
good day to you sir.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 24, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
Fun game last night. The bookend goals by the Leafs was a bit much to take but still a lot of brite spots in the game. Our kids are really coming along. All of them.
Anyone else notice on the broadcast last night (for those that have the center ice package) that the Leafs broadcast didn’t show the X hit on Sundin? They had all these clips of us getting them, them getting us, some fights, some big hits, but no X ‘killing’ Sundin. That clip is probably about as popular as Hull’s skate in the crease clip is in Buffalo.
2-7….still sucks…
By Rawhide
October 24, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
2-7-0 is better then 1-8-0.
3-7-0 will be better still.
By Brian
October 24, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this
Thrashers27 - I made those same comments earlier about the Carolina game, I know exactly what you are thinking.
Buzzilla - we are 2-7, you didn’t win on the Thrashers victory for this blog which leaves only 1 other Thrashers win, it doesn’t take a stat nerd to figure out the odds of you winning and the Thrashers winning don’t correlate…
We all seem to agree on the rest as well. Great game, Hossa is disappointing right now, Kovy should have a “C”, etc…
Can’t wait for the Preds game.
By Tom
October 24, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
So we have beat the Rangers and Toronto. We are starting to see the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
I have to say that Hossa is playing in his playoff form this season. Could it be true that he nuts up under pressure no matter what?
Kolvachuk is playing like he is possessed. I like the combination of Enstrom and Kolvachuk, there is some great chemistry there.
Time to remake the power play and have it Enstrom - Kolvachuk - Sterling - Little - Haydar …
The young guys get the puck on the net and have great chemistry between them.
Kissing Hossa’s behind to get him to re-sign is hurting us as he is incapable of taking the shot right away on the power play. He and Kozlov insist the goalie see’s them and nods before they will take a shot.
Defensively we are in bad shape. Klee 0(rhymes with Tree), McCarthy -10, Zhitnik -5, and Havlid 0 are a mess. When Enstrom is proclaimed our best defenseman at 5’10” and 175 things are not great on the Blue Line.
By Brian
October 24, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Tom - I was hoping someone wasn’t going to bring up the Hossa playoff thing because I think you have something there. If we were offered a top line center or #1 d-man I would take it in a heartbeat for Hossa right now. I think we will be in the playoffs again and I don’t feel confident with Hossa being there for us, as well now he is tanking it in the season. His value has to be high right now because he had 100 pts last year and any bad play this year can be faulted on unhappiness (ungoodness)…
By FRENZY
October 24, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
Book-end goals were ugly. I wish I knew how many times we have given up a goal in the last minute and first minute of every period dating back to last season. Happens way to much and as a fan I expect it especially at the end of the period.
2nd period last night was horrible.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 24, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
Brian, this blog was started AFTER the Thrashers game…so it don’t count brotha!
By Thrasher Ryan
October 24, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
Rawhide—Please address the radio issue. Use your new powers for the good of all mankind(in Blueland). Thanks buddy.
By Rawhide
October 24, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
RYAN - Ok so my list now is:
Thrasher Link on main page - CHECK
Rawhide in blue letters - CHECK
Getting Thrashers first win, (and now second win) - CHECK
Introducing new word, “un-good”, into the lexicon - CHECK
That leaves me with:
Getting radio signal outside of the perimter.
And….
Keeping that thing with Zilla’s fiance and Ranallo a secret………
(OOPS)….
By R. Stroz
October 24, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - Don’t worry, I’m sure Ranallo doesn’t mind and Zilla’s finace can’t read, Zilla said so.
By R. Stroz
October 24, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
Buzilla - The Thrashers winning formula is simple, if you don’t win the first blog entry before the game and the first blog entry after the game, the Thrashers win, if you win either, we’re singing the blues.
Stats back it up. :>)
By Russ
October 24, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - I don’t know how far your powers extend, but I have something to add to your list. Talk Niedermayer and Salanne into coming out of retirement, but only with the demand that Burke trades them to the Thrashers. Then talk Burke into Niedermayer, Selanne, and Bryzgalov for Klee, Larsen, and Lehtonen. Pull it off and you will be Rawhide almighty.
By Adam
October 24, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
Wow Tom & Brian- How quick are the 2 of you to throw Hossa under the bus…
The 1st time I pulled a groin it took about 4 weeks to feel 100%. I clearly remember it feeling good after 2 weeks and got on the line playing football thinking I was good to go. 3rd stride after the 1st snap I felt it go again. The 2nd time I pulled it I made sure not to push myself to hard for almost 6 weeks. I didn’t have the Doctors he has available to him so he should be able to get back quicker than that especially if it was a minor pull.
I will say this though pulling a groin more often that not is from poor preparation and happens when you’re accelerating on cold legs. If you warm up and stretch correctly your usually good to go. I would bet that the poor play to start the season had/has him down and he failed to prep fully before he pulled it.
Give him some time he’ll be ok. I’d hate to see him push it now and be out 6-8 weeks with a major pull like Kari.
By Brian
October 24, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
Adam - Hossa’s playoff struggles have been well documented since 1999. I wouldn’t call that quick to throw him under the bus. At first I thought your groin story was leading to another joke involving Buzilla’s fiance, but really, Hossa has been like this for a long time.
Rawhide - I can also add one more accomplishment to your list. I have you to thank for introducing me to the intricacies of cheap jewelry.
Stroz - whatever we do, we must be first to post on Rawhide’s blog. For the love of Thrasherville, just do it!
By Brian
October 24, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Stroz & Rawhide - while computing the winning formula, some interesting results came out regarding one of our fellow bloggers. The results can be viewed here
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 24, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
Quit taking about my wifes groin…
( . Y . )
By R. Stroz
October 24, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
Brian - That’s laugh out loud great.
Save the Thrashers, beat Buzilla to the blog!
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 24, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
I….am not a jinx
By ranallo10
October 24, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Rawhide — That’s inconceivable!
R.Stroz — I don’t mind, but that “thing” is really starting to itch! She should get that checked out.
Adam — Having pulled my groin a few times in the past (no joke, being completely serious) I know exactly what you mean. It’s hard to get the confidence back in that part of your muscles once you’ve injured it. With every step up, and every acceleration , you feel a scary pain. It’s painful, and I can understand being hesitant to push it so soon after even a minor injury. I’d rather watch him glide around now and be here until he’s either traded or re-signed than watch him pull a Kari and be out for a month (which would seriously impact his trade value).
He needs lots of bananas, water, and plenty of stretching.
Hossa will come through, let’s give him his fair chance.
By Tim
October 24, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
Brian, Hossa has 35 pts in 55 playoff game. It’s not great as we know Hossa can be better, but is not all that bad: 0.64 pts per playoff game.
By Matt H
October 24, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
Wonder Twin Powers… Activated!
Form of… Two-Minute Minor!
By Brian
October 24, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
Tim - Hossa has 7 trips to the playoffs. 26 of Hossa’s 35 points came in ‘02 & ‘03 (10 pts & 16 pts in 12 games and 18 games). That means that he scored 9 points in the remaining 25 games from those other 5 years. It looks very ungood when you break down the numbers…
By Rawhide
October 24, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
SARA & MATT H - For those of us old enough to understand what that means,…that’s hysterical!
RANALLO - Let’s HOPE there is no…conceiving…that is going to happen.
I’m going to make a small ammendment to my post here. Although the Power Play was “officially” 0-5, in fact Perrin’s goal was scored just as the PP expired. Therefore, it was the product of a power Play. So, I’m gonna view it unofficially as 1-5.
By ranallo10
October 24, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
“benefits of dumping Sutton and the wonder twin elbows”
Good line Sara (thanks for the reminder Matt, I forgot to give her props).
By Tom
October 24, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Adam
As someone who has watched every game over the past 2 years except 3 while traveling, I confess to being a Thrasher addict.
And in that time I have watch Hossa play. Groin pull or no groin pull, Hossa is skating tentatively like he did during the playoffs.
Now I hope he is nursing the groin pull, but I am doubting it.
What I really think is that Hossa is nutting up. He is a great player when he just plays, but when the pressure is on for him to perform on the big stage he is not the same player.
I hate to say that because I think he is a great person.
By Adam
October 24, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
Well then he, Buzz & Buzz’s SO need to go see a shrink together. Actually maybe a bigger group session is in order. Add Stroz, Brian, ranallo & all the Bobs. RH, CC, Brendan & Sara can take turns mediating as anyone doing it for too long alone would go nuts themselves. ;)
Really though, maybe someone should recommend Hoss go to a sports therapist. Don could see if the new agent would bring it up.
By Brian
October 24, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Adam - accuse me of needing the session, but I provided pure facts above, and the numbers don’t lie. Anything that has been said here has already been said in Ontario.
By Adam
October 24, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Brian- No questioning your info or numbers. Just adding your stats and humor to the group.
By Brian
October 24, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
Adam - We love humor on this blog. Just beware, sometimes it spins off into a vortex about Buzilla’s fiance or Alf…
By ranallo10
October 24, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Well, that IS her nickname…
By Rawhide
October 24, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
Book-end goals were ugly. I wish I knew how many times we have given up a goal in the last minute and first minute of every period dating back to last season.
FRENZY - I’ll get my staff right on that…
Staff??,….Brian?….CM?…..Staff?? STAFF???
DAMN IT!!
By Brian
October 25, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - I am sad to say that I actually have something for you. I ran something for last year that I can pull up. It was for how many times a goal was scored either the first 2 minutes or last 2 minutes of a period. I didn’t know last year that you were going to make a special request, so this is not according to just 1 minute in or 1 minute left, but I will share my data below:
Total GA: 241 GA in first 2 min or last 2 min of a period: 53 (22%) OT goals not included
1st 2 min of 1st GA: 6 Last 2 min of 1st GA: 12 1st 2 min of 2nd GA: 6 Last 2 min of 2nd GA: 5 1st 2 min of 3rd GA: 9 Last 2 min of 3rd GA: 15
Oh yeah, Carolina scored 7 of the 53
I will put my disclaimer on this now that these numbers have not been audited…
By Brian
October 25, 2007 12:26 AM | Link to this
I hate this formatting sometimes. Here it is more readable
1st 2 min of 1st GA: 6
Last 2 min of 1st GA: 12
1st 2 min of 2nd GA: 6
Last 2 min of 2nd GA: 5
1st 2 min of 3rd GA: 9
Last 2 min of 3rd GA: 15
By Brian
October 25, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - I should also add that my analysis from last year proved correct. See, 2 minutes into a period plus 2 minutes left in a period = 4 minutes out of a 20 minute period, or 1/5, or 20%. Since 22% of the GA were in those parameters, and 22% is close to 20%, there is not much abnormal about the results and the Thrashers GA seemed fine. You can make the argument that you should play harder in the last minute of play, but I want my guys playing hard 100% of the time anyway…
By Brendan
October 25, 2007 5:42 AM | Link to this
Good stats! Good lord, it must have taken forever to find them all. The worst part of all the work that goes into compiling those stats is … someone will “pop in” with a one sentence “blurb” that summarizes it all with a cliche. Which one? “It’s a 60-minute game, not 59:59.” Yeah, thanks for that reminder! It took 4 hours to compile the stats!!, screams the researcher. Kidding. Hockey research is a labor of love.
A goal coming at 12:42 of the 2nd period counts just as much as a goal at 19:59 of the 3rd period. Like Brian said, but I want my guys playing hard 100% of the time anyway.
Last week I was watching Florida play at Montreal. The Habs utterly dominated, but the Cats scored with 10 seconds left. Then won it in the shootout. I can’t remember if the final score was 2-1 or 3-2. But it would be even more demoralizing for a Montreal fan if it were 2-1. It means you were 10 seconds away from a shutout victory, but instead, you wind up losing, in the shootout.
Ahhh, yes. But that’s why the NHL instituted that “loss point,” right? To protect teams that suck and can’t hold leads … to artificially prolong their postseason aspirations and bolster ticket sales down the stretch. And so forth. But shhh. Don’t tell anyone. It’ll be our “little secret.”
By Brian
October 25, 2007 7:26 AM | Link to this
Brendan - actually, I do this for work many of times, so I am used to pulling stuff like this. You learn how to do data pulls rather quickly. But the point of the exercise for last year was that just as many goals were scored in the 4 min (first 2 min & last 2 min) that start and begin a period as any other 4 min, like say from 8:00 - 12:00 mark of a period. Next time I will put them in a chart to show why Buzilla is a jinx…
Oh yeah, I taped the Preds game from Tues and watched them last night (Wed, instead of watching the Sabres/Canes game), sort of to get pumped up for playing Nash on Thu (another reason you should get the dvr Brendan). Anyway, they played the Kings and now I know what you were talking about. The Kings looked fantastic. But there is no way LA is parting ways with Camarelli. Same goes for Kopitar and Frolov…
By JayBird
October 25, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Nice job on the stats, Brian. Very, very interesting. And yes, dvr is one of the greatest inventions ever!
I am excited about playing the Preds tonight, should be an entertaining game. Which Thrashers team shows up? That is the million dollar question for every game. Maybe we will put together a winning streak and actually show a little bit of consistency.
By Rawhide
October 25, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Some numbers for you as we go into tonight’s game in Nashville.
Stats where the two teams are comparable:
Goals per Game: Nashville averages 2.25, (27th in the NHL). Thrashers are 2.22, (28th).
Goals Against per Game: Nashville 3.75, (28th). Atlanta 4.44, (30th, dead last).
Shots Taken per Game: Nashville 25.8, which is 24th in the NHL. Atlanta 25.0, (27th).
Numbers that separate the two squads slightly:
Shots Against per Game: Nashville at 29.6, (21st) and the Thrashers face 34.2, (29th).
The Predators Power Play is ranked 22nd in the league at 15.6% compared to Atlanta’s 29th ranked 10.0%.
The big difference here is the Penalty Kill. Nashville has been at least average with a success rate of 83.8%, which places them in the 13th spot. Atlanta is struggling with a 68.6% rate, which puts them 29th overall.
So, if there is one thing to look for tonight is if we can do anything with the man advantage. If we can notch a goal or two during these situations it would neutralize the other stats.
That, and continuing to get more pucks on net.
By Brendan
October 25, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
Where’s the best and/or cheapest place to get the DVR? I want one! (I have Comcast. Do they offer one? Actually, Tony C. should know this stuff.) I was so flustered, watching that 2nd period intermission of the Leafs game, the other night. (Missing the 3rd period and beyond.)
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 25, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Bredndan. They offer one for like $8 a month. Its the best thing since the cell phone, call waiting, and High Def TV
By Brian
October 25, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Brendan - mine came for free with NFL Sunday Ticket which beats the heck out of paying a monthly fee every month. I didn’t even want the thing but they gave it to me. Now that I know how to use it I wish I would’ve gotten one with more hours for storage…
By Adam
October 25, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Brendan - Fry’s has pretty good prices. If you by online try NewEgg
My plan is to build a MultiMedia PC soon. Record & Play simultaneously directly from the computer.
By Brendan
October 25, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
Brian, I agree. I doubt the Kings would be willing to part with any of that. The time to snare Cammalleri was October/November of 2006, when he was relatively unproven, and when it became apparent that we had no real solution for the loss of Marc Savard, offensively.
I do want to point out something else. Offensively, Marc Savard is worth $5 million, by today’s standards. He’s probably worth a little more than that by 2007-08 pricing standards. You can all probably guess what I might say next. But was he worth it in 2006 dollars?? And what’s more, that figure fails to take into consideration how much Savard costs your team DEFENSIVELY. That is the inherent danger in determining an offensive player’s value—namely, the failure to take into account that forward’s defensive lapses. That has to include “penalty minutes” as well. Someone probably has the stats on how many times Savard was in the box when the other team cashed in on PP goals.
Should thaaat affect his value?? YESSSSSS! Yes, it should. I cannot even believe someone would have to “ask” that. But yet, GM’s … that is, people who are supposed to know better, and are PAID to know better, IGNORE these aspects of a Forward’s play. If a player is doing $5 million-worth of damage to your team, it negates the $5 million worth of benefit he provides to that team.
Has Marc Savard ever been a Selke trophy candidate? Sorry, I should have prefaced that by saying, “please put down any beverage you might be holding, and swallow before reading.” If you now have coffee or soda all over your keyboard or neatly-pressed white shirt, I won’t accept a dry cleaning bill. So don’t even “think” about it.
Now, compare that to Hossa. Has Hossa ever been a Selke trophy candidate? See the difference? That difference should also be reflected in the price.
By Adam
October 25, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
Newegg
Sorry this link should work.
By Brian
October 25, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Adam - hasn’t that already been out there for years now? It’s called a TV Tuner Card. I had one from Gateway about 4 years ago. It sucked though because I had to hook it up via S cable from my dish (which are only 3 feet long) so I had to move my computer right next to the window where my dish was. Technology must have improved that dramatically over the years though…
By Brendan
October 25, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
Adam, Buzilla, Brian, “thanks.” I’ll definitely look into that one. $8 a month … that’s one lunch. Just about. Yeah, I think I could “brown bag” it once a month.
While we’re on “good values,” I was able to pick up the NFL Network for only $5 a month, because I already subscribe to Center Ice on Comcast. I think that’s a sweet deal. I don’t know what it costs if you don’t have Center Ice, though.
The cost of Center Ice, if you’re a new subscriber, is $169.00. Actually, it should be less than that. They were running a special for $20 off. So, it’s $149.00 for the year. Now, if you wait until December to buy it, the price will drop to $129.00. And if you wait all the way ‘til the February trade deadline, it’s $49.00. And who knows? For that $49.00, it might just be “free” for the next year … provided you never call Comcast to inquire about your “status” with that package.
By JayBird
October 25, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
For you guys who have Comcast or other cable and a DVR, do they offer dual tuners? I have Directv and my DVR has two tuners, which is great. I can watch one thing while recording another or record two things at the same time. I’m asking because I may be moving soon and not sure if I will keep Directv.
By ranallo10
October 25, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
JayBird — My Comcast DVR does have dual tuners.
By Brian
October 25, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
Brendan, Adam, Buzilla, JayBird - so do any of you have the NHL channel yet? When is that supposed to be out?
By FRENZY
October 25, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Brian thank you for putting that together. Even though the numbers 22% vs. 20% look right, it seems that to many of the goals in the last 30 seconds are due to attention lapses by the team. If they skated a little harder at the end of the period it would definitely help our GA.
I was surprised it was not worse.
By Brian
October 25, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
ranollo - I should have said you as well, do you have the NHL channel yet?
By Brendan
October 25, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
Brian, I don’t have the NHL channel. Maybe Tony C. can find out when Comcast will get it. If they already have it, I don’t know where it is. My Center Ice channels are 771-784, I believe. But they’re ALL Center Ice. I wonder how much “extra” it would cost to have it.
Ranallo, does it cost “extra” to have the dual tuners? If not, that’s what I’ll ask for! Why not, if it’s all the same price??
By ranallo10
October 25, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
No, I don’t. Center Ice only.
By ranallo10
October 25, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
I believe it’s standard with the DVR setup. They’ll send you a new box (or you can pick them up from a Comcast location, there’s one by the Big Chicken), it’ll be a pretty silver and have lots of gadgets and do-hickeys.
I’ve got Digital HD with DVR, so I’m not sure what a non HD box will come with.
Tony C. is our resident Comcast expert though, so maybe he can answer your questions.
By Brian
October 25, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
Frenzy - I think almost any goal can be due to an attention lapse, wouldn’t you? I hear what you are saying but it still comes down to what I said earlier, I want my guys playing hard 100% of the time. If they skated a little harder during that goal at the 15:00 min mark it would help our GA as well…
By JayBird
October 25, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Ranallo. Dual tuners is a must. You can have a game on each tuner and flip back and forth. The great thing is you can rewind it and see what you missed.
By kracker
October 25, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
Rawhide, here is a nice one for your to-do list: sync up the Thrash 680 audio with the Thrash SportSouth video. No matter how low I keep the radio sound during an away game I can always hear that fog horn a couple of seconds before they score on the TV.
Good job on the blog. I just have to get my priorities right so I can read more hockey…I’m sleeping way too much I am thinking.
By Brian
October 25, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
kracker - tv waves are sent on a delay (not really delayed, just transmitted through a few more things). As well, if you are ever at a sportsbar, you will notice the HD tvs are not in sync with the other tvs for the same reason…
By kracker
October 25, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
Brian, thanks for the response, Are you the blog guy? I am only refering to a standard cable TV transmission. I realize it may not be exactly the same for everybody but most everyone watches on cable TV like Comcast or Charter using satelite links. Sports bars I don’t care about, nobody will ever watch the game in a sports bar and listen to Kamal on the radio. But that is waht I prefer to do at home. So I am just wondering if anyone ever thought about trying to make the two a bit more synced-up, within a second or so would be nice. Thanks.
By stendec
October 25, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
I am so disgusted right now. Never thought I would witness Thrashers mail one in. I DID TONIGHT. Total non-effort. Went through skating motions for three periods. That was it. What has happened to our division champions? The ones who played with such fire and pride? Oh yes, did not cast vote in offensive poll. There was no NONE OF THE ABOVE section. Truly sad.
By LAC
October 26, 2007 4:33 AM | Link to this
Last night brought back visions of Philadelphia… when the GM stated…
” I did not like how we lost”
Then fired Hartley, this game was worse,when will the owners realize this team is not good and this is not working ?
We are defending division champions, we are supposed to be IMPROVING… Instead we are The Laughing Stock of the NHL right now…
Time, like someone said… Bring up the younger players from Chicago… This season IS OVER.
BTW… what happened tothe team I watched in the first preseason game in St.Louis,albeit preseason,but St.Louis had their regulars on the ice that night and we out skated them, out hit them, out shot them and outscored them… We had 4 regulars in the lineup…
Granted preseason, but it was a completely different team I saw that night… Where are the kids ?