AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 04
Sunday, November 4, 2007
He might not BE the captain, but…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Shortly after Ilya Kovalchuk scored a shorthanded goal to bring Atlanta to within two goals of the Tampa Bay Lightning, sparking an amazing come-from-behind victory, color analyst Darren Eliot said, “He might not BE the captain, but he sure IS the leader”. Truer words have not been spoken. The Atlanta forward set in motion with that goal the same type of furious comeback that fell just short two nights prior. Maybe the difference this time was that they did not wait until halfway through the third period to begin the mission. Kovy notched his second hat trick in as many games and threw in an assist for good measure as he all but single-handedly is turning this team into contenders once again.
I’m beginning to think that Superman wears Ilya Kovalchuk pajamas to bed at night.
The game began well as Tobias, (excuse me, To-BEE-us as they call him in CAH-nu-duh), Enstrom nailed a power play goal half way into the opening period to give the Thrashers a lead. For the record, I also thought it was a good sign when the first commercial break of the game came before the Thrashers gave up a goal. But that was followed by four unanswered Lightning goals that left the team down by three. To be honest, one could feel sorry for Ondrej Pavelec who was making his first ever NHL start. Two goals came as Garnet Exelby was lying on or around him and another was scored as it deflected off of Eric Perrin’s stick. (To be fair to XLB, on one of those goals he was doing all he could to help kill a penalty with no stick). Said the team’s leader about the young net minder, “ The first two [goals] they got a couple lucky bounces. They had a couple great chances, and it was just amazing. His glove is unbelievable. I tried to beat him in practice, it’s really tough”.
Oh? Fortunately, he didn’t find Johan Holmqvist quite so tough.
Kovy’s second goal tied it in the third and Pascal You-Me-And Dupuis gave the Thrashers the game winner at 17:52 on a nifty pass from Bryan Little. Ilya’s hat trick then came on an empty netter to seal the deal. Marion Hossa, (you remember him, don’t you), followed up Kovalchuck’s first goal 61 seconds later with one of his own.
The win ends the seven game trip on a winning note as the Thrashers picked up eight of the possible fourteen points. It also began the next important series of games for the Thrashers on an up tic. Including Saturday night’s game, the team will play eight straight against division foes. As important as the road trip record was, this series of games are even more critical. Doing well will bring the team right back into the thick of things as we will play Carolina, Washington and Florida all twice as well as Tampa Bay once again.
So, there is much to be happy about as we make our plans to return to Blueland Tuesday. The team has found a pride in their play not seen in many moons and the future looks brighter then it did when the team last exited the confines of the St. Pete Times Forum. It all started with #17’s brilliant individual play and now it seems to be spreading throughout the entire team. He has taken flight and right now is carrying the whole team on his back.
Now some quick shots, then I’m off to surf EBAY to see if I can find me some Kovy PJs.
Hossa Sighting: Marion Hossa was a +2 with a goal and an assist. If he is waking up, as Kozy has of late, then things are definitely on the ups.
Reverse Production: The Thrasher’s shot production per period was 9-8-5 while their goal production per period was 1-2-3.
Say Again: Yes, they scored 3 goals on just 5 shots on goal in the third. So, maybe if they take LESS shots………….???
Stay Right There Don: The Thrashers are now 5-3-0 since The Don stepped behind the bench. Continuing at that pace would land Atlanta at 95 points.
Nobody Wake Up Ilya: Kovy has 7 points in the last 2 games. If he keeps up that pace, he’ll end up with 257 points. (I was just seeing if you were paying attention).
One Un-Good Thing: The Thrashers were out shot again, this time by a 22-34 margin. Unless you count only regulation in Montreal, Atlanta has not out shot an opponent all season.
Power Increase: The Thrashers power play came to life on the road. When they began the trip, it was floundering around the bottom of the league at 9%. Now it is 23rd best at 14.8%.
Passing Out Pluses: Kovalchuk was a +3 Saturday night. The following players were all a +2, Enstrom, XLB, Havelid, Hossa, Holik, Little and Perrin. White a +1.
Who Da Man?: Enstrom normally leads games with Total Ice Time, and deservedly so. However, Saturday night it was Kovy with 26:17. Looks like The Don knows who The Man is.
