AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBring Out Your Dead (CLANG)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD…(CLANG)!
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD…(CLANG)!
I’m sure your all familiar with this scene from Monty Python’s Holy Grail. The one where the Cart Master is collecting the dead during the Black Plague and a “customer” looks to take advantage of the situation, ridding himself of an old man. Only thing is that he isn’t quite dead yet and doesn’t want to go.
“Here’s one”, says the customer. “Nine pence”, replies the Cart Master. “I’m not dead yet”, begs the old man.
If you haven’t seen this, it’s a classic. Hysterical.
“Ere, he says he’s not dead”, objects the Cart Master. “Yes he is”, responds the customer. “I’m not”, cries the old man. Cart Master, “He isn’t”? Customer, “Well, he will be soon. He’s very ill”.
Then the old man insists, “I’m getting better”!
“I’m getting better”. The Atlanta Thrashers, who began the year winless in their first six, can sympathize with the old man in the second scene of this very funny flick, lying across the shoulders of one who can’t wait to toss him on the death wagon and have him carted away. There were so many who seemed ready to bury the Thrashers after those six games. Division foes, northeastern hockey elitists, writers, and even a handful of bloggers had the team draped over their backs and ready to give ‘em the heave-ho.
The customer then goes on, “No your not! You’ll be stone dead in a moment”. The Cart Master protests, “Oh, I can’t take him like that. It’s against regulations”. Old man, “I don’t want to go on the cart”.
Apparently, the Thrashers weren’t ready to go on the cart either. But after winning their first game of the season they reverted to form by getting drilled in Tampa 6-2 to start the road trip. At that point the standard consensus was that this team had, indeed “assumed room temperature”.
Yes, some were of the mind that the Thrashers had, to paraphrase another Monty Python scene, passed on! This team is no more! It has ceased to be! It has expired and gone to meet its maker! It is stiff! Bereft of life, they rest in peace! … Pushing up the daisies! Its metabolic processes are now history! It’s off the twig! The team had kicked the bucket, its shuffled off it’s mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin’ choir invisible! This is an ex-parrot…or ex-contending team…or…oh, you get the point.
But unlike the parrot in that skit which had “kicked the oxygen habit”, the Thrasher are indeed alive. Fresh off two stunning come from behind efforts in Ottawa and Tampa, the team returned to the comfy confines of Blueland and worked a 2-1 overtime victory against the Capitols. It took another goal from Kovy, (7 in the past 3 games). But when he went down in the second the defense and goaltending took over the show from there. The Caps had taken 16 shots in the first period but managed only that same number in the last two periods, none in OT. The Thrashers launched 23 shots after the first and won the game via White’s goal on the second shot of extra time. (Rstroz then promptly fainted in section 210).
Where life was breathed into this team last week with offense, it was continued last night by way of a defensive stand, and it could not have come at a better time. They have now vaulted from the cellar to third place in the division and tied for 11th in the conference, a scant 3 points out of the 8th position.
The Thrashers are now 6-9-0, winners of 4 of it’s last 5 and 6 of it’s last 9.
Sparking life into the team is none other then the afore mentioned Ilya Kovalchuk. The Russian Rocket had tallied hat tricks in the two straight games to end the road trip and has 13 goals and 20 points on the season. The A on his jersey has come to stand for “Astounding” or “Awesome” or “Absolutely wonder-fantabulous”!
The power play no longer resembles a four corners prevent offense. It drives the puck to the net and actually gets off shots. Where the Thrashers once sat toward the bottom of the league in production with the man advantage at 9%, it now is more respectable, 14.8% going into Tuesday’s game.
The Chicago Connection continues to contribute in big ways. The goaltending has solidified, (thanks in large part to one Mr. Pavelec). The defense, while still bending, is not breaking so much. The effort is far more acceptable then in the first two weeks of the season. The “team speed” is finally starting to pay dividends. When facing a deficit the team responds more like a spring coil, bouncing back, rather then a lawn chair folding up.
So, if the NHL Cart Master is indeed rolling through the streets of the league looking for teams that have already “circled the drain” and gone “Tango Uniform” in regards to this season, then he can pass right by and roll right down the road. He might find the carcass of a bird next door at the dome, but there isn’t one to be found at Philips.
The Thrashers are indeed, “getting better”!
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By R. Stroz
November 7, 2007 1:31 AM | Link to this
And the Winner Is
By R. Stroz
November 7, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this
And the Winner Is
By R. Stroz
November 7, 2007 1:45 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - Those of us located in Section 210 didn’t faint after White’s goal, we chanted CHARMIN…CHARMIN…CHARMIN.
By Tony C.
November 7, 2007 3:02 AM | Link to this
No way!
Yall really said “charmin”?
sweet
I’m ok with #17 taking the next game off…what do yall think?
By Sara
November 7, 2007 6:44 AM | Link to this
Oh the ironies - only a day after Waddell said this team wouldn’t be winning games 2-1, what do they do? Possibly even more amazing is that they did it without Kovy - even discounting his offensive contributions, he has become the life-blood of this franchise. I guess he must have been channeling his energy back onto the bench. And holy Pavelec!
Tony C. I’m not sure that will be necessary. If it turns out to only be back spasms, Kovy’s got a good few days here to rest up before Saturday’s game. Certainly I’d hold him out of practice for at least today and tomorrow but not necessarily the game. They are playing the division leader, #2 overall in the East - that’s the kind of game where we really need Kovy. Obviously I don’t want him to play if he could get hurt worse but I’m hoping that won’t be an issue. Lord knows it sounds like the team doctors would have to bench him - more like hog-tie him to his locker - to keep him off the ice.
By Sara
November 7, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
I need to correct myself since I totally brain-farted and forgot we play the Panthers on Friday. I still think Kovy can rest for two days and possibly be ready to go, but it might make more sense to potentially rest him against FLA to make sure he’s ready to go on Sat. But the Cats have been playing well thus far so I’d just as soon have Kovy on the ice than not (not that I think anyone on these boards wouldn’t). At the very least he needs to hang by the bench instead of the press box for moral support. ;)
By raindawg722
November 7, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
Nice extended analogy with the “Bring Out Your Dead,” skit. The only problem is that scene doesn’t end real well for the old man if I recall correctly.
By GaVaHokie
November 7, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this
The other thing that should be mentioned was the individual effort of Todd White to dive after the puck to keep it in the zone, which went to Kozlov and THEN back to Todd White for the GWG.
By Hip Czech
November 7, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
And the other other thing that should be mentioned is White’s work along the end boards to draw the Caps last penalty in the 3rd period.
White had a solid game…if he is ‘charmin’, at least he’s now 2-ply.
By Hockeyfan
November 7, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
Zhitnik played well last night. Ovechkin with only 2 shots last night. Brashear got to play doorkeeper all night while staying on the bench the entire game.
Can we join hands now and sing “Always look on the bright side of life”
By J.B.
November 7, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
I’ll be anxiously awaiting Ilya’s MRI results today… I’m extatic about the way the Thrashers are playing but Oh My God would it be a chink in the armour to lose Kovalchuk, even if it’s only for a few games.
Anyone know why Hossa and Kozlov got all-star nods? Kovy should no-doubt be playing in that game but I don’t think the other two have hit all-star status this season, not yet anyhow. I’d throw moose an all-star nod if it were up to me, given what he’s had to deal with since Kari’s groin went kaput.
Congrats to Ondrej for some excellent play since he arrived in Blueland as well.
By GaVaHokie
November 7, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Highlights of the game are available on TSN.ca
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 7, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
Hokie, Rone, and I were on our way up to our seats when out of the elevator comes Ray Bourque! Obviously there to see his son lose his first game in the NHL. I spit in his eye for winning his only cup against the Devils. He wiped his face a gave me a wry smile as we passed him into the elevator. Once in the elevator I realized why he smiled at me after taking a loogie to the eye. The man farted SO BAD in the elevator that it made my blood boil. My eyes teared. My throat closed up. It was midevil torture on a 30 second ride. Once we got to our floor and we all gasped for air, I couldn’t even bring myself to buy a beer for the first period.
…actually, the only true part of that story is that we saw Ray Bourque coming out of the elevator. But that would have been just boring.
Thrashers are 1-0 when they play Rone’s and I winning video!!!!
By Rawhide
November 7, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
Zilla,….congrats on the video! It was GREAT! (burp)!
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 7, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Thanks Willy.
They’ll show the burping video on 12/7/07
By luckydog
November 7, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the TSN highlight link, Hokie.
Those were two of the prettier goals ever seen at Philips. Kovy’s was just silly-good.
And while I have been a Todd White skeptic — and remain so insofar as he and Perrin were our “big” offseason pickups — let me also raise a cheer for his sturdy work of late.
By Rawhide
November 7, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
Did you do the one they showed last night regarding the guy who left the ticket in his office???
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 7, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
It starred my friend Rone. It was all his idea. I just filmed it and edited it. So I helped
By kracker
November 7, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
The radio guys didn’t appreciate the [non]humor in nor agree with the “White is as soft as Charmin” slur on the post-game call-in show. (What a silly call!) After watching White play, I am beginning to agree with the radio guys.
White has 3 goals and 8 points in the last few games. We can pretty much discount his stats from the first few games when the entire team was leaping onto the dead wagon.
By R. Stroz
November 7, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
kracker - Was someone really “goofy” enough to do that? It’s one thing to joke about a guy being soft, but on broadcast radio, that’s another thing.
I still think White is soft; but, he is growing on me a little bit. I would still prefer to put Little between Kovy and Hossa.
On another subject, if someone was on the radio complaining about Holik bring a lazy captain, I would applaud his/her input.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 7, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
R.Stroz - I don’t think you can rightfully call out Holik as a captain. You, nor I, maybe Craig…know what he is like behind closed doors. Being a captain is interpreted differently by each person. Perhaps it was Holik that had a hand in the turn around but something he said in a locker room speech. Whose to say…
I do agree that Holik isn’t playing near his best right now, but I’m sure Rat had stretches were he sucked (often it looked like he forgot to take off his blade guards before the games or perhaps he had slippers on his feet instead of skates) but still led the team. Hopefully that is was Holik is doing.
By kracker
November 7, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
R. Stroz Yep, Somebody sure did call in using the C-word about White. Charmin, not Captain. Kamal and Odgers were probably wondering why the radio technician gave them that call! They answered it by complimenting White’s play, especially recently and pretty much dismissed the caller.
As for the Holik captaincy, I had a nice sign down at the workout glass saying “ILYA is our Thrashers CAPTAIN” beside his picture. Whatever Bobby is doing in the locker room I wouldn’t know but he really isn’t an on the ice leader.
By R. Stroz
November 7, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
Buzilla - Rat would stand up for his team and “throw down” when needed. I have yet to see Holik “mix it up” when necessary. When Straka put Enstrom head first into the boards in the Rangers game, Holik should have responded. Even though Rat was aging and slow, he always seemed to put forth his best effort; whereas, Holik appears to be putting in a half-measured effort and his a tendency to take stupid, ill timed penalties.
A captain should lead by example on and off the ice. White’s effort at the end of the game is an example of what a captain should be willing to do. When White did everything possible to keep the puck in the Capitals end of the ice, I finally started to cheer for the guy, seconds later he scored.
If I saw Holik make some form of extended effort or a willingness to stand up for the team, I would get off the guys back. Maybe he is a fine captain, but I don’t see it.
By R. Stroz
November 7, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
kracker - If you make copies of that sign, I think we could get some more fans to put it on the glass during the pre-game workout.
Also, how can anyone drive in that traffic after the game and make a phone call to the post game show? YIKES!
By R. Stroz
November 7, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Buzilla - On a positive note, when is the big day?
By Sara
November 7, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
God those goals were sweet. I love Thrashers hockey. :)
As an aside, Tidy Whitey (as he is called in the Nest) got the 3rd star last night. While that’s great for him, I think if any Thrasher deserved to get a star, it was Pavelec. Todd was good, Ondrej was better.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 7, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
July 19th 2008
By R. Stroz
November 7, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Sara - That’s a hoot! According to the Thrashers website, the star were as follows:
1) White
2) Pavelec
3) Kovalchuk
Buzilla - You really don’t want to give her that much time to change her mind do you?
By Thorburn's Thugs
November 7, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
I say we trade Craptain Holik for 3 new Ice Girls and a Richard Simmons stretching exercises video for young Kari. Any takers? I hear the Nashville ice girls are pretty hot…
By R. Stroz
November 7, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
Does anyone have any good ideas for a wedding gift for Buzilla. Keep it clean.
Ranallo - No, you can’t give him your signed J.P. Vigier jersey.
By Sara
November 7, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
RStroz thought you would like that. I forget who came up with that, Bear maybe. I’m surprised White got the first star over Pavelec. Granted he technically won the game for the team, but I think Pavs was the real story for all 60 minutes. But the 3rd star I was referring to was the NHL 3 stars for Tues.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 7, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
I asked Hossa to be my best man. He hasn’t responded yet?
By Brett`
November 7, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
While the PP has gotten better it is still atrocious! Did you see the way the Craps ran the PP? Fluid movement creating open lanes and shots and someone was always in front of the net. If I was DW I would decline the penalty and take my chances full strength!!!!
By Rawhide
November 7, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
Does anyone have any good ideas for a wedding gift for Buzilla. Keep it clean.
RStroz - Well, if we have to keep it clean, then, no,….I DON’T have any good ideas for a gift!
Just remember, Zilla - Love is blind, but marriage is an eye opener!
By Brendan
November 7, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
It seems that AJC Columnist Mark Bradley is softening from his “Kovalchuk seems less special every year” stance, judging from his most recent Thrashers column.
Hopefully Kovalchuk, who has scored two very recent hat tricks and been the NHL’s 1st star, won’t be out of the lineup too long with back spasms.
As for Holik, I doubt he can be traded at this juncture of the season. He costs too much. Plus, he’s winning a fair amount of his faceoffs, so … that’s allegedly what he’s here for, along with veteran playoff experience. I suspect Waddell will wait until after July 1, 2008 to reach out to Holik’s agent. That’s just my impression. I haven’t “heard” anything. Waddell will then have a feel of what Holik’s offers were. He can either counter-offer or watch him walk. But if he re-signs him, he has to then consider stripping Holik of the Captaincy, which Holik might take as a slap in the face. Who knows? Athletes seemingly are easily offended these days. Over the Summer, this blog “opined” that Holik was welcome to return at $2.0 million, on a one-year deal.
Still feel that way? We have lots of 3rd line centers. Young ones, too. We’re overstocked at that position. Holik may chuckle at not hearing an offer during the season because of Waddell’s longstanding policy of “no contract negotiations during the season.” Then he’d point to Hossa and say, “What about him? You’re still talking with his agent. And I can’t help but notice that the season has started.”
By kracker
November 7, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
R. Stroz Sure, I can print some. It can’t hurt to let the man know he is much appreciated for his talent and even more for his effort. You can find me at myspace.com/kracker0 or over at hfboards.com on the Thrashers page.
The image is here
By Nix
November 7, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Anyone out there know what music they’re playing when they introduce the starting line up at the beginning of the game? I can’t place it and it’s driving me nuts!
Thnx
By ranallo10
November 7, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
Does anyone have any good ideas for a wedding gift for Buzilla. Keep it clean.
Ranallo - No, you can’t give him your signed J.P. Vigier jersey.
Since you took away my first option, how about some anti-fungal creams? That’s “clean”…
By R. Stroz
November 7, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
Ranallo - What about your signed DeVries jersey?
By ranallo10
November 7, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
I’m not letting go of that, it could be worth at least $20 in a few years!!
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 7, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Nix - The music is a military score composed by Bill Brown. If you are a gamer nerd, you have heard the music while playing as the United States on Command and Conquers Generals.
By Nix
November 8, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this
Thanks, Zilla!
By Rawhide
November 8, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
OK,…Scott Mellanby has had his say and made no bones about it.
He feels McCrimmon should coach the team. Given his position with the team in his last few years as a player and his knowledge to the assistant coach I think this carries a lot of weight.
I also think that there is a lot of truth in the rummor that DW is loking at McCrimmon as he runs practice and the bench.
If I were a betting man I would be having to think long and hard about wagering against him right now.
By Midfield
November 8, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
I don’t see much sense in piling up on Holik. He was one of the few Thrashers who showed up in the play offs last year; and, although he has not been great so far, he has not been underachieving nearly as much as Hossa, Zhitnik and Havelid. The latter two seem like they’ve become to show the signs of life lately, but Hossa still needs resuscitation.
By Michael Shapiro
November 8, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
I hate to say it, but Midfield is right, at least about Nik Havelid. He’s showing improvement and has a whopping 2 points and is plus 3 on the season. Meanwhile Zhitnik (you SUCK) has 2 points and is a MINUS 9 for the season. That’s second only to Mac who is like Little Bo Peep’s sheep, he’s definitely lost his way.
The Cap is tied with Slates at a minus 7 and that’s my beef. First, let me say I really like Slates, but I’ve got to admit that his minus 7 and zero points makes me wonder why DW keeps playing him and having Haydar catch splinters up his butt when he’s got six points and is a plus 3. Not only that, anybody looked at Slate’s F/O % lately? Not that the team is so stellar as a whole these days, but his numbers are pretty awful. So, why’s Haydar sittin’?
By puckjunque
November 8, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Rawhide, Rstroz, Ranallo Regarding the wedding present for the Buz’s, how about matching foam dart guns. They come in handy when playing “bean the opposing goalie in the head” and they even stick to the t.v. There’s a tommy gun, shotgun and my personal favorite, the glock model. It’s also a great way to get your spouses attention when “hey you” doesn’t work. I have a second idea, but this one is legal…
By R. Stroz
November 8, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
kracker - Nice sign. Would someone please hand Kracker’s sign to Holik at the next practice :=)
By R. Stroz
November 8, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
puckjunque - I thought a nice present would be a picture of Buzilla all over one of the Blue Crew on the jumbotron before his next video presentation.
By puckjunque
November 8, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
just one??? How about wedged in the middle of the whole pack?
By Brendan
November 8, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
Did West Goldstein harpoon Lindros a bit in this article? At the end, at least he gave Eric some credit for a 1.12 points-per-game average. The knock against Lindros was that he wouldn’t play for the team that drafted him. But the Nordiques more than made up for it with his trade. A trade that ultimately brought them two (2) Stanley Cup and six berths in Conference Finals.
It is a sad thing for Lindros that his one and only trip to the Finals was a sweep at the hands of the 1997 Red Wings. But those Flyer teams were certainly capable ones when he was there. I blame Philly goaltending moreso than Lindros’ lack of leadership or character flaws.
I have the sneaking suspicion that Goldstein has been salivating at writing Lindros’ retirement article since he refused to play for the Nordiques. Obviously, yes … that reflected poorly on him. But at some point, isn’t it water under the bridge? Not for Goldstein, apparently.
By BubblesAndConkie
November 8, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
Brendan - I agree.
Lindros wasn’t the most well liked guy anywhere he played.
BUT - he donates $5 million upon his retirement to a Hospital in London, Ontario (EH!) after retiring?! THAT’S CLASS!
By Tony C.
November 9, 2007 2:03 AM | Link to this
Yeah. My main thing about not liking Lindros was because he wasn’t on my favorite team.
Now certainly the melodrama with his Dad/Agent and the front offices of Quebec & Philly isn’t going to win you friends but it is undeniable that the middle 90s Big E was just about as good as it got. In fact, haven’t some folks complained about Thornton because he doesn’t play with the same sort of edge that Lindros did? “He could play big, but he plays pretty” I read somewhere once…I couldn’t stand Lindros, had the hands and speed to go around, but he always wanted to go through … Big guy, played with an edge, but hereditary noggin issues shut him down (his brother too). I say he’s a HOF guy. Not his fault Bobby Clarke can’t pick goalies any better than DW can pick D-Men.
By Bill
November 9, 2007 6:13 AM | Link to this
Dead or not, I’d like to be able to see them on television. AM radio is fine in a pinch, but we’re going into 2008!, let’s get them on a regular basis.
By Brendan
November 9, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Tony C. & BubblesAndConkie, I saw Bobby Clarke on the “NHL Channel” say that “if Lindros could have been healthier that people would today be comparing him to Mark Messier.”
That’s high praise from a guy who had “disagreements” with Lindros. Nice to see Bobby Clarke being “fair” about it. He certainly could have ripped into Lindros a bit.
Just for grins, how many of the Lindros-detractors feel the same way about Eli Manning refusing to play for the Chargers? Doesn’t that seem like “water under the bridge?” Maybe even Chargers fans have let it go.
By ranallo10
November 9, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
Brendan — Though this board is old, I’ll take you up on that point about Eli. I think Lindros was a good player, and obviously his career ended prematurely, but to us fans it came off as selfish when he refused to play for the team that drafted him.
Yes, I feel Eli Manning is a douche for doing it too. JD Drew also fits into that category.
In my opinion the athlete has no right to hold out from playing before proving themselves at the top level of competition. However, this is what the world of sports agents, free agents, signing bonuses, et ali has become. I do not “hold it against” Lindros or Manning for wanting to choose where they play, I just have some contempt for them in the way they went about doing it. Play out your rookie contract (which you can sign for the shortest time possible, or not sign at all), then as a FREE agent go to the team you want to play for. I don’t think it’s right to DEMAND being traded, or holding out if you’re not traded. Can you imagine what would’ve happened had Crosby held out in Pittsburgh? Would they be playing in Hamilton or Kitchener now??
But regarding Lindros, it’s water under the bridge for me because that was 13 years ago!! Manning is a whole other story though.
By Brendan
November 10, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
That’s a good post, Ranallo. And I agreed with all that you said. Especially the part about a rookie owning up to the obligation of playing for the team that drafted him.