Ice Man

By punkjunque

November 14, 2007 6:18 AM | Link to this

First? Woohoo!!!!

By PJ

November 14, 2007 6:34 AM | Link to this

Sorry……I don’t do rain.

By theratio

November 14, 2007 7:25 AM | Link to this

I was listening to that game on 680 last night online and couldn’t believe it. It sounds like that would have been an amazing game to see. GO THRASHERS!

Anyway.. I have an off topic question. I was watching highlights on nhl.com and noticed that the maple leafs home jersey’s were white, how is this so? I thought teams wore their darker jerseys when they played at home?

Does anyone know why that is?

By Russian

November 14, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Winner is Winner. Good game. Hossa scored at 2.6 seconds end of regulation. Honestly, I thougth that we did not get any problem with Florida, but I was wrong. We almost lost game in Regular time. Thanks Hossa to scored. PP is not very well lately. Kovy’s goal was beatiful. As I said winner is winner. Congrats Comrades :-)

By R. Stroz

November 14, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this

Rawhide - If Todd White keeps playing well, I’ll refer to him as the hockey player formally known as Charmin.

By Hockeyfan

November 14, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

Which is a worse ref, McGeough or VanMassenhoven? Seriously.

By Todd White

November 14, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

I think you guys need to start calling Zhitnik Charmin.

By Brian

November 14, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

Rawhide - Enstrom can’t be leading the team in +/-. Bob said the defenseman drafted by DW was good for offense only and would have defensive shortfalls, haven’t you seen those? Oh wait, I haven’t seen them either…

By ToF

November 14, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

I, sadly, don’t have anything witty to add to the conversation (not that I ever do), but what a game, eh?

By Brian

November 14, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

ToF - enjoy the hype, don’t worry. You can always add the standards like “next game will really mean a lot against team X” or “this got us right back into things”. Just don’t use an outdated one like “now if we can just sign Savard”.

BTW - next game is against divsion leading Carolina, #2 in the conference and our only loss in the last 5 games…

By Robert

November 14, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

You guy’s can acually HEAR 680 AM ???

By Brian

November 14, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Robert - some of the guys said they listened to it on the net, as long as you are not driving that seems to be the way to go…

By Rone

November 14, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

Great win. Looked for highlights this morning and couldn’t find them. I know the game wasn’t televised, but you could at least post the arena footage.
I went to the game, so I’m not that upset, but the Thrash are missing out on bringing more fans to this sport.

By Rawhide

November 14, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

Rone - I found highlights on tsn.ca…..they also show one of the funnier “penalty box” skits in a long time.

By ssiscribe

November 14, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Top of the morning, everybody. This hockey novice went to his first game of the season last night. Now, as I’ve said the couple of times I’ve posted here, you guys and gals have forgotten more hockey than I’ll ever remember, but from the upper reaches of Philips Arena, here are my impressions:

— For the first 12 minutes, the Thrashers looked like they were going to run the Panthers out of the rink. Florida was a stride slow, the Thrashers were POUNDING shot after shot (I think it was 12 shots to three when Florida scored), keeping the puck in the offensive zone and overall just playing at a higher level.

But something happened after that first goal. It looked like Zhitnik and Klee were just standing still in front of the net (neither one of them played very well; guess it’s no coincidence both were -2 for the night). After that first goal, it appeared the Thrashers fell into the ol’ dump and chase and were as flat as three-day-old Coke. They couldn’t sustain anything on the offensive end, and Moose bailed them out several times when the Panthers could’ve really taken control.

— The power play was a mess. Take away the 6-on-4 at the end of regulation, and the Thrashers really didn’t muster much other than a passing few shots here or there. I prefer to see the team shoot and crash the net on the power play. An awful lot of passing on the perimeter, with the crowd yelling “shoot!” in frustration. Atlanta got called twice for icing the puck while on the power play. That’s not suppose to happen, is it?

— Moose played well, with the exception of the second goal. A very, very soft goal, and he was very upset with himself when it went it. I say give Pavelec the start Friday.

— Kovalchuk is really turning into an all-around superstar. Everybody knows he has the speed on the edge and the great shot. But going to games last year, it was apparent he wasn’t the complete player Hossa is, forechecking, playing defense, etc. But Kovy was by far the best player on the ice last night. His passing, to me, seems to have improved tremendously. If you collapse on him, he’s going to find a seam and feed somebody for a good look. Once, he hit Little at the far circle and the kid couldn’t control it, but it was a hell of a pass by Kovy. You can just tell he’s taken ownership now of being the franchise’s pillar. He’s playing with passion all over the ice, not just on the offensive end.

— Enstrom plays beyond his years. I love his puck-handling skills, his vision on the ice, and most of all, his poise. I followed him a little during the Worlds this spring, and thought he’d be a good addition to the blueline. But he’s surpassed my expectations. Dude is going to be a very good player in this league. I feel very comfortable with him on the ice, and he’s earned the right to log all those minutes. He’s playing like a veteran.

— Havelid, who struggled down the stretch last season, also played a nice game. His leadership on the blueline is needed, too (as long as Klee and Zhitnik are struggling, and as long as X is out).

Overall, the Thrashers did not play well at all, but sometimes you get a little luck and make a little more of your own luck and you walk away with two points. The Thrashers looked like the team who played the night before, not Florida, and were fortunate to win.

But like Craig wrote in his lede, which I thought was spot-on right, maybe the Thrashers were owed one like this after some of the late goals and bad bounces early on. Those things tend somehow to even out during the course of a long season. Good to see the Thrashers get a break at the end and take advantage of it.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Keith Waldrop

November 14, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

With all apologies to Dennis Miller?

*There are no NHL players to be found on Dancing With The Stars. The wimp-ification of America has not found it’s way to the ice just yet. God be praised.

Tuesday’s loss dropped the Panthers to 7-11-1. Given that and the fact that the Heat are 1-6, the Dolphins are 0-9 and the Marlins just came off a loosing year, it will come as no surprise if we see south Florida sports fans boarding rafts and heading to Cuba.

By Rawhide

November 14, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

KW- yes,..those two blerbs dirrived from Dennis Miller. The credit omission was an oversight on my part, blame it on the early hour and lack of caffeine if you want.

Thanks for the notation….

By ranallo10

November 14, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Hockeyfan — McGeough, hands down. Von Massenhoven may not be that great, but he was consistent. He didn’t call things on both teams, and he called things against both teams. There were two of the easiest penalties in the history of hockey last night —

1. The interference call against Zhitnik (for those that couldn’t see it, he was skating backwards, the offender dumped the puck along the boards, Zhitnik continued to skate backwards, then stepped into the player and attempted to check him. There was a LITTLE acting on behalf of the attacker when he fell to the ice, but he was clearly interfered…the puck wasn’t even near them, and he was attempting to get at the puck when Zhitnik set his “moving pick”.)

2 — The hooking call against Florida on Bobby Holik. When Holik skates away with the defenders stick still lodged in his arm pit, I think even McGeough could make that call. Oh wait, probably not, he’s that bad.

By ranallo10

November 14, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

I need formatting help…where’s my secretary?

Regarding last nights game (as it appears many missed SEEING it). Zhitnik was at fault for the first goal, he got completely outmuscled in front of the net, and Weiss was able to dance behind the goal and hit Peltonen in the crease for the first goal. It looked like a strange goal, and I think it actually deflected off an offender’s arm or stick shaft. Anyway, Zhitnik got beat, it actually wasn’t Klee’s fault this time.

McCarthy blocked a shot by giving up his body, a great play on his part, but he paid for it. He missed most of the period due to that block, but came back later in the game. Also, Pascal Dupuis saved the game for Atlanta with a swift stick check on a backdoor shot by Jokinen that would’ve been the 3-1 tally. Hedberg was out of position, Jokinen received a cross ice pass, and Dupuis came out of nowhere to save the shot. He deserves credit for that.

Hmmm…what else?

ssicribe — While I’d agree that the PP was not as productive as we would hope, I would disagree that we should surmise that from the fans yelling “shoot”. Believe it or not, this team actually has a plan on the PP, one that doesn’t involve flipping the puck towards the net whenever the fans want them to. Kozlov apparently has the sole purpose on the PP to create space for Hossa, Kovalchuk or Enstrom. When Kozlov, Holik, or Havelid hold the puck, you DO NOT want to see a shot on net usually…rather, you’d like to see some space being created by the other attackers (movement), and some passing around to those now open players. The PP is still struggling, but it’s not just because they aren’t shooting once they touch the puck. There was one PP where Kovalchuk took about 4 shots in a row, Enstrom shot 1, then when Kozlov got the puck and didn’t shoot the crowd yelled at him. The crowd is often wrong, and they were then.

But you’re right, the PP still leaves a lot to be desired.

By Sara

November 14, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Another amazing stat - after going 0-6 to start the season, the Thrashers haven’t had a “losing streak” longer than one game since the coaching change. While I doubt that will hold up for the rest of the season, it’s still pretty darn cool.

By Midfield

November 14, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Excellent, ssiscribe This is much better than any of the game reports I’ve seen this far. Keep going to games and keep writing.

By Midfield

November 14, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Perhaps, with the exception of the played-the night-before comment. It was kind of obvious to me that Florida’s fatigue was the factor that tipped the scales over: lazy penalty they took at the end of regulation time and White stealing the puck from the big man in OT… Great play by White anyway, of course.

By Brian

November 14, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Sara - not to mention, our last 2 losses came against the #1 and #2 teams in the conference…

By Rone

November 14, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Thanks Rawhide. Went to TSN and saw the highlights.

Ranallo, Thanks for bringing up your opinion about the crowd yelling “Shoot!” during the power play. There is nothing that upsets me more as a season ticket holder (besides the Nasty Nest starting the goalie chant before he gives up a goal). Anyone who yells shoot on the power play is a moron. I believe most of the people doing this come to a couple games a year and know nothing about hockey.
Whenever you hear someone at a game yelling shoot when a thrasher is behind his own goalie, waiting to start up the ice, it’s most likely me, making fun of you idiots.

By Brian

November 14, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

Rone - I am going to start that too (yelling shoot when our d-man is behind the net). However, I disagree with you on that being the most upsetting thing. Last week, we had the idiot 1 row below us who right in the middle of action, had to stand up while talking on his cell phone and start waving. THAT is the worst. I shouted the obligatory GAME ON and a few other things, but I can’t stand the fact that I have to even address the issue. He couldn’t wait for a stoppage in play, just blocked the rest of us…

By R. Stroz

November 14, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Rone - Didn’t Sean Avery score a goal on us in the playoffs last year with that type of shot?

Yes, I know he was just trying to dump the puck in the Thrashers end of the ice.

I do think I’ll join you though, yelling “shoot the puck” while Zhitnik stands behind our goal trying to catch his breath, that’s funny.

By ssiscribe

November 14, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

Ranallo: Cool. Thanks for the info. I don’t claim to know a whole lot about hockey, so I appreciate the breakdown on the power play. For whatever reason, it’s looked a lot crisper (the few games I’ve watched on TV) since the coaching change, but last night the power play wasn’t so sharp.

Either way, thanks again for the knowledge. Appreciate it.

Midfield: Thanx much for the kind words. I plan on going to a few more games here and there throughout the season. The family, the full-time job, the freelance stuff and baseball occupy 95 percent of my time, but I love watching the sport in person. You’ve really gotta go and see it live, and watch the game unfold in front of you, to really grasp just what a great sport it is.

The perks of a press pass during my long-ago days as a college newspaper hack earned me the right to watch minor league hockey up close and personal for parts of two seasons. Again, I don’t know jack about hockey compared to other sports, but I love watching it live. Those days gave me the bug for the sport, and now I’m trying to pass my limited knowledge along to my little ones, who love watching on TV and really enjoyed their first NHL game in person last night (they’ve attended a couple of minor league games before).

And did anybody else think the attendance listed on the box score of 12,000-something was generous? I thought there were maybe 10K in the house. Either way, it was nice and loud at the end of regulation and in overtime, no matter how many folks were there (we saw quite a few people leave after Moose got beat in the third; so glad we stuck around till the end).

Time to get two Friday in Carolina. Enjoy your day, folks, and thanks again for the input.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Rawhide

November 14, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

BRIAN - When I am elected King, it will be permissible to flog in public any dolt who does the “look at me on TV while on cell phone” bit at a Thrashers game.

Leave that stupidity at the baseball game.

By Brian

November 14, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Rawhide - will you have a national anthem for your monarchy and will it have the word night in it?

By ranallo10

November 14, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

No problem Scribe, hockey knowledge is entirely relative to whom you’re speaking, and your first post has proven you have a grasp of the game. We appreciate your contributions.

Brian — It is rather aggravating when a person shows no courtesy when leaving or entering their seats. Some like to stand and talk to their friends as they wait for the other people to move for them (the same people who were in their seat BEFORE the drop of the puck, and who are completely comfortable). It’s also aggravating when people stand up at every close play, thus forcing the person behind them to stand to see, creating a wave of people standing to see the action when it’s relatively unnecessary. Oh yeah, there are also those people who block me from seeing Sumo Hockey because they’re too busy talking to their buddy while standing directly in front of me (there are aisles and tunnels for that).

I’ve grown to love my current STH neighbors though…they’re old, rarely jump up, and don’t yell a thing unless the team scores. They’re the second cutest old couple in the arena (I know, punch a hole in my man card — but they’re cool).

By Sara

November 14, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

You know what? I yell “shoot” all the time during Thrasher PPs. Guess why? Cause THEY DON’T SHOOT!! They spend the entire 2 minutes looking for the perfect little hole, which often doesn’t happen. What’s that saying? You don’t score on 100% of the shots you don’t take? Sometime last season I got really sick and tired of watching passing clinics. I don’t care about nifty one-timers and pretty tape to tape passes on a PP - I just want a goal. Even if it’s a tricky deflection or a junk-@ss rebound. So until this team can prove it has a respectable and effective PP strategy, I’m gonna keep giving them my opinion on the matter.

By ranallo10

November 14, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

Sara, you’re a self-proclaimed Nasty Nester, I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. ;-)

By Thrasher Ryan

November 14, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

You know what? I yell “shoot” all the time during Thrasher PPs. Guess why? Cause THEY DON’T SHOOT!! They spend the entire 2 minutes looking for the perfect little hole, which often doesn’t happen.

Sara—I feel the same way! Shoot the puck you knuckleheads. You can’t score if you don’t shoot. Last season, me and some of my Thrasher buddies were convinced that this was a Bob Hartley deal where he made them pass the puck at least 4 times before taking a shot (kinda like the basketball movie “Hoosiers”). However, this stuff is continuing this season which leads me to believe it was not Hartley’s doing. I cannot come up with a plausible reason why this continues???

By Brian

November 14, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

Ranollo - I only have a package, so I don’t settle into any 1 area. But I hear what you are saying.

Sara - I like the Wayne Gretzky quote, but there has to be a cost/benefit formula of 1.) do you shoot the puck that has a 5% chance of going in or do you 2.) pass the puck to set up a shot that has a 20% chance of going in? NHL caliber goaltenders are going to stop what they can see when it is coming from the blueline. Besides, we are past the BH days of passing it for 2 minutes and never getting a shot…

By Sara

November 14, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

Sara, you’re a self-proclaimed Nasty Nester, I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. ;-)

Wouldn’t expect anything less or wouldn’t expect anything more? LOL Absolutely, the only thing you can expect out of a Nester is something loud and obnoxious and beer-smelling (which of course I do not consider a bad thing - well, except for beer farts but we won’t go there today). However, we at least know enough not to go in and out of our seats during the action. :P

By ranallo10

November 14, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

But seriously Sara, do you feel the opinion helps the players, or simply subsides your anger in the situation and system?

When I play sports I am oppositely affected by such a cheer. When a person yells “shoot it!” I think “why? it’s not a clear lane, I have an open teammate, whomever is yelling that isn’t in the same position as me right now and can’t see the angles I see, etc etc.” So, the person yelling shoot simply aired their opinion, where I as a player either get distracted, annoyed, or am indifferent towards the cheer. If I don’t want to shoot, I wont shoot. If the plan is to get my best teammate open by moving the ball around, I’ll move the ball around. Outside opinions matter little to me, because that opinion isn’t involved in the actual outcome of my game.

But hey, that’s simply why I don’t enjoy HEARING shoot. I understand why people yell it, I can’t fault them for it, but I don’t appreciate it when the majority of the crowd does it INACCURATELY.

It’s like hearing “NIGHT”. It’s inaccurate, misplaced, and even though I understand what they mean, they’re doing it wrong. “Knights” is accurate, makes sense on some level, and has a reason for why a person would yell it. It may bother me, but I’m not going to tell you to stop doing it just because I don’t like it. I can only wish for that.

By R. Stroz

November 14, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

On Shooting the Puck

If the man at the point has no player covering him and an opportunity to shoot the puck on goal with a screen in front of the goalie, let a low shot fly and hope to pick up a rebound on the other side of the net. I call them garbage goals but they count.

By Sara

November 14, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

Ranallo you are correct that to a certain extent I am only shouting “shoot” because I’m aggravated as all get out by a lack of visible productivity on the PP. However, shouting “shoot” during PPs is also a way to express my frustration to the coaching staff/management that I am way over the currently employed strategy that is bearing us no results.

I realize it is not a simple as “he shoots, he scores” but also consider something else. I am, like Craig, a Wings fan and one of THE most effective things they have had going with their PP for YEARS is the presence of Holmstrom in front of the net tipping the puck in or banging home the junk. Lidstrom isn’t worrying about getting a great opening or a direct shot on net, he just needs a little space to get that puck into the front. It’s not like that strategy is a new one or the sole intellectual property of the Red Wings. However it is not one that the Thrashers routinely employ which really gets me annoyed (hence my suggested question to Holik the other night). Aside from Mellanby or KT, neither of whom are now here, we haven’t had guys who really get in the crease and muck it up. That HAS to change IMO in order for the PP to ever achieve some kind of regular success.

Presence in front of the goalie to screen/agitate + more shots into traffic = more PP goals one way or another. That’s my PP formula and I’m sticking to it! ;)

By tim(new hockey fan)

November 14, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

I’m also a long time thrashers fan since the end of first year but a new hockey fan overall. I always thought the games were boring until I went to a LIVE game and I was hooked. In my not very knowledgeable opinion it seems that we are still not putting 3 quality periods together. Look great in 2nd and 3rd but flat in 1st. This team somehow loosens up after getting behind. We need to come out strong and set the tone. Also it seems that the games we get beat are because are passing is not crisp in the middle or the outlet passes so we end up in the opponents zone over half the time. Once we get over the blue line it seems to get better. I am proud of the comeback and heart they have shown after starting 0-6. Go Thrashers

By tim(new hockey fan)

November 14, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

My uneducated opinion on power plays. I understand the point in moving the puck around on the power plays so that you can get a defender out of position or set up one of your better shooters to score, but I also understand the frustration of some fans when we pass it around, turnover, pass, pass, pass, pass, and get ZERO shots on goals on a power play. To me it’s like basketball in that you first want to get an open shot but sometimes their not leaving anything opening and who knows that miracle shot might go in

By puckjunque

November 14, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Sara Will the you and the nest be at the game in Carolina on Friday? Just want to know if I can look forward to hearing your enthusiasm on t.v.? PJ

By j nes

November 14, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, I want to start a write in campaign to send Enstrom to the all-star game. Do you think you could drive the bandwagon (use your forum). I think the kid has earned it. Even if he doesn’t make it, does anyone know how players are selected for the young stars game? It would be nice to see Little and/or Pavelec there too.

By Rone

November 14, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

Sara, I can understand that you may be aggravated at the Thrashers lack of visible productivity on the PP. But why are you just yelling shoot? Why don’t you stand up in section 319 or 320 and yell:

I’M A WINGS FAN AND ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE THINGS THEY HAVE HAD GOING WITH THEIR POWER PLAY FOR YEARS IS THE PRESENCE OF HOLMSTROM IN FRONT OF THE NET TIPPING THE PUCK OR BANGING HOME THE JUNK!!!!!!!

But then again, “SHOOT!” pretty much sums up that whole statement.

Maybe you should send emails to Waddell about your solution to our PP woes. He probably has no idea on how things were done in Detroit.

Moron.

By Ilya k

November 14, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

SCRIBE 12-3 shots…I arrived at the half way point of the first period and the shots were 12-3. Late in the second we had 15 shots. That was only 3 shots in 20+ mins. So you were correct. Florida changed their forcheck. They were doing a 1-1-3. One guy at the top of the circles one at the blue line and 3 on the red line. In the 2nd they started sending both wingers in at our d. See we started throwing the puck around the boards and their d men were pinching and their center was covering for the pinching d man. This had us bottle up in our own end for most of the 2nd. In the 3rd we started breaking out up the middle to solve the problem which caused all the icing calls against us. SHOOOOOOT…..in the nhl you will rarely score on a goalie on a straight away shot. (especialy with the huge pads they wear now) so….on the powerplay you have to get the goalie moving side to side so he is not set for the shot (pass across ice and a one timer shot) or you have to get a clean shot from between the dots (very tough with 6’5” D men standing around in front)

By Brian

November 14, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

j nes - there is no way Enstrom or Little will be left out of the young stars game. I think Pavelec would need one more start, but the good thing for him is that the only other rookie goalie making news now is Niklas Backstrom in Minny (not the rookie Niklas Backstrom for the Caps).

I didn’t vote yet this year, but there was a spot where you can choose your own player if you didn’t use the dropdown. With enough of us doing it, we can vote enough and often for Enstrom. I SAY WE DO IT!!!

By Hockeyfan

November 14, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

I have a drinking game I play on the power play. Everytime we pass I take a shot. Usually I can only last one power play…

By Brian

November 14, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

If we get behind a rookie like Enstrom and vote him in, that would send a huge message from the fans and as a “hockey city” as well. Just vote for Enstrom now!

By Alan

November 14, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Sara - More Wings fans? Awesome! I wore my jersey a few years back, and was asked if it was a “valentines day shirt.” My jaw dropped and I was speechless. I can’t recall if I even responded to the woman.

But back on topic, you make a very good point about the Wings PP production. If the Thrashers started employing a strategy like that, the Thrashers PP production would improve exponentially. Scoring isn’t just about finding chances, it’s also about creating chances. And the Wings do that quite effectively.

By Brian

November 14, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

So if the Red Wings have such a brilliant strategy, we don’t use it, what are the other 28 teams doing? Or is this a little more complicated than that?

VOTE FOR ENSTROM NOW!!!

By ranallo10

November 14, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

Sara — I agree. My buddy dj and I are also closet Red Wing fans (though for me personally that’ll dissipate even more once Lidstrom retires). I think Holmstrom is someone every team needs, especially for his powerplay abilities. The problem is that there aren’t many Holmstrom’s floating around.

I like the PP idea of having the big body, but apparently our coaches/system does not. I felt it was Hartley’s PP system, but apparently it’s also a little McCrimmon (Craig, perhaps you can help out with that?). Since Hartley left I have seen more movement on the PP, but still the same overall strategy of setting up shooting lanes.

So I agree with you, If it were up to me Holik would be planted in front of the goalie. However, I don’t think by me yelling “shoot” the coaches will understand what the hell I’m trying to get across, and definitely will not scrap their current system because ~1000 fans don’t like it.

But hey, I understand why you yell it…it’s the same reason I yell at McGeough. He wont stop sucking, but I’ll feel better venting.

By Rone

November 14, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

Brian, Haven’t you heard? Wings fans have all the answers! After all, they come from “Hockeytown”.

Also, Brian, on an earlier subject, the guy on his cell phone in front of you would be trying his darndest to poop it out today if he pulled that $*%t in front of me. I admire your restraint.

By j nes

November 14, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

Brian, I love the enthusiasm. In only minutes, the number of Entrom campaigners has doubled. If we can keep this exponetial growth going, we will have Tobi in one of those ugly reebok all star jerseys in no time. Let all of Blueland unite.

VOTE TOBI IN 2007!

By Sara

November 14, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Rone you have your way of watching games and expressing/not expressing your opinions, I have mine. As for passing my suggestions on to Waddell, I asked Craig to do that just a few blogs back regarding the lack of presence in front of the net on the PP. Sorry but bottom line - which PP is better, Wings or Thrashers? At least I’m not in here as a Wings fan bashing on the Thrashers - I want this team to be as good as or better than the Wings. It’s a standard that any team should want to emulate one way or another.

Alan Wings jerseys often garner comments which are usually not very nice. I haven’t had to deal with it here since I don’t wear mine to Thrashers games (priorities ya know) but when I’ve visited Nashville for Wings games I’ve gotten more than my fair share. About the only thing worse it seems than being a Wings fan is a being a Leafs fan.

Brian obviously there are different strategies and the Wings are not the only team that utilizes the big body in front of the net on the PP (KT does it for the Blues as another example). Chara has been used in that capacity as well since he is such a huge body - sets up a great screen. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a no-lose situation to have somebody parked in front of the net - you screen the goalie, aggravate the goalie, and keep at least one PKer fully occupied all at the same time.

The lack of success on the PP is disturbing, not the least of which because of the presence of Kovy, Hoss, Kozzie, and Enstrom. A foursome that talented should be converting PPs successfully more often.

By R. Stroz

November 14, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Cell Phone Solution

When someone decides to do the “cell phone thing” while I’m watching the game, I just start yelling nasty words at Holik, Zhitnik, or the refs. Usually, the cell phone offender leaves the area.

By Brian

November 14, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this

rone - he was 1 row down, but 5-6 seats over, so I would’ve been more rude climbing over the people in my row…

By R. Stroz

November 14, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Rone - Before today, I didn’t know Sara was an ex-Wings fan. Sara actually does some excellent research and doesn’t have the Wings are God mentality. I think she just believes that putting a screen in front of the goalie and shooting the puck is an effective strategy on the PP. The alternative strategy we have become accustomed to is like a child care song…the puck on the ice goes round and round, round and round, round and round, the puck on the ice goes round all penalty long.

By Sara

November 14, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

RStroz that may have to qualify as post of the year - I’ll be laughing at that for days. Not too mention singing that in my head the next time I watch the PP.

By Alan

November 14, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Sara - I’ve noticed the disdain for the Wings. I remember after the lockout ended, everyone thought the Wings were going to tank because they had to work under a cap. Now they’re p** off because the Wings are successful, regardless of a cap.

I’ve never worn my Wings jersey to a Thrashers game, mostly because I haven’t seen the Thrashers play the Wings in person yet.

Also, you’re spot on. I might be a Wings fan, but I’m also a Thrashers fan - and a Hockey fan in general. I’d love to see this team improve on the power play, and be fast. I’d love to see the Thrashers have more success against Western Conference teams, too. The Thrashers have the potential to be a speedy powerhouse of a team, and I really want to see them do well.

By Rone

November 14, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

Good idea R Stroz. But I find nothing wrong with yelling nasty words at the offender, unless of course if he’s 6’4” 250.

Brian, In that case, your restraint is understandable.

Sara, Keep doing whatever you do to help the team, even if it has no effect whatsoever. I’m not near the nasty nest anymore, because I had my season tickets moved away from you. I have just one last suggestion, don’t start the goalie chant until he gets scored on. I know many people on this blog feel the same way that I do on this one. It makes all Thrasher fans look like morons.
Thanks for your consideration.

By Rone

November 14, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

RStroz, From what I’ve read, Sara does have some acute observations and great overall knowledge of the game. That’s why I can’t understand why she would choose to yell “SHOOT!”.

By Sara

November 14, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

PJ I haven’t done any nest road trips - the schedule with my kids usually precludes such activities. I know there are some people planning to make the trip, although I don’t think it will be nearly as large of a crew as the Tampa game. Road trips usually are easier for Saturday games anyway, since Friday games involve some kind of creative explanation to the boss.

By Tony C.

November 14, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this

Hockeyfan-That sounds BRUTAL…mebbe you should just do shots of beer?

Sara No. Being a Leafs fan OR a deadwings fan is bad…almost but not quite as bad as being a New York Yankees fan.

GO BLUE !!!

By Brian

November 14, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

Ok folks, vote here for Enstrom. For those that don’t know how to cast a write-in, choose any of the players on the ballot from the dropdown. But only choose 1 defenseman. Then in the section below, there is a dropdown for 1 write-in vote, and select Enstrom. It looks like this. Remember, don’t choose a player for Defense No. 2 so that you can choose the write in for Enstrom.

By ranallo10

November 15, 2007 3:10 AM | Link to this

Believe It Or Not:

Myles Stoesz (D) — 7GP 61PIM

By PJ

November 15, 2007 6:13 AM | Link to this

Brian I feel your pain. Rude spectators happen in all sports. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to move my seat because a rude tall person chose to SIT in front to me. Yes I said SIT. If they looked behind them before they sat down they could have place their shorter companion in front of me but Noooooo. Is it too much to ask a Tall person to just look back and see if it’s possible to NOT inconvenience the person behind them??? To anyone who stands perhaps over six feet, your big fat head is in my way and I have to move side to side, just to see the game. I just thought you should know. and YES I voted for TOBY.

By Matt H

November 15, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Does anyone else here find it patently bizarre, and hilarious, that we have someone who posts as “IlyaK”, speaking as if he were actually Ilya Kovalchuk??? I love it.

I too am in the “Err on the side of shooting more” camp, if for no other reason than I believe it helps build confidence on the PP. Endless cycling signals hesitation and a lack of confidence, and weakness. Even though you may be looking for the best window, that can have a cumulative effect, and sometimes you just have to shoot that m*******.

By ranallo10

November 15, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

sometimes you just have to shoot that m——

Isn’t that everyone’s motto in life??

I too like IlyaK and Russian’s take, because often times it’s as if they’re actually the player. I find it bizarre yet funny too.

By Rawhide

November 15, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

New Rawhide Blog in 5…4…3…2…1…

By ranallo10

November 15, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

Slater looked like he just pooped on the bench in the Thrasher’s headline picture. That’s embarassing. Plus he’s sitting next to Haydar, who hasn’t played for nearly 5 games…bad photo choice.