AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 17
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Moose Stands On Head In Carolina
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sounds like a National Enquirer headline, does it not? But it’s true. I swear it is. You see, Johan “Moose” Hedberg turned back 31 shots and hand delivered the Thrashers their first shutout victory of the season, a 3-0 win over the division leading Hurricanes. Some of those saves where things of beauty. Interestingly enough, Moose had entered Friday’s game in Carolina with a .889 SV% and a league low 3.59 GAA. While his overall numbers are not that impressive on the season, (or for that matter the team’s overall goalkeeping numbers), of late those stats are improving all around. In three of the past four games Atlanta has given up 2 goals or less.
So, apparently, moose can stand on their heads. Just ask some of the players wearing red jerseys last night. They are believers. Now, about that incident in Roswell, New Mexico…
Combined with the stellar goaltending of late is another positive trend, the play of one Mr. Marion Hossa. In his past four games he has 6 goals and 3 helpers. The combination of White, Hossa and Kovy has been nothing short of electric. On the second goal the “Player Formerly Known as Charmin” turned his defender into a snow-angel then passed the biscuit to Hoss as he sliced through the slot. Very nice! Hey Don, or Brad…or whomever is going to be coach next week, I think I speak for the entire Blueland Blog-o-sphere when I say, “Please keep them on the ice together”.
Honestly, that game could have been 6-0 with all the quality chances. Hossa was on target 6 times and Pascal “You Me And” Dupuis went postal just prior to the second break. The whole offense just looked good.
Defensively, it looks as though the pairings are starting to click. Exelby back in the line-up with Klee logged some very solid minutes and Toe-BEE-us Enstrom with Havelid continue to communicate well. Popovic with Zhitnik did well, (could we call that the Pop-a-Zhit pairing)?
So, all in all a lot of very good things from Raleigh last night and not anything really un-good. Oh yeah, we were out shot again.
And now, some quick shots from the hip:
Friday’s win puts the Thrashers at 5-1-0 with two games left in the current southeast run.
The Thrashers are 9-4 since….ya know what? I’m not even going to mention those first six games anymore.
We awake this morning, sipping upon our morning brew, to find the Thrashers two points below the playoff cut-off line.
What’s this? Over the past 10 games the only team in the Southeast Division with a winning record hails from Blueland.
Chris Thorburn played a solid game, logging 8:00 TOI and a shot on goal. But more importantly, he handled his TV interview during the second intermission very nicely indeed, and that is VERY important.
Anyone else cringe when Sports South displayed Hedberg’s goaltending as the Perfection Play of the Game with about two and a half minutes left to go? Do they not understand the delicacies and protocol of Shutout Karma?
Enstrom was the Time On Ice leader. Funny, as I was typing that it felt as though I was experiencing a bit of deja-vous.
Monday night Tampa Bay is in town for a nationally televised game on Vs. That’s HD folks so get to the solons, shave close and clip those nose hairs.
