AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 27
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Thrasher-Math 101
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(Thrasher-Math 101 class at Blueland University. Prof. Rawhide takes the lectern)
OK, class…settle down… Class? …CLASS? …SHUT UP!
(Ahem)…Thank you.
Now, Russian, CM, MattH and TonyC, put down those hockey sticks and take your seats. Puckjunque, please take off the goalie mask while in class and Buzilla, the apple on my desk will win you no favors seeing that you took it out of Christy’s lunchbox. BaldHeadedThrasherFan, if you don’t mind, please don’t sit next to the window… the glare…thank you, there’s an empty seat next to Kracker in the back. Brendan, sorry, no karaoke tonight, but the silk button-down disco shirt is very nice anyway. And Manley, the tank…next time park it in the back…and not on the azaleas.
First off, I am having ThrasherRyan pass out everyone’s graded papers on the “G>U+U = 2 points” formula. I have to say that I am very impressed with everyone’s high marks. Also, I want to point out Sara’s extra credit work on Recent Draft Picks that I have posted on the bulletin board. Great work, indeed.
OK, today we are discussing certain mathematic formulas that help us gauge the progress of our Atlanta Thrashers. In review, we have discussed the theory that 95 or 96 points would be required for a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Given a six-month season, that breaks down to roughly 16 points needed per month as an average, (discounting the last two games in the month of April).
Bob, I notice you are not taking notes. Did you fail to come to class with an appropriate lead-based writing utensil? Please get one from Jennifer.
Now, as we know, the team got off to a less then par start earning only 8 points in the month of October. However, November has been much more productive as the Thrashers have gone 7-4-0 for 14 points going into Thursday’s game against Toronto. Combined with last month’s points that brings the total to 22 points and an overall average now of 11 per month. Winning Thursday would bring that average to 12.
Am I going to fast for you, Ranallo? No? Good.
Continuing, that brings us to December. This is a very important month seeing as Atlanta will be playing 16 games, the most in any month this season. (For our student from Livonia, Michigan, that means that there are 32 possible points to gain, and I’m glad to see you remembered to wear your hockey helmet to class). So, in order for the Thrashers to get their average up to the 16 points per month level, they will need to earn 24 of those 32 points. (This assumes gaining 2 points vs. the Leafs, if not, that number increases to 26). The official mathematical terminology for gaining such a high percentage of those available points is “a very tall order”. But anything over 16 helps the process.
(Sigh), Rstroz and Brian, I see you sneaking in the back there. Tardy again? Once more and you’ll wind up in Dean Waddell’s office, young men.
Moving along to our next lesson… the Points Earned per Game formula. This is quite simple. If you take the total amount of points gained and divide it by the total amount of games played the resulting quotient is the PEG. This is important because if the Thrashers are to gain the required 96 points to make the playoffs, then they have to have a PEG rating of at least 1.171, (96 divided by 82 games = 1.171). Currently, they have 22 points in 23 games for a PEG rating of .956. While this is up from October’s .667 PEG, you can plainly see that improvement in this area is still needed. That being said, the upward trend is promising.
Now for the class participation part of today’s lesson….
