AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 22
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Breakfast In Bed Blogging
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ah, Christmas weekend! I have looked forward to this morning more then I have Christmas. I knew I would be able to sleep in and lounge around in the flannel sheets, sipping the morning brew as I perused the cyber-morning paper. Ahhh…all is right with the world! And, just to show you all just how much I like you, I decided to share this morning with all of my friends in the blogosphere, just don’t hog the covers or spill anything on the bed. The divine Mrs. R will not like that one little bit!
With that precautionary note out of the way, here are a few topics for discussion:
Breaking The Back of the Back-to-Back Bug-A-Boo
Once gain, the Thrashers look to take on the challenge of playing games on consecutive nights. Montreal pays us a visit tonight and then the team will jet their way to St. Louis to take on the Blues. The last time Atlanta won both ends of back-to-backers was last April 6 & 7 when they won the Southeast Division title in Carolina then beat Tampa Bay the next night to close out the regular season. Prior to that was last December 26 & 27 with a 2-1 win over the Lightning and a 4-2 victory over Pittsburgh. Two wins this weekend would really do the team well, both in the standings and psychologically.
Spotlight on Slates
Hey Jimmy, in my previous blog I jokingly said that Craig Custance should do a write up on you seeing that Alexei Zhitnik’s play has improved greatly just after the one on him. Steve McCarthy’s play has been vastly better and I do believe our fine beat writer recently produced a piece on him as well, though I don’t know which came first…the article or the improved play. Well, lo and behold what appeared last night, a fine piece of journalism on you. So, Jimmy, this is the weekend you break through and net that first goal of the season seeing that I’ve called for, and Craig has produced, the write up. No pressure.
Kari Back ‘Tween the Pipes & Looking Better ‘Tween the Ears
Kari Lehtonen will be back in goal for tonight’s game against Montreal. His past two starts have been things of beauty and here is hoping it continues. The team can deal with giving up 2 goals per game and if that average is carried throughout the rest of the year we will be just fine with that, thank you very much! Kari’s excellent play actually started last Saturday in Ottawa when he took over for Hedberg and stopped 18 of 20 shots. Counting that game he has stopped 78 of 84 shots over two-plus games which calculates to a .929 SV%.
A Glance at the Standings
OK, now a quick look at where we are at this juncture….33 points places us in the third spot of the division, three behind Florida and six behind the front-running ‘Canes. We have a game in hand with the Panthers and two in hand with Carolina. Both are in action tonight as well. The Thrashers sit in the 13th position in the conference but are just three behind Pittsburgh and the afore mentioned Panthers who reside in the eight spot.
French Lesson for the Nasty Nesters
Ok guys, tonight, considering who our opponents are tonight, the chant is, ”Huey….Huey…Huet…VOUS SUCEZ”!
OK, now, everyone out of bed! I’ll see you all in Blogland at about six or so!
