AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 23
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Unhappy Snowbirds and A Blues Christmas
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sending The Snowbirds Home Unhappy
One would think that a fan of the Montreal Canadiens…someone who apparently is FROM the city of Montreal… would have a firm grasp on “hockey etiquette”. You know, like…if you have a “GO HABS GO” banner to wave about as you cheer for your team, you don’t hold it up high in the air so those behind you have the view of the ice blocked during play. You would THINK! It was a good thing that the gentleman sitting a few rows in front of me “gently” and “politely” clued her and her crowd in on how to behave at an ice hockey game!
Needless to say she and her friends skanked out of Philips Saturday night in very quiet fashion with her banner tucked neatly out of sight after the Thrasher’s 3-2 shootout win.
Kari Lehtonen was spectacular again for the third start in a row as he turned away 37 of 39 Montreal shots and both of the shoot out attempts that he faced. The box score will show that both goals he allowed were full strength, however Alexei Kovalev’s goal in the third came 1 second after Ilya Kovalchuk’s hooking penalty had expired…the shot fired before the door opened. Regardless, Kari’s play for the past three-plus games has been what we have been expecting from him all year.
Now, part of the improvement from the man between the pipes has a lot to do with the play of the defenders in from of him. Steve McCarthy was spot-on all night in his 15:08 on the ice and Alexei Zhitnik put in twenty and a half minutes of solid play. Honestly, I saw Zhit get beat once in the second…but all-in-all his play in the past week has contributed largely to Atlanta’s 3-0-0 home stand this week.
Also, it’s nice to have the team come away with two points in a game Kovy was held pointless. It’s gonna happen every now and then and the Thrashers need others to step up in those games. Marian Hossa chipped in two assists and Eric Perrin scored and threw in a helper himself. Slava Kozlov started the night out right with his goal 4:31 in and Mark Recchi had an assist giving him six points in six games with Atlanta.
The crowd at Philips was in this game all night…the joint was a-jumpin’ after Kari stuffed Siahei Kastsitsyn’s shoot out attempt to seal the victory.
Well, there were a few unhappy snowbirds…oh well, at least they now know how to conduct themselves at a hockey game.
Thank You, Sir
Saturday night as I was at Philips with the youngest tax exemption, a few people approached me and said hello, recognizing the RAWHIDE on the jersey, which is always very nice. One gentleman in particular tapped me on the shoulder as I waited in line at the concessions during the second intermission. As he did, the lady at the counter started shouting for my order and it may have seemed to him that I did not pay the necessary attention to him as he was speaking to me. I did not fully catch his name, but I wanted to say thank you so very much for your kind words to me and that I apologize if I seemed distracted. If you see me again, please come by again so I can chat more and give you the time and attention you deserve.
I’ll Have A Blues Christmas
Sunday night’s game in St. Louis was one of the best games I’ve watched since…well…the night before. The 3-2 OT win, (deja vous), marked the first time that the Thrashers had won the tail end of a back-to-backer all season. Atlanta bucked another trend doing so as they netted two power play goals against the best penalty killing team in the NHL.
The Thrashers got their Recchi-gball out again as Mark tallied another goal and an assist. He now has four goals and eight points in seven games. I tell you, if a Christmas card from Don Waddell doesn’t show up on the doorstep of the Pittsburgh Penguin’s front office, he should be scolded for not properly showing appreciation for such a wonderful gift.
Ilya Kovalchuk, after taking a whole game off from scoring, (slacker), tied the game at a goal apiece at 16:22 of the second after drawing a penalty against the boards and then drilling a laser blast on the ensuing power play. It was his 29th goal of the year and 47th point. He is on pace to net 66 goals and 107 overall points. Both would be career highs.
Marian Hossa, (1 goal and 1 assist), ended the well-played game 19 seconds into the overtime period when he scooped the puck away from a Blues defender’s skates and flipped it past Manny Legace.
Then there is Kari Lehtonen. Four straight starts, four straight wins, four straight games he allowed only two goals. I think he has gotten a grip on this “consistency” thingy. In front of Kari was another fine job by the defenders. To-BEE-us Enstrom finished a +1 and had two assists during his 25:34 TOI. Ken Klee played well, notably with the sliding block on Keith Tkachuk in the first period. Steve McCarthy, XLB both had strong showings as well.
The Thrashers out shot St. Louis 25-20. That’s right, they held a team to 20 shots in 60:19 worth of game. Who said there is no Santa Claus?
The win brings the Thrashers to 37 points in 36 games, places them in second place in the Southeast Division just four points behind Carolina, (who have played one game more then Atlanta). Keep in mind the two games against the Hurricanes just after New Years…could be very big! Coming away with two points Sunday also puts them in ninth place in the conference, a single point below the playoff line.
Playing Outside The Box
One of the reasons the Thrashers have been able to pull of four straight wins, the last three being of the one-goal variety, is the fact that they have cut down on the silly penalties. Sunday they only gave St. Louis 3 power play opportunities, Saturday night Montreal had two, Thursday night Ottawa also was limited to two. This tends to cut down on shots per games and makes life easier on the man ‘tween the pipes. Kari, in turn, has returned the favor by putting in four straight high-quality starts.
Merry Christmas To All
I hope that everyone out there in Blogland has a very Merry Christmas!! This is especially true for you, Manley, and all of our wonderful men and women who are serving our nation. Whether you’re in Iraq, Afghanistan or at any post around the globe, you have our thoughts, our love, our prayers and support. We hope you return home safe and victorious! May God keep His watch over you as you keep your watch over us.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Blueland!!!
