AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAll Star Weekend Memories & Quick Shots
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve lived in Metro Atlanta for the better part of three decades now and have seen the likes of several big events come our way. Remaining from each are certain memories and visions.
Included are… The Olympics in ’96 where I can still see by boys, then 4 and 3, running through the fountains in Centennial Park while we were taking in the sites. Two Super Bowls, one in the midst of an ice storm. Five World Series in the ‘90s with the Braves… though I only choose to think of the one in ‘95. The Democratic National Convention in ’88, (actually, I left for Tampa while that circus came to town…but Rob Lowe was here). There was the MLB All Star game in 2000 in which Sammy Sosa launched a shot over the giant scoreboard during the home run contest, (juiced balls? Performance enhancers? Nah…couldn’t be).
And now the 2008 NHL All Star weekend, which was much awaited and anticipated, has come and gone leaving a plethora of memories. Hossa’s goal, Nash’s hat trick, the West All Stars erasing a 5-1 deficit, Enstrom playing in the Young Stars game, Kovy’s give-n-go goal with Eric Staal, and so much more.
But what will probably stick with me the most as I think about the 56th NHL All Star game is the way it was played in the third period, especially the last several minutes. Seven of the 15 goals came in the last period. Toward the end, the “friendly” match actually resembled a hockey game as the pace picked up, the score seesawed back and forth and ended with Marc Savard’s game-winner with 20.9 seconds left!
Great ending to a great game and a great weekend!
Here are some other quick shots from my viewpoint…and I look forward to reading yours.
One Big Happy Family
Going to a Thrashers game, or any pro sports game in this town, one becomes accustomed to the amount of out-of-town jerseys worn. But this weekend I didn’t have the same “there goes the enemy” feeling I normally get when seeing them.
Rangers and Bruins jersey are greeted with, “Howdy folks, how ya doing”? Flames and Blackhawks sweaters? Nice to see them all! Sharks and Maple Leafs? “Darn glad to see ya”! Sabres and Flyers…well, uh… let’s not get too carried away in the moment, OK.
SuperSkills Competition
Saturday’s SuperSkills Competition was a lot of fun to watch. It gave an opportunity to enjoy the individual players display their talents. Most of it was great and lived up to its hype. However I have a couple modifications to suggest.
First off, the speed skating competition is better in its former form. I would prefer to see the individual player doing laps rather then a 5 second sprint a third of the way down ice. It just seemed to be over with too fast. Plus, in doing laps, the skater has to corner as well as skate.
Second, I love the concept of the new break away exhibition. And having ‘Neque and Mellanby sit in as judges was fantastic! Unfortunately, with the exception of Ovechkin and possibly Kovy, the players didn’t rise to the spirit of the concept, as it more resembled the shootout. Maybe if they remove the goalie, or at least make him stay in the blue paint, the players can concentrate on being creative with stick and puck, and not just trying to beat the keeper.
Tough Crowd
Did my ears deceive me or did I heard the “Goalie Chant” ring forth from the Nasty Nest Saturday night during the Young Star game as well as Sunday’s All Star game? Good to see that the inhabitants of Section 320 were not star-struck and kept to form!
Job Well Done
The Atlanta Boys Choir sang the National Anthem prior to the All Star game and did a stellar job! Well done, gentlemen!
Well-Deserved Honor
Willie O’Ree was honored just prior to the start of the second period Sunday for his breaking of the color barrier in the NHL 50 years ago. His debut came on January 18, 1958 as a Boston Bruin against the Montreal Canadiens. O’Ree was presented with commemorative stick by the two All Star captains!
It was significant as it came during an All Star game being played in a city so steeped in civil-rights history as ours.
Kovy Shark Bitten
Twice San Jose Shark net minder Evgeni Nabokov robbed Ilya Kovalchuk in the closing seconds of the 2nd period. The first was on a one-timer from the slot that was snared by Nabokov’s glove. Then, just seconds prior to the break, the Sharks goalie stacked the pads on a break away by Kovy. Ilya’s reaction to Nabokov after the first save was priceless as he fell to his back in disbelief then publicly gave the keeper his due.
Enjoy the moments and memories, Atlanta. The NHL season resumes Tuesday and the Thrashers get back at it Wednesday…and there is much work to do.
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Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Alan
January 28, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this
I hated the fastest skater competition. There needs to be far more ice for them to do it the way they were during the SuperSkills competition. It seems to me, they tried to go more along the lines of a 100yd dash format. That just doesn’t work on a hockey rink. Skating across Lake Michigan, on the other hand…
Also, I would say Ovechkin was the most creative of all the breakaway shooters. Even if he did miss (a baseball player, he most certainly is not), he still tried, and that’s all that mattered. Kovy’s to-the-knees attempt was interesting, but really pales in comparison to Ovechkin.
Lastly, I would like to see Kovy come back with more goals on Wednesday so he can take back the goal scoring lead.
By stendec
January 28, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
The stars were fun but it is time to get back to work! Marian Hossa got a goal. Ilya Kovalchuk did not. Who cares? All goals were meaningless. Entertaining, but meaningless. Would like to see major Chicago call-up! Current Thrashers have evidently lost interest in competing. KL, Moose and IK are welcome but ditch the rest. Team requires players with hearts! Saw none in back-to-back debacles in Big Rotten Apple. Maybe star break was what everyone needed! Certainly hope so. GO FLAMES!
By Alan
January 28, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
stendec - I hope there’s a few call-ups from Chicagoland. And I definitely hope the break has helped the Thrashers settle down to think about their current losing streak, and what lies ahead for them as a team. Everyone needs to work together, and besides the three you mentioned, no one is really showing any of that heart. No one is screening the goalies for garbage goals, either, and that makes their job (winning) a lot harder than it has to be.
By LAC
January 28, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
The entire weekend was simply put GREAT.
Everything was well run and the crowd was excellent and all events well attended… Who says The NHL is NOT popular in Atlanta ??? IT IS !!!
Just a Great Weekend and I hope NHL fans everywhere saw how Great Atlanta is as an NHL city and City in general is…
By five_hole
January 28, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
Wow; what a weekend. I think Atlanta put on a pretty good show. My biggest criticism; people in the stands didn’t know what was going on a lot of times. During the skills competition; after Kovy raced, he lined up again but then they pulled him? In the ASG after the 1st period, I have NO idea what they did on the ice for 15 minutes.
I would also prefer the old style “fastest skater” but other wise it was a great weekend.
By Mary
January 28, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
What a great weekend. The kids made it so special. All of their smiles and their sweaters (jerseys). If one was lucky enough to get up close, the group of players on the red carpet were great to the fans. The best part of the skills night was seeing the players have fun. Kovy could not have represented himself or Atlanta any better. It is back to reality today. Hopefully the fun and POSITIVE All Star spirit can live on for a few more days.
By GaVaHokie
January 28, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
The shoot out challenge will get better with time… eventually it will look like this
I had a blast this weekend… I had several vendors and staff tell me it was one of the best All Star events they’ve seen. One said it was THE best.
By GaVaHokie
January 28, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
My favorite moment was the Tim Thomas back spin on the breakaway challenge. :)
I was really impressed with Dion Phaneuf’s shooting skills… sigh, what could have been.
Meeting Alyssa Milano was pretty sweet, I have to admit, too.
Pat Quinn is a tremendous guy, I like him more than ever now… you can really tell he loves this city.
By J(Z)
January 28, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
I agree with most everything already said. During the skills competition, it was hard to tell what was really going on. At the top of section 303, you couldn’t really hear the PA or the on ice interviews very well. It was still a lot of fun. Kind of disappointed in the “slam dunk” shootout thing. Not enough people got creative. Afterwards I rewatched the Versus broadcast and they showed some 9 year old kid do some incredible move. We needed more of that! Also on the versus rebroadcast they said that Campbell’s time was faster than Ilya’s. I cannot even explain how they could think that, but there’s no chance! They definitely need to rework that. Loved seeing the goalies shoot the puck.
During the all star game itself, I was kind of disappointed that they just showed versus commercials on the big screen so often. No games? No fury to be unleashed? I ran into Rabid Fan buying a beer after the first period and asked him if he was gonna do his thing…he said probably not. At least he didn’t get HIS hopes up! All in all it was a lot of fun, can’t wait to see all my friends’ pictures from the weekend! One of my favorite parts was yelling at DiPietro to “SHOOT” when he was messing around with the puck in the first period. Turns out that goal by Nash, 12 seconds in, was the fastest in All Star History. And while that was going on, Mike “Doc” Emerick was actually chatting with DiPietro. So, an assist to Doc. Good stuff!
But the highlight was Ilya getting robbed at the end of the 2nd…then dropping to the ice in disbelief.
By JayBird
January 28, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
It was a great weekend. The skills competition was fun, the game was exciting but the most fun I had was taking stupid pictures with the mascots. How often do you get to take a picture with the Devils mascot giving the Devil horns sign with your fingers? Classic!
I really enjoyed the way Kovalchuk entertained this weekend. Like Schultz talked about in his article, Kovy really seemed to open up to everyone. It was truly great to see. Meeting fans from around the country was cool as well. Around us, we had fans from Detroit, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Carolina. Truly a cool experience.
By DWTOO
January 28, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Truly one of the best experiences I’ve had in the past 50 years. The atmosphere around the arena was tremendous. I hope this has shown everyone that Atlanta has the potential to be a Hockey Town. Our fans have the passion. We just need to increase the numbers.
And the AJC is absolutely no help. Wish I hadn’t read any of the Sunday. Headline articles on the front pages of the paper and sports pages were so negative it really made me wonder who’s side is this rag on? Hummer and Stinson - A big middle finger to you both!
The highlight of the weekend was our group of tailgaters doing the lead-ins for “Hockey Night in Canada” at the Red Carpet event. We’re probably famous north of the border
By Buzilla Baby Blues
January 28, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Why the hell wasn’t Kovy in the hardest shot contest? That actually p** me off…
By Buzilla Baby Blues
January 28, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
…but then I went to the Pink Pony and everything turned out alright.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
January 28, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
But the whole All-Star thing was amazing. I had an awesome time. Even Mrs. Buzilla loved it…
By Chris Lipuma
January 28, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Loved the “KNIGHTS!” chant during the National anthem! Old habits sure die hard!
By GaVaHokie
January 28, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
If you go under Bill Clement’s article on Hockey Buzz, a bunch of posters on his comments page are dogging Atlanta for booing other players… seems some people find us “classless”.
Not that I’m concerned, just saying for the record.
By Ryan
January 28, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
I have not posted much this season, maybe not at all. I had to comment on this. I loved hearing that Waddell got booed when he was introduced. For those who gave it to Gary Bettman, during the MVP presentation, I applaud you all. He was chatting during intermission and it affirmed my belief that he is a massive tool. He truly feels that he knows what the fans want by conducting many surveys. Well Gary, I’m still waiting for mine. Hope everyone had a great time. Time for the Thrash to put a nice run together. One more thing, it was great to see the hometown guys getting support. Keep it up Blueland.
By ToF
January 28, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Classless, that’s kinda funny. I mean, we did heckle the hell out of Osgood, but he did give like 7 goals to the youngstars and then 5 in the big game. So it wasn’t unwarranted. On the other hand, Kevin Shultz of BMR and NHL Fanhouse gave the ATL fanbase a glowing review. Check it here
By Sara
January 28, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
What an AMAZING weekend (marching bands on ice!!!). So much to remember (my personal highlight: shaking Luc Robitaille’s hand!).
The booing thing: first, I didn’t realize so many Edmonton fans came down so they could boo Pronger in person. ;) But most of the booing is really meant in good fun I think. It was pretty much reserved for the biggest rivals (TB/NYR) and I looked at it as a fun way to remind these superstars like Vinny and St Louis about who’s house they’re in (altho I did not myself “boo” anyone - except the Leafs mascot but that’s another story entirely). And the booing of Savard goes along the same lines…cause when it mattered he got the cheers.
Same with the goalie heckling - although Osgood did get it the worst. I wore my Wings jersey Saturday and had more than a few people looking at me funny for helping to tell Ozzie how much he s*cks. :D
There are some things I would want to see different next year - mainly not having two types of shoot-out events during the SuperSkills. Leave it at the Breakaway challenge (which for the record will likely be more what we were expecting next season now that I think the players get the point better). I LOVED the format for the YoungStars game. I would REALLY love to see icings, two-line passes, and off-sides NOT called during both games.
Biggest disappointments: I really wanted a Thrash-on-stilts dance - Milli Vanilli especially would have been funny. But something that showcased what we do here in the ATL. Two, I am REALLY upset that Hossa and Kovy were not on the ice for the last 20 seconds of the game, especially since there was an empty net and Kovy had not scored a goal. A Kovy-Savy-Hossa line would have been, IMO, the best way to end that game.
And what gives with Staal getting the MVP over Nash??
Anyway - the absolute coolest thing I have ever experienced in my life. Hope to do it again someday.
By GaVaHokie
January 28, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Ouch… doesn’t anyone understand we do it to every goalie regardless? Sorry to make him feel bad, but it’s all in good fun.
By GaVaHokie
January 28, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Sara… if the West had won, it certainly would have been Nash’s trophy… and car.
Staal had 2 goals and the game-winning assist.
By DA
January 28, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Most of the booing was by fans in other sweaters in section 211! Thank god Danny was not here!
By LAC
January 28, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Right Ryan, hearing waddell get it was PRICELESS, question IS… Did the worthless owners hear IT TOO !
Some montreal idiot on hockeybuzz was making it sound like there were NO fans there… What a WHINER… It’s in montreal next season BIG DEAL
Then NO emotion in the Arena, BS… It was packed and full of excitement… You canadian jerks need to quit being the whiners you always are… It YOU want it to be an ALL canada league, may I suggest this.
Have 6-8 teams all inside your boarder, NOTHING except canadian born players allowed, and call it the CHL, then we will continue to enjoy NHL hockey and never hear from you worthless jerks again…
I guess you will be bashing the countries overseas next season for having official NHL games there Right.
You people plainly SUCK !
By Pucksdeep
January 28, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
What a weekend. I was a volunteer and essentially sat in a satelite “office” (aka a trailer sandwiched between a bunch of broadcast trailers outside the loading dock at Phillips) and helped issue credentials to staff members from various broadcast affiliations, TSN, VS, CBC, etc. No, I didn’t meet anyone “famous” but I did score a ticket (the best seat I’ve had at a Phillips, EVER) to the Super Skills Challenge, thanks to a super cool NHL employee who we were working with. THAT was a complete bonus and could be referred to as being in the right place at the right time. The experience was truly over the top for me and by the time I did arrive home, I was exhausted from a long day and the sheer rush of adrenaline from basking in one of the greatest sports experiences of my life. Thank you to the NHL for bringing the All-Star experience to Atlanta. I hope having this exciting weekend here somehow ignited something that we as fans, as well as our team and organization, can build upon.
The boos we’re pretty funny, but Osgood was seriously shown up and Savard, well that’s just b/c he doesn’t play here anymore (why is that?) Thomas’ break-dancing/bug spinning on it’s back move was pretty hysterical as well. It looked as though they were all truly having a great time and well, that’s just plain fun to watch.
I’ve definitely grown to appreciate this game more over the last several seasons, being that for most of my life we didn’t even have a home team, but I would have to say that this weekend sealed the deal for me. If I wasn’t before I definitely am now, a hockey fan for life.
And on a depressing sort of note: If that was the last time I see Hoss in a Thrash jersey, then it was a sweet ending. tearful shrug
LET’S GO BLUUUUUE!
By Ryan
January 28, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
LAC, my guess it that the owners did not. And Bettman probably thought the boos for him were actually for the spokesman from Dodge.
By Original ST holder
January 28, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
As a season ticket holder from the beginning I have to say the experience was good - not great. The game itself was fantastic as was the skills challenge. Yes there should be some fixing done to the challenge but by and large it was really good.
Now the bad. Who are the NHL/Thrashers trying to market itself too? Does promoting a Wyclef concert sound attractive to the majority of Thrashers fans/NHL fans? Does having Ne-Yo during the intermission sound good to same? They should have had a longer ceremony for Willie O’Ree. Instead they have 2 people playing video games. That was an insult to Willie. When you have the vast majority of ticket buyers living outside the city of Atlanta why are you marketing to the exact opposite?
By Original ST holder
January 28, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Also, The Knights thing is way over done. Since the Knights are a.) no longer a team, b.)were a minor league team, and c.)never affiliated/associated with the Thrashers. It is also disrespectful to the National Anthem.
Also, the Osgood you s**k chants are stale also and classless. It is acceptable when that person has done you wrong in some way (Heatley would come to mind for his comments about Atlanta fans).
Hossa looked like he did in Detroit a while back. Was he showing off for the other GMs? He has quit on us this year.
The NHL had the tickets to the lower bowl (100 level) and I noticed a lot of empty seats for both the skills and game. So when someone says that Atlanta is not a good hockey town - it was the NHL that did that not the Atlanta fans.
By ranallo10
January 28, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Heatley would come to mind for his comments about Atlanta fans
Original ST holder — Exactly which Heatley comments are you referring to? I did my own (albeit relatively brief) research into the alleged “negative comments about Atlanta fans” and failed to find any evidence of such. Were these comments on video and never transposed to writing? Find me something (not paraphrased memories), please, because I don’t remember nor have ever seen the infamous Heatley comments.
Anybody is welcome to that task as well, because I couldn’t find the info.
By Eileen
January 28, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
What a blast! I think the “suck” chants were totally unnecessary with so many kids in the crowd along with out of towners. It also showed such a lack of class to interupt the boys chior to shout “knight”. It sounds so stupid. I didn’t like the booing for Vinny or Marc, but it goes with the terrority. I thought for one evening, we were one team. Other than that, it was fabulous. It was worth every dime. Kovy is the man. He represened himself and Atlanta in such a positive way.
By J(Z)
January 28, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
For what its worth, when I rewatched on TV, you couldn’t even really hear the Knights yell. Which surprised me.
By Robbie
January 28, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
I swear, some of you folks would complain about winning the lottery.
The All Star Game was fantastic, and we were lucky to have hosted it. Hockey is by far the best sport in town, and the Thrashers are head and shoulders above the Falcons and Hawks.
By Original ST Holder
January 28, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
The comments that I remember were (I paraphrase) about how the Ottawa fans are so much more knowledgeable than the Atlanta fans. That and the Atlanta fans only showed up when the Thrashers were winning.
So he basically was calling out the fans as not being knowledgeable about hockey and not caring.
By Bob
January 28, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Also, the Osgood you sk chants are stale also and classless. It is acceptable when that person has done you wrong in some way (Heatley would come to mind for his comments about Atlanta fans)
Yep, why the Osgood chants, and booing Savard? Heck, even booing Waddell was stupid. I totally agree with you that Heatley would have deserved it for his slap at the collective us as soon as he got off the plane in Ottawa “great to be in a town where the fans know what’s going on”, what a jackhole.
Great weekend overall. The Skills competition was a fun night and the Thrashers management and arena staff did themselves proud putting on a first class event.
Even got to shake Brian Burke’s hand and let him know what a great job I think he’s done. He’s a big man. Willie O’Ree is a first class guy as well, met him and his son, good people.
By Tony C.
January 28, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
I agree about the fastest skater competition-I liked the old 1-lap-around-the-rink method better….although the head-to-head sprints were cool too.
NHL marketing dept.=Clueless
17 finally getting his due= PricelessGO BLUE !!!
By Montreal guy
January 28, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
I thought it was a great weekend, i had LOTS of fun watching it, also i though the fans in Atlanta were great. As for the hockey buzz comments on the booing, who cares… a little booing or chanting here and there is good fun.
Anyways, gj to everyone was a blast!
By Alan
January 28, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
We’re all glad you (Montreal Guy) and other people from all around enjoyed their time in Atlanta. Hopefully, the buzz Atlanta helped generate and the fan participation (whether it was the Hossa chant or the Osgood sucks chant) helped show other markets that Atlanta is indeed becoming more of a hockey hotbed.
By PJ
January 28, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Pucksdeep, I too was a volunteer over the weekend and was also impressed with how well the NHL handled some of the fine details. Alot of thought and effort was given to entertaining and transporting the players, families, NHL legends and executives to all the functions and activites going on all week. The people handling this aspect of the events were very professional and competent.
I too have some reservations about the entertainment that was chosen, the speed skaking blew, the young stars was over too quickly, and why wasn’t Kovy in the hardest shot competition. Well, nothing is perfect.
A few of the highlights for me were having few minutes alone with Brian Campbell’s Mom and pitching her on our fine City and much much we would like her son to relocate here.
I met Tim Thomas’ sweet little seven year old daughter at the aquarium and she told me, “My Daddy doesn’t really skate, he’s a goalie.” Just precious!
I happened upon the West All Stars getting loaded onto the after party bus last night all cleaned up. It was quite a sight but I wont bore you all with the details or I won’t live it down on the blog. I only managed to get two signatures on my program but was as excited as a adolescent girl at a Jonas Bros. concert.
And last, I managed to get inside the arena to watch the last two periods of the game. It was unexpected and I was grateful to be given the opportunity.
Thank you Atlanta for bringing the All Star Game here in 2008 and I hope we are given this opportunity again someday.
Go Thrashers!!
By Hockeyfan
January 28, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
I too would love to see the proof of the alleged Heatley comments. Anytime someone tells you they hate Heatley because what he said about Atlanta it changes as to what he said. Not to far in the future the comments will be that he never wanted to play here and that Sherman should have finished what he started… Give us some proof folks are shut the *&%@ up. Thanks
Loved this weekend. Let’s do it again.
By The Other Bob
January 28, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
PJ - I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention….what was that you were saying about you and the west all stars on the team bus???
By PJ
January 28, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
Hey Other Bob, I never said I was ON the bus. Shhhhhh!!!!
By ranallo10
January 29, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
Original ST Holder, and Bob — My point abut Heatley’s “negative comments” is that nobody can find them written or spoken anywhere, yet people seem to remember the comment vividly. Is it possible that Heatley said “Ottawa has a great set of fans” and spurned Atlanta fans considered it as a knock on them?
It’s not like this is a big deal, but I honestly do not remember ever feeling slighted by any statement Heatley made about Atlanta, and would absolutely love for someone to show me an article or direct quote of the words that upset so many people here in Atlanta.
I’m not doubting he said something that upset Atlantan’s, but I am doubting the bluntness and actual attack on Atlanta fans. Everything I found points to Heatley being a person who simply appreciated the atmosphere of Ottawa revolving around hockey, but also appreciated the Atlanta fans.
By Original ST Holder
January 29, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Hockeyfan - how about you shut the *%#@ up! Where do you get off saying that?
As for the Heatley comment. I remember reading it a few months after he left Atlanta. Maybe Hockeynews? I know I read it and he said what I said earlier. I can’t find it now but I swear he said that. I don’t blindly dislike people. They have to do something or say something that will make me not root for them. Heatley did just that. We supported him through his ordeal and we understood when he needed to leave Atlanta. We don’t like his disparaging the fans here at all.
By Bob
January 29, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
I too would love to see the proof of the alleged Heatley comments
It was a video interview upon his landing in Ottawa. It was literally the first interview where they stuck the camera in his face as he landed in Ottawa. I want to say that I saw the video on TSN’s web site, but not sure about that, but I remember vividly being shocked that he was so low class to slap us all in the face after all that the club and it’s fans had done to support him through “the accident”.
Mabye you can find the video on YouTube, but not sure that was even a web site in those days.
Many of us here on the AJC site commented about how outraged we were that he would slap us all in the face, it was almost like he was laughing that he got out of this hick town. It made me wonder what was really behind the demand to be outright released and then after Waddell told him no way on that, instead to be traded. I don’t know if the AJC archives the old message boards, it might have been before the days of the blog and just when they had a message board here on AJC.
That is why he was booed so viciously upon his first game back, and every game since, and why it will probably continue.
By J(Z)
January 29, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
I too don’t remember actually hearing Heatley say anything and would love to see this in print or on video somewhere.
PJ - I love hearing about stories like that. My biggest regret from this weekend is that I didn’t do the volunteer thing. Good work on Mrs. Campbell :)
WTF is up with that Mark Bradley article asking who is worse? Thrashers or Hawks??? How can you write that NOW? Both teams are in legit playoff races. This city just came off looking like a hockey town this weekend and you’re gonna write a piece of %^*&( article the next day. In honor of the Regular Guys being back…FU Mark Bradley!
Rawhide, you and Custance are the best and apparently ONLY good things going for this paper!!!! That article REALLY p** me off!
By Rawhide
January 29, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Montreal Guy - Thanks for the comments! Glad your experience was a good one!
J(Z) - Thank you for the kind words…I, too, think Craig does a fantastic job covering the team as well and I love his blog!
Pucksdeep & Puckjunque - Great job helping out with everything! It’s people like you that truly made last weekend the success it was!
Oh, and PJ…something for you. Enjoy!
By Rone
January 29, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
All-star weekend was great. I agree with most of your ideas for improving the skills competition.
The fastest skater will never go back to a full lap because that’s the one event that gave all NHL GM’s the most heartburn. If a player loses an edge going behind the net at full speed and goes into the boards feet first, he may rip his knee apart.
I thought the sprint was fine, but they just needed to have stop-watches that worked.
By Christy
January 29, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
“Does having Ne-Yo during the intermission sound good to some?”
I dunno, that’s when we went to get a beer refill. good timing to me.
Saturday was more fun than Sunday, IMHO, and I was frankly embarrassed by all the booing (except the refs of course). I have partial season tickets in section 320 (the Nasty Nest? who knew)and yeah, you boo the opposing goaltender, but gee, I didn’t expect that during the all star game. But hey, Crosby even got it during the Pens game so I guess anybody is fair game. Which leads into the Knights shout WAS completely appropriate. That’s what we do in Atlanta.