AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 16
Sunday, March 16, 2008
You Say You Want A Revolution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“You say you want a revolution, well you know we all want to change the world”…well, maybe not the “world”, as the Lennon/McCartney written Beatles song would indicate, but certainly Blueland. And a great deal of this “revolution” talk that has been bantered about in these parts revolves around the subject of boycotts, walkouts and not attending games.
“You tell me that it’s evolution”, or at least it’s the desire to bring about the evolution of change many feel is needed in the management of the team. I’ve read the posts and I’ve heard those who have told me themselves of their plans to not attend games or renew season tickets until such changes are made. I completely agree with the motives. However, in consideration of such tactics, all I can say is,” don’t you know that you can count me out”.
Understand, this is not to infer to anyone that to be a true Thrashers fan they HAVE to continue to spend money on the team at the same level they have in past years or even increase that amount. What another person does with their entertainment dollar is completely their choice. But as for me…I will continue to spend 20 to 25 evenings at Philips Arena next year yelling and screaming for our Thrashers…or AT them.
Yes, I’m fully aware of those who’ll say that those who continue paying to attend games until changes are made are simply acting as mindless sheep, (of course, that’s a Pink Floyd song). But the fact of the matter is that I would rather be at Philips with 18,000 other die-hard fans voicing my displeasure at the product placed on the ice, as well as the way they have been coached and managed, than sitting alone on my couch throwing pillows at the TV in disgust.
For the record, the Divine Mrs. R agrees with me completely as we have gone through far too many “throw” pillows at the Rawhide abode this season.
Now, I understand the logic that is involved with such “revolutionary” thinking…and I’m not even saying it’s unfounded. But just as I cannot root for my team to “tank it” in order to better their chances at the top draft pick, I cannot turn my back on the team and stay home. Don Waddell can’t hear me “BOO” from there…or cheer when they do well. Thus, in this instance, I do not believe in the power of “The Sound of Silence”, (Simon and Garfunkel, but you knew that).
Does this mean I am not upset with what has been skated out on the ice this year, the way they were coached and the decisions that were made by the front office? Does it mean I am not looking for some serious changes to be made once the season is over? No… quite the contrary. In fact, I am very unhappy with many things that have unfolded during this 8th Thrashers campaign, as just about everyone else is…and we will discuss these things further when we perform our end-of-season post mortem in a few weeks.
But I’m a hockey fan and a Thrashers fan and I love going to the games. If I’m a fool for that, so be it. If you choose to withhold your money in a show of disgust, that’s your right and we can just agree to disagree in how we go about supporting our team.
After all, “Ain’t that America”? (John Cougar, or John Cougar Mellencamp, or John Mellencamp or…oh whatever)!
Weekend Update
The Thrashers lost to Washington and Florida by combined scores of 7-2. They took an average of 21 shots per game, (12 on Friday), gave up an average of 31 shots per game, (which will actually improve the yearly SA/G statistic). They were 0-8 on the power play, were 62.5% effective on the penalty kill and have now dropped 12 of their last 14 games…one of those wins needing the shootout.
But good news…Bruce Levenson insists we are moving in the right direction!
Elimination Night
A regulation loss by the Thrashers Tuesday night in Philadelphia sets up the scenario in which they would be mathematically eliminated from the Southeast Division race with a loss to Carolina on Wednesday.
But good news…Bruce Levenson insists we are moving in the right direction!
We’re No. 30!
The Thrashers are now last in the NHL in goals allowed, shots on goal per game, shots against per game, last in the amount of times out shooting opponents and 5-5 goals for/against ratio.
But good news…Bruce Levenson insists we are moving in the right direction!
