AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 01
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Thrashers Avoid Last Place - No Foolin’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kari Lehtonen stopped all 36 shots that Tampa Bay launched and Ilya Superchuk scored twice to beat the Lightning 2-0 keeping Atlanta out of the division and conference cellar. There was no TV coverage of it, local or Center Ice…but it really did happen, I promise.
The shutout was Kari’s fourth of the season and the two goals give Kovy 52 on the year, tying his career high. It sure would be nice if he could get that one more to set a new personal high. His play has been one of the few bright spots on the season.
The win also means that the Thrashers will end the year with a record of 13-3 in games not televised in the local area. Hey, I’m just pointing it out, that’s all.
And now, some other items to discuss on this initial day of the fourth month…planting tongue firmly in cheek.
Coach Hartley Confirms Firing Rumor
After Mondays win in Tampa last night, coach Hartley confirmed reports that he was almost fired last October. “Yes it’s, ah, true”, said the coach now completing his 4th complete season behind the bench. “Don, ah, wasn’t, like, happy with the way we started”.
But these days are happier now. The 2-0 win gave Atlanta their 90th point on the year, keeping them tied with Carolina for the division lead and a point behind 8th place Boston in the conference standings.
Hartley continued, “I’m real glad that Don looked at the past success of the team, remembering the 4-9-1 start two years ago and how we came just a win away from the playoffs,…(%$#& Dunham),…so, 40-30-10 is a good place to be right now. It’s not RIGHT where we, ah, wanted to be, but given the slow start and all, I’ll take it. I mean, it’s not like we’re 33-39-8 or something like that and barely staying out of last place”.
Indeed.
Grab Your Skates - Open Tryouts
The Thrashers are poised to announce “Open Tryouts” to the public in search of defensive players for next year’s team. Those interested are required to come to the Duluth practice facility with a certified letter from a practicing physician indicating you are healthy enough to participate. You’ll need your own skates and pads, however practice jerseys will be made available…most with the numbers 18 or 77.
Applicants will need to fill out a small questionnaire including a written response as to why they feel they’re qualified to play on the team. However, responses will be limited to 1,500 words or less. Sorry Brendan.
Also, there will be a minimum height requirement of 5’-4” in order to participate. Sorry PJ.
There will be a $200.00 application fee. Make checks payable to Bill Tiller.
Mulligan’s Island
Executive Vice President, General Manager and Acting Head Coach, (did I forget anything), Don Waddell has been working the phones to NHL head quarters in Toronto seeking clarification of the rarely used “Mulligan Rule” as it relates to this past season. Seems he is very interested in reverting back to the date of October 17, 2007 and then having a go at it again from there.
Of course, if he’s given enough time, Waddell just may “Mulligan” the Thrashers right back to their initial season.
A Star Is Born
This summer, Bruce Levenson will realize a life-long dream of acting in a major epic movie. He has landed a role in Monumental Picture’s “Custer’s Little Big Horn Adventure”. Levenson’s role is a small but meaningful one as Lt. Colonel Custer’s personal assistant.
His one and only speaking part comes as the 7th army moves into a very exposed field of battle on that fateful day in June 1876. Custer turns to his assistant and asks, “Look, I’m really not too sure about this course of action. Are you positive this will be the best position for us to take”?
Levenson responds, “Yes Colonel, I’m sure that we are…moving in the right direction”.
Leave It To The Trained Professionals
Congratulations are in order for Jay Busbee, the gent who handles the sports blog for our friends over at Atlanta Magazine online! In a recent Pulitzer-esque write-up about Atlanta Braves great Terry Pendleton, Jay actually reached double digits in posted comments!
audible gasp from the blogosphere…then polite “golf claps”, ooos and aahs
Obviously, we stand today in the shadows of a giant amongst sports blog… ahem…professionals. And as a mere “goofy ranting fan” who is “barely literate, obvious, and unfunny”…I can only dream of ever reaching such lofty heights in reader participation. How anyone could gain the “keys to the blog-writing tool”, other than this icon in the industry, is simply beyond me…and I’m not just saying that!
We, the great unwashed in the eyes if such literary genius…the rank amateurs… thank Jay for sharing with us his most informative, entertaining and amusing words… and for showing us just how a wildly successful sports blog should be run!
Remember kids, as Jay so eloquently points out, “people can die” from the “predictably idiotic” type of jocularity that takes place on this blog…so let’s just be careful out there! But, by the grace of God no one has gotten hurt on the blog yet…even with all of the traffic that occurs here on a daily basis.
Fortunately, no one is in such danger as they stroll Right Down Peachtree with Jay Busbee… or the two titans in the blogging world that he apparently gains his insight from, “Barry Melrose Rocks” and “Fanhouse”.
So everyone, please join me in giving Jay a big round of cyber-applause for a job well done. All I can say Jay is, (if I may be allowed to borrow one of your original, witty phrases), ”Wow. Just…wow”.
But Seriously, Folks….
Bruce Levenson has indicated that, despite the abysmal record of the team… being last in GA/A, S/G, SA/G, worst 5 on 5 Goals For/Against Ratio, last in times out-shooting an opponent, worst GF/GA differential in the league and falling from a 3rd seed in the playoffs last year to 14th in the conference this season… Don Waddell, the man who put the team together and coached it, (for the most part), will return next season as general manager.
Really…I’m serious.
