AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > November > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USComing From Behind, Thrashers Win
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Looking out over the blogosphere…OK you guys, I want absolutely no comments in regards to the looks and appearance of the Islanders logo. We will have absolutely none of that crap this go around!
Got it?…Good!
ahem
After period number two, the Atlanta Thrashers found themselves down 3-1 to the New York Islanders. The fans at Philips were grunting and groaning at the prospect of dropping a game they need to win in order to remove themselves from the bottom of the standings.
A pair of rapid-fire goals by the visiting team in the second period…goals that came only 17 seconds apart…made it look as though the Thrashers might just be circling the drain.
However, Atlanta’s O-fense started the third period stronger than the odor that permeates from the men’s room at a bus station. The movement toward the Islander net was fast and effective relief from what ailed them just the period before. 29 seconds after the dropping of the puck to start the final frame, Slava Kozlov tallied goal number two of the night. He now has eight after just thirteen games, which is tops on the team and is almost half his total for all of last year. In fact, he did not reach the 13-goal mark last season until Jan. 15.
Just 48 seconds after Kozlov’s goal, Jason Williams forced in the game-tying score off a nifty pass from Tobias Enstrom. The New York defenders were focused in on the Swedish blueliner…but he found his teammate on the backdoor of the Islanders’ goal and zipped the puck over to him.
Then Enstrom …after setting up Kozzy’s first goal and William’s power play goal…fired in the game winner himself with 8:31 remaining. It capped off a fantastic come-from-behind effort, pushing his team on to victory, caused the crowd to go nutty with delight and allowed the Thrashers to squeeze by the Islanders 4-3.
During the third period’s massive push…Atlanta unloaded 12 shots on Islander goalie Joey McDonald. Both teams managed 27 each for the night. Meanwhile, the Thrashers’ defense was busy pinching off all third period attempts made by the Islanders.
Todd White helped his team wipe away the Islanders with a pair of assists. His team-leading points total has been pushed to 14 and he is currently on pace to earn…let’s see if I can work this out with a pencil… here we go, 88 points this season. Not to shabby considering last year he managed to eek out only 37 and that his career high is 60 from six seasons ago as a member of the Ottawa Senators.
Ondrej Pavelec overcame a messy second period in which he allowed 2 goals on only 7 shots…but in the end he earned his second win in as many starts.
Mathieu Schneider was unable to go Thursday night due to a hip flexor injury. He sat down for the first time this season and Boris Valabik was called up to play in his place.
Good news…Kari Lehtonen worked out with the team for the first time in a week. He could be ready to rip sometime this weekend, either Friday night in Buffalo or Sunday at Carolina.
Great win tonight for the T-Birds. After being down a pair of goals to start the final period, it’s always nice to come away with two points while the opposition gets…squat.
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Comments
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By Alan
November 7, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
I saw the title of this blog, and immediately knew what the contents would be like. Rawhide, you haven’t failed to disappoint me yet.
By Tony C.
November 7, 2008 3:49 AM | Link to this
Ok.
Point # 1. I’d like to apologize for bringing up Joey MacDonald’s fine play of late.
Point # 2. THis EC guy really needs to just relax and let himself be himself and finish easy he’s a big guy, soon as figures out how to use that (and I’ve seen flashes of it-1st period esp.).
Again apologies.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
November 7, 2008 4:20 AM | Link to this
Tony C. — No worries about Point #1…the jinx apparently was in effect.
RH — What Alan said.
How did Valabik look?
By Matt
November 7, 2008 6:54 AM | Link to this
Why?…….Dear God, Why……?
I hope for out sake we don’t play the Isle’s again, because these “puns” are going to make me explode.
Thanks Bill, I needed a laugh.
By five_hole
November 7, 2008 7:42 AM | Link to this
The way Ondrej the Giant is playing, I see no reason to rush Kari back.
ranallo10 (in AT) Valabik was stiff. He took a hooking penalty early in the 3rd period (due to bad positioning) and didn’t play the rest of the game.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
November 7, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this
five_hole — Thanks. I guess it’s promising it took him 3 periods to get a bad penalty…
Schneider isn’t expected to make the 2 game road trip to Buffalo and Carolina, from what I read, so it seems we’ll see more of Valabik.
How were the defensive pairings with Schneider’s absence? How was Oystrick playing?
By Russian
November 7, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
I like our Second line Slava-White-Little. They got good chemistry already. First line is OK too, but Crush needs to find a way to score goals. He had lot of moment last game. Pavs played fine and I think we got a problem with Goalies. I know Kari is number one and Moose is back up, but after Moose played two games I can not trust him very much. I like to see Pavs today also. I know it back to back game, but he will be fine. Game with Buffalo will be very hard and dificult. I hope we can get one point. Let’s go Thrashers
By jd (former AIZer)
November 7, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Valabik was awful…. as he usually is. He’s a statue on defense, then hooks, holds or trips when they skate by him.
However I see Oystick as becoming a top 4 defenseman in this league.. as I thought 2 years ago when I watched him in a few AHL games. He just needs to adjust to the NHL speed. But his shot is wicked (slap shot winner in AHL allstar game).
I really thought the game was decided when Pavelic started stoning them in the 3rd. Obviously 2 quick goals helped as well.
Speaking of goalies… If moose is on this team in January, I’ll be shocked. It’s time for him to become a goalie coach.
By Russian
November 7, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
Oystick was looking good last night. I am happy with our D-men now. Even if we lost Schnider and Havelid for next season, we still have Bogus and Oystick plus Hainsy. He is plaing very good. I like to see him as Captian. About Moose, I think we need to send him to Chicago. He needs play time not only practice time. We have to stick with Pavs and Kari for today and keep Pavs until he is winning. He is a hot goalie right now.
By BlueSpark
November 7, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Schneider is the new Zhitnik.
Crusher is the new Dupuis.
Valabik is the new Sutton.
I like Oystrick and Pavelec so far. I’m in no rush to see Kari back.
Fourth line looked ok last night - reminded me of last year. Get the puck deep, and get a few chances.
Kovy is going to light someone up soon, but I don’t think it will be tonight. Tonight will be a really tough game; hopefully they can eek out a point. Sunday is more important (‘Canes, right?).
By Bob
November 7, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Valabik was awful, he looked so bad on that 2nd Isle goal, that was just pitiful. And the penalty was awful as well, I can’t blame coach for sitting him.
So Coach had to really light them up at the end of the 2nd, eh? Good for him, but the mere fact that we have to work so hard to beat that crappy club in our own house just goes to show how long this build year is going to be. That was some bad hockey on both sides last night.
By Alan
November 7, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
I think everyone is being too hard on Valabik. Yes, he was stiff, bad positioning, and looked awful last night. But he’s a big guy who hasn’t exactly had a fair shake in the NHL quite yet. The kid needs at least a year of solid NHL time before we can say he’s really a horrible D-man and say we wasted a first rounder on the guy.
Look at how awful some of the NHL’s other big guys looked in the past when they first started out, and how well they were able to eventually pick up the faster pace.
Valabik has the heart, but not yet the skill. Give him some consistent playing time, and we’ll likely see a different Valabik this time next year than we do now.
By PJ
November 7, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Welcome Back Rawhide I was getting worried that the election was going to constipate your creative thinking. I’m so glad you’ve found a way to expell your grief and come out smelling like a rose.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
November 7, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
Alan — I’m sure many people like to forget this, but the same things were said about Coburn during his brief stints in Atlanta. At one point it was stated that the Chicago fans were happy to see Coburn in Atlanta, because he was out of Chicago. I’m guessing most of those people like to forget they ever said such things, seeing as Coburn is now playing well in Philadelphia (as expected).
It’s easy to criticize a rookie, especially one with limited exposure and experience at the NHL level.\
Personally, I think Valabik will be fine, and eventually be the top 4 defender we all want him to truly be. It’ll be great if his potential is realized in Atlanta, and not after he’s traded away ala Coburn.
By jason
November 7, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Hasn’t the joke played out yet Rawhide?
By Scotty
November 7, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
You know what really stinks? That Sunday’s game is not on TV!
That’s just crappy IMHO.
All away games should be televised.
By Alan
November 7, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
jason - I imagine this joke will run for as long as the “Devil went down to Georgia” song is played whenever NJD is playing here.
Heh heh. I said run.
By Nikita
November 7, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
I think Slater is our Dupuis.
I also think Eric Perrin needs to be off the 4th. He does fine there, but we’re losing both points and playmaking by putting him on the wing of a non-scoring line. We’re also risking his injury as that line takes the worst beating.
By Russian
November 7, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
to Nikita Eric Perrin needs to be off the 4th Where do you want to put him? Third line? He will be injure also. Perrin needs to score on 4-line and make them more productive. I agree if you play 6 minute for game it is impossible, but this is what JA wants it. I did not see place for Perrin on second or first line.
By Midfield
November 7, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what you people are watching. Here’s who the Isles scored on:
1st goal: on Havelid’s loose and slow coverage of Sim in front of the goal 2nd goal: on Valabik getting lost during the Isles rush 3rd goal: on Oystrick falling while trying to hit the Isle on the rush.
So, how is Valabik responsible for all of this? He wasn’t even on the ice for 2 of the 3 goals.
By Tony C.
November 7, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Uhh midfield, wasn’t he the strong-side D-man when Sim scored? Didn’t he try and lift his stick instead of just lightin’ his a$$ up?
I’ll watch the tape, I may be wrong
By Midfield
November 7, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Tony, Sim was right in front of the net. At this point, it does not matter what side are you playing. The closest guy must play both the stick and the body - move him, knock him over, do whatever. Reaching for his stick, or a puck, does not cut it, that’s for sure.
By Midfield
November 7, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
ok, I take this back. Valabik WAS the closest guy to Sim. Havelid was behind. Talk about making a fool of myself.
By Daryl
November 7, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Time’s up for Jimmy Slater. Package him with Hedberg and take what you can get.
By Steely Dan
November 7, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Whoo-hoo!! Jason Williams scores, 1-0 Thrash.
Could he be waking up? Boy would that be nice.
By Capt Caveman (The Original Dawg)
November 7, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Great win for the Thrash. Love that goal from Little sliding on his face and crashing into the net. Great Hockey Move !!!
Also a great back-handed put back rebound to the top shelf to win the game.
I thought they showed good fight and it looks like the defense in front of the net is improving.
Go Thrashers !!!!
By Brendan
November 7, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Zach Redmond made a nifty move in the shootout, but did not score in the CCHA game on NHL TV, featuring Redmond’s Ferris State vs. Miami of Ohio, ranked #8. The Miami University Redhawks won it, 3-2, in the shootout.
SCORES!!! Jason Williams, from Kovy and Hainsey!! Thrashers win, 5-4, in overtime!! Moose gets the win!! The Thrashers trailed 2-1, after one period, and 4-3, after two periods. T-birds now have a three game winning streak.
Hey, Bryan Little stole this game for Atlanta. He should have had a “hat trick.” I am really liking his development. After all, that’s what this year is all about.
By five_hole
November 7, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Brian Little is my dawg! Thought Moose was shaky early, but hung on. Good thing Moose’s butt is big; it saved a goal for us. Hainsey is hands down the best d-man we’ve got. Did anyone else notice the saucer pass he gave Kovy on the OT goal? Valabik is still stiff, but didn’t do anything stupid. And while Todd White is still soft, he is accumulating points, and hustling on the ice. He deserves some respect.
By Mike B
November 7, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
This game had loss written all over it for reasons too numerous and obvious to mention. It is, instead, the best road win in years!! Coach Anderson is going to make a contender out of these guys!! Go thrash!
By Brendan
November 7, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
Okay … Darren Eliot and J.P. Dellacamera … there was ‘good’ and ‘bad’ tonight. It started out bad. In the first period, Eliot cracked a joke/reference to ‘exit polling’ and J.P. ate it up, congratulating Darren on the reference in an election year. All I could do was cringe. Then, in the third period, (I think,) Hedberg smothered the puck on the goal line. Darren Eliot refered to it as a save with his buttocks. For some reason, this high intrigued J.P. Dellacamera, and Eliot revised his reference to Hedberg’s backside and posterior. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with saying the word buttocks on TV. So, I don’t see the hangup, on the part of Dellacamera. But I want to credit Darren Eliot for a comment and position he took during the Thrashers timeout in the final minute of play. Dellacamera was confused as to the timing of the timeout, mentioning that he’s seen coaches using timeouts at all sorts of stages of the games so far this year. Darren had to explain to J.P. that the timeout is being used now, and in those previous instances around the league, after a team ices the puck because it gives them some time to rest. Whereas, without the timeout, the tired players must immediate resume play. Darren could have easily slammed Dellacamera for not knowing that one. But he didn’t. He handled it just right.
By Russ
November 7, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
3 wins in a row. The team showed good character tonight to keep coming back from one goal down and then picking up the extra point in OT…on the second game of a back-to-back no less. Great job!!! Go THRASHERS!!!!!
By Russian
November 7, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
It is THREE in ROAD…. We are going to right direction. :-)
By Capt Caveman (The Original Dawg)
November 7, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Nice back-handed put back to the top shelf off the rebound from Kovy’s shot.
Good win. Didn’t see the whole game as i was watching the Hawks blow out the Raptors to go to 4-0. But the Thrash are showing some good moxy and fight, looks like their defense in front of the net is improving. At least from what I saw, also a good game from Bryan Little. Always like guys that score goals while sliding on the face and crashing in to the net !! Great Hockey Move
By B. Thenet
November 7, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Just keep the same blog title for the next entry.
By Rawhide
November 8, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
Caveman - Yup…that was a great game tonight! Lot’s-O-fun to watch! Great news on the other Birds of Philips as well.
B. Thenet - I could do that…but I decided on Win, Win, Win instead.
By Hockeyman3944
November 8, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
Teflon Don? That’s a great moniker for Dum, “I can’t beleive I manage a pro sports team” Fraudell! This guy is so inept its a standing joke in the league. As long as he’s here this will always be a jerk water hockey town competing for sports dollars with college football, Braves, the impoving Hawks and of course the Falcons. Slim chance! He has had the opportunity to pick up UFA’s, he’s well below the salary cap and he sits on his hands, thinking everything is fine. Hey Don, wake up and smell the standings! We’re lower than whale s**t! I’m a lifelong fan, played since I was five, I’m 54 now and frankly, I’m sick of this franchise giving Dummy a continued free pass…Pick up some players, hell even Shanahan is available for nothing, bring in some talent, quit throwing nickels like man hole covers and step up to build this franchise. I saw someone mention the “Tavares” sweepstake…screw the continual rebuild! Bogo makes $2.7mm as a rookie, more than a proven although aged Adam Foote for example. Ahh, this falls on deaf ears, so we’ll just sit back and suffer some more I guess.
By dhj_1962
November 8, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
big game in carolina sunday, loss there and all the neysayers will be back blogging. another effort like last nite offensively and thrashers have a chance, just need for KL to play hard and battle all 60 minutes. no let downs, clear the crease and move the puck out of the d zone quickly.