AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > November > 16
Sunday, November 16, 2008
“The Streak”…shhh, Whisper When You Say It
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before we even get started… let me just say that I fully recognize that even having this discussion may be viewed as running afoul of all hockey etiquette. Under normal circumstances, speaking of the Thrashers current win streak, (yes, whisper when you say it), can bring about a jinxification of maximum proportions. However, I have consulted with the hockey gods and have received a complete dispensation in regards to this matter for the purpose of education and communication as it relates to the current Thrashers win streak and those that will follow. Thus, I have been absolved of any responsibility in regards to the possible demise of the streak.
Hey…being der Blogmeister does have its perks and privileges.
See…win streaks create confidence in players and are a strong force that can propel average teams into good teams…good teams into contending teams. But they are also very, very fragile and should be guarded and cared for by all.
I can remember back to the 1982 Atlanta Braves season…that was the team that won the first 13 games of the schedule. Game number 14 was a loss to the Cincinnati Reds and it began a five-game losing streak. The Braves needed every one of those 13 wins as they edged out the division rival L.A. Dodgers by a single game.
Then there are the 1998 Falcons. After a 28-3 loss to the New York Jets they won the remaining nine games to finish the season at 14-2. They then won both playoff games…including a 30-27 overtime classic in Min-EE-Sooo-TAH…that sent them to Super Bowl XXXIII.
In both cases, the team’s successful season contained their own versions of “The Streak”.
Tonight in Philly our own Atlanta Thrashers will be gunning for a franchise record sixth straight win. To be sure, players have their own rituals, superstitions and “quirks” to keep winning streaks and 7 wins in 8 games type of runs alive…but what of the fans?
To begin with, there is the matter of your team jerseys. Make garshed-derned sure these treasured garments are dealt with properly. Do not…repeat…do NOT wash these jerseys during any successful span of games. Don’t even THINK about it. In fact, do not even spot clean any mustard or beer stains that may have soiled them while being worn at Philips. These are sacred artifacts and remains that must not be tampered with.
Also…make sure that they are stored or hung in the same manner since the streak began. If that’s in a certain particular place in the closet, make sure it remains there…but remember, no wire coat hangers! If that is folded up and put in a drawer, so be it. If you’re one to toss it on the floor and push it to a particular corner of the bedroom…fine. The wife may not like this…but we’re talking about hockey karma here and it simply cannot be messed with.
Me? Mine hangs in the walk-in closet off the master bath…front of the row…crest facing north toward the hockey Mecca that is the NHL Hall Of Fame in downtown Toronto. The scarf obtained in the first ever playoff game back in April 2007 hangs around it’s collar. I’ve even made sure that the same wrinkle in the left shoulder area which is caused by the way it hangs has been present for the past two weeks.
Next…don’t change a thing. I penned an entry last week to this regard, but that had to do with the Thrashers’ lineup. What I’m referring to here is YOU don’t change a thing. Don’t change the route you take to the office or school. Do not change your diet, your TV viewing habits, your sleeping habits…don’t change your routine at all.
Some may even go as far with their “streak etiquette” to believe that shaving, showering as well as the changing of socks and underwear…all are quite taboo. For those of you who take to heart this fundamentalist interpretation of the hockey gospel… again, I’ve consulted with the hockey gods about this. They’ve directed me to tell you that… in the case of those of the married persuasion or those who have chosen “live-in” or “domestic partnership” status… showering is permitted as long as the same bar of soap is used, so use it sparingly. The same is true in regards to shampooing. Laundering of socks and underwear is permissible only during the day of a game, but must be put back on immediately after coming out of the dryer or off of the line.
Those of you choosing line drying…the next couple of cold months could prove to be somewhat treacherous. And please, so I do not receive letters of complaints from your neighbors, wear a robe when placing them out and taking them down. We all thank you in advance for your cooperation in this area.
Lastly, all winning streaks have something that is unique…something that separates them from other runs of success. To that point, I must take note that this current Thrashers winning streak began two Sundays ago with a 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers at Philips Arena. During that game, two frequenters of this blog were seen on the Kiss Cam for the very first time in their many games attended…”Former Islanders Fan” and “Lilibeter”. As you may remember, the two were also engaged at the time and even chained themselves together in holy matrimony this past Friday night.
So if things start to get a little hairy for the Thrashers, we may need to recreate this environment buy recruiting a pair of you out there… those who are a part of the great un-wed…and have you agree to attend an upcoming game together, be on the Kiss Cam then… well… get married a few days later.
Obviously, those in our number who are already in the throws of marital bliss are disqualified for this line of duty…but certainly there are two of you that are willing to, shall we say, take one for the team.
I’ll allow for volunteers…but if none are forthcoming, we may have to resort to a draft. This is for the good of the collective and, as such, the good of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
Of course, your sacrifice will go down in the annals of Thrashers history and your names will live on forever…maybe even have a middle school named in your honor.
OK, now that we are clear about the rules of the winning streak…I trust you will all govern yourselves accordingly.
GO THRASHERS… Streak on!
I mean…streak on.
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