AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 03
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sit Down And Shut Up, Sean
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last summer we debated the pros and cons regarding having Sean Avery on the Atlanta Thrashers. As you may recall, I was dead set against the idea of bringing him here…if the Thrashers organ-I-zation even had such a notion.
Well, now you know why.
Yesterday Avery was given a big time-out and told by the NHL to just sit down and shut up. The league suspended him indefinitely for the remarks he made regarding his ex-girlfriend who is now dating Dion Phaneuf of the Calgary Flames…this after making certain comments about Flames star Jerome Iginla last month.
Quite frankly, I think the league had to step in a take action, not only for the classless statements made by this classless jerk, but also to thwart the possible in-ice altercation that could have come about during the Stars/Flames games last night. However, there is a part of me that wouldn’t have minded seeing NHL wait until today to suspend him…letting Avery to take to the ice in Calgary and allowing him to be knocked senseless…or, more senseless…by Iginla, Phaneuf or any other member of the Flames.
Regardless of what the league’s motives were in taking the action, I have to say that the comments alone…made to drag a former lover through the mud publicly…are enough for the league to slap this self-serving egomaniac down. His rude, immature, crass remarks were not just unprofessional but incendiary as well. The NHL and the Dallas Stars have every right to expect that their players refrain from acting in a manner that reflects poorly on them.
John Tortorella called Avery a “selfish ass” last night during the first intermission of TSN broadcast of the Thrashers/Canadiens game. He went on to say that his actions embarrassed himself, his organization and his teammates.
Brett Hull…long a supporter and advocate of Avery…even expressed his disappointment saying, “This goes beyond the game on the ice, and that’s what bothers me”.
Said Stars owner Tom Hicks, “I completely support the league’s decision to suspend Sean Avery. Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have”.
Dave Tippett, coach of the last-place Dallas Stars, “I think everyone in our room believes there is an integrity that has to go into the game…a respect for the game and a respect for your opponents, and Sean crossed that line”.
I’ll add to that the fact that there has to be a respect for your teammates. The ones who stand up for you, the ones who fight alongside of you and whom you hurt the most when you do stupid, idiotic, self-serving, immature, unprofessional things.
Clearly, I do not subscribe to the “Whatev…it wasn’t so bad” argument some might take in defense of Avery. Today’s society, IMHO, has unfortunately defined decency down to a level where it seems like any such behavior is acceptable coming from a pro athlete or celebrity…as long as it is entertaining or amusing to some.
Now, I ask you…given all that our Atlanta Thrashers are dealing with at this time, would you really want this cancer in our locker room as well right now?
Even more so now than ever…I wouldn’t.
Now, About Last Night’s Game
I’m really…really…REALLY trying to take the good out of last night’s 5-4 loss in Montreal.
I’m trying to be happy with the way they got themselves off the deck in the third to erase a 3-0 lead, tying it with 3 goals in a span of 59 seconds. That final period was some of the most entertaining hockey I’ve seen the Thrashers play in quite a while.
I was really happy to see Jason Williams scoring a goal after being held without one for eight games…collected but a pair of assists in that span.
I loved that fact that the Kovy, Reasoner, Thorburn line connected for a goal. It tied the game a three just seven seconds after the team had gotten it to within one. It was a wonderful display of crisp, quick passing to set up the tally by Thorny.
Oh, and that Ron Hainsey character…with two goals just 52 seconds apart. He now has 5 goals and 16 points on the season. Not bad for the “worst UFA signing of 2008”, eh?
Yes, lots of things can be taken for the third period of last night’s game. But…
Once again the comeback fell just short…once again the effort was undone by a defensive lapse, this time it was miscommunication between Havelid and Armstrong at the blueline leading to Montreal’s go-ahead goal…once again the Thrashers could not put three solid periods together…once again they put themselves in a position where they had to mount a comeback attempt.
sigh
Anyway…at least the Thrashers have the opportunity to get right back at it in Ottawa tonight and build on what they did in the final 20 minutes of Tuesday night’s game.
Laviolette Out In Carolina
Looks like another Southeast Division team has swung the ax and whacked their head coach. Peter Laviolette is out and the Canes have again placed Paul Maurice behind the Carolina bench.
The Voice Of Kamal
While driving in today I heard on Hockey This Morning, (XM channel 204), that the radio voice of the Atlanta Thrashers Dan Kamal will be the subject of tomorrows Voices program on The NHL Network.
