AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US“Close But”…Again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Once again the Thrashers played well…came close, kept coming back, but….
Yup, “close, but”… a phrase that can pretty much sum up the first third of the season so far. This time it was a 3-2 defeat in overtime to the New York Rangers…moving the Thrashers to 1-4 in overtime games this year.
After a scoreless first period, the Rangers dominated to open the second. Johan Hedberg turned away the first seven shots taken on him in the initial two and a half minutes after the first intermission…but at 2:37, Colton Orr beat a stick-less Moose on the eighth one.
However, not five minutes later, Atlanta served their guest a nice plate of Oysters and Crabbs. Nathan Oystrick found the Rangers’ defense at low tide and put a long through-pass to Joey Crabb for a breakaway. The rookie made the most of his chance as he, “went upstairs where they keep the ‘Senate seat for sale’ sign”, as Dan Kamal would put it…for his first ever NHL goal.
“Senate seat for sale sign”…classic!
1-1 after two…and then I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Lew318.
Atlanta found themselves starting the third period ON THE…pause for non-existent power play sponsor… POWER PLAY! However it was the Rangers that capitalized on the situation by notching a shorty with five seconds remaining on Chris Drury’s slashing penalty… taken with 36 seconds left in the previous period. Drury, Moose and Ilya Kovalchuk all made their way into…and through… the goal along with the puck at 1:20 of the third.
But again…Atlanta answered soon after when Boris Valabik found Kovy on the back door for the game-tying goal just a minute twenty-nine later. The assist was Boris’ first ever NHL point and the play was so pretty that the lamp remained lit for five minutes!
From that point on, both Hedberg and Ranger goalie Stephen Valiquette shut down their attackers. Most notably for New York’s net-minder…a fast glove-save off the stick of Jason Williams with a buck and a half left in regulation. Hedberg finished the night stopping 30 of 33 and Valiquette 27 of 29.
Close game…exciting game…well played game…then there was overtime.
Well, all eighteen freakin’ seconds of it, that is.
All you need to know about the extra-time portion of last night’s festivities is that the Rangers took the face off…circled around the back of their net…came up through the middle…then over to the left as Markus Naslund crossed the blueline…he flipped the puck in toward the goal…Scotty Gomez slipped it in past a sprawling Moose.
“Close, but”…again.
Now the Thrashers get to tangle with the Boston Bruins who own the Eastern Conference’s best record of 19-5-4, (.750 points %). They also just had their five-game win streak snapped by Washington Wednesday night…so they should just be in a dandy mood for their home-and-home series with us this weekend.
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By R. Stroz
December 11, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
Despite the Thrashers’ struggles, GM Don Waddell reiterated Wednesday that Ilya Kovalchuk will not be traded.
Based on the veracity of Waddell’s previous statements, Kovy will be traded for three fourth line AHL forwards and one third line ECHL defensemenr within a week.
By R. Stroz
December 11, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
Atlanta found themselves starting the third period ON THE…pause for non-existent power play sponsor… POWER PLAY!
I call the Thrashers power play the POWER KILL.
By R. Stroz
December 11, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this
pause for non-existent power play sponsor
How much does it cost to be the power play sponsor?
Everyone should pool some money and we could sponsor the FIRE DON WADDELL power play.
By sisu
December 11, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this
Once again the goal tending reared it’s ugly head. So far we have not seen a goalie stand on his head or steal a game for us.
By five_hole
December 11, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
Despite the Thrashers’ struggles, GM Don Waddell reiterated Wednesday that Ilya Kovalchuk will not be traded. - Wasn’t that the same kind of ringing endorsement that DW gave Zhitnik, just before releasing him? Whenever he speaks, I think of those immortal words … “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice … you can’t fool me again.”.
I thought Valabik had a pretty good game overall last night. He seemed to have a better feel about when to rough people up and when not to.
And here’s a shoutout to our “Crabby Patty” (someone please come up with a better nickname) for notching his 1st NHL goal last night.
By Brett
December 11, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
Typical example of The Thrashers luck this season!!! They play well and still can’t get the 2 points. Hedberg makes a simple poke check and it ends up in the back of our net. The OT goal is a simple pass to the front of the net that end up in our goal. At some point you have to figure that the Thrash will start to get those kind of bounces!! While it was good that we earned a point we need to find a way to win these games.
By dhj_1962
December 11, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
moose 3 rangers 0 thrashers 2 at least KL would have taken the stick if his had broke(first goal), at least Kl would not have cleared the puck right into the chest of a ranger(2nd goal) and what in the HELL was he thinking on the 3rd goal??? he pushed it right to gomer.
By Bob
December 11, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Based on the veracity of Waddell’s previous statements, Kovy will be traded for three fourth line AHL forwards and one third line ECHL defensemenr within a week
Yep, he’s the proverbial boy who cried wolf.
By Lew318
December 11, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Folks, numbers normally don’t lie and in this case they provide a realism on the direction this team would have to take to make the playoffs.
I think we need to realize whether Donny has admitted it or not this team is rebuilding; Ray Charles could see this. We have brought in a coach that has built teams and systems that win and you must give it a chance.
Anderson wasn’t given the horses to make his system work as well as he would like. We have a mediocre set of players playing with one of the top 10 players in the world. We need to build on this.
The most telling issue we as fans need to think about is why management is millions below cap. The focus here of the Management team (owners) is the Hawks and basketball not hockey.
My guess is Waddell is under a great deal of pressure to win and we have a coach with a past winning record coaching here for only 30 games trying hard to turn this team around.
We could make the playoffs if this team plays hard and skates for 45-60 minutes a night. They are professionals with a good, not great, skill level and they they have to work harder than others to make something happen. They need to believe in themselves and play with confidence. You saw their ability in the first period of last night’s game against the Rangers.
We as fans need to continuing to push Waddell and his management to spend their money for better players and make statements to the world that this team is going to compete and they support Anderson’s direction. Have you ever heard Levinson and Donny state that in the press recently?
By Nikita
December 11, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
ON THE…pause for non-existent power play sponsor… POWER PLAY!
On the radio it’s announced as the Gas South Power Play. But I digress. I actually cross my fingers that the other team won’t take any penalties.
A few good things to take from last night: 1. Shots on and the differential between shots on and shots against were both respectable. 2. The 1st (2nd) and 4th did great. 3. The giveaway/takeaway numbers are respectable. 4. Good night for faceoffs. Perrin, Reasoner, Williams did well. Reasoner really owned it, with 10 of 12 won. 5. We got a point against one of the best teams in the league. Woo!
On the downside: 1. Ron Hainsey’s numbers are really beginning to concern me. He needs a different partner or possibly less ice time. 2. Obviously the 1st (K-W-L) works well together, but they need something to restore their scoring now that they’re up against the top line of the opposition. 3. We only have one forward with any shots blocked, and most of our defensive corps didn’t block much, either.
(Do penalty minutes count as on-ice?)
Also, this is silly, but…I grow irritated with both Natalie Taylor and Dan Kamal. Dan Kamal really sounded like a jackoff during the broken light incident. Seriously, WTF? And I can’t say enough WTFs for Natalie Taylor’s bizarrely tone deaf interviews with Reasoner/Thorbs last night. “Say, it’s your 100th game? Really? How awesome is it that you play with Kovalchuk? And can you say a little more about how Ilya Kovalchuk makes your game better? Well, enough about scoring — what’s it like being in the locker room with Kovalchuk?” Thorbs seemed o.k. with it, probably because there was one question actually pertaining to his experience, but Reasoner was positively passive-aggressively snarky in return, probably because he wanted to strangle her. Please do it, Marty!
By J(Z)
December 11, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
I prefer the Powerless Play. Rawhide, what did you do to the goal light in the 3rd period last night? I noticed you were a little too close to that situation for it to be a coincidence!!! :)
By Rawhide
December 11, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
J(Z) - Who…ME???
By R. Stroz
December 11, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
what did you do to the goal light in the 3rd period last night?
I thought that was the ASG’s version of Christmas lights.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
December 11, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
I thought that was the ASG’s version of Christmas lights.
Cheep, eye catching, easy to execute…sounds like the ASG sort of way. Are you sure McDavid didn’t have the idea first, and the ASG simply asked Daddy for the details?
By Jim
December 11, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
We have settled into being at best a lousy/mediocre team that will have flashes of brilliance. Unfortunately, the good teams know how to turn it up a notch and how to win. Witness the Rangers. Why in the world is Exelby still out there? Twice he lost his stick in the corner and his man got to the front of the net as he scrambled back to retrieve it. He is a joke as an NHL D-man.
By J(Z)
December 11, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
who is the odd man out when Bogo & Schneider are back? Boris & ??? We all know it won’t be Exelby. I hope Oyster stays, what’s the plan?
By Nikita
December 11, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
It should, and could be Ex. More likely JA will sit a forward and cut Ex’s ice time. (which he has been doing — Ex is down a good bit since the beginning of the season.)
By Alan
December 11, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
I don’t know about you all, but this cartoon amused the hell out of me.
By Nikita
December 11, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
{Anybody want Chris Gratton?] (http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article930909.ece)
By ranallo10 (in AT)
December 11, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Nikita — He already cleared waivers and has been assigned to Norfolk.
But even at half price…no thank you.
By R. Stroz
December 11, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Colin Stuart is recalled.
By Jameson
December 11, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Stroz- Sounds like Coach is ready to sit someone for not competing enough. Who do you think it’ll be?
five_hole- How bout Crabby Cakes?
By Jameson
December 11, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
Nevermind… looks like Stuart is just up in case White can’t go.
By Tom
December 11, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Every one is trying to be Washington of last year in the Southeast.
Tampa loses nearly all their games since Melrose got the ax.
Carolina blew a 5-1 3rd period lead tonight to lose in a shootout to Philadelphia under new coach Maurice.
I hope we give Anderson a nice long run.
By Tom
December 11, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
DuPuis just got his first hat trick for the Penquins in a 9-2 game.
By timthebrave
December 12, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
I am going to my 2nd game of the year tonight. I still haven’t seen a thrasher goal. I thought they played pretty well on Wed. It seemed that Hedberg stopped all the tough shots but needs to work on clearing out to the side or covering up instead of poking it right back to the shooter. I hope they play well tonight. Go Thrashers!
By Bob
December 12, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
DuPuis just got his first hat trick for the Penquins in a 9-2 game
lol, I think we should file this under the Even a Blind Sow finds an Acorn once in a while category
By Bag of Salt
December 12, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Got a chuckle out of this:
“The Atlanta Thrashers have a similar deal where fans can enjoy unlimited hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, popcorn and Coca-cola starting at $39 per ticket. So you can sick from over eating or from watching the Thrashers - your choice.”
By Brendan
December 12, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Wheels fell off again. What else is there to say, after a 7-3 defeat?
By LAC
December 12, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Brenden, I guess waddell will continue to tell us “moving forward” while we continue to LOSE !
What does it take to run that worthless SOB out of this town ?!
By Brendan
December 12, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
LAC, this is what will be said, “All we need to have is 100% determination and we’re close, real close to winning a bunch of games.” — Don Waddell, 2nd period intermission, Nashville Predators game.
See, this is where ownership must step up and step in. Either … they buy it, which means they’re wholly ignorant, and Waddell is doing the manipulating. Or, they’re apathetic. They see the situation, but don’t care. Or, I suppose there’s a third possibility. They see the situation, CARE, but are POWERLESS to change course, due to the pending litigation.
I still say the AS, LLC can “build” in the same they they envisioned … just with a different GM. LAC, tonight … on “On the Fly,” the analyst on the right said, “It was as if we had teams playing each other from different leagues. That’s how OUTMATCHED the Thrashers were tonight.” One might speculate that he meant AHL vs. NHL. But he never ACTUALLY said that.