AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDevils Went Down To Georgia…er, Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As I was posting up my previous piece, taking to task the Thrashers goalies and their disappointing numbers on the season, I was thinking to myself, “You know, you just watch Bill…I’m gonna do this and the very next game Kari’s going to pitch a shutout”.
And as sure as Hell is hot…the Thrashers entered into the den of the Devils and Kari & company drop a big, fat, hairy goose egg on ‘em to the tune of 4-0.
OK, tomorrow I throw under the bus Jason Williams, Erik Christensen and Mathieu Schneider. That should do the trick!
Kari turned away all 29 shots that he faced including 6 that were tossed his way during a four-minute power play at the beginning of the third period. Speaking of killing penalties, the Thrashers were a very impressive seven for seven in that department. That always helps.
It was the first time the Thrashers held its opposition scoreless since the third to last game of last season back on March 31 when they blanked the Tampa Bay Lightning two-zip. Going back to the game in Pittsburgh Tuesday night, Kari and the Thrashers have held their opponents scoreless in four consecutive periods and a total of 84 minutes and 19 seconds.
Kari is indeed the focal point of praise for this win as he looked sharp, focused and quick all night long. But not to be overlooked is the fine team-defense that the Thrashers exhibited as well. New Jersey was not allowed to have a 60-minute “open skate” in the Atlanta zone.
Meanwhile, on the O-fensive side of the ice…following a scoreless first, the Thrashers came out in the second period and jumped all over Devil keeper Scott Clemmenson…who came into the game 15-7-1 with a .922 SV% and 2.25 GAA. By the time the horn sounded for the second intermission, Atlanta had put three past him on ten shots…Colby Armstrong, Ilya Kovalchuk and Jimmy Slater with the honors. Todd White had a pair of assists.
Scott did not return to play in the third.
However, Kevin Weekes did and was greeted with a nifty wrister from Marty Reasoner two minutes into the period. Kari and the D then denied New Jersey the rest of the way.
After the game Coach John Anderson called the win, “The most complete game of the season”. Indeed it was…and might I say it’s really good to see the coach smiling for a change. He’d been looking a tad stressed this week.
Yes, a complete game…and the Thrashers need more of these kinda games the rest of the way, (DUH5). Granted, we probably aren’t going to see four goals and shutouts from here out every night, but the effort displayed in New Jersey is what’s called for. What is really going to determine the “success” of this season now is how the Thrashers play in January, February and March vs. October, November and December.
They’ll try and build on Thursday night’s success Saturday afternoon down in south Florida when they visit the Panthers. Atlanta will once again be attempting to win back-to-back games since the second week of November when they bested Carolina twice in as many games.
If they’re to be successful this time, it’ll take another complete game. The Cats are playing well of late…beating Carolina 4-2 Thursday night. They are 3-0-1 in their previous four games and have scored 19 goals in that stretch.
But at least in Jersey, the Thrashers proved they are capable of such.
Movin’ On Up
The win, combined with losses by the Bolts and Sens, allowed the Thrasher to leapfrog over those two into 12th place in the conference with 33 points.
audible ooos and aaahs from the blogosphere
Next rung on the ladder… Toronto is sitting in the 11th spot with 38 points after their 6-2 loss in Montreal.
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By Thrashernut
January 9, 2009 12:16 AM | Link to this
From the moment the puck was dropped to begin the game, the Thrash played at a level unseen all season. It really looked like a different team. And play as a team they did, and fight as a team they did, when it was necessary. No soft goals, no bad bounces, no bad luck, and that combination has been fleeting season-to-date. The Devils didn’t know what hit ‘em, and except for a brief flurry at the end of the first period, they were kept on their heels the entire game. Its worth repeating - the entire game. Really liked the Kovalchuk-as-penalty-killer decision by Anderson, also.
By Brendan
January 9, 2009 12:41 AM | Link to this
If the Thrashers could play like this every game, they’d be a better team. Bah-dum-pum. Try the veal, folks. It’s terrific. Don’t forget to tip your waitress.
Okay, what are the odds … give or take … that Don Waddell will now say, “See? See? We’re a GRRRREAT team. It’s just “too many guys taking too many nights off.” “Hilar-i-ous,” says the GEICO Caveman, staring at the GEICO Scoreboard.
Heavy, disgusted sigh. Look, tonight … there’s no doubt about it, the Thrashers probably displayed the best they’re capable of. That was it. Don’t expect a repeat performance. And why not?
Here comes a DUH5, “because they’re not a good a team.” Bluster is just that. Bluster. This team doesn’t have an identity. It hasn’t learned Anderson’s system … it’s not physical enough to be a truly imposing team … and the season is half over. And, this just in, the BUDGET isn’t getting any BIGGER. Shanahan is not destined for Thrasher blue. If anyone wants to know what the VERY BEST the Thrashers can do … they saw it tonight. Hope you recorded the game. It won’t be back. So, if you missed it. You MISSED it. By the way, the “replay” is on Fox SportSouth, as we speak. They’re heading into the 3rd period, just in case anyone wants to catch the final stanza.
By Alan
January 9, 2009 12:42 AM | Link to this
Really liked the Kovalchuk-as-penalty-killer decision by Anderson, also.
I did a double-take when I heard the guys in the booth for Jersey mention Kovalchuk in an active role while Atlanta was on the PK. Then I looked closer and saw the big number 17. I was truly shocked.
Really, why can’t we do this level of play more often?
By HonkyTonkHockey
January 9, 2009 1:05 AM | Link to this
Great play from Boris tonight. His long reach saved a scoring chance for the Devils and he took some necessary hits and stayed in position. He had a few bad outlet passes in the last few minutes that could have cost Kari a shutout. Getting more excited about Boris being a key installation in defense.
If we could just get production from Williams and EC momentum would really kick up. Something is not clicking with those guys and I know JA is working his tail off trying to get them going.
Slater’s goal was sweeeeet! Smart of Kovy to get close in for his PP slapshots. I hope he returns to that spot often….good feed from Kozy.
Sure was nice to see a win and to see JA and Kovy smiling so much.
By LAC
January 9, 2009 6:12 AM | Link to this
We touched all the bases last night. Coverage was excellent and I noticed only twice did NJ have any sustained attack in our zone. We had seven in their’s.
Good defense and for a change… Solid goaltending.
Let’s see it continue Saturday…
By LAC
January 9, 2009 6:22 AM | Link to this
One item I forgot…. Sorry.
I watched the NJ announcers last night, first, they could NOT contain thmeselves over the fact Kovy WILL be a UFA after next season and “they” doubt he will resign here. Just kept on and on and on, it was stupid.
They every time they talked about Atlanta, lowly, defensless, soft etc… It went on all game, but when the game ended, they were in complete shock, the one guys stated he did not understand how NJ could lose 4-0 to Atlanta, It was a horrible way tostart their west coast road trip… Ha-Ha-Ha !
And did EVERYONE notice ALL those EMPTY seats last night, one pan shot showed the place… Maybe half full and the concourses, you could have driven up for service they were so EMPTY !
Was NICE to see !!! And this isthe NY area… WOW !
Last we are now above Ottawa, Yes Ottawa… Can you believe that one ?
They are calling for the coach & GM’s head there… Heck we need a new GM too… Like 7 years ago !
By LAC
January 9, 2009 7:40 AM | Link to this
Everyone needs to go to The Hockey News and see the artical on why #17 should be traded and why he will not stay here… As well as all the other negative comments about Atlanta.
Also the comments, on how NHL hockey should never be here and how bad we are, but one thing is correct, everyone was saying don waddell IS the worst GM in the entire hockey world, bar none, he is a “stinker” one comment said.
While he continues to screw us up, levenson is drunk and snydel is hanging around elementry school’s chasing little girls… Boy what winners we have here !
By five_hole
January 9, 2009 7:44 AM | Link to this
At first, I wasn’t sure which team was wearing the blue uniforms & who was in the white ones. My second thought was that I was in an alternate universe.
I saw 18 skaters that showed up to play last night. I don’t know what John Anderson said to his alternate captains, but he needed to record it & play it night in & night out.
Did you see how excited Kovalchuk was when Slater scored? Valabik stepped his game up a notch (he was still making bad passes, even late in the 3rd) with good solid physical play in front of our net, good stick in lane (as HonkyTonkHockey already pointed out).
Last night was a … . step in the right direction.
By Midfield
January 9, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
On Slater goal, much was said about Kovy’s excitement, but very little about his lead pass out of the defensive zone that set up a two on one. It was so fast that even TV cameras would not pick it up. This is the kind of play that I don’t remember seeing at all this season. This is exactly what the first line center should be able to do on the regular basis. And, I am sorry, Williams is not doing it.
By jeff
January 9, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this
Armstrong fits nicely with Kozy and White, so Anderson should put Little with Kovy and Christensen. Put Williams and that idiot Boulton on the healthy Scratched line. What do ya’ll think about that?
By Alan
January 9, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
If anyone else was watching the Toronto@Montreal game last night, oh… near the end of the third period, you might have seen this happen.
Turns out, after league review, Grabovski has been suspended for three games because he shoved an official.
By Jim
January 9, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this
Brendan and a number of others are right on “this is at best a mediocre team that will have a very good game now and then”. And, that good game will have to match a poor game from our opponent that night for us to dominate like we did against the Devils. The old adage that “you get what you pay for” fits with the Thrashers. DW has done a poor job of drafting/trading and recruiting but it also appears that the Spirit ownership wants to try to do it “on the cheap”. It ain’t working and all that it’s doing is creating such negativity that the Thrashers will have a long, up hill battle if and when they do put a truly competitive team on the ice. I, for one, ain’t about to jump back on their band wagon. They’ll have to demonstrate over a long span that they’re truly committed to winning for me to open my wallet and come back it. The Panthers are a hungry, hustling team. We’re in trouble tomorrow.
By Scotty
January 9, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
Thrashers kicked some serious devils A$$ last night. But can they do that on a consistent basis?
We’ll find out tomorrow if is was an a one-shot wonder or not.
By Nikita
January 9, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this
Good lord, people. Just shut up and enjoy the game.
By Thefan
January 9, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this
I think it is time for the thrashers to change road uniform.I am tired of old uniform.
By Brendan
January 9, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this
Jim, the ownership doesn’t think highly of the fanbase. They don’t BELIEVE there will be REVOLT, sizeable-enough to affect their plan/policy. They’re playing “percentages.” The AS, LLC figures that … out of 4.1 million people in the 20-county metropolitan area, there’s at least 400,000 “die-hard” hockey households. If there’s 1% of them willing to buy season tickets, that’s 4,000 households. That translates easily enough into 8,000 seats. Of the rest of those 400,000 households, they’ll sporadically come to games, here and there. And then, there’s the 3,000 (or so) fans of the opposing team who will also show up. “Every dollar is green,” if you follow. That gets you to about 11,000 posteriors in seats. Which is just enough for the revenue-sharing dollars to kick in, to make the operational costs of running the team at “break-even,” or a manageable loss. I doubt it is the “hemorrhaging” as much money as has been claimed in newspaper print.
Jim, many opine that bloggers are idiots and don’t have a clue, and thank their “lucky stars above” that Don Waddell runs the team. That belief is rooted in the assumption that a blogger would lead the team into disarray, and annual lottery draft finishes, such that, if LEFT IN CHARGE, the blogger would probably place the team in the bottom third of the Conference eight times in nine (8/9) seasons, trade all the good players away, foul up the drafts, and never advance the team past the 2nd round of the playoffs. More specifically to the point, that a BLOGGER wouldn’t even be able to win a single, solitary playoff game for the duration of his Administration.
So, in every sense of the word, those who hold the opinion that a blogger would destroy the team are 100% right. With results like that, the fans would clamor the the blogger’s head on a platter!
Luckily, we have an EXCELLENT GM, who really has a handle on how to run a hockey club. We’re headed in the right direction. And the Stanley Cup Finals will surely be hosted by Atlanta in the coming years.
By Bob
January 9, 2009 4:34 PM | Link to this
Really, why can’t we do this level of play more often?
I hope that was rhetorical, but in case not, you know that on any given night, any club can beat any other club (Devils coach said it was their worst effort of the year).
hanging around elementry school’s chasing little girls
LAC, that’s twice you’ve said that now? Care to share what you really mean here if something like that really happened? If not, you might be careful blogging that as it seems libelous, eh?
By Alan
January 9, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this
I hope that was rhetorical
It was.
By Thrashy Thrashy
January 9, 2009 7:23 PM | Link to this
Say what you want about Boris, but the guy’s basically a rookie. He’s doing well in his first year as an NHLer.
By Sage of Bluesland
January 9, 2009 7:37 PM | Link to this
THAT kind of effort put forth by the Devils last night gets folks on ‘real’ teams fired.
If you lose to the Thrashers, watch your head…Brendan did an analysis once back in the early days of the franchise (when we were wretched in about year 2 of the original “Five-Year Plan”) that a high percentage of teams we managed to beat had a turnover of coaches, GM, or players.
I remember he called it, “The Threat is Real!” (when playing the woeful, Don Waddell-constructed, Thrashers). Lose to them—and lose your job.
FIRE DON WADDELL. How ridiculous does this have to get in order to finally do the right thing?
By Alan
January 9, 2009 8:22 PM | Link to this
How ridiculous does this have to get in order to finally do the right thing?
I hope this was just as rhetorical as my asking why we can’t play as well as we did every night. You and I both know it will have to get pretty freakin’ bad.
By Alan
January 9, 2009 9:07 PM | Link to this
Armstrong’s revenge: Fedotenko out four to six weeks with a broken hand.
By Jameson
January 9, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this
Sage- Boy do I miss those “The Threat Is Real” posts. I remember him going on something about how the only way that Fraser could keep an NHL job was to run with a marketing scheme based on that. Hilarious.
By glovesave29
January 9, 2009 9:47 PM | Link to this
Ah, Curt Fraser. If only his teams were as tough as he was…
Anyone know why the Gladiators now have a second affiliation with the Chicago Blackhawks? Could it be the cupboard is sooo barren here that they needed a second talent stream?
Still hoping (against all odds, I know) that the Glads would move up to the AHL. It works really well for TOR and PHI - having their primary affiliate in the same town. Just think, the cheap A$G could spring for a goal coach 50/50 with the Glads!
By LAC
January 10, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this
WOW… Who is Rich Peaveley ??????????????
By Alan
January 10, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this
From what I’ve seen, he’s another softie. Low scoring (2g 7a 9pts in 27 games). Perfect third liner.
It’s too early to tell how he’ll play here, in a more offensively open Eastern Conference, but a quote is coming to mind…
Boy, every piece of garbage that comes into the market and you gotta buy it!
Seriously, what are we going to do with all the third liners we have here now?
By LAC
January 10, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this
8-4 tells it all, I now have to agree with Standec, time for #32 to move on, he is NOT a #1 goalie.
By Alan
January 10, 2009 3:34 PM | Link to this
He most certainly didn’t look like a top goalie. This is a game where we played the first two periods beautifully, only to let it get out of hand in the third. The PP looked okay, and the PK looked great.
I turned it off after the score hit 5-3. I couldn’t watch anymore, and knew the direction the game was going. Goalie change should have been made after their second goal in the third.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 10, 2009 3:48 PM | Link to this
Who is Rich Peaveley
It’s too early to tell how he’ll play here
My guess…AHL talent at most, but he’s possibly here to fill a role due to an imminent trade.
Why couldn’t he have claimed Jussi Jokinen when Jokinen became available? (The answer is most likely “money”)
By Bob (other)
January 10, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this
Rawhide, you goaltending save% asessment was right on the mark and further evidence was shown again today. I just wonder if Kari is they guy. Kind of thinking not after a few years so far.
Goaltending, particularly on the PK is killing us. That is the biggest single problem.
By five_hole
January 10, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this
Who is Rich Peaveley My guess is that he’s an emergency signing because of the injury to Little.
I turned it off after the score hit 5-3. I couldn’t watch anymore Me too.
I didn’t fault Lehtonen the penalty shot goal. I was unhappy when we gave up the shorthanded goal. I was really unhappy with Schneider’s back-to-back penalties. Then the roof fell in.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 10, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this
My guess is that he’s an emergency signing because of the injury to Little.
I don’t see it that way. Little is basically day-to-day, as the injury is reportedly not that bad anymore. As Little said, he could be playing again soon.
I would wager this is a depth move to prepare for the possible departure of a forward in the near future.
As I guessed on Knobler’s blog, Williams makes the most sense to me at this point. If I had to pick a team immediately it’d be Columbus due to their position and rash of injuries to top line players (Huselius has a concussion, Nash has missed a few games recently, etc etc).
I don’t expect anything major though, probably just a roster player for a prospect or low draft choice.
By Brendan
January 10, 2009 4:18 PM | Link to this
Darren Eliot: “We’ve seen this out of Kari. Anything that takes him out of his rhythm can have an effect. Kari didn’t have the benefit of a morning skate, and an afternoon to rest, in preparation for this game.”
Question: “Can Darren Eliot be hired out to just ANYONE? Or is his Excuse Factory unique to Thrasher miscues?” Imagine if Pacman Jones, Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis or Michael Vick could have hired Darren Eliot to be their PR spokesman? Think of a Center Fielder … who happens to drop a routine fly ball. Darren Eliot’s cellphone rings. Darren answers, “Yeah, Darren here. No problem. I’ve got it covered.” Ring, ring. “Hello?,” says the baseball announcer. “Ya know, this is a telecast, not a ‘call-in’ show. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Okay.” And the broadcaster hangs up. “The Center Fielder’s handler, Darren Eliot, just called to announce that The sun was in his client’s eyes, and that’s why he dropped the ball.”
By five_hole
January 10, 2009 4:37 PM | Link to this
Brendan I don’t know if you noticed, but Darrin Elliot is an employee of the ASG. Exactly what do you expect him to say (and still keep his job). His job is to promote the Thrashers, to make them interesting, and yes, to cover their a*******e$ when they play like $hit.
ranallo10 (in AT) I’d say it’s too early to start trading and/or dumping salaries. Although Adam Proteau of TSN can’t wait for us to get rid of Kovalchuk
By Gordon
January 10, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this
I understand the Darren Eliot is an ASG employee. But I also have heard him say in the past the PK or the PP needs to improve or the defense, or that the Thrashers need fewer penalties, or that the forwards need to step up their play. Everyone knows who these players are. Why can’t he simply say the goal tending needs to step up! Nobody wants to hurt Kari’s feelings or his psyche. Quit the BS excuses. Excuses weren’t made for all the other players. If a lack of a morning skate or afternoon nap or some criticism only affects the Thrasher’s goalie,then we only have a paper tiger in between the pipes.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 10, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this
five_hole — I have no complaints if they were to start dumping players now, in an effort to give youth a chance to develop at the NHL level and acquire prospects or picks for building this team further. I also think that teams on the playoff bubble would be interested in an extra month or two out of potential performers, than waiting until March.
But as I said, I expect whatever moves are made to be minor.
By Brendan
January 11, 2009 12:22 AM | Link to this
five_hole, of course you’re right. Darren Eliot is paid by the AS, LLC. But he also has a responsibility to maintain his credibility as a sports journalist. Imagine, hypothetically, the team goes 0-7 on the PP. And they give up 4 PPGs in six penalty kill situations. Still with me?
Well, even as an employee of the company, he’s “credibility-bound” to say, “The Thrashers had a disastrous day on their special teams play.” If he chose to say, “Let’s look at positives. The Thrashers killed two penalties successfully,” what would that tell you? It would tell me that he’s not doing his job of covering the game.
Darren Eliot is not a moron. He’s a Cornell graduate. But his credibility gets strained by his comments, when he’s not careful. If somebody took two to the chest and the reporter covering the news story reported, “The pedestrian suffered a minor setback,” would you continue to watch that news channel? Bad example, I know. The reporter doesn’t work for the gunshot victim, nor the shooter. But the overall concept of CREDIBILITY is the bigger picture issue.