AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOh No! We’re On The Power Play!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The New Jersey Devils came up short in Atlanta’s Philips Arena. By “coming up short” I mean, they were able to net two short-handed goals which helped them power their way to a 5-1 victory.
Yup…the Devils went 1 for 6 on their power plays…and 2 for 7 on ours.
The Devil’s first short-handed tally came while Mike Rupp was serving a goalie interference penalty halfway through the first and New Jersey up 1-0 already. John Madden took a drop pass from Patrik Elias and… BOOM …blasted it past Kari Lehtonen’s glove.
The second came 8 minutes and 8 seconds into the second with the score 4-1. Brian Gionta really didn’t even need the other three teammates on the ice for this one as he beat Rich Peverley on the face off, beat the Peever to the puck behind him, then beat Kari for the goal…three “beats”, all by his lonesome.
After Gionta’s shorty, Kari Lehtonen’s evening had come to a forgettable end. After two stellar starts, Kari was able to stop only 19 of the 24 shots that he faced. Johan Hedberg finished up the final 31 minutes and 52 seconds turning away all 7 shots that he faced.
Hmmm…Kari faced 24 shots in 28:08 and Moose only had to deal with 7 in 31:52. I wonder if Lehtonen has a serious case of “defense-envy” this morning.
Anyway, it got to the point where we were screaming for the Thrashers bench to decline any penalty whistled against the Devils. But I guess we don’t do that in hockey…do we? No.
The best penalty taken by a Thrasher Friday was when Mathieu Schneider took a boarding call in the third period. It happened about a minute or so after Bobby Holik took a seat in the sin-bin for interfering with Hedberg, thus taking the Thrashers … OFF the POWER PLAY!
Some of us in section 119 stood and cheered…it was such a relief! Don’t wanna give up a third shorty in one game, eh?
Nice work, Schneids.
Scenes From A Taco Mac Restaurant
A bottle of red, a bottle of white…it all depends upon your appetite.
I’ll meet you anytime you want…in our Taco Mac restaurant.
So, I’m hangin’ out with my buddy Glenn at the Taco Mac at Philips before the game last night. Glenn’s a Ranger fan, but somewhat tolerable nonetheless. RStroz…bullhorn in hand…joined us there as well. We were sharing a chunk of the bar with this chap from Toronto, Jason, who was attending his first ever regular season NHL game last night.
Yes, you read that right…first time ever at an NHL game for someone from Canada. And here I thought it was a national law that by age 13 each and every native Canadian is mandated to have attended at least one NHL game and declare a blood-oath allegiance to one of the six teams from their fine country… the Leafs, Sens, Habs, Flames, Oilers or Canucks.
Go figure.
Anyway, I’m just as pleased as can be that we down here in Dixie were able to help introduce this fine lad from the Great White North to the NHL experience. He seemed to have had a good time.
While there, JZ…not J(Z)…introduced himself during the conversation at the bar and I did enjoy making his acquaintance. Same is also true for Braveheart and the lovely Beth as well.
Glenn the Blueshirt and I then made our way to the game and…well, we’ve already discussed that train wreck.
During the game, Glenn…the Ran-JUH fan… and I were treated to being in the same row as The Heat Meister and the lovely Gretchelby along with Marco and his girlfriend Polo…just kidding, Sara. Hockey Biltong and the adorable Mrs. Biltong were just behind us with friends while The Blueland Chronicle boys settled into their regular first-row upper deck seats just above us. Sean Grace and the wonderful Mrs. Grace cheered from just in front of us. Nix to the right of me… Goose to the left, who came over to share with me his hockey insight, as I always look forward to.
Post game, back at Taco Mac… waiting for The Grand Kamalian to make his Grand Kam-entrance with Darren Eliot…a young lady approached Glenn and myself. She told us that we looked like two true hockey fans that we must have the answer to her inquiry.
Obviously…the lovely lady is a fine judge of character, indeed.
Seems she had the game program with the autograph in it that wins one lucky fan a special prize from the Customer Relations counter. You know, I always wondered if anyone ever really won that thing. But her problem was that, not being a regular Thrashers attendee, she knew not where that magical Customer Relations place would be.
I guided her back into the concourse, introduced her to a personal friend of mine who works security there, got her in touch with someone at the desk and…ta-da…Brandi now has her fabulous prize package.
Meanwhile, back in the confines of T-Mac, listening to Kamal and Eliot…as The Hockey Wench and Rose from The Thrashers 411 sat up front to listen…Der Warme Meister and I just shook our heads at one another… at a loss for words over the latest entry in the debacle that is the Thrashers 08-09 season.
So…why do I tell you all this?
Well, for one…I really didn’t want talk much more about yet another horrific loss. But really, let’s go back to Jason…the gentleman who came to Georgia to attend his first ever NHL hockey game. Actually, as I stated, he was “introduced to the NHL experience”…Atlanta Thrashers style. It’s where the entirety of fun and enjoyment expands well beyond the game itself or team…and is completed by those who make up the body of Blueland.
Oh, make no doubt…the game can be exiting to watch, even when the team’s Suck-O-Meter spins off its axis all season. But the people that make up Blueland are some of the best people around…and they are what make the NHL experience what it is in these parts.
And I’m glad Jason got to experience that for the first time…here.
A bottle of red, a bottle of white…whatever kinda mood you’re in tonight.
I’ll meet you anytime you want…in our Taco Mac restaurant.
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Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Tony C.
February 7, 2009 5:06 AM | Link to this
You know it’s stories like that that make me rue taking the (slightly) greater money for the night-shift. We’ll have to meet yall down there sometime soon Mr.T.
By FormerIslesFan
February 7, 2009 7:53 AM | Link to this
That was horrible. No other word to describe it, RH. You know, when I made my first post to your blog (on your first blog, no less), I mentioned a former NHL player named Dino Ciccareli. What has struck me this season, but especially last night, is that among the many things that the Thrashers do NOT have is a Cicceraeli-like player. One that will stand in front of the net, especially on the (lack of) Power Play and screen the goalie. The player that will stand just above the paint, take a beating or several cross-checks and deposit the inevitable loose change. (Of course, that would reqiure players actually shooting the puck and hitting with accuracy…at least to create a rebound or two).
This team lacks so many things, but to me, that stands out glaringly. It especially stood out against a team like the Devils where the ONLY way you are going to beat them is with second chance shots that are about 5 feet away from their goal tender. To make matters worse, it’s not like Weekes has seen a ton of action this season and would have been at the top of his game.
I’m sorry. If I’m coaching Le Thrash, I’m setting plays where the Army/Thorburn types are in front of the goalie as soon as we get possession in their zone. I’m still debating the merits of using the Chara-gambit and having Valabik just about the paint on the powerplay. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Thrashers do that, even if JUST to make something look different.
I’m sure Glovesave29 will back me up on this one, but if you keep a teams shots to the perimeter, then there is a low percentage that any shot is going to find its way to the twine.
I’ll get off my soapbox now. But as I said last night, that was pathetic.
By FormerIslesFan
February 7, 2009 7:56 AM | Link to this
Oh, one more thing RH…about 4 or 5 seasons ago, I actually got the program that was signed by JP Vigier. In all the years I’ve been going to hockey games, that was the first and only time I ever won that promotion!
By Eileen
February 7, 2009 8:12 AM | Link to this
Rawhide, I saw you and your gang from a far at Taco Mac. I have to agree with you. Our section is full of great people also. We sat next to an out of town first timer to a hockey game as well. He was looking in awe at Philips arena. He told us how lucky we were to have such a nice arena and to be able to attend hockey games. I told him he was lucky to be watching such a great team … like New Jersey! Once we got past the fact that we were the depressed Thrashers fans (can it get any worse?), we managed to have a great time with the folks in Blueland.
By Sage of Bluesland
February 7, 2009 8:37 AM | Link to this
Wow. It never ceases to amaze me!
Oh well, it only proves one thing: P.T. Barnum was absolutely right.
By B. Thenet
February 7, 2009 8:37 AM | Link to this
The only way to enjoy a Thrashers game is to meet other people and talk to them, you will get nothing from watching the team on the ice.
By JJ302
February 7, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this
I agree that Atlanta has some fantastic fans. It is a shame the Atlanta SLACKERS will not play better hockey for us. After last night’s game I have decided to go the way of the Aints fans and wear a bag over my head. I also will be replacing the Thrashers on my third jersey with SLACKERS. Time for some tough love. I hope to make it ice side for the pre game skate.
By Nix
February 7, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this
I think we should take a minute to compliment the Thrashers on some really pretty, clean, crisp passes. The only downside, really, is that they all were to guys in Devils uniforms. I’m sure with just a small bit of tweaking they’ll manage to figure out how to make those kinds of passes to guys on their own team. We’ve still got 29 games to get it right. Should be doable, right? [/sarcasm]
By Jim
February 7, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this
Eileen- we’ve got a great arena, a clueless ownership, an incompetent GM and an inflexible rookie coach and a bunch of mediocre pansies on the ice. I’ve been a Thrash season ticket holder from Day 1. The arena has been great from day one. This year’s team is worse that the expansion castoffs that we had that first year. Give me that gang of misfits who hustled. The team has “mailed it in” and the coach couldn’t give a damn.
By jason
February 7, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this
For the first time since I became a season ticket holder the year after the lockout, I did something I’ve never done. I left early. I’ve missed maybe 10 games out of the time I’ve been an STH, but it was always due to work. I’ve always wanted to go to games. Now, all of that passion has gotten sucked out of me.
At this point, renewing just about isn’t an option. I don’t want to have anything to do with that crap on the ice anymore. The only thing that could possibly keep me around is if they cut prices. But then I realize that’s a pipe dream, since the full STH’s are the only people that keep the owners anywhere close to afloat.
By Brendan
February 7, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this
The owners will get revenue-sharing dollars and stay afloat. Two more years to go. 2011 will get here. And that’s when we’ll have real change. Not before then. Until then, people who have money to burn … will toss it to the Spirit, out of some misplaced sense of loyalty. Let me assure you, that loyalty, and respect, are not reciprocated. Not by them. Not to you. They’ll misrepresent anything and everything if you ask them what’s happening with the Thrashers. They can’t evvvvven be forthright about how long the GM and Coach are under contract. It’s a secret. It’s none of your business. You’re the customer. They CANNOT exist … without you. You subsidize every blessed thing they do. And this … is how they treat you? That’s not good ownership. That’s not good … anything.
Ask the AS, LLC how the Thrashers are doing, and they’ll reply, “We’re 3 wins out of 1st place.” Remember, they said that back in November. Ask them, today, and the response is likely to be, “We’re a few wins out of being right in the thick of the hunt for the final playoff spot. We just need some consistency.”
It’s no different than wife coming home, finding her husband in bed with another woman, and his response is: “It’s not what you think! We’re shooting a scene for Young and the Restless. It’s just that the cameramen are invisible.”
Some fans will donate money to the Spirit because they enjoy the sound of the words, “I’ve been a season ticket holder since Day 1.” They do, after all, have the right to enjoy the sound of those words. Some people will say, “I support my team. How is that wrong?” Well, isn’t it a bit MORE TRUTHFUL to say that the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, broke into your house and stole from you?” Okay, the answer is clearly, “no.” But it sure feels that way.
When you give money to brokerage house to invest for you, and they fail miserably, what do you do? Does anyone feel the Atlanta Spirit has wisely spent your investment dollars? Have you peeked at the balance sheet lately? Here, let me assist you. Go to www.nhl.com, then click on “Standings.” My last question. When a company fails to execute its assigned duties for you, there’s negligence, Gross negligence, and FRAUD. Where would you assess the level of culpability of the Atlanta Spirit, LLC?”
I’ll be presumptuous here and say Sage of Bluesland will declare it to be FRAUD.
By J(Z)
February 7, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this
I prefer calling it the PowerLess Play when they look that that!
I saw you before the game, RH, but I didn’t want to overload you with too many’s JZ’s! And I was on a collision course for the $1 hot dog stand, which was about the only good part of the game last night. Although the Devil went down to Georgia penalty box skit is always a classic, they were a few seconds off though.
By Rawhide
February 7, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
Brendan - To the hypothetical “We just need some consistency” comment…I would respond, “The Thrashers are 9-15-2 at home and 9-15-3 away. Can’t get too much more consistent that that”!
As for your “caught in bed with another woman” line…I’m just soooo not going there.
Eileen - I sure wish I would have spotted you or you could have joined…haven’t seen you in many moons.
J(Z) - Same to you…however, I do recognize that when there is $1 food waiting to be procured and consumed, a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do.
JJ302 - I was commenting to a friend that someone could make a killing buying up a butt-load of paper bags, putting a Thrashers decal or two on ‘em…and selling ‘em for $5 outside the area in the next two months.
jason - “The only thing that could possibly keep me around is if they cut prices”.
Ya know, they do that for single game tickets after the season starts…you’d think someone at the AS L.L.C. would get smart and do so for STHs before the season.
Oh wait..”smart” and “AS L.L.C.” just aren’t to be used in the same conversation.
Sorry…my bad.
Tony C - Would love to have you be able to join us sometime. You gonna be with us and 12,000 Flyers fans tomorrow?
By Jim
February 7, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this
Don’t be surprised if the Flyers jerseys look soggy and unlaundered tomorrow. When you put on the jerseys and start thinking about their opponents, I’m sure that they’ll all starting salivating. Since I’m sure that my wife and I will leave after the 1st period- 3-0 Flyers, we’ll get home in time to see the final of the Buick Open in San Diego.
By R. Stroz
February 7, 2009 4:19 PM | Link to this
First, I refer to the Thrashers power play as the power kill.
Second, Sage, once again I went for free, procured a free coke, and only paid $3.00 for parking.
Third, it’s worth three dollars to scream FIRE WADDELL incessantly inside the arena. BTW, at one point, we had a pretty good FIRE WADDELL chant going. The low attendence combined with incessant demeaning chants concerning management is the best strategy.
Fourth, it’s time for Unknown Comic night. For those of you who don’t remember the Unknown Comic, he was a comedian that wore a brown bag on his head. Nothing would provide better press for Waddell and the Spirit Clowns than 1000 people with bags on their heads screaming FIRE WADDELL and putting hot pink post-its all over the arena with FIRE WADDELL written on them.
So, who’s in and which game should we choose?
By ranallo10 (in AT)
February 7, 2009 6:24 PM | Link to this
Alan — I assume you noticed Jokinen was traded to Carolina for Brookbank and Melichar (and a 4th round pick)?
Hokie — Since we both seem to typically like Rutherford’s middle tier trades, what do you think of this one? I think it boils down to a 4th round pick for Jokinen because the salary difference is about $450K, and both Melichar and Brookbank are impending UFA (and not exactly steady NHL talent). I’d say it’s a fine deal.
By Brendan
February 7, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this
Why not, Rawhide? It’d be par for the Atlanta Spirit course to make such a denial. How ‘bout that Tier I Center and the Tier I Defenseman the Spirit promised the season ticket holders at the Town Hall Meeting? Who’d they turn out to be? Reasoner or Williams? Is Schneider a Tier I blueliner? It’s a little soon to expect Bogosian to be that Tier I guy for this season. Watch, though. That’ll be what their “claim” is.
This drives right home to the point. They’re deceptive. How has the whole “let’s keep fans ‘in the dark’ plan” gone for them? I can see that they’re afraid to tell us what their plans are. But would disclosing them really make the attendance any worse than it already is? Or will be, for next season?
By Sage of Bluesland
February 7, 2009 8:44 PM | Link to this
Has anyone seen GaVaSheep lately? I ‘almost’ miss his ignorance…however, I don’t miss the condescension, especially as he/she hasn’t been right about too much concerning his hero, Don Waddell…
At least he/she provided a good laugh.
Where are the infamous spweadsheets to show that Donny is actually a ‘better-than-average’ GM, too, by the way???
I can’t stop laughing at some things…
By Ilya's Dad
February 7, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this
Rawhide “The thrashers are 9-15-2 at home and 9-15-3 away. Can’t get too much more consistent than that.” Are you predicting overtime for Sunday?
By stendec
February 8, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this
Will not post again for a long time. Lost fire for sports. Only son of niece murdered. The Heavenly angel was only a few months old.
A parting gift for all my Thrasher friends. Yes, I said friends:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Atlanta-Knights-Champions-Pictorial
“There’s a place…where I can go…when I feel low…when I feel blue…when I’m alone.” The Beatles.
God bless.
By Alan
February 8, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this
Gee, wonder where they got this idea?
By Tony C.
February 8, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this
Mr. T. Any other team in the league and I’d have been there. But watching Le Thrash vs. Nittymaaki & Co. is like watching the varsity team “play catch” with the special needs guys. You know, Thursday before the big game with [insert rival name]? Where they send the special kid long and into the trailer (bouncing head off trailer)…
…There used to be one of those special needs kids that saw what was happening but wouldn’t give up even made some plays, but it seems like even the fire inside #17 is just an ember, if not totally out.
Great news on his son, and I thought we were close in the 3rd. I’ll see you guys next weekend game I reckon, and Stroz I won’t wear a bag, but Ill be happy to holler/
By Glovesave29
February 9, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this
The telecast ended yesterday with a good 10 second shot of a fan with a bag on their head…
By Nikita
February 9, 2009 9:11 AM | Link to this
I was in the audience yesterday, and…well, actually, it wasn’t horrible. Lost by one, and I honestly think that was a function of neither team bothering to play the first period.
I assume since this season is in the bag that we will be trading Schneids any moment now. However, IMO, there is a huge difference in the work ethic of some of our players. And I wish for their sake that we could translate the few of them who show up ready to work into goals.
My specific call-outs include:
Moose, who really showed appalling form yesterday. The first goal was sloppy, but he’s lucky the score wasn’t 10-2 given how many times he came way out of the goal to play the puck.
Papa Kovy and Schneider, who put a number of sloppy shots in the general vicinity of the goal.
Those who deserve a little recognition include:
Slava Kozlov and Todd White, who broke their own personal curse and played about 90% perfect.
Eric Perrin, who hustled his tiny a* off.
Rich Peverly and Eric Boulton, who showed surprising grit and hustle.
Oh, kudos to the team for outshooting the Flyers, too.
But I was somewhat shocked to note just how far from being comparable to Philly the Thrashers were. Specifically, the Thrash completely lack positional awareness. I cannot count the times I saw an attempt to clear the puck killed by a Philly player casually retreating. Missed passes, there were a few. Also, well, though Philly isn’t actually a larger team, they have some players who play a lot larger.
Also, the Thrash were generally playing like china dolls. Not enough hitting, damn it!
stendec, I’m sorry to hear about your relative.
By Bob
February 9, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
Friday night hockey games used to be the best, and I agree, the friends you make and hang with at the games makes it more special. Hockey fans are by and large, good people.
But I really don’t miss it, and the people from our section that we used to hang with at the games are all gone as well. The one game we went to this year, we knew no one there. Our regular beer guy told us “everyone’s gone”.
I took my daughter to a V-day dance Friday night, she got a tear in her eye during our last dance. I didn’t see the score until after I had tucked her in bed and then I just shook my head and chuckled at finally making a wise decision with my money.
But glad to hear you made a good evening of it despite our woeful club, I have not seen the new Taco Mac yet, is it nice?
By Joshgekko
February 9, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this
Im starting to get excited about the trade deadline. Seems to be quite a slew of injuries the last few days across the league. Should be a number of teams fighting over the available talent via trade! Unfortunately we don’t have any top talent to trade away but we should still be able to get a couple of teams to overpay for what we do have!
By Joshgekko
February 9, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
Bob It is really nice. My only complaint is that its priced as if it was a part of the arena and not accessible from the outside. That being said, they still have the great beer selection that Taco Mac is known for and that is a huge plus for me!
By Alan
February 9, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this
A new Zach Bogosian article has been posted.
By Spud Webb
February 9, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this
Stendec sorry for your lose. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
FIRE WADDELL
By Rawhide
February 9, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this
Hi all…
I’m having some issues with the publishing website right now. That is part of the reason for the delay of a new blog. We are working on it now and I hope it gets resolved soon.
And now, I have to wing my way to Miami for a few days.
Anyway…
Bob - the Taco Mac at Philips is really nice…and a great place to meet folks prior to the game and to enjoy the post-game festivities as well.
Joshgekko - There is an entrance to the Taco Mac from the side of the facility opposite of the WCC. It’s near where the outside tables are.
By d
February 9, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this
The NHL website says that Tavares blew out his shoulder again — they are not sure when he is returning - oh well…
By Joshgekko
February 9, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this
RH
My only complaint is that its priced as if it was a part of the arena and not accessible from the outside.
By Rawhide
February 9, 2009 10:19 PM | Link to this
Joshgekko - Ah…OK. I understand that.
I was hoping by the time I got into my room here in Maimi that the publishing website would be fixed…no luck.
So…no new blogs from me ‘till its dealt with.
By Michael Shapiro
February 9, 2009 10:29 PM | Link to this
Bill
Suffered through both games this weekend. Have to differ with some who’ve posted about Slava’s play. Except for the one shot on the PP that went in he was lethargic, damned near never shot and generally looked out of sync both games. Not sure what gives.
Question related to your Feb. 5 blog on numbers. Assuming that we stay on pace for 62 points or so, where would that put us compared to history? I predicted 82 at the start of the season and realize that even such a mediocre number is an impossibility at this point. Worried about Tavares injury and that the Isles continue to lose at the same pace we do.
By Rawhide
February 9, 2009 10:57 PM | Link to this
Walter Shapiro - Here are the point totals for each season the Thrashers have played.
99-00: 39
00-01: 60
01-02: 54
02-03: 74
03-04: 78
05-06: 90
06-07: 97
07-08: 76
08-09: Proj. Appx. 62-ish
Now keep in mind that prior to the lockout, there was no guarantee of 2 points awarded in a game by way of a shootout. So if you want to compare apples to apples, you have to subtract the 3 points that have beened gained via the three shootout wins because under the rules in the first three seasons…those games would have ended in ties.
So, that would mean the Thrashers…under the old rules…would be 15-31-5-3 for 38 points…on pace for about 56-ish points.
That, my friend…is expansion era type production.
And…it looks like the new blog is up now. The game is over a day old now, so please excuse…