AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 10
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Kari Saves Thrashers Bacon
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Thrashers have won only two games since the All Star break. Both times, it took Kari Lehtonen holding the opposition to but a single goal, allowing his skaters the time needed to squeak out just enough O-Fense to get the job done.
Last week, it was a 39 save performance by Kari that enabled the Thrashers to get by the New York Rangers 2-1 in a shootout. Lehtonen came within seconds of earning his second shutout of the season that night. Tuesday, it was a 40 save job by Kari that afforded his team the ability to beat Tampa Bay 3-1.
Things didn’t start off too swimmingly for Kari and the Thrashers as Gary Roberts put the Bolts up early at the 1:24 mark. It was the third shot on goal Kari faced in the game…he then denied the Lighting for the rest of the way, stopping the next 38 straight.
The Boys of Blueland killed off all five Tampa Bay power plays…including a pair of brief 5-3s. In the first, just seconds after successfully dealing with the first two man deficit…which lasted 38 seconds…Colin Stuart tied the game with a shorty, his first point since being called up from Chi-town.
At 2:02 of the second, the Slavanator took a feed from The Pevs Dispenser to give Atlanta a lead that they would not surrender. Kaptain Kovalchuk added an empty-net jobber toward the end to ice the game.
But Tuesday, make no doubt… it was the Kari Lehtonen show. These two points have his name stamped all over them. 17 of the 41 shots taken on him came in the final period…the Bolts took the first nine in that 20-minute frame. Kari’s biggest save come with just over eight minutes remaining as he turned away a penalty shot from last summer’s first overall draft pick.
It’s A Southern Thang!
The win snapped a five game losing streak to Southeast Division opponents for the Thrashers. Atlanta is 6-6-2 now against their division-mates. However, it was only the second road win inside the Southeast.
Thanks Mr. Kamal
As I’ve stated before, I’m away on business down in Miami. How’s the weather you ask? Well… it was sunny and warm with a slight breeze Tuesday. Tonight’s low will only be about 69 and Wednesday is supposed to be mostly sunny and 78. But, if the Divine Mrs. R asks, it’s rainy, blustery and miserable…got it!
Anyway, I was not successful in finding a sports bar that carried the NHL package…go figure…so I simply listened to the call of The Grand Kamalian via internet stream. Not a bad back-up plan at all!
You know, for my money, Dan Kamal is one of the best radio guys in the sport. I always get a clear mental picture of what’s happening and the colorful way he describes the action is absolutely brilliant. Also, the man is doing this solo for the most part but he carries the load professionally and always gives a great performance.
Great guy too, that Dan Kamal…last summer after the open house, he came over to chat with me as well as the pair of friends that had joined me there. He just could not have been more gracious with his time and even walked all the way to the cars with us…chattin’ Thrashers hockey all the way with us.
And I have to be honest…that he said this little forum was a regular read of his was an honor indeed for yours truly.
Anyway…thanks, Dan, for bringing me a little closer to home Tuesday night and for all ya do!
