For Thrashers goalie, the more shots, the better

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thrashers goaltender Ondrej Pavelec is 2-1 with a .913 save percentage and 3.02 goals against average. He sat down with Thrashers beat writer Chris Vivlamore Tuesday to talk about the season so far.

Q. It’s only three games into the season, but how would you grade your play thus far?

A. We got four points, so it was a good start. We lost the last one. It’s only three games, but it’s a good start.

Q. What have you done best?

A. Win the first two games.

Q. What do you need to work on?

A. Everything. Every day I try to work on everything. Try to get in good position. Don’t scramble. Play the puck better. Handle the puck. Things like that. Nothing changes, just try to improve myself every single practice.

Q. After three games, the shots-on-goal totals by far favor your opponents (78-104). Is that reason to be concerned?

A. I like it. It’s a lot of shots. It’s better than 15 shots and they score four goals. I like a lot of shots and being in the game all 60 minutes. You can touch the puck a lot and you feel more comfortable.

Q. What is the goalies' role in that? Too many rebounds?

A. Sure. The easy shots you can handle. Sometimes you let up a rebound and the other team has a better second shot. It’s how the goalie plays.

Q. Is there a noticeable difference this season on how the team is playing in front of you?

A. I was here for a couple games last year, but it’s different. There are a lot of different faces in front of me. Pavel Kubina, Christoph Schubert, those guys are bigger in front of the net. When I have a bad rebound and the other team gets a second shot, they can clear the crease. A lot of times the other team doesn’t have a chance to score from the rebound because they are big and they have respect in front of the net. It’s a huge difference between this year and last year.

Q. What was the first thing you did when they told you that you would be the No. 1 goalie to start the season?

A. There was no time like that. I had a meeting with [assistant coach Steve Weeks] and he told me I was going to play the first game. That was the only thing they told me, the only thing they said. Then I went and took a shower, changed and went home. It was a very simple day.

Q. How much does your relationship with coach John Anderson and the fact that you won an AHL championship in Chicago together have to do you with being the starter?

A. He knows me and I know him. We had the good year and won a championship. But every year is a different year. He’s the head coach in Atlanta. He’s got more responsibility. We have a good relationship. If I need something I go ask him. If he needs something he can ask me. It’s a good relationship between coach and goalie. Other players have the same relationship with him. It’s no different.

Q. How much interaction is there between you and Johan Hedberg? Do you work with each other?

A. He’s been in the league a while now. My first year, he really helped me. The first game I was a little nervous. He came to me and said ‘Hey, just have fun and play your game.’ He is a great guy and a hard worker. It’s a good experience to see him at practice and see how he prepares. … If I do something wrong, he tells me.

Q. What do you like to do when you’re not at the rink?

A. During the season we have a crazy schedule. I usually go back home and watch TV. Go on the internet. Call home. Call friends. Go to dinner. It’s good to rest a little bit. The offseason, that’s different. I’m not the guy who lies on the coach and watches TV. I like to do other sports. My favorite sport is tennis. I try to play every day. … It’s a good sport for goalies. I play soccer too. I have to move. I have to move in the summer.