Pavelec rebounds with two 30-save efforts

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A 30-save performance earned Ondrej Pavelec another start.

The Thrashers goaltender stopped 30 shots again in a 2-1 overtime loss to Buffalo on Thursday, after hitting the same number in Tuesday's 6-1 win over Ottawa.

Pavelec went through a stretch where he was pulled twice in three starts over a span of seven days in December.

“I pulled him a couple times in successive weeks, and I think it hurt him a little bit,” Thrashers coach John Anderson said Thursday morning. “I won a championship [AHL Chicago] with him. He’s pretty resilient and he went back to work, and you saw the results of that.”

Johan Hedberg is 11-2-2 lifetime against the Sabres, including a 1-0-1 record this season.

Despite his struggles, Pavelec said he was more concerned about getting the Thrashers back on the winning track. The team is now 2-1-1 in the past four games after going winless in nine consecutive (0-6-3).

Advantage Thrashers

The Thrashers have had success against the Sabres, who lead the Northeast Divison and are second in the Eastern Conference. The Thrashers are 6-1-1 in the past eight games against the Sabres after Thursday's loss. The Sabres also broke a five-game losing streak at Philips Arena.

“I think that little bit of fear about how well Buffalo plays, and it brings us to the top,” Anderson said.

Valabik back in

Defenseman Boris Valabik played his second consecutive game Thursday after being a healthy scratch the previous six contests.

Valabik, paired with Christoph Schubert, gives the Thrashers an added physical presence with his 6-foot-7, 245-pound frame.

“I’m a defensive defenseman,” Valabik said. “I’m not going to be out there on the power play or scoring goals. My pride is the [penalty kill], physical play and good defensive play. That’s what I try to do. I think every team needs one or two guys like me. I’m going to have to keep doing what I’m doing. That’s what got me to where I am right now. If I keep getter better, I’m going to help my team win, and that’s the most important thing.”

Also, center Nik Antropov returned to the lineup after missing four games with a hip injury.

Defenseman Anssi Salmela and Mark Popovic (foot) and center Todd White (right leg) were scratched Thursday. White missed part of Tuesday’s game with the injury to his leg. He returned to the game but missed practice Wednesday.