Thrashers Olympians on their way back to team

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Thrashers will get back all of their Olympic participants sooner than some had hoped or expected.

All five of the team’s Olympians saw their countries eliminated Wednesday, before the medal round begins Thursday. Russian forward Maxim Afinogenov lost to Canada. Czech Republic defenseman Pavel Kubina and goaltender Ondrej Pavelec lost to Finland. Sweden defensemen Tobias Enstrom and Johnny Oduya lost to Slovakia.

“I don’t know if that is good or bad,” Thrashers coach John Anderson said. “It may have hurt them mentally, but certainly it will save a little bit on the physicality part.”

Anderson said the Olympians had 48 hours to return to the team.

“I’m positive you will see them Sunday, but if they are here Saturday and want to go out [and practice], they can do that too,” he said.

Afinogenov finished with two points (one goal, one assist) and was a plus-2. He was part of the Russian penalty kill unit. Enstrom finished with two assists and was a plus-3. Kubina did not have a point and was a plus-2. Oduya also did not have a point and was even. Pavelec did not play in a game.

‘Stupid’ rule

In the Czech Republic’s loss to Finland, the game-winning goal came on a power play but it was aided when Kubina lost his helmet.

Kubina got caught behind the net when he had to retrieve the helmet after it had been knocked off. International rules state that if a player loses his helmet, he must retrieve it or leave the ice. Without Kubina in position, Finland’s Niklas Hagman was able to break a scoreless tie. In the NHL, Kubina would have been allowed to continue playing without his helmet.

“It was good for us he lost his helmet, but it’s a stupid rule,” Hagman told the Associated Press. “I know they want to keep it safe, [but] if you lose a helmet, you should let the guy play.”

Anderson agreed.

“I don’t like the rule,” he said. “Helmets are on for a reason, but when I played, you didn’t have to wear them. I think if the play is going on, you just keep going. ... I think it’s a crazy rule. I think once you go off [the ice], you shouldn’t be allowed to come back on without one. That’s the rule we [in the NHL] have. It just makes a lot more sense.”

Hot hand

Expect to see a lot more of Johan Hedberg in goal as the Thrashers make their push for the playoffs.

Anderson said he is pleased with Hedberg’s play, especially lately. With every point in the standings crucial over the last six weeks of the season, it’s all about winning

“If [Hedberg] continues to play that well, he’s probably going to get the majority of the games,” Anderson said. “Right now, it’s not about [Pavelec] or him. It’s about who is winning and we have to get as many points as we can. Whoever is going [well], is going. It’s the same with the power play or penalty kill. Whatever is going, we have to use it at that point.”

Hedberg has appeared in 32 games this season, starting 27, with a 2.56 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.

Valabik visits

Defenseman Boris Valabik was back in the locker room on Thursday, after undergoing season-ending surgery on Feb. 11 to repair a torn ACL in his left knee.

Valabik said that the surgery went well but that he was very disappointed his season came to a premature end. He said he was already focusing on next season in an effort to deal with his frustration.