THRASHERS REPORT

> RUSSIAN FAVORITE: Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk was named Russian athlete of the year for 2008 in a vote by viewers of the Sport television channel and the Web site sportbox.ru. Kovalchuk outpolled biathlete Svetlana Sleptsova 47.3 percent to 45.5 percent with the remaining votes going to tennis player Dinara Safina. Kovalchuk scored the game-tying and game-winning goals for Russia in the finals of hockey’s World Championships in May.

> EMPTY EARLY: Devils coach Brent Sutter pulled his goalie for an extra attacker with 8:03 left Tuesday at Carolina. The Devils, who trailed 3-0, scored a power play goal 15 seconds later but lost 3-2. The earliest Thrashers coach John Anderson has pulled his goalie? “About five minutes left to go,” he said. “We had a power play, and we were down three. It was in Chicago. Different team, different circumstances, but if we need a goal, I’m not afraid to do it. That’s a bold move by Sutter, and I’m glad to see somebody else had [guts] like that to do it.”

> NO FIGHTING: Boris Valabik gave Sidney Crosby some shoves Tuesday. “I play like that against everybody else, but you don’t ask me about it,” Valabik said. He was reminded that Crosby is the one who punched him between the legs from behind on Dec. 18. “I guess you’re right,” Valabik said. But he showed no interest in fighting Eric Godard, and he hasn’t thrown a punch since Dec. 13. An injury? “No comment,” Valabik said.

> SCORING AGAIN: Kovalchuk entered Thursday’s game having scored three goals in his past four games. It’s his third such streak this season and came after nine games without a goal.

> BIG DEALS: Thrashers players and coaches will be the dealers at the team’s Casino Night charity event Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. at Opera. Tickets are $200 ($150 for season ticket holders). More information is available at thrashers.nhl.com.