Alexander Burmistrov getting help from his friends
WASHINGTON -- Alexander Burmistrov has two pretty big bodyguards -- and he's needed them early in the season.
The 19-year-old rookie, months removed from playing in the Ontario Hockey League, has skated on a line with Ben Eager (6-feet-2, 240 pounds) and Chris Thorburn (6-3, 230) much of the season. The two have jumped in more than once when the opposition set their sights on roughing up Burmistrov.
Take Friday's game against Tampa Bay. Early in the third period, Burmistrov was called for an interference penalty after tangling with the Lightning's Steve Downie. Pushing and shoving ensued for several minutes. The fisticuffs started again on two occasions after things appeared to have settled down. In the end, Burmistrov was flanked again by Eager and Thorburn -- this time in the penalty box. Eager got a roughing and a 10-minute misconduct penalty. Thorburn got a roughing penalty.
Eager also got a fighting major for a bout against Frazer McLaren after protecting Burmistrov in San Jose. It's all part of the job, said Thorburn.
“He got tied up with one of their guys,” Thorburn said of Friday’s incident. “It’s mine and Benny’s job to get in there and make sure he’s all right. He’s a young kid. ... He plays hard, so he’s going to get on team’s nerves. That’s his style. It’s a good thing. Me and Benny are there on each side of him to make sure everything stays under control.”
Antropov sits
Nik Antropov was a healthy scratch Saturday against Washington. Coach Craig Ramsay said last week that he intended to give the center a rest as he continues to recover from offseason hip surgery. Antropov recently told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he is still not 100 percent.
Niclas Bergfors took Antropov's spot in the lineup after being a healthy scratch three of the past four games. Zach Bogosian missed his fifth consecutive game with a shoulder injury the team continues to describe as day-to-day.
Cormier on the mend
Patrice Cormier returned to Atlanta on Thursday to have the hard cast removed from his broken right foot. The Thrashers' highly regarded prospect is wearing a walking boot and using crutches to get around.
“It’s day by day,” Cormier said Friday at the Thrashers-Lightning game. “I’ll see the doctor every couple of days. I still need the crutches. I can’t put full pressure on it. We are starting at 25 percent weight on my foot. ... Not too much pressure on it right now.”
Cormier said he will remain in Atlanta at least for the short term to visit doctors for occasional X-rays to monitor the progress of the broken foot. The injury occurred while blocking a shot during a rookie-camp scrimmage on the day before training camp in September.
About the Author
Chris Vivlamore is the sports editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has served as reporter and editor at the AJC since 2003.
