Zach Bogosian and Jim Slater were presented with this season's Thrashers' Gilner-Reeves community service award prior to Sunday's game.
The award has been given each year since the team’s inaugural season to the player, or players, who makes a significant impact on the Atlanta community.
The award is named in honor of Stephen Gilner and Steve Reeves, Cobb County police officers who were killed in the line of duty in 1999. Gilner's wife, Elisa, and daughter, Nikki, joined team president Don Waddell to present the awards. The Atlanta Thrashers Foundation will contribute $10,000 in the names of Bogosian and Slater to Georgia children's charities.
“Every time you get a chance to give back to the community it’s always a good feeling,” Bogosian said. “Fortunately for me, after last year I stuck around and got to do a lot of things in the community.”
Mason gets another start
Chris Mason received his third straight start in goal against Ottawa. Mason stopped 41 of 68 shots in wins over the New York Islanders and Ottawa, and a loss to Vancouver.
Ondrej Pavelec has not played since the first period against Buffalo on March 19.
In other lineup news, Eric Boulton returned after missing the past two games. The forward sat out after receiving 25 stitches to close cuts on the outside and inside of his mouth after being hit by a puck in practice.
Anthony Stewart was the forward scratch and missed his first game of the season.
Playing for jobs
With the Thrashers' season winding down and the playoffs a dim possibility, coach Craig Ramsay said he is looking at players with an eye toward next season.
“You try to focus on each individual game but there is no question in your mind that players have to show you something,” Ramsay said. “They have to show you their commitment to the team.”
Another birthday
Thrashers defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, who is second on the team in points (51) and goals (19), turned 26 on Sunday. Byfuglien signed a five-year, $26 million contract extension in February.
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