So everyone in Atlanta has a unusually upbeat step about their way recently. I don't blame them. This might be the first time since the state of PA that has a shot of 3 teams being seriously competative in their respective sports in a year.
I am not going to say we are going to win any championships here, but we do have three solid teams that will make runs in the playoffs. Those being the Thrashers, Falcons, and Hawks.
The scary part, number four isn't far behind, the Braves. The Braves seemed to have hit a wall a few years back, but a few shrewd moves by the new GM Mr. Wren have the braves back in the thick of things.
Atlanta used to be considered a "bad sports city" because we never fielded good teams. Wow, that has changed. Just look at the Falcons and Thrashers. Both teams were, well, less than stellar two years ago. Now both are in the top half of their respective leagues and challenging some perenialpowerhouses.
Its a sight to be seen in Atlanta, and amist all this economic downturn, the fans still show. I guess winning is everything after all. There is a new found love for sports again here in Atlanta and I'm excited to see where it takes us.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Changing Of The Guard
Look out Thrasher fans, we have a new goalie in town. He isn't a number two pick overall, he isn't from Finland, his number isn't 32, but he make some saves he has no business making.
Thats right Kari, your time in Atlanta is over, Pavlec ate something this offseason that made him mentally a number one. He doesn't allow silly goals, has been huge on the PK, and just a rock that this team can trust to stop almost anything whipped his way.
The biggest plus he has for him right now, zero long term injuries. The man played through horrible knee pain last year and still put up good numbers. I like that drive in a player. He sacrificed himself for his team, when was the last time a professional did that?
As the Thrashers skaters sleep walked through Montreal last night, Opie kept on trucking and making save after save. It was an easy night for him in terms of shots on goal (he had the first game of under 30 SOG), but he made some guys just look silly out there. That goal he stole, I mean stole, from Cammallerie was just awesome.
I really have to say John Anderson has turned this team around. These boys never say die and will fight to the last second to win a game. Not once this season has this team been out of a game. The best part is that anyone that played for him has supreme confidence that this system we impose in Atlanta is going to work.
The showdown is tomorrow night in Phillips, where the two most electrifying players are going to sqaure off.
Russian Rullete anyone?
I'll be there to see to see it, will you?
Thats right Kari, your time in Atlanta is over, Pavlec ate something this offseason that made him mentally a number one. He doesn't allow silly goals, has been huge on the PK, and just a rock that this team can trust to stop almost anything whipped his way.
The biggest plus he has for him right now, zero long term injuries. The man played through horrible knee pain last year and still put up good numbers. I like that drive in a player. He sacrificed himself for his team, when was the last time a professional did that?
As the Thrashers skaters sleep walked through Montreal last night, Opie kept on trucking and making save after save. It was an easy night for him in terms of shots on goal (he had the first game of under 30 SOG), but he made some guys just look silly out there. That goal he stole, I mean stole, from Cammallerie was just awesome.
I really have to say John Anderson has turned this team around. These boys never say die and will fight to the last second to win a game. Not once this season has this team been out of a game. The best part is that anyone that played for him has supreme confidence that this system we impose in Atlanta is going to work.
The showdown is tomorrow night in Phillips, where the two most electrifying players are going to sqaure off.
Russian Rullete anyone?
I'll be there to see to see it, will you?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Ink Is Flowing In Atlanta
Just read this from about four different sources:
Thrashers are finalizing a contract extension for Rich Peverly. Well done, Waddell. We now have one more piece of the puzzle locked up. I certainly agree with most Thrasher fans that he is one of the reasons we finished so well last year. He has blazing wheels, he finishes in tight spaces, and he has an incredible knack of finding the open player (which is obviously why we don him the "Pevs dispenser").
So now the list is down to Armstrong, Kovy, Kubina, Lehtonin (Little's contract expires next year so he is off the list for now, and Afinagenov still needs to prove himself before he is considered a valuable asset). I do have to wonder with the way Pavlec is playing if the Thrashers are going to move Lehtonin with another player.
But who is that other player? Your guess is as good as mine, but maybe I am thinking too much.
Regardless, the Atlanta Spirit Group is opening their wallets for a lot more than they ever had and I think the players realize their is a commitment to winning now. Its a good sign for things to come and after tonight's game I think we got a solid gage of where the Thrashers stand this year since they have already played 4 teams from last years playoffs.
Thrashers are finalizing a contract extension for Rich Peverly. Well done, Waddell. We now have one more piece of the puzzle locked up. I certainly agree with most Thrasher fans that he is one of the reasons we finished so well last year. He has blazing wheels, he finishes in tight spaces, and he has an incredible knack of finding the open player (which is obviously why we don him the "Pevs dispenser").
So now the list is down to Armstrong, Kovy, Kubina, Lehtonin (Little's contract expires next year so he is off the list for now, and Afinagenov still needs to prove himself before he is considered a valuable asset). I do have to wonder with the way Pavlec is playing if the Thrashers are going to move Lehtonin with another player.
But who is that other player? Your guess is as good as mine, but maybe I am thinking too much.
Regardless, the Atlanta Spirit Group is opening their wallets for a lot more than they ever had and I think the players realize their is a commitment to winning now. Its a good sign for things to come and after tonight's game I think we got a solid gage of where the Thrashers stand this year since they have already played 4 teams from last years playoffs.
Monday, October 19, 2009
What Do We Do Now?
So the US mens national team just got dealt about the worst 48 hours of news that any soccer fan can see. You lose a promising young striker to a car accident that could very well be the end of his career, and your defensive rock at CB goes down with a torn pateller tendon in his knee.
South Africa looks a lot harder than it did one week ago.
This US team went from a darkhorse to get in to the knock out stage with a chance to do some damage, to a team that is hoping to just get out of the group stage now.
Brutal about describes it.
Bradley did such a great job creating a buzz of excitement with the run they created in the Confederations Cup and dramatic qualifiers, but now it all comes crashing down faster than you can say, what just happened?
Past this, the US already lost Clint Dempsey to a shoulder injury. We are talking three major players out of the starting XI that just succumbed to injury. I don't even know where to begin on placing the fillers to hold their starting spots.
This could get really interesting for the World Cup that now looms over head. I don't think anyone is as excited as they were two months ago when the US stood tall with Spain and Brazil.
I just hope we don't lose Donovan now..
South Africa looks a lot harder than it did one week ago.
This US team went from a darkhorse to get in to the knock out stage with a chance to do some damage, to a team that is hoping to just get out of the group stage now.
Brutal about describes it.
Bradley did such a great job creating a buzz of excitement with the run they created in the Confederations Cup and dramatic qualifiers, but now it all comes crashing down faster than you can say, what just happened?
Past this, the US already lost Clint Dempsey to a shoulder injury. We are talking three major players out of the starting XI that just succumbed to injury. I don't even know where to begin on placing the fillers to hold their starting spots.
This could get really interesting for the World Cup that now looms over head. I don't think anyone is as excited as they were two months ago when the US stood tall with Spain and Brazil.
I just hope we don't lose Donovan now..
Early Season Observations
As we Thrasher fans look back at the first five games we are starting to get enough data sets to draw some statistics about this team. Now, granted I understand that the season is extremely young, but some very interesting things are starting to show for the boys in blue.
Kovy is a freaking machine. No matter how you slice or dice it, he is unstoppable. He is arguably the best Russian in the NHL right now. Beyond his goal scoring ability is the fact that he is such a great leader. This team is playing so well because he leads by example. I have never seen Kovy really play defense in his stint with the Thrashers, but right now he looks like he was signed to be a two way forward with his play in the Thrashers zone.
Apparently, changing your defense can make the difference on how good your goalie is. Not to discount or downplay the roles of Hedberg and Pavlec this season, but wow this new defense is better. I'm not exactly sure what Johnny Anderson did to get them motovated but they are blocking almost 10 shots a game. That in your face D is going to carry this team deep into the playoffs.
Special teams bring special results. I never thought I would ever be able to say this, but the Thrashers PK is in the top 10 of the league. Sitting at a respectable 85% kill rate, the Thrashers have been able to cut down on those extra goals that sunk us in the standings. In addition, a smoking hot PP clicking away at 35% isn't too shabby either. Actually, its first in the NHL, but don't expect it to hit at that high a rate the entire year. I personally think these two stats are why this team is 4-1 right now. Need more proof? Check out the 5 on 3 kill they had against Buffalo, that shows you how much they want it this year.
After all the off season moves and people wondering about commitment to winning, we see the Dudell (waddell and Dudley) tandem got it right this season. Just about every move they made has had some positive effect on the team. The scary part about this: chemistry hasn't kicked in yet and this team is only going to get better. We can roll three scoring lines a very capable top four defense group, and solid play in net (how much that is attributed to the D is up to you... I think it does have some baring).
The one stat for concern is the shots we still allow on goal. I do understand that thus far most the shots are from horrible angles and far away (defense has done a suppurb job of taking away the slot), but its just not pretty to see a 40 spot up on the board. Now, the style we play does allow that, so we need just a bit better than average goaltending to keep this game alive.
Kovy is a freaking machine. No matter how you slice or dice it, he is unstoppable. He is arguably the best Russian in the NHL right now. Beyond his goal scoring ability is the fact that he is such a great leader. This team is playing so well because he leads by example. I have never seen Kovy really play defense in his stint with the Thrashers, but right now he looks like he was signed to be a two way forward with his play in the Thrashers zone.
Apparently, changing your defense can make the difference on how good your goalie is. Not to discount or downplay the roles of Hedberg and Pavlec this season, but wow this new defense is better. I'm not exactly sure what Johnny Anderson did to get them motovated but they are blocking almost 10 shots a game. That in your face D is going to carry this team deep into the playoffs.
Special teams bring special results. I never thought I would ever be able to say this, but the Thrashers PK is in the top 10 of the league. Sitting at a respectable 85% kill rate, the Thrashers have been able to cut down on those extra goals that sunk us in the standings. In addition, a smoking hot PP clicking away at 35% isn't too shabby either. Actually, its first in the NHL, but don't expect it to hit at that high a rate the entire year. I personally think these two stats are why this team is 4-1 right now. Need more proof? Check out the 5 on 3 kill they had against Buffalo, that shows you how much they want it this year.
After all the off season moves and people wondering about commitment to winning, we see the Dudell (waddell and Dudley) tandem got it right this season. Just about every move they made has had some positive effect on the team. The scary part about this: chemistry hasn't kicked in yet and this team is only going to get better. We can roll three scoring lines a very capable top four defense group, and solid play in net (how much that is attributed to the D is up to you... I think it does have some baring).
The one stat for concern is the shots we still allow on goal. I do understand that thus far most the shots are from horrible angles and far away (defense has done a suppurb job of taking away the slot), but its just not pretty to see a 40 spot up on the board. Now, the style we play does allow that, so we need just a bit better than average goaltending to keep this game alive.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Game Day #2
Ah, the Gateway to the West, the second largest music capital in the US, and the site of the new leaders in the central division, good old St. Louis. This one might be a bit more difficult than the opener since the Blues have already knocked off the West Confrence Champs two times. These pesky little buggers seem to have found a way to build their team around defense (wait, they did what?) and build their offense from that.
Anyways, should definitely be an exciting game tonight, but I think we sqeak this one out 3-2 in the extra session with Pavs having a good showing that makes us realize why we have him and giving us a bit more security till Mr. Lehtonin returns.
On a personal note, its too bad Manny Legace isn't dressed out for this. . . It would be so classic and fulfilling to watch him beat the team that said, "Thanks, but no thanks. Our rookie is better than you."
Go Thrash!
Anyways, should definitely be an exciting game tonight, but I think we sqeak this one out 3-2 in the extra session with Pavs having a good showing that makes us realize why we have him and giving us a bit more security till Mr. Lehtonin returns.
On a personal note, its too bad Manny Legace isn't dressed out for this. . . It would be so classic and fulfilling to watch him beat the team that said, "Thanks, but no thanks. Our rookie is better than you."
Go Thrash!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Columnist in need of ideas
Open night sentiments here. Please read and let met know what else to write about. I just got dubbed a columnist and need material so send suggestions.
Funny how I started this blog jsut because I love sports and now I get to write and get noticed for it... woo.
Funny how I started this blog jsut because I love sports and now I get to write and get noticed for it... woo.
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