Blueland Roar

Blueland Debacle

2009-10-23T23:35:00.001-04:00

Salutations brothers and sisters. Grace here and I command you, chins up.

Yep, disappointment. Sure, intense, short-lived melancholy. Of course, second guessing, persecution of the innocent and finally - forgiveness. That's the cycle of defeat. If you're a fan this outlines your mental process during and immediately following a loss. There is no middle ground. We're limited to elation or despair. That's the burden we carry. But there is always the next game on the horizon. The freak-show featuring an 85 foot magic goal against at Blueland on Thursday night will soon be forgotten.

D.A has his own take, here is my theory:

You see, Thrasher Goalie Ondrej Pavelec was drugged. That's right, someone slipped the young Czech a powerful substance between periods one and two. He turned his head briefly in the locker room and in came Ty Domi and Mathew Barnaby, disguised as Philips arena maintenance men. The slippery Barnaby deposited a few drops of a heavy duty hallucinogen into Ondrej's water bottle while Domi created a diversion by folding balloon animals. Giraffes are his specialty.

Five minutes into the period, it took hold. Pavelec saw 1000 pucks approaching. Each bearing a set of tiny vicious teeth. They called his name in unison. They had Vincent Price-esque voices. "Ondrej", they whispered, "leave the crease." One puck, two pucks, three pucks entered. Mercifully, Coach Anderson rescued Pavelec from the nightmare. The traumatized Netminder spent the remainder of the evening a warm dark room, surrounded by friends, sipping tea and sweating away the demons. Or maybe he had a bad night at work. Either way, let's not blow it out of proportion like Philadelphia fans. The season is a marathon. We've barely gotten out of the starting blocks

What I'll take with me and store in memory from this strange game is the ferocious rally that the Thrashers put forth in period three. Given another 30 seconds of play, the Thrashers would have erased the three goal deficit and the game would have gone to overtime. This time last year, this game would have ended 7-2. The Thrashers, version 10 has heart and confidence. They know they can score on anyone.

Downtown has an opinion as well. It's a little more sane than mine. He's temporarily borrowed my writing style in paragraph one. I have very few tricks so I must reclaim it tomorrow.

Your Loyal Servant,
Sean Grace

In walks D.A, dressed all in black....

The Game
There was no frenzy. The return to Thrasherville was a little flat. There was no early arriving crowd. There was no noise. There was no unstoppable rush. There was no magic in goal. All that stuff will have to wait for Saturday night. There was no frenzy.

10:20 into the second period the game was over. 6 foot 6 inch freak of nature Jeff Schultz routinely cleared a puck from his team’s zone. It tapped a stick (maybe), bounced once or twice, and skipped over the glove on Ondrej Pavelec’s left hand. 3-2 Capitals. The goalie’s body language screamed trouble.

1:14 later the whole team got beat, and it was 4-2. The crowd started to turn. Some jackass screamed about the weather in Chicago. How soon they forget.

14 seconds later the crowd had a reason to boo. The guy who won the Thrashers a point on Tuesday was completely out of position and was instantly persona non grata. The Moose jumped the wall.

Ondrej Pavelec owes himself. Ondrej Pavelec owes his team. Two nights after single handedly earning a point on the road, the Atlanta Thrasher’s goalie laid an egg. The team in front of him was only partially responsible. Ondrej Pavelec should start the next game in goal.

Enough already. We lost. Here’s the good stuff:

The Capitals did not score again after Moose Hedberg entered the game. The Thrashers shut their opponent out for over 28 minutes to end the game.

Zach Bogosian scored a shorthanded goal in the third period that accentuated another perfect night on the penalty kill. A 7-0 night. The Thrashers are now 90.6% on the PK. Good for 2nd in the league.

An administrative aside

At the end of the 2nd intermission I headed to my seat mumbling about the 2nd period disaster. On the way through my portal I was stopped. Guest services professionals informed me that the alcoholic beverage I was carrying was not allowed into the stadium. The rules, it seemed, stated that no alcohol can be carried into the stands after the 2nd period.

My next action was shameful but justified. I moved to another portal and proceeded to my seat with my drink. The thwarted portal attendants noticed and were not amused. When confronted, I apologized for my sneakery, begged for mercy, and insisted that my season ticket holder status deserved the intervention of a security manager.

I value the relationship I have with the guest services personnel in my seating area and I feel guilty for pulling rank, but turns out the portal staff had been provided bad information about policy. Alcohol purchased in the arena can be carried into the seating area at any time.

God knows I needed it tonight.

See you all Saturday night,
Downtown Atlanta

The Magic Number

2009-09-07T20:14:00.002-04:00

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
-Mark Twain

We're simple folk here in the States. We like burgers, violence and rumor. We want it all served up in a blurb and we want it fast. Being simpletons, we need to pass judgment quickly. There is no time to thoughtfully analyze and debate the values and worth of an event, performance or individual. We're hooked on simple. In sports, stats are the drug of choice and we are junkies.

Baseball started the frenzy with the batting average and E.R.A. And then along came Bill James, Supergeek. He invented statistics and then reviewed every boxscore in the long history of baseball and created standards. Soon the NFL followed suit and discussions of yards after catch average, (YAC), took hold. Tennis added the first serve percentage. Golf joined in with the average length of putts holed and driving accuracy.

We know longer need a pencil and scorecard, we need spreadsheets, statisticians in the press box and algorithms. Jobs were created at the expense of the humanity of our games. Mythical icons were reduced to numbers and folks began to argue that Barry Bonds was better than Babe Ruth. Eric Dickerson was suddenly more valuable than Jim Brown and Pavel Bure superior to Mark Messier. We've quantified ourselves stupid.

All that being said there is one statistic that can determine the fate of the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2009-2010 season. There is a magic number when if met or exceeded sends our club to the postseason. But first a prelude....

Goals, goals and more goals

The Atlanta Thrashers are going to score more than their share of goals this season. I'll predict they surpass their season record for team goals. The reason is two-fold. First the obvious - the club has many weapons. IIya will get his fifty this season without breaking a sweat. He may surpass Ovechkin this year if he remains healthy. Bryan Little is poised for a 40 goal campaign. Slava, White, Armstrong, Peverley, Andropov will all hit 20 goals. And we haven't yet discussed the Blueliners. Zach Bogosian has the second best shot on the team. Enstrom is a weapon as is Ron Hainsey. Add Kubina and Salmela to the mix and the net will be dented often.

The second reason for the fireworks will be Coach Anderson's system. In a nutshell, Anderson preaches constant pressure from everyone on the ice. This system if executed correctly will wear down defenses, particularly when Thrasher D-men advance in the offensive zone. This high risk, high reward system will also yield a fair amount of shots on goal. Which brings us near the moral of our story.....

Thrasher VIP

Let's assume the Thrashers can score. Let's also assume that they will allow more than the league average in shots on goal allowed. Past performance of the Thrasher Defensemen make this assumption safe. So who does that leave?

Spotlight on Kari Lehtonen. The often brilliant, often injured, marginally motivated first round pick is the key to the 2009-2010. If he stays healthy, the Thrashers have a legitimate shot at 95 points. If he does not start 70% of the Thrashers games, this season is going to be an exercise in mediocrity. Let's face it, the combination of Hedberg, (great guy, superior teammate, dead last in Goalie ranking last year), Pavelic, (young, wild and temperamental) and Drew Macintyre aren't going to intimidate anyone.

This season falls on the shoulders and recovering back of Kari Lehtonen.

The Magic Number

So what metric will determine Blueland Joy? It's Kari Lehtonen's Goals Against Average, (GAA). Here is why:

1) It's not Save Percentage. The fact that he faces an inordinate amount of shots render the stat useless. If Lehtonen faces 40 shots a game and stops 37, his save percentage will be above average and the Thrashers will lose often.
2) You can't use wins by Lehtonen. Why? Because I said so.
3) Back-up Goalie numbers may or may not make a difference. The only reason they would matter is if they were spectacular or horrendous. Let's assume they are average.

So that's it, watch Kari's GAA. If it's at or below 2.70, the Thrashers will make the post-season. A GAA of 2.70 would have ranked 23rd in the NHL last year, a little below average. Assuming the Thrashers rank about 10th in goals next year, 2.70 will suffice.

This number seems attainable but Lehtonen's career best is 2.79. Last year he ranked 40th in the NHL with a 3.06. Lehtonen will have to have his best year in the NHL for the Thrashers to re-visit the post-season this year.

Help Wanted

I am looking for a Writer to join me at the new and improved Blueland Roar. I think another prospective in this space would make it a little more interested. Here are the requirements:

1) Be able to write an article similar in length to this one, once a week.
2) Be able to manipulate the English language deftly.
3) Have a personality and an opinion.
4) Be willing to take the same salary as I, nuthin, zero, diddy. I may throw you tickets from time to time.
5) Watch most Thrasher games either in person or on TV.

That's it. If you are interested send me a mail at grace@bluelandroar.com. My goal is to add a voice by mid-October.

Coming Attractions

The Thrasher prospects will take on the Predator newbies next Monday and Tuesday in the cozy confines of the Duluth Ice Center. I'll have a full report a week from tomorrow.

Summer is over, sharpen your skates.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

The Intangible - Marty Reasoner

2009-08-22T22:34:00.002-04:00

Marty Reasoner set a career high in goals in 2008-09 with 14. More than half his tallies came at crucial times in close games. Reasoner ranked third on the Thrashers will a +/- rating of +11. When you talking about Reasoner none of these numbers matters. You can't quantify the value Reasoner has to an emerging Thrashers club. Reasoner is not about stats. He's about team.

When Reasoner was signed by the Thrashers before last season it was hardly a "stop the presses" moment. Hockey fans new his name and maybe that he played in Edmonton. Like most, I looked up his stats. Eleven goals in 2007-08. Six goals in 2006-07. Six goals in 72 games? It seemed like a depth acquisition at best. Reasoner's contribution was one of the biggest surprises of the 2008-09 season for Atlanta.

The first thing you notice about Marty's play is its soundness. He doesn't make the sloppy pass, always clears the zone on the penalty kill, and doesn't turn the puck over. He was the most effective Thrasher on special teams last year and also one of the best at winning face offs. He just doesn't make many mistakes on the ice and rarely will a Reasoner line post a minus rating in a game.

The big surprise last year were Reasoner's 14 goals. His most memorable was a game-winner against his former club in Edmonton. His goals are also not of the garbage variety. Reasoner has a very sneaky shot and underrated quickness that make him a threat. Keep it quiet other clubs never consider him when scouting the Thrashers and do not consider him an offensive weapon.

The bottom line on Reasoner is he is the player Thrasher fans want on the ice when a penalty absolutely must be killed off. He is also the player you want to show a rookie how to play the game the right way. Most "sound" players rarely make a peep on the ice. Reasoner lets loose a barbaric war cry worthy of William Wallace's attention when he makes a big play on the ice. His passion, willingness to do the right thing on the ice and ability to put the biscuit in the basket, make Reasoner a very valuable man in Atlanta.

But don't tell anyone about him. Let him sneak up on the NHL.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Chris Thorburn - Caveman

2009-08-16T20:00:00.004-04:00

One look at his mug makes it apparent. Chris Thorburn is not a tax attorney. This guy isn't pecking away at a computer or attending corporate status meetings. It's obvious he works for a living. Thorburn is the quintessential "lunch pail" player. His play on the ice reminds long-time hockey fans of past era when the game featured more blood and knuckles and less post-goal celebration.

Acquired from the Penguins before the 2007 season, Thorburn brought instant guts, hustle and selflessness to a club low in all before mentioned categories. A member of the Thrashers 4th line, A.K.A "energy line", A.K.A Greek God line", Thorburn brings physicality and an emerging offensive presence to the ice every night. His secondary role is #2 Enforcer on the Thrasher club. At 6'3", 225 pounds, the 27 year old center is a tough opponent in a scrap. But that's just background. Why do we love Chris around Blueland? It's the hair.

The Thorburn Post-Fight Fro

In most fights this Fan has seen that involved Thorburn, inevitably Chris ends up mostly undressed. After most fights he is helmetless. And out comes the fro. I'm a guy that appreciates a healthy head of hair. Mine has been retreating since college. I no longer have a need for product unless fertilizer counts. Chris has no such problem. He is 6'3", 6'7" with a fully extended fro. After a fight, the static and contact brings his quaff into all its glory. At attention it stands in all it's majesty. It's a sight to see and worth the price of admission.

All that aside, Thorburn is a worker, a great teammate and a guy that will do the dirty work on the ice. His energy and strength is the glue that keeps together a very entertaining and effective Thrasher 4th line.

In the off-season Thorburn has been involved with community activities such as a Habitat for Humanity build in Atlanta. He is also is friends with Peter Moylan of the Braves. Thrasher fans hope his ties to community will result in a long stay on the ice in Phillips arena.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Eric Bolton - Atlanta Thrasher Enforcer

2009-08-12T20:44:00.006-04:00

"We get nose jobs all the time in the NHL, and we don't even have to go to the hospital." ~Brad Park

Pure, unadulterated justice. Self Regulation. Strategic violence. These are terms to come to mind when I think of a hockey fight. Some will say it's barbaric, childish and meaningless. The "some" that say this are stupid.

The hockey fight has unwritten rules and boundaries. If a fighter falls, the match is over. Cheap shots are not tolerated and will result in future consequences for the perpetrator. Both combatants must agree to engage and do so when both are ready. It's fair, it's base human behavior and the World would be a better place if a good clean fist fight was an option to settle disputes in every day life.

There are few jobs available on this Earth better than NHL Enforcer. How many times during your typical work week have you thought, "If I could just punch someone in the mouth I would feel much better" Eric Bolton's main responsibility is punching someone in the mouth at a strategic time during a hockey game. Bolton is one of the best of the business.

Bolton stands at about six foot one, not huge for an NHL Enforcer. He weighs in at a very solid 225 and I'd guess his body fat ratio is laughable. Fighting an anvil is no fun as many contenders have found over the last few years.

Bolton's lower body strength gives him his first advantage in a skirmish, balance. Rarely does Bolton slip or fall during a tussle on the ice. Bolton's most significant advantage is his conditioning and the resulting endurance. Bolts has been involved in some of the longest, most grueling fights on Blueland ice. He wears down his opponents, let's them punch themselves out and then finishes the bout in style.

Oh, Eric Bolton plays some hockey as well. Besides ranking 6th in the NHL with 176 penalty minutes, Bolton set career highs last season with 10 assists and 13 points. His forth line play with Jimmy Slater and Chris Thorburn set the table for many Thrasher victories last season.

With fighting on the rise in the NHL, Bolton's ice time should be exciting next year. The goal - 200 penalty minutes. Fear the Thrash!

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Pre-season roll call - Jim Slater

2009-08-09T21:07:00.000-04:00

Let's say you are a Minnesota Wild fan watching the Thrashers for the first time. As the 4th line for the Thrashers takes the ice you notice the speed of number 23. Then you notice the passion. His hitting is extraordinary. Number 23 is everywhere. He hustles. He plays shut-down defense. His passing is crisp. At this point, my Gofer loving friend, you are perplexed. Why would this talent being playing only on the energy line? And then the puck comes onto Slater's stick....and off his stick....and it all makes sense.

In golf they call it "the yips". In most other sports the phrase is much more evil - choking. This dreaded tendency is the antithesis of clutch. For a while Jimmy Slater was afflicted. His game was far above average until he possessed the puck in a scoring area. He shanked. He whiffed. He fell down. He felt shame.

This disease has a fatality rate well over 50% for most young professional athletes who play in a major sport. The opportunity to overcome it is rarely given to a player that exhibits symptoms over an extended period of time. Slater has gone through extended scoring droughts in his career that have threatened his job security. Slater's first goal during the 2007-2008 didn't come until 2008. His play without the puck and in non-scoring situations kept him in Atlanta and in the NHL.

Last season Slater greatly improved his hands and confidence near the goal. His shot was much more convincing as was his foot work near the net. Although his point total was not overly impressive on paper, the evolution of his offensive game was noticeable.

It's not points that keeps Slater on the ice in Atlanta, it's heart. Slater plays the game like kid on a frozen pond. He makes the most of his limited ice time and along with 4th line teammates, Chris Thorburn and Eric Boulton, knocks the will to play out of opponents on some nights. Jimmy has an extra gear on the ice that is seldom seem in the NHL. His 45 second shifts often include multiple hits, a shot on goal, a solid pass and a bruised and winded opponent. Rarely is his ice time uneventful.

Slater has been a fan favorite since he joined the Thrashers in 2005. The 2002 first-round pick is impossible to dislike. Off the ice he behaves like a guy who doesn't take his job for granted. At the Thrasher annual casino nights, Slater can usually be found running a lively roulette table and enjoying a few beverages with fans. He is utterly approachable and lights up the room with positive energy.

If Slater works on his puck handling, shot and moves in tight during this off-season , there is no reason that 30 points isn't attainable next season. He has all the tools and just needs to take the correct one out of his bag at the appropriate time. Production on the 4th line could result in five "bonus" points in the standings for the Thrashers next season. Slater is the key.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

The Long, Hot Tease

2009-07-26T18:00:00.002-04:00

In the Summer, hockey gives you a wink and then struts away. It makes eye contact. It brushes up against you. Our game gives you all the signals and then retreats back into hiding leaving the avid fan unsatisfied. Anyone currently dating is painfully familiar with this process.

The draft woke us up. Prospect camp brought us back in the general vicinity of ice. Free agency and player movement got the blood flowing and the release of the 2009-10 schedule starting hockey conversation. Now we wait.

Fans of all NHL teams have hope in July. Maybe this is our year? Perhaps our club will be the story of 2010? It's a great time for dreamers. How would the CUP look on our ice? What would I wear to the victory parade?

For the Atlanta Thrashers, the future is now. Few interested in the Atlanta club feel this year's draft was anything short of a great success. Our first and second round picks look to be very solid at worst. The great majority of Thrasher fans feel that the acquisitions made this summer will make an immediate impact. The additions of Andropov and Kubina make the Atlanta club bigger, tougher and more skilled. Blueland is excited that almost all key players from last year's club, which gelled in the final third of the season, have returned. With a year of Coach Anderson's run and gun system under their belts, all signs point to continued success under the master plan.

One piece is left and it's the most important. Captain Kovalchuk's contract expires after next year. In order to avoid the "will he or won't he" distraction, the Thrashers must resign the franchise player before October. This conjecture/message board chatter will cause a distraction of epic proportions and must be avoided. All rumors point toward a fairly long-term re-signing in the near future but it ain't over til IIya signs on the dotted line. Until then, this topic will trump all others within the Atlanta hockey community.

A Toast to the Don

After Kovy re-signs, many suspect Thrashers GM Don Waddell will assume a leadership role in the Atlanta Spirit organization and hand over his GM duties to newly hired Assistant GM Rick Dudley. Dudley is a universally respected hockey lifer with experience at every level of the game. His presence has already been felt in the draft and off-season trades.

Some guess that Don will ride off into the sunset after he re-signs Kovalchuk and maybe his legacy will be saved by Kovy, the recent draft class and trades. The team that hits the ice in Atlanta this fall could be Don's greatest achievement. In a career marked by criticism, tragedy - (Snyder/Heatley), questionable moves - (Zhinik, Steve Rucchin), questionable draft picks - (Patty Stephen), and short-timers with no concept of team or leadership -(Hossa), this off-season could have been Don's greatest achievement. If the Thrashers play late April hockey in 2009-10 and late May hockey in 2010-11, this summer will be Don's redemption and a big, fat "I told you so" to his army of nea-sayers.

Those of us who hang around Blueland have high hopes. We can visualize the 95+ points in the standings come April. We recall the brief encounter with playoff hockey and the energy it injected into us. We chase the high.

But for now, we wait. The long summer days tease us but allow us to dream.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

The Next Wave of Thrash

2009-06-30T18:28:00.010-04:00

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage. Have a seat. Relax! This entry is a little lengthy but in case you haven't noticed, the Thrashers have been active in the last couple weeks. We have many topics to cover and all are exciting.

I've been away, cut off from the electronic devices for a week. I've grown a beard that is beginning to itch and have worn the same tee shirt for four straight days. I saw some deer creeping around in the dark. I ate some fish and made fires at night. I played some good golf and some bad golf. I took long afternoon naps. I'm refreshed. I'm feeling froggy and ready to jump. So on with it....

The Big Fellas

Last week the Atlanta Thrashers added almost 13 feet and 500 pounds of talent to the roster in the form of two players. The additions of Nik Andropov and Pavel Kubina bring needed size and skill. Both are in their prime and both will be significant contributors immediately.

Andropov is 29 years old and is coming off his best NHL season. His contract is for four years and $16,000,000. The 6-6, 230-pound right wing appeared in 81 games last season with the Leafs and Rangers, recording 59 points (28 goals, 31 assists), setting career highs in each category. He finished the season ranked first on the Rangers in goals and points and was fourth in assists. Rumor has it that Captain Kovalchuk had some input before the trade was completed and made a call to Andropov. Kovy and Andropov are acquainted. They were teammates, playing on the same line for several games for Kazan Ak-Bars in the Russian SuperLeague during the NHL’s work stoppage in 2003-04. After the deal was announced, Kovy texted Don Waddell two words, "Nice job!"

The significance of Kovy's involvement and reaction should not be taken lightly. IIya has stated numerous times that he will re-sign long-term IF, and only if, the Thrashers add talent in the off-season. Waddell said he would make acquisitions. Don delivered. Kovy has a habit of keeping his word and our Captain will re-sign before the season begins for at least four additional years. Take it the bank, it's a done deal and nothing I say can jinx it.

Before adding the massive Right Winger the Thrashers made a deal bringing in Pavel Kubina and Tim Stapleton from Toronto in exchange for Garnett Exelby and Colin Stuart. Kubina is a 32 year old, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound Defenseman who has one year and $5 million remaining on his contract. He played all 82 games for the Leafs last season and tied a career high with 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists).

This trade was not one-sided. The Thrashers lost a fan favorite in "X" and an emerging Forward in Stuart who has shown flashes of brilliance.

The physical, tough, extremely funny Exelby was an Atlanta fan favorite and will be missed. Removing emotion and attachment from the picture - Exelby will be better served in Toronto. He was not a perfect match to Coach Anderson's system which thrives when D-men step up in the offensive zone. Exelby is one of the best hitters in the NHL and his defensive skills have improved dramatically over the last two years. His Sportcenter worthy checks, passion and sense of humor will be missed in Blueland. I think I speak for the great majority of Thrasher fans when I wish "X" the best in his career and off the ice.

Mr. Kane

I don't know if Evander Kane can be any more concise. He tried to get his point across. He answered the post draft questions with class. He was humble but confident. He was blunt. Reporters rephrased the same question a myriad of ways, hoping for a different answer. What does Evander Kane want to do in the NHL? He wants to score goals. He wants to score many goals. He wants to be a fifty goal scorer and it doesn't matter how many times he was asked the same question. The answer is goals, many, many goals. This is the kind of simplicity we should all appreciate.

Many future stars had their coming out parties during the NHL entry draft. John Tavares, who will be king, polished his already shiny public persona. Victor Hedman was once again professional, Matt Duchene was his normal bubbly self. Evander came to the stage with fire in his belly and a healthy chip on his shoulder. Never was he mentioned in the same sentence with the top three. He was consider option 1-B. I sensed a little "I will show you all" in his demeanor and that is exactly what we need in Atlanta.

If you peruse video clips of Kane you'll notice a few common themes. First, he scores goals of all kinds. Some of the close-range, hard-work persuasion, some on his quick shot and some of the acrobatic variety. Secondly, he plays with fire and is not afraid to get excited on the ice. Finally, you'll notice he has played a good portion of his brief amateur career with a "C" on his jersey. So let's see what we have here - a goal-scoring, high energy, leader. IIya, Zach, Little and Kane should get along just fine for years.

Kane also seems mature beyond his years and very authentic. You could tell that he didn't rehearse excessively for his first heavy media day. Kane has a large family, many of them traveled to Montreal with him to celebrate the beginning of his career. He's clean cut. He's smart and he is talented.

Oh, and Kane's skin is not white. This has nothing to do with anything but I thought I'd mention it since other local Hockey Writers seem to avoid this topic at all costs. Why is it worth a mention? Evander's non lily-white skin is of note because the NHL is uncomfortably white. The National Hockey League is ghostly, peaked, alabaster, David Caruso, somebody get some some screen on it before it catches fire from the sun, white. The ice is white, the players are over 90% white, white home jerseys, coaches, etc. It's glaring. Color in needed. Color is especially welcomed in metro Atlanta where a large African-American population resides. Hopefully, the color of his Kane's skin brings in more non-white fans to Blueland as the Philips crowd could also use some diversity.

And the final cherry of top of what seems to be a perfect match, Kane was named after former Champ, Evander Holyfield - also an Atlanta native.

The reaction at the Jillian's draft party was overwhelmingly positive as was the feeling at the draft party at TJ's. So Thrasher fans are happy for now. Don't worry, Atlanta Spirit and Don Waddell bashing will resume shortly. But let's enjoy the sunshine for a moment before the whining kicks back off.

The Second Rounders

The word on the street is that both second round picks, Morin and Klingberg, were rated as first rounders by the Thrashers. We'll never be able to prove this true or false and it really doesn't matter but again, I thought it worth a mention. What is more important is that these guys have some edge as well. Both are well-spoken, both are confident, both have senses of humor. When Klingberg was asked what his hobbies were, the 18 year old said hanging with his friends and attempting to pick up women. He adds that he was mostly unsuccessful at the later activity. Now that's honesty. Add keg parties into the mix and that pretty much summarizes me at 18 as well. We should see both of these fellas in Blueland within two years.

The return of frozen water

Next week prospect camp opens in Duluth. Nothing like ice in 90 degree Atlanta heat. Kane will be there as will all draft picks from this year. Also in camp will be Angelo Esposito. In case you don't remember, Esposito who came over in the Hossa tail between the legs bailout, was once considered a number one draft pick. Not a first rounder, a first pick. Suffice it to say he is ultra-talented. Suffice it to say that he could be the wild card in this equation. If Esposito finds his stride on NHL ice this year, Blueland will be a crowded, loud and happy place in 2009-10.

Keep the faith my friends!

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

The Resurrection of Sean Grace

2009-06-15T21:35:00.004-04:00

That Garguilo guy couldn't kill me. He is way too soft for that kind of business. After all he is a corporate line-toeing, J. Crew wearing, happily married, American Express wielding, conference call participant. A killer he is not. I'm alive and well and things are going to get interesting again.

Garguilo can't write anything worth your time. Look at his record of inactivity. The YUPPIE wins the 7th Man Award and goes silent. For the last six weeks all he could muster was a fluff piece on Alex Ovechkin. That all changes today. Today I take back the steering wheel. Hold on folks, it could get a little choppy.

Laying in a coffin for a couple months gives a guy nothing but time to think. I've developed some opinions. They are busting out in all directions, putting pressure on my huge melon. I'm bloated with information and need to express myself on a few different topics.

1) The sad tale of Marian Hossa - We've all made some bad decisions. During one Spring Break journey I made 47 in 2 days. Hossa simply chose the wrong side and was asked to leave the ice before Sid raised the CUP in Detroit. His hands have yet to touch the prize and the bridges he ignited during his NHL career are burning brightly in Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Ottawa.

What perplexes me about Hossa is that he does not believe that his play can affect the outcome of a game, a series or season. While departing Atlanta he said, "I want to play for a winner". Hey Marian - your dedication to a club can contribute to it's success. Hossa is a brilliant player, top 10 overall in the league. If he had taken a leadership role for the Thrash he could have propelled the club much farther. He did not put the team on his shoulders because he does not believe he has the ability to carry that weight. It's an unfortunate inferiority complex. Hossa has become a tourist and a very unsuccessful opportunist.

And then the Pens win the CUP. They won it because they played together. Pittsburgh prevailed because as a unit they had the collective will to do so. Every player took ownership of their destiny and played their guts out.

Hossa left Pittsburgh saying he wanted to win a CUP. Would the Pens have won with Hossa? I doubt it. His lack of leadership and self confidence seem to suck the air out of the chemistry of hockey clubs.

Hossa needs to go through a serious self assessment and determine what is important to him and what he is willing to do to achieve his goals. He can't play the role of the Remora. He must be willing to be the Shark.

2) The angst of Jeff Schultz - Mr. Schultz writes for the AJC here in Atlanta. When he isn't calling the Braves a side-show and has a little free time, he rips into the powers that be within the Thrasher organization. Recently he asked Thrasher GM Don Waddell if he is surprised to still be employed. He's in possession of large stones, I'll give him that. He is willing to ask the hard questions, which is his job, but Jeff seems inordinately angry at the Thrashers. Now if he is truly a fan of Thrashers he does have reason to be irritated at their performance since inception. As a die hard Thrasher fan since the beginning I've had to add Rogaine, Xanex, Tums and meditation to my routine in order to stay fairly functional.

The problem is that Jeff is not a fan of hockey and doesn't know the game all that well. He's had some bad experiences with Thrasher management and that has made him cranky and biased. Jeff, in some ways I admire your vigor but please leave my team alone. Your not qualified or in the right state of mind to report on the Thrashers. Also, overall you need to lighten up. Write something positive about something, anything. How about an article on puppies or bunnies?

3) The antithesis of Hossa - Marty Reasoner - The resigning of Reasoner will hopefully be the first of many good decisions the Thrashers make before October. Reasoner is everything you want in a teammate. He plays with passion. He does the dirty work on the ice and makes his line-mates better. Reasoner maximizes his hockey intelligence and skills. This guy is never going to lead the team in any major offensive category but he is as important to Coach Anderson's team concept as anyone. Good move Don, keep em coming.

4) Fan Club Update - So the fan club is off and running. We are 160 and counting. We are existence for a few reasons. First and foremost our mission is to unite Thrasher fans. We're going to have large viewing parties around town for road games. We're going to take road trips and add a blue section to the arenas of our opposition. We're going to have exclusive events involving players and coaches. We're going to donate a significant amount of money to the Atlanta Thrashers Foundation and Dan Snyder Foundation. We're going to make some noise in this town and our presence will be felt.

On June 26th at Gillians the fan club will have a booth. If you are a fan club member and check in at said booth you will be entered in a raffle. If you join the club that night you will also be entered in the raffle. The prize? How about a signed Zach Bogosian jersey. If you're a Thrasher fan that should blow wind up your shorts*

* the previous "shorts" reference was stolen from the desk of Jeff Schultz. Thanks buddy!

That Garguilo guy is involved with the club but organizing people is one of the only things the tight-ass can do well so join the club. It's cheap, it will be a good time and it's worthwhile. Here is the link:

www.atlantathrashersfans.org

So that's it for now. It's good to be back above ground. It's going to take a while to get color back in my face but the blood is circulating.

Much more to come before the puck drops in Philips this fall including the long awaited new and improved website.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Selling the drama

2009-05-04T21:45:00.006-04:00

"When I see a little boy, I remember when I was little and I used to stand and wait for some guy I would go to after a game. They are fans, and they want my signature. They live in Washington, and they are fans of our team. I think if I signed 10 signatures and there were 20 more fans waiting and I didn't sign for them also, they would want to know why, and I would feel bad. If you have time, why not sign them all?"
- Alex Ovechkin

The Boy who would be King

Sidney Crosby is an extraordinarily great hockey player. The Kid can do it all. His playmaking ability is uncanny, he scores the tough goals in tight, he hits, he fights, Crosby is special.

Crosby was groomed for greatness since before his voice had base and he had kissed a girl. Long before he was 16 he was nicknamed "The Next One", a reference and comparison to Wayne Gretzky, "The Great One." Crosby has shouldered the enormous burden of huge expectations of the entire hockey community for a decade. He has performed with relative grace considering the pressure but he is also very aware that he is the face of the NHL. At times he embraces his greatness a little too tightly. Sid can rub a blue collar fan the wrong way. At times he exhibits the behavior of a person who believes he is owed success and special treatment.

Before Crosby could buy a beer legally, he was named Captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins and anointed poster boy for the NHL. Those in charge of marketing the NHL in the States grabbed hold of Crosby and shoved his clean-cut, blemishless mug down the throats of all that that would pay attention. The NHL used him to publicize a sport that was losing momentum in US. The NHL had their Michael Jordan and a plan to ride their prize pony through the finish line.

The Foreigner

Alex Ovechkin is funny looking. He has unusually spread out facial features, a busted-up mouth as a result of his reckless style of play and a big melon. Seriously, my cranium is abnormally large but I'd bet Ovechkin would lose circulation to his scalp if he attempted to wear one of my giant hats.

Ovechkin is Russian and as such does not speak perfect English. He hasn't been practicing his post-game interviews since grade school. Ovechkin is a little awkward in public probably because he is aware that his accent and improving English are not yet polished. Unlike Crosby, Ovechkin does not take himself very seriously. During the last Caps game at Philips he was ribbed mercilessly in a video spoof, put together by the Thrashers, which focused on a campy commercial he made earlier in his career. After the piece was shown on the big screen above the ice, the camera went to Ovechkin who was hysterically laughing at himself.

And by the way, Ovechkin has once in a lifetime skills that leave even the most cynical NHL observers breathless and giggling. Ovechkin has no peers in the NHL. He is freak of nature, a natural with a motor that seems to never idle. His energy level is that of a boy, loaded with sugar, playing a game he genuinely loves to play. Ovechkin like Crosby also plays a physical game and is regarded as one of the most feared hitters on the ice. He plays the game of hockey he way it was meant to played.

Until this season, Ovechkin's visibility in NHL marketing was infinitesimal as compared to that of Crosby. But now the two are matched up in the most intriguing playoff series in years and the Russian has taken over. In a thrilling game two of the second round series, both Crosby and Ovechkin had hat tricks. The difference between the performances was simple. Washington won the game and Ovechkin electrified the crowd, both in attendance and at home. His goals were brilliant, his reactions to the goals exhibited his childlike exuberance which draws you in, whether you like it or not.

Alexander the Great is a master entertainer. Every time he steps on the ice and a national TV audience gets the privilege to watch him work, the popularity of the NHL in the USA increases. The masses love an unpretentious superstar. The general public will embrace the manner in which he wears his emotion on his sleeve if given the chance. Honesty, all out effort and pure love of the game sells. Mr. Bettman, you have your Michael Jordan, the Ambassador that will raise the interest level in hockey in the US. He may need some airbrushing and second and third takes but Ovechkin is the truth. Embrace the electric, lovable geek. The rest of us already have.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean

Confessions of a 7th Man

2009-04-11T22:51:00.008-04:00

The Death of Sean Grace

This has never been about me. My voice may be a little louder than most but alone it's meager. It's always been about us. We are a hockey club, a mass of fans, an arena we call home, a common goal and a resounding roar. We are strengthening and will emerge in October as a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

But for 15 minutes, it's about me. I am going to stop and smell the roses. This is what this trip is all about - savoring the magic moments that make all the BS worth trudging through. Stepping onto the ice last night was one of the most thrilling moments on my life. Thank you everyone from the Thrashers who voted for me. My deepest thanks go out to the fans for the kind words and support.

When I kissed and raised the 7th Man trophy over my head, I turned to Kovy and said, "You will raise a bigger CUP on this ice soon". He responded with a nod. I hope he believes it. I know I do.

It is an honor to be named the Thrashers 7th Man. Before me there was Brandy Shaw who donated her kidney to Andy, another resident of Blueland. There was Sally, super fan, organizer and financier for many road trips. There was Mark Holland who has worked hard for Dan Snyder Foundation. And of course there was Rapid Fan, to name a few. My contributions have been less profound but I wear my passion for this club like a badge of honor. I'm not alone. There are many like me who will never quit on this team. The regulars in 119 will be back next year. The Nasty Nest will regroup and grow stronger. The club people....well they will still be pretension and silent but some things, however annoying, are comfortable unchanged. Finally, thanks to my wife Stacy for being as insane a fan as I. She is equally if not more dedicated to our club. Our experience at Philips arena over the years has been priceless and unforgettable. And now for an execution...

I hereby sentence Sean Grace to death by disappearance. When I walked off the ice last night Sean Grace died. The fella served his purpose but his time has come to pass. My real name is Sean Garguilo. The problem with my name is that it is impossible to sound out phonetically. It's Gar-jewel-O. I was named Sean Grace in 1993 by a music business person who thought that someday I might be famous. He,(nor anyone else for that matter), could pronounce my name correctly so Sean Grace was born. Fame and fortune never materialized, the band broke up but the name stuck. So today, April 12, 2009, I am officially retiring my stage name and killing off Mr. Grace. RIP - you little freak. From now on Sean will do just fine.

The Fan Club

And now the building begins. You may have noticed that a few of us have started up the first Thrashers Fan Club:

Atlantathrashers.com - See Ben Wright's article.

Lisa Lewis has driven the effort. Myself, Sally, Stan, and a few others have made contributions but there is much left to do. The goal of the fan club is to unite and grow the existing fan base of the Atlanta Thrashers. The benefits of being in the Thrashers Fan Club will be exclusive invites to special events involving Thrasher players and coaches, many viewing parties for road games, organized road trips to games in the Southeast, special merchandise, and charity involvement. You can sign-up for the fan club here - the price is right:

atlantathrashersfans.org

There are many start-up positions that we need to fill and assistance we need in many areas. Soon we will announce the specific chair positions we will be filling and will begin accepting informal applications. You will get the same salary as Lisa and I which is nothing, zip, nada. Not only will you earn no money, you'll also have to work fairly hard and go out of pocket for minor expenses for a while. Sounds great doesn't it? It really will be rewarding, I promise.

Next year there will be an election for all key leadership positions. For now, these positions are being appointed. If you're interested in getting this sucker off the ground please contact me via Facebook or at sean@suckerhead.com Again - Sean Garguilo. Mr. Grace draws no more breath.

Can't we all get along?

Let's face it, the size of Thrasher fan base does not have those in Hockey Town worried. Ranger fans are not in awe of our massive numbers and Penguin fans are not scared. We're a fairly small, boisterous group and we need to pull together. My first act as his Royal Highness 7th Man is to order a truce. There is petty fighting going on within our ranks and it must stop. Ladies, you know who you are, the time has come to stop this seventh grade level squabbling. No she is not a drunken, braided-hair Bi$#@. Even if you think she is, keep it to yourself. Yes, that one may be on a power trip but we all have our flaws. And yes, we all have a common goal. So please, stop this crap!

We have come to a crucial time in the history of our franchise. Next season will be our tenth season. I've never been as excited about our team as right now. Our nucleus is young and ultra-talented. The team wants to play for each other and you've seen the results on the ice. We have the right Head Coach in place. Soon our Captain will be signed to a long, lucrative contract extension. Right Don? We will add a few key veteran weapons next season. Right Bruce? If you are a Thrasher fan you should be excited.

Now is not the time for fighting amongst the long-timers. We must lead with growth and solidarity in mind. We all lose if we continue to break off into exclusionary factions. So here are a few groups and people that need to shake hands and start fresh:

1) Nasty Nest and Smirkin Chicken - They must live in harmony. A bird, a nest, you do the math.

2) The World versus Don Waddell - He's not leaving folks. How about a little support? And Wayne Brown, whoever the hell you are, please take me off your E-mail list. This guy may show up at Don's house with a mask, a wood chipper and a sharp Ax.

3) The lower bowl versus the upper levels - Seriously, we all wear the same jersey. Just because my friends and I eat crap legs and drink champagne all game does not mean we don't love the proletariat. Just kidding of course. We eat lobster in 119.

4) The Message Board versus common sense - Ok, one more chance. Message board trolls, I mean people, please think before you type and no we should not trade Kovy for Steve Mason.

5) Steve Belkin versus Bruce Levenson and company - This feud is killing our franchise. I saw Ted Turner at the game on Saturday. He could solve this problem by taking one trip to the ATM machine.

6) The before mentioned Ladies of Blueland - There are some female super fans who can't seem to get along. If you must continue the fighting can I suggest pistols at close range or a cage match. It will be much more entertaining then the current drone of verbal back-stabbing.

Coda

I'm honored to be your seventh man and will try to conduct myself with dignity and dare I say, grace. I'm still going to deafen the poor guy who sits in front of me and occasionally an expletive will sneak out of my mouth. Let me apologize in advance for my language next October. I hope to see you at the draft party. I'll be behind the Fan Club booth wearing IIya's jersey from the last game and probably will still be smiling from ear to ear. Thanks so much for the honor, it means so much to me.

Have a nice summer and go Braves!

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean

Not in our House

2009-03-31T20:50:00.002-04:00

On January 27th we walked the streets of Raleigh dejected. We drove all day to see our club play the Canes. One Hundred and sixty heads hung low as we limped back to our hotel. Carolina fans slung derisive abuse at the sullen gang in Blue from their cars. The Thrashers couldn't score a goal for us. They couldn't put out an effort for us. They showed no heart or self respect. When I returned to my room at the Ramada I searched for a reason to remain interested in this season. What stood out was a game on April 1st.

Things have changed for the better. Maybe the Thrashers begrudgingly bought into Coach Anderson's system. Maybe IIya Kovalchuk thought the newly sewn "C" on his jersey was an "S". Captain Kovy has played like a superhero since being awarded the leadership role. Maybe the team learned to trust each other. Whatever the reason, the Thrashers have been a force since Feb 8th, amassing a 14-7-1 record and restoring hope in Blueland. Still, the club is playing only for pride and confidence at this point. The playoffs will have to wait for another 385 days. But there is one big game left. It happens on April Fools Day.

The Worst Fans in Hockey

A rancid caravan is approaching Atlanta. When the wind is right, a trace of the stench can already be sensed on Marietta Street. In the morning, the great unwashed will arrive in droves. Buffalo Sabre fans, reeking of Natural Light and stale corn dogs will begin their full-scale infestation tomorrow. They'll be wearing their musty Miller jerseys in Lenox mall. They'll be funneling beer and vomiting on each other in Piedmont park. Many won't make it to the game. Fortunately, not many Sabre fans can read and some will get lost on the way to the bulb. We'll need to disinfect every Waffle House within a 30 mile radius by this time tomorrow. Be ready. The vermin travel well.

Take a poll of all Eastern Conference fans and I will bet you that every team names the Buffalo fans as the worst to deal with in the NHL. First off, they are many. But that's not the problem. Secondly, they are amped and will be vocal for 60+ minutes. An admirable trait and again, not the problem. The problem is they taunt home crowds. This is unacceptable.

Last week Detroit and their fan nation came to Blueland. We were outnumbered but the masses in Red and Blue have class. Wings fans recognize that their team is special and they didn't feel the need to antagonize the home crowd. They enthusiastically cheered their club appropriately and no major incidents transpired. Tomorrow night this will not be the case.

The Sabre fans will be obnoxious from the moment the doors open. They will be talking and yelling half-drunk trash immediately. Imagine 1000 Sean Averys. They will be an annoyance and they will be expecting little resistance. Southeastern hockey fans, except in Tampa, are thought to be passive and tame. Sabre fans fully intend to roll through Blueland and disrespect our team and our fans. This is unacceptable.

Resistance

The Buffalo club is fighting for their playoff lives. They can afford to maybe lose one of their remaining games in order to earn post season play. The game at Phillips tomorrow is not seen as one of their challenges to accomplishing this goal. Buffalo fans are assuming they will walk, or stumble, out of our house tomorrow with an easy two points. The winning ways of the Thrash for the last seven weeks have gone unnoticed in most NHL cities. Their fans particularly have no respect for our club or our fans. None.

So I am begging you Thrasher fans, show up tomorrow night! Show up because we need every friendly voice in the arena turned up to full volume. Get down to Phillips tomorrow and show the idiots that we will not be dominated in our building. Now I'm not advocating violence. Fulton county jail is not an ideal location for an overnight stay. But do not sit silently at home watching this game on TV wondering why you hear so much cheering for Buffalo. We need you, one last time this year. If we can establish an alpha-dog presence in our building tomorrow, half the battle is won. Our boys can finish the job and crush the Sabres hope of playing into mid-April on the ice. We must break their spirits in the stands.

Skin in the game

I've got two free tickets right next to me. See nastynest.net - "ticket exchange" for details.

All Apologies

I have not been writing at my normal pace lately. Other interests and especially the demands of my pesky day job have been keeping me busy. Please except my apology for the slacking and lallygagging.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

The Rally

2009-03-11T19:39:00.004-04:00

"In case you haven't noticed, and judging by the attendance you haven't, the Thrashers (Indians) have managed to win a few ball games, and are threatening to climb out of the cellar."

- Bob Uecker from Major League

The Revolution

March 6th was set to be a day of reckoning for the powers that be in the Thrasher organization. A protest, which had been in the works for about a month, was set to be unleashed. Fans, heads covered in bags from utter shame, armed with derogatory signs about the Atlanta Spirit were rumored to be planing a highly strategic invasion of Blueland. It was to be a revolution of epic proportions if you the kind of person who believes message board chatter.

Before the game the much maligned Thrasher GM, Don Waddell, was hosting a town hall meeting. We feared for Don. Would the the season ticket holders finally attack? Would Mr. Waddell live through the ordeal or would he die at the sword of the Nasty Nesters, lower bowl snobs, or that nice couple that sits in section 310, row A? The tension was high.

So what happened on this day of accountability? During the pre-game meeting Waddell answered a few semi-heated questions and then brought out IIya Kovalchuk to the roar of 300-400 STH. After the Captain gave a quick speech, the anger left the room and a productive dialog took place. Don stayed to field questions right up to game time. As for the "protest", I saw a guy with a brown bag over his head. He looked silly. I could also see a few, very small signs in the upper level. I couldn't read them, the writing was done in Sharpie and the font was way too small to strike fear in the hearts of our evil Ownership group. The Black Panthers this protest group is not. If you and your cause are looking to stage a sit-in or coup, do not enlist the protest organizers involved with this beauty.

Winning Pretty

Over the last 11 games the lowly Atlanta Thrashers have a record of 7-3-1. They have played better than their record indicates. Right about the time Coach John Anderson was quoted in the AJC as saying that some veterans have never bought into his system, the team came together. The results have been nothing short of remarkable over this stretch. Special teams have become, well, special. Not only have the Thrashers not allowed a PP goal in about a week, they also have gone on a unprecedented short-handed goal binge fueled by Colin Stuart. Team cohesion has seemingly fallen from the sky. The energy level on the ice has skyrocketed as has team confidence. Let's be more specific. Here is a list of the 10 things you should be grateful for if you are an Atlanta Thrasher fan:

10) The before mentioned Colin Stuart. He is a threat to score on every opposing power-play. His combination of blazing speed, constant hustle and high hockey IQ have been a welcomed surprise.

9) The resurgence of Toby Enstrom - Toby has all of a sudden found his shot, speed and confidence on the ice. Where was it and why did it return? I neither know nor care.

8) Fighting - There has been an abundance of it lately and that makes me smile.

7) Marty Reasoner stays in Atlanta - He does the dirty work and never takes a shift off. Marty is an essential piece of this club moving forward.

6) Brian Little's second wind - The NHL season is very long for young players. Little has now experienced it and will be better for it.

5) Slava's Patience - His composure with the puck has resulted in many recent Thrasher goals.

4) Captain Kovalchuk - IIya is averaging much more than a point a game since being named Captain. He also has gotten more vocal on and off the ice. He's one of the best in the NHL and deserves a big, fat Ovechkin-esque contract.

3) Kari Lehtonen - The young Goalie has never looked sharper and more composed. If he can maintain any kind of consistency, the Thrashers have their Goalie for the next five years.

2) Zach Bogosian - Are you kidding me! Zach's maturation is moving at ludicrous speed. His shot is vicious and he has no business skating that fast as a D-man. Get used to this call, "Bogosian, to Kovalchuk, one-timer, score!!" You'll be hearing it for years.

1) The 2009-2010 season - The young Thrashers should be a force next year. With the addition of one marque scorer and a little size this team will challenge the Caps for the division title next year. No, I'm not kidding. Mark my words.

The Home Stretch

The Thrashers will not be in the post season this year. They will be going home on April 11th. For the next three weeks the games are meaningless, unless you can see the big picture. The ice time these young players will see during the end of this season is invaluable to their growth. They have learned to play together within Coach Anderson's system. They are learning to win. They are learning to believe. These games down the stretch don't mean much except if you like watching hockey. This team is exciting and they don't care that these remaining games are "meaningless." The Thrashers want to win. They want to win them all.

Your Loyal Servant,
Sean Grace

Why we keep showing up

2009-02-28T22:12:00.004-05:00

My friends think I'm a sucker for being a Thrasher season ticket holder. Sometimes I question my devotion to the chronic underachievers. I second guess my financial commitment to the club. But not tonight. Tonight Philips arena was packed and loud. Tonight the Thrashers would not quit. And tonight the Thrasher shoved a roadblock in the Canes playoff run with a 5-3 come-from-behind, thrilling victory. This is why we keep coming back. You remember these games as a fan. You remember the roar and you chase the high.

The Thrashers didn't show up to play until mid-way through the second period. The hitting became crisp, then the shots started getting to goal. IIya Kovalchuk finally broke the seal with under a minute left in the second with a brilliant wrister that beat Cam Ward high on the glove side. It was 2-1 Canes and the Thrash had momentum.

...which was quickly subdued as the Canes made it 3-1 on a power play goal early in third period. And then someone hit a switch and the Thrashers became relentless. Specifically the first line of Kovy, Peverley, and White caught fire. The spark came from Rich "what were you thinking for letting this guy go Nashville" Peverley who tallied an "ugly", hustle goal past Cam Ward to make it 3-2. Peverley has been nothing short of superb since the Thrashers wisely picked him off the waiver wire from the Predators. Peverley plays with a chip on his shoulder because of the Music City abandonment. He has averaged more than a point a game since coming to Atlanta and treats each shift like it is his last.

Todd White, who is also having a career year, tied the game on another hustle goal from point blank range with six minutes to go. Blueland exploded. One of the largest crowds of the year was in it. We were focused.

With about 90 seconds to play, Peverley made a power move to the net and again beat Ward to give the Thrashers the lead. Folks in section 119 threw haphazard high-fives at anyone in range. A Newbie seated behind me attempted a high-five and instead of my hand, his palm met the top of my head. Damn Rookies!

Kovy sealed it with an empty netter, his forth point of the game, and the embittered, tortured Thrasher faithful departed with unfamiliar expressions on their faces - smiles. I'm still grinning.

So What?

So the Thrasher won a meaningless game during a miserable season and they still will end up with less points than about every other team in the NHL. So why does this win matter? Who cares? You should if you are a fan.

There will be an NHL hockey season hosted in Atlanta next year despite what various Chicken Littles rant on the God-forsaken message boards. The Thrashers will once again hit the ice in October of 2009 with a record of 0-0. What the team does from now until then will determine if they will be playing meaningless games next March. The Thrashers need to build confidence. They need to learn how to win and believe they can win on any given night. They need to trust Coach Anderson and his system. Their recent winning ways should start the confidence building process. A winning record this March/April will go a long way in building this organization.

Many rookies and second year players are seeing significant ice time. This experience will be crucial to the development of Bogosian, Boris, Stuart, Oystrick, Little, Enstrom, etc. The nucleus of this team is very young. Remember Kovalchuk is only 25. Playing spoiler for six weeks will teach these players a valuable lesson - playing spoiler sucks, fighting for playoff position does not.

Talking about a revolution

During the March 6th game versus the Habs, some Thrasher fans are going to stage a protest over what they believe is years of mismanagement of the club by the Owners and Upper Management. I have an opinion on the subject but you'll have to wait until next week to hear it.

I want to savor this victory for a couple days. Good times during the doom and gloom which has become our reality are few and far between. I'll remember tonight for a while. I'm a fan. I can't help it.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

We Die Hard

2009-01-31T08:23:00.010-05:00

"it's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses ..."

- The Blues Brothers

Actually it's 398 miles to Raleigh. We had a rented Pontiac G6, a Stephen King book on CD, about a gallon of Diet Coke, two Thrasher jerseys, two Thrasher hats, scarfs and tee-shirts. Most importantly, we had two tickets to see our club on the road and a plan to meet up with 150 like-minded folks from Atlanta.

Preamble

Let it be known that we never quit. Let the record reflect that we taxed our voices beyond exhaustion, clapped our hands raw and withstood the abuse of an opposition that was 17,000 strong with relative class and dignity. Never did we falter. Never did we hang our heads. We are stronger and more dedicated than we should be at this point. We're damaged but not beaten. Let it be clear that we are fans for life and that we die hard.

Pre-game

The cars began showing up in droves at the Raleigh, North Carolina Ramada, A.K.A the Monkey House, early on Saturday afternoon. Flags and messages written in soap decorated Fords, Chevys, and foreign models - some tired and overworked from the 400 mile journey. Upon arrival, horns blew, fists emerged from windows and cheering began. The back parking lot of the modest hotel became Blueland remote. The Nasty Nest, professional tail-gaters, provided the sound system, an eclectic selection of tunes, two large Blueland flags and other party favors. At 4 pm it was a gathering, at five it was a party. Gretchen arrived with many signs. Some were old, some were new, all were original and all she created from scratch. Sally, our Organizer, wore her XLB Jersey. She had fronted in the neighborhood of $9,000 for the tickets we all held.

At 5:45 the sun began its final decent and the sing-alongs kicked into high gear fueled by liquid refreshment. Approximately one hundred and fifty Thrasher fans, most dressed in home blue jerseys, made final preparations for the 20 minute walk to the RBC center. Throughout the day, party whistles that sounded more like party air horns were handed out to all. As it got later, the noise emanating from these cheap but effective accessories got louder and more creative. At dark, an army of blue noisemakers marched toward the the bulb, blowing our horns and chanting. We were ready.

As we walked through the parking lot toward the gate, the Carolina fans put forth minimal vocal opposition. As a whole they were welcoming at first. The blue train coming into their station was a novelty. At first that is.

Warm-up skate

We marched down through the lower bulb, to the glass together. The arena was entirely Carolina red except for the mass of blue piled up against the glass on our club's end of the ice. Five minutes before the Thrashers hit the ice for the pre-game skate, the cheering began. And the horns got louder. We were still a novelty to the Carolina faithful. They looked at us like tourists gazing at a rare bird.

When the Thrashers hit the ice for warm-ups, our crowd exploded. We had a drum. It was getting worn out within minutes. We had lungs and throats. They were used beyond their potential. We had dozens of signs, funky hats and costumes. A group who took the journey from Atlanta stopped at the legendary South of the Border on the way and added a few sombreros to the mix. We had a capped crusader with red, white and blue glasses and Thrasher pajamas. A Heat Miser towered above us as did Jason from Friday the 13th fame. We were an intimating group and when standing together, no one messed with us.

The proudest moment I've experienced as a Thrasher fan occurred at our first home playoff game as thousands of people chanted, "Let's go Thrashers" 10 minutes before game time. This was my second favorite moment. One hundred and fifty super-fans set aside Super Bowl weekend and drove six hours for a regular season hockey game. We drove north to support the club we love. We spent hard to come by cash and more valuable time to be together on foreign ground. During warm-ups we lit the place up with energy. At this moment we realized we'd lay down in traffic for our team and each other. A hockey game followed and unfortunately it never got any better than this.

Game Time

Throughout a customarily horrid first period for the Thrashers, the crew in blue never stopped cheering. Despite a 2-0 deficit and despite being out-shot 21-4 in the opening period, the volume never dulled. About half-way through, an RBC Center employee delivered a stack of "RBC Center Fan Etiquette" postcards to me and apologetically asked that I distribute them to my foreign friends. The card outlined what not to do such as use foul language throw stuff or otherwise abuse the home crowd. I considered it similar to writing up an employee before a firing. They were laying the foundation for chucking out some the blue folks. Other than the occasional Nasty Nest flag ship cheer, we were well-behaved. But the horns started getting to the Carolina fans.

By the second period the season-ticket holders in our general area had pained looks on their faces. They needed Advil and ear plugs. They needed them immediately as the horns were burrowing into their inner beings. The blue section was no longer a novelty. We had become an annoyance, a fairly well-mannered annoyance but a relentless loud annoyance nonetheless.

By the third period, a fan seated in my rear view reminded me that the Carolina club had won a CUP. I replied that we actually have never won a playoff game. He didn't quite know what to do with this comment and remained quiet for the rest of the game. The horns were working. We were under their skin.

A few minor disagreements occurred between opposing Southern hockey fans late in the game. No gloves were dropped or hands thrown. No harm was done. It was the horns. The pitch and tone of the plastic weapons had gotten into the souls of the Cane fans. They hurt, despite the scoreboard which favored the home team.

In the end we were shutout but the enthusiasm coming from section 114 never waned. We never had the opportunity to celebrate a goal which was the most disappointing part of the night. We had a party horn song worked out for such an occasion. We never got to perform it. We had hoped to inspire the team. Instead we entertained each other and had a great time despite the outcome of the game.

Post-game

We walked back to the hotel in scattered groups. My wife and I took non-stop drive- by verbal abuse from departing Cane fans during the entire walk up hill. It was a little painful but we never responded. When we came to the top of the hill where the hotel stood, three of our good friends from Atlanta were pulling into the lot.

We stood together in a circle like we have for years and discussed the game. We analyzed, we broke it down. George saw the positives. He can find them in any game. Brett and I discussed a trade and the merits of playing, (or not playing in this case), the remainder of the season for the rights to John Tavares. After about 10 minutes we broke off. Before we left we discussed what our club needed to do to get back on track. We referred to "we" not "they" - (we need to get off to better starts. We need to stay out of the box, etc.)

For fans there is always the next game, next season, there is always hope. Maybe we're suckers. We remember how brilliant our boys have played in the not so distant past and believe that they can recreate the magic every night. Or at least tonight. The memory and images of success cloud our better judgment. We drove about 800 miles and spent at least $200 each to see the Thrashers this weekend. We lost but it matters little. We'll be back. We are fans. We die hard.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

A Night in the State of Hockey

2009-01-27T22:51:00.006-05:00

As soon as I entered the hotel across from the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, the evil minions made their presence felt. It was 4 pm, three hours to game time. Toronto fans, clad in Blue and White had infested the lobby, the hotel bar and streets. As I checked in, the Leafs fan in front of me yelled, "Hey Honey, can you go check on Joe? He threw up in the car." But on this night not even the drunken swarm of dimwitted clowns could ruin a night in the mecca of hockey - Minnesota USA.

Forget "Hockey Town" A.K.A Detroit. In no place on Earth is the game of hockey celebrated and enjoyed more than here. The fans are knowledgeable, gracious, outgoing and friendly. Their accent is infectious. By the end of the night I was ending sentences with "Eh" and I believe I uttered "Oh yeah, you Betcha" a time or two.

I'd venture to say that my Thrasher jersey was the only one in the building. Never once did a Wild fan give me any trouble. About a dozen times Minnesota fans walked up and started conversations about Southern hockey and wished our club luck in the future. These are genuinely friendly people and I enjoyed their company all night.

The Classy

The house was full as it is every night for the Wild. The crowd was subdued but it wasn't because of disinterest. Eighteen thousand people were intently watching the action on the ice. They were watching every corner of the ice and noticed the nuances and action away from puck. In our area, conversations that non hockey related were non existent. Analysis rivaling NHL Channel or ESPN commentators was everywhere. These people know hockey. These folks can also get feisty when one of their boys gets mistreated.

Toronto's Jason Blake laid a nasty cross-check on Wild player that ended with a face plant into the side board. The bulb exploded and some colorful phases came flying from the mouths of the previously mild-mannered crowd.

When the few hundred Leafs fans started the "Go Leafs Go" chant they were completely ignored by the Wild faithful. This deflated and neutralized the obnoxious crew. The onslaught of Wild goals shut the idiots up for good. Instead they drank their body weight in beer and liquor and stumbled and slurred their way through the Xcel Energy Center for the rest of the evening.

The Wild home rink is very adult fan friendly. The Xcel has many bars. In the club section there is a bar every 100 yards. A hearty fan could complete an 18 hole bar crawl within the building. There are also many eateries that offer every time of food imaginable. Otherwise it's a simple, comfortable, traditional arena, set-up perfectly for the official sport and passion of Minnesotans.

The Classless Moment of the Night

The second worst fans in hockey, (Buffalo Sabre fans will forever hold the worst distinction), showed their true colors during the Canadian National anthem. A group of about 30 seated together slurred the anthem at the top of their lungs, were a stanza behind the on-ice Singer and mangled the lyrics. It was embarrassing and disrespectful. I know not all Leaf fans are complete Canadian red necks but the ones that choose to speak, more often than not, would be better off mute.

The Game

The contest was close for about 25 minutes and then the Wild went off. The lethargic Leafs were stifled by the Minnesota defense and were not prepared for the explosion that the usually offensively challenged Wild would unleash. The home team rattled off the final five goals en route to 6-1 victory and dominated Toronto for final 35 minutes of the game.

The Legendary Cal Clutterbuck

Cal Clutterbuck is both a character and a force on the ice. The 5'10", 212 pound forward is a hitting machine. He has already set the Wild season record with 164 hits going into Tuesday's game. He added to the total early, crushing Lee Stempniak into the boards. Clutterbuck finished with nine hits, a sore head and a new fan from Atlanta. He plays each shift as if it is his last. He chirps constantly at the opposition, referees, hot dog vendors, etc. Clutterbuck also scored the first goal of the game on a long-range wrister and was involved in other Wild tallies. Simply he was everywhere and broke the will of the Toronto club.

The Final Irony

When we were leaving the building, a guy wearing a Toronto jersey grabbed my arm. In my mind I'm thinking, left hook, right cross, walk away quickly and blend into the crowd. But it was not an attack. Instead he said, "It is so (expletive) cool that you wore your Thrasher jersey." I then noticed he had on a Thrasher cap. He pulled up his jersey and underneath was a Blueland shirt. This unprecedented series of events has triggered an internal struggle with which I have not been able to come to terms with yet.

Thank you Minnesota

Thanks to my friend Dave, who was the forth person to buy Wild season tickets, for showing me around and introducing me to most devout hockey fans in the World. Their knowledge and passion for the game was only surpassed by their class and friendliness. The fan base is everything I hope Atlanta will be in my lifetime.

I hope Thrasher fans will be as welcoming to Wild fans when they visit our building. Personally I will go out of my way to reciprocate.

Carolina here we come

On Friday and Saturday, myself, my wife and 160 Thrasher fans are making the trip to Raleigh for the Canes game. We're sitting together and have rented out the Ramada near the bulb. Stay tuned for a full report early next week.

Your Loyal Servant,
Sean Grace

Braggin on Kovy

2009-01-26T13:05:00.003-05:00

Before we get to our guest star of the week let's take care of some housekeeping. There is a big road trip this weekend. The Wife and I along with 160 of our closest friends will be driving to Raleigh to see the Thrashers take on the Canes. The crew in blue has rented out most of the Ramada Inn next to the RBC Center. Last I heard there were some tickets available and a vacancy of two at the hotel. So pack up the car, grab your jersey and take the haul with us. Hopefully, we'll all get home alive and two points heavier.

I'll be reporting on the trip initially on the Thrashers main site. Yes, Ben took me back for this assignment. He probably won't keep me but I can dream. A more graphic and detailed report will be posted here shortly thereafter. I've traveled with these folks before. There will be drama, intrigue, vomit, lurid encounters behind closed and sometimes open doors and perhaps a birth. Stay tuned. But in the meantime....

Ladies and Gents please help me welcome John Bragg to the Roar. To say Mr. Bragg is a die-hard Thrasher fan is an understatement. He's been stalking the bulb in Atlanta for years and knows our team as well as anyone. On his mind today is Kovy.

S Grace

It’s Monday and this year’s All-Star festivities have ended. My initial feeling as I turned off the television last night was one of slight disappointment. Our superstar, Ilya Kovalchuk, seemed somewhat invisible on the ice and generally a non-factor in the game as well as in the skills competition the evening prior. He wasn’t bad at all, just not the center of attention we're accustomed to. I wanted to see him play more. I wanted to see him interviewed more. I wanted him to show off his skills and his personality more like I know he could. Anyone who saw Kovy’s antics last year when the event was in Atlanta, (which incidentally he referred to in an interview this weekend as his second home), probably knows the kind of showcase I was hoping to see. So, I asked myself “Why?” which I realize upon further reflection is one of many questions I ask myself often when considering the actions of our captain.

Ilya Kovalchuk is an enigma. He always keeps me guessing. In addition to “Why this?” or “Why that?” other questions have flown like bullets from an AK-47 this season regarding Kovy:

“Will he resign with Atlanta next season?”

This one will certainly be asked multiple times a day by any hockey fan on the planet until July 1st at the earliest. Granted, I’m a glass half-full kind of guy most of the time anyway, but my honest opinion is Yes. I was in attendance when Ol’ D.W. handed Kovy his ‘C’ and I heard his acceptance speech with my own ears. Previously, I was more skeptical about The Thrashers retaining Kovalchuk, thinking he might follow in the footsteps of Marian Hossa. After hearing him discuss the honor in the same context as personal things like ‘home’ and ‘family’ rather than in more general terms of the game really made me believe he’ll sign on the dotted line… I think a hefty and lengthy contract a la Lecavalier and Ovechkin couldn’t hurt. As a side note, I’m pretty sure unless I missed someone, that I was the first person, not counting players, thrashers personnel, or professional media, but the first actual fan to shake Ilya’s hand to congratulate him on his captaincy as he came off the stage, so that was pretty cool.

“Will he become even more of an offensive threat with a new Center?”

This remains to be seen thus far this season, but I think it’s safe to say he and Rich Peverley have at least some chemistry; more than he’s had with anyone since Marc Savard. Personally, I don’t like to refer to statistics as I think it really takes away from the writing and in this case I don’t think I need to. If you’re reading this, you most likely watched the past five games and saw how well Kovy and Pevs worked together and the points they’ve put up. We’ve gone 3-2-0 and the two losses were both close and well-played in my opinion. Damn, I put a stat in there, didn’t I? Hopefully, it continues.

“Will he be a good Captain?”

Before January 11th, this one was “Will he be named Captain?”, but as far as whether or not he’ll be successful, I have to say Yes. He showed what a great leader and teammate he is on the bench and outside the arena by resurrecting the camaraderie between his Russian countrymen Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. I read pretty much everything Thrasher-related I can find online or in print and always find myself scanning the text for gems the oft-quiet but incredibly quotable Kovalchuk. The Hockey News and the Washington Post both have quotes from Ilya about his role as peacemaker in the situation with the THN columnist suggesting the Russian Hockey Federation consider nominating Kovy for the Nobel peace prize considering the positive effect this turn of events could have on Team Russia in the Olympics next year in Vancouver. Now that’s a Captain, y’all.

Now that I’ve had more time to think about the past weekend and Ilya’s performance, I’m of the opinion he was, while still having fun and enjoying the All Star experience, saving his game for the second half of the season when the points will count and when he knows everyone will be watching, critiquing, analyzing, and making their final judgments (if they haven’t done so already) of him and his Atlanta Thrashers for 2009. This weekend he knew those same eyes were all on Ovechkin, Kovalev, Malkin, and company and wisely took advantage of a distracted media populous to hold back physically, but still shine brightly representing Atlanta as our star and our captain. It’s all about prioritizing.

While there are still more questions than answers for Thrasher fans and probably will be for some time, I think some important ones have recently been answered. Our young hot-headed sniper has begun to elevate himself to a higher level, not only as a player but as a person, and I truly believe he will humbly lead this team to the playoffs and eventually the Cup, hopefully sooner than later, taking no credit for himself while lauding the efforts of the players and even the fans around him.

John Bragg

Thrashers bring down the house

2009-01-17T10:18:00.003-05:00

To say the first period of Friday's game versus the Leafs was hard to watch for a Thrasher fan is a gross understatement. The Thrashers skated with a pace that suggested they had been drugged during the pre-game meal. Their passing made the large Atlanta crowd wonder if a vision problem had struck the club. For twenty minutes it wasn't pretty in Blueland. Some booed. Others took a walk between periods one and two and muttered profanity under their breath. Toronto led 3-0.

A Turning Point

When the club skated out for the second period Kari Lehtonen was in goal. "Moose" Hedberg stopped only five of eight shots in the first period. The change was needed. The Toronto goals were not of the soft variety but the club needed a shake-up. Coach Anderson had been burned twice in the last few weeks by leaving an obviously ineffective Goalie in the game too long. He learned from his mistakes and I'd guess he peeled some paint off the locker room walls during his intermission speech. Lehtonen stopped all nine Toronto goals in the final two periods. That's right. I said only nine shots in two+ periods. The Goalie change also awakened the defense. They clamped down mercilessly. Simultaneously, the Thrashers revamped first line caught fire.

Who Dat?

When the Thrashers acquired Center Rich Peverley off Waivers from Nashville recently the overwhelming reaction from the Thrasher community was, "who?" Peverley, 26, appeared in only 73 games for the Preds during the last three seasons. His ice time was been very limited in Nashville. He played over fifteen minutes in Blueland on Friday. I'd guess this was the most effective fifteen minutes of his career.

About a minute into the second period, Peverley led a two-man rush into the Toronto zone. His Wingman was Kovy. The Center made a perfect drop pass and IIya ripped the puck into the far corner of the net to get the Thrash on the board. Number 17 pumped his fist and gestured to the crowd to get into it. We did and Philips arena roared for the remainder of the game.

With a little less than five minutes left in the second period the Thrasher pulled to within a goal on a 360 degree backhanded goal by Bryan Little. The highlight package tally by the young star was his 20th of the season. Little is still battling through the effects of a rib injury. A grimace never left his face during the game and he was forced to shy away from contact. The fact that he is on the ice and missed only three games due to this injury is a testament to his toughness. Having suffered bruised ribs this fall I have a first hand understanding of the pain involved. I couldn't get out of chair without sweating much less play hockey.

The Thrashers dominated the third period but remained a goal behind half way through. The Slater/Bolton line ignited the final push. Over a 40 second stretch the energy line punished every member of the Leafs. The hits were non-stop and crushing. The line also maintained the puck in the Toronto zone for the entire shift, sapping the little energy that Toronto had left as this was their second game in two days. When the whistle blew and the Slater line went to the bench they were greeted by the loudest roar that Blueland has generated this season.

With less than five minutes to play, Peverley again hit Captain Kovalchuk with a perfect pass, he made the lay-up and the game was tied. Peverley was brilliant all night. His passing was crisp, his energy was high and his skating was surprisingly fast. Peverley could give Kovy a competitive race on the ice.

With about a minute left in overtime, a fitting end came to the gutty Thrasher comeback as Rich Peverley scored off a Kovalchuk rebound. The building was rocking. Kovy and Peverley finished with three points each and dominated for 40 minutes. Chemistry? You better believe it! This acquisition may turn out to be the sleeper move of Don Waddell's career. Only time will tell.

Playoffs?

Not so fast. The Thrashers are still cellar dwelling and it would take a 180 degree turnaround of epic proportions to propel them into the post-season. It's not impossible but is very improbable. The worst case may be that the club builds chemistry and confidence for next year. But hey, there are about 35 games left in the Thrasher season. Why not play them as hard and with as much determination as the last 44 minutes of this victory?

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Captain Kovalchuk and Hope

2009-01-13T20:15:00.009-05:00

“Today I’m happy and I hope I’m going to stay here for as long as I’m going to play. I love the city. My family loves the city. And I feel very comfortable around that group of guys on the team.” - IIya Kovalchuk after being named Captain of the Thrashers(from ajc.com - Mike Knobler)

Thrasher fans take a minute and absorb the statement above. Go ahead, re-read it. Take in it. Absorb it. Let it permeate. Taken at face value this is best news we've heard since the draft and selection of Zach Bogosian. IF IIya signs a long-term deal with the Thrashers we all have a reason to attend games, regardless of what else happens to the Atlanta club, for the length of his contract. Forget about his significant slump this year. It's an anomaly and every great player goes through a down spell. IIya is worth the price of admission and only Mr. Ovechkin is more electrifying.

IIya wanted the "C" on his jersey badly. I'd guess he was a little disappointed that he hadn't been named Captain sooner. He has paid his dues in Atlanta. He's been the constant, the only reliable source of production that has remained on this club for any significant period of time in the history of the organization. Kovy had to withstand the Heatley/Snyder and Hossa situations, the bad trades and the departures of many complimentary players that momentarily provided assistance on offense. (See Marc Savard).

Kovy has persevered. Never has he begged out of Atlanta. He took internal ownership of the club long ago. Unlike Marian Hossa who would like someone to simply hand him over the CUP, Kovy knows he is the straw that stirs the drink. All IIya has said for years is that he wants to win in Atlanta. He has expressed his frustration when he has felt that the Thrashers have not made an effort to improve the personnel around him. Does this make him selfish? If it does, then all Thrasher fans possess this trait because we've been begging for a decent supporting cast for years.

So now at long last we have the right Captain in place. How do we keep him in Atlanta for another ten years? The value of his next contract must contain nine figures. The loud noise you heard was Don Waddell fainting. Sorry Mr. Waddell but maybe if you say the number a few times you'll get used to it. Slowly now - one hun-dred mill-ion (pinky curled in the corner of the mouth like Dr. Evil) dol-lars. And that's just for starters. IIya is 25 years old and in his prime. Lecavalier and Ovechkin's contract have set the market price. Kovy deserves a similar deal and will get it somewhere.

So will it happen? Will Kovy re-sign in the off season? If I am forced to guess my answer is no. The Thrasher organization has no track record of success when it concerns retention of superstars. But we can hope. Speaking of hope.....

A Day in the Life

Overcoming the gloom and doom of everyday existence in 2009 is an exercise in futility. I wake with a glimmer of hope, a smoke and strong coffee. During my early morning E-mail check/Web surf I inevitably stumbled upon a news site. Word of soaring unemployment or the bombing of innocents in Israel and Gaza chip away at the positivity. En route to my office the signs of dozens of home foreclosures take air from the sail. Upon arrival at the corporate gig, the mood is fearful and pensive. The charts and graphs that are force-fed from Upper Management turn the stomach. The lines representing revenue decline like black diamond ski slopes.

In the afternoon I meet with a client in the automotive industry. We start with pleasantries and small talk. I attempt transition and with trepidation ask an obligatory question:

Grace: “How is business?”
Client: (first nervously laughs) “We’re optimistically suicidal”

The conversation ends with the client requesting for a 40% reduction in rates from us after telling us that our service is excellent.

By five O’clock I’m mentally and emotionally spent. At the gym I punish the heavy bag, attack the treadmill and free weights and attempt to reach a level of exhaustion that inhibits any further thought of the day.

Once at home my dog provides prospective. He’s just happy to see me as he drops his tennis ball at my feet.

It’s almost 7:10 pm. It’s almost game time. We assume our positions in the living room. Thoughts turn exclusively to the power play, puck possession and the transition game. We will the Atlanta Thrashers the strength that the parasitic day has allowed us to retain. All else is forgotten for about 150 minutes.

Exquisite

Tonight we witness near perfection. Tonight in New Jersey the Atlanta club plays a focused, determined, purposeful 60 minutes of hockey. Kovy scores and unleashes emotion. We jump off the couch and celebrate spontaneously. We’re unfiltered. The dog has grown accustomed to these outbursts and remains calm. Slater nets a beauty. My lovely wife pumps her diminutive fist and kicks her feet like a child. Lehtonen stands on his head to make an improbable save. We’re getting giddy. The Thrashers win 4-0. After the adrenaline generated by victory subsides, the lights go out. We nod off smiling and wake still riding the momentum of victory. It was a good day. We won. We will rise tomorrow with hope.

Play for us

Sports are an escape from the mundane and sometimes unbearable routine. We’re broken down. The masses have lived in the greyness long enough to value the sunshine. It seems like survival is the goal these days. Just hold on. Just hold serve and survive to fight another day.

But during the game the fan forgets it all. It’s a cleansing. It’s a temporary revitalization. It’s basic maintenance for the soul. We need that game to look forward to during the worst of it all.

Our hearts pound and our pulses quicken when our club performs. We’re lost in the moment. Without this or a similar escape, existence seems a little ridiculous and hopeless these days. Yes, at times we live vicariously through the athletes, the entertainers and those who are burdened with the spotlight. This pressure may not be fair. They let us down often but fans forget the poor performances quickly. Fans chase the high of the spectacular play, the hard fought victory and moment of brilliance. Those moment are indelibly etched in our memory. Those images keep us coming back.

Only once in history has the outcome of a sporting event been instrumental in turning the mood and pride of our country around. In 1980, American hostages were being held in Iran and we were powerless to rescue them. The economy was in the toilet as represented by long gas and unemployment lines. The US had lost it's swagger and reputation as a World leader.

A gaggle of college hockey players from Boston and Minnesota led the US club to Gold in Lake Placid. I was nine. I remember exactly where I was standing when Eruzione scored the definitive goal versus the seemingly invincible Russians. After the victory the general mood and attitude in American began to immediately improve and slowly we regained our prosperity, dignity and confidence.

On a much smaller scale, sports can bring us up again. Optimism is contagious. If Joe the basket weaver gets up in a better mood than normal because his team won the night before, his attitude may rub off on Lisa, the ribbon painter. She passes it forward and so on. Soon there are a few more happy people walking around because some insignificant team won a silly game. It's sounds simplistic and campy but it is true nonetheless.

So play for us Thrashers. Play for the folks that have lost their jobs. Play for the people who no longer have a college fund for their kids or a retirement cushion for themselves. You see, we still care about a Wednesday night hockey game versus the Senators. For those couple hours we forget about the drudgery. And maybe a good effort by our team carries us through the early hours of the next day. The small things count these days. It's precarious. We're teetering. We're a little scared and we need you.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Atlanta Thrashers - undefeated in 2009

2009-01-03T08:11:00.004-05:00

Unfamiliar Ground

The fans left smiling. It was difficult to contort the facial muscles into this foreign expression. It's been a long time. When the masses dressed in blue departed the building on the second day of 2009, relief and satisfaction were the flavors of the moment. Yes, the Thrashers had won a close game. Yes, they persevered and gutted one out. And yes, it felt good.

The Thrashers earned a hard fought two points with a 4-3 shootout victory over Vancouver on Friday night in Blueland. The highly entertaining game featured a fight immediately following the opening drop of the puck, 75 shots on goal, constant nastiness, physicality and intensity throughout. The Thrashers overcame a six point collective effort by the Sedin twins. The mental telepathy utilized by the identical duo was both impressive and creepier than Hell. I'd guess that when Henrik goes to the bathroom, Daniel feels relieved.

From my perch low in section 119 I also noticed that the western Canadian club can talk trash at a high level. Kevin Bieska and Shane O'Brien are master Vulgarians. All night they slung a tapestry of profanity at the Thrashers that would make Andrew Dice Clay blush. F-bombs and pucks were flying in front of the Canuck goal all night. In the end, the potty mouths took the long flight home quietly.

IIya Kovalchuk was selected first star and seems to have his groove back. His energy level and passion has returned over the last two games as has his scoring. Erik Christensen contributed the winning SO goal. Hopefully, this will get the underachieving, hobbled forward going in 2009. Kari Lehtonen was solid all night making 35 saves and Boris Valabik continued his physical and sound defensive play. For a night, the Atlanta club were competitive and driven. The Thrashers look to ride this momentum as they take on the uneven Tampa club on Sunday in Blueland.

Despite the victory, this club's main weakness continues to plague them - lack of puck possession. Vancouver controlled the puck low in their offensive zone for the majority of the game. Most opponents have been successful employing this strategy when facing the Thrash this year. The formula looks like this:

1) Play keep-away deep in the Thrasher's zone.
2) Wear down Atlanta
3) Draw fatigue penalties and/or score
4) Rinse, repeat.
5) Win close game

The Thrashers won despite this continued deficiency which is an anomaly. This two-year trend must be remedied if the Thrashers are to turn the corner toward contention. It starts with hustle and winning the one on one battle in the corners. But overall this was a satisfying victory and a great start to 2009. Be gone 2008!

The Super Bowl of Hockey - The Winter Classic

Soon to be Hall of Famer Nick Lindstrom was giddy. Chris Chelios, who has played in the NHL since the Abraham Lincoln administration, was a little nervous. The Blackhawks looked like kids approaching the tree on Christmas morning as they took the ice in Chicago on New Year's Day. They'd play outside, just like they began. The wind was a factor and the ice was less than perfect. Not a soul complained. The 2nd Annual Winter Classic was both a fantastic showcase for the NHL and a damn good game.

The event which hopefully will be held every New Year's Day for all of time was again a tremendous success. Held at Legendary Wrigley Field, the subtleties first drew attention. Before the contest and during intermissions a kids game was held in a smaller rink set next the main ice. Every player interviewed before the game talked about how excited and grateful they were to be there. Egos were checked at the door. This was pure, unadulterated hockey that brought the kid out of even the most gnarled veteran. It was special. Commissioner Bettman, please don't screw it up by adding a nuance or a slight tweak. The Classic is perfect and needs no fixing. Except maybe...

Two Suggestions for the Classic

I'm not that bright. As such, very few good ideas come to me during any given week, year or decade. So take note - me thinks these are good:

1) Add temporary seating close to the ice - Obviously this event needs to be held in a big venue. One problem with large football or baseball stadiums is that they set up poorly for hockey and the fans with front row seats can barely see the puck. Why not add some temporary bleachers right on top of the ice. They should not impede the view of anyone since the stadiums are so steep. The proximity would create a little more excitement for TV viewers and give the game a little more energy.

2) Stanley Cup Champs play in the Classic the following year - After hearing the pre-game interviews it is apparent that just about every NHL player loves this game. Why not reward the Cup winners with inclusion as the road team.

Why as the road and not home team? What if San Jose, Phoenix, Florida or, dare I say, the Thrashers win the Cup? Playing an outdoor game in 70 degree temperatures would not be pretty. Also the first 10 or so Winter Classic games should be played at epic venues in long-standing hockey towns. What to do you think, should I call Overlord Bettman with the idea?

So that's it for now. Happy New Year all! Except Buffalo Sabres and Leaf fans of course.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

PS: We have a contest coming next week. The prize will be two club level seats. Stay tuned.

The Longest Season

2008-12-28T19:59:00.006-05:00

The marathon that is the NHL season is a curse or a blessing contingent upon the logo in front of your favorite jersey. From October to April and beyond they play. They battle, ache and bleed for 7+ months. And we watch because we have no choice. We're fans. We're internally obligated. We're hooked.

In Chicago and Detroit they long to play into the late Spring. San Jose has similar aspirations. Same in New York, our Nation's Capitol and Boston. For hockey fans in these cities the season has just begun or at least it feels that way. Time stands still as sewage in Atlanta.

It's the hockey equivalent of Groundhogs Day. All brave and masochistic enough to continue to watch, scream our throats raw and jump around like children in support of the Thrash are playing the role of Bill Murray in this twisted tale. This weekend in Philips arena was an accurate representation of what has become the longest season in franchise history. We're not half way through and are begging for the credits to role.

Let's pretend for a moment that you are unaware of the outcome of this weekend's games involving the Atlanta Thrashers. And let's say I tell you this:

Game 1

The Thrashers are three for three on the power play and do not allow a power play goal.

Bryan Little gets his first career hat trick. His third goal gives the Thrashers the lead with half way through the third period.

Slava Kozlov tallies four assists.

Johan Hedberg stops 34 shots

Game 2

The Thrashers out shoot the mighty Bruins 33-28, 12-4 in the third period.

The high-octane Boston club scores only two goals.

The Thrashers have an almost two minute 5-3 advantage in the first period.

If you knew only these facts, how many points would you guess the Thrashers added in these two games?

I'd say three if this was all the information I was provided. The answer is an explicable zero, nada, a big fat empty goose egg.

It's not January yet and Thrasher fans are exhausted. Can we use a mulligan? A do-over? Anyone see a reset button? I don't know about you but I doubt I can sit through 3.5 additional months of this story and retain any self-respect.

Two Ways to Win a Hockey Game

With the possible exception of the Detroit Red Wings, parody is the rule in the NHL. Only great hockey players survive in this league. Forth line guys in the NHL were superstars in high school and in the minors. Every team has talent and players that can win a game by themselves. So what differentiates a 65 point team from a 105 point club?

Making the big play

In every game played one team executes the key play. This is the play they show during a 30 second highlight on ESPN NEWS. It might be a great individual effort that results in third period goal. An exception pass, an unreal save, even a great defensive play can change a game. The play is timely, leaves an impression and decides the contest. Think fast, remember such a play executed by the Thrashers this season? I don't and I have not missed a game.

Capitalizing on the key mistake

Similarly, in every hockey game, glaring errors are made by every team. Examples include the bad pass that leads to an odd man rush, lack of hustle, an untimely penalty, etc. Teams that cash these opportunities more than not will play hockey into late April. Teams that don't make the opposition pay for mistakes will play golf and X-box in April.

This season it seems that every Thrasher mistake results in a puck behind our Goalie and dejected body language all around. Rarely, does the Atlanta club make the opposition pay for the bad pass, the lazy penalty or the slow line change. The combination of mistakes made by the Thrashers and their collective inability to turn enemy errors into goals, brings back the "here we go again" mentality. The uncontrollable slide into the abyss continues. It's an ugly trend and very difficult to reverse. The mind set of losing is similar to that of addiction. Breaking the habit takes dedication, thick skin and a short memory.

Of course this is a oversimplification of a very complex game. There are other factors that separate a winning organization from a perennial cellar dweller. Upper Management and Ownership play a key role. A 65 point team does not make the proper transactions during the off season or at the trading deadline. A bottom feeder does not pull off the key trade, retain the right players, make the right draft pick, or sign the key free agent frequently. The 100+ point club has the talent in the front office to do this on a consistent basis. Certain names come to mind when I think of this area in regards to the Thrashers. Here are a few. Some should have been retained, others never drafted, others never signed:

Braydon Coburn, Patty Stefan, Byron Defoe, Marian Hossa, Marc Savard, Alexi Zhitnik, Alex Bourret, Steve Rucchin, Eric Belanger, Damian Rhodes, Steve McCarthy, Pascal Dupuis, Mike Dunham, Jon Sim.

In all fairness to Don Waddell some moves have worked brilliantly. For example, his acquisitions, (Tkachuk, Dupuis, Zhitnik), during the playoff run of 2006-07 were instrumental to the Thrashers winning their only division title but ultimately these moves hurt the organization and unfortunately this pain can still be felt.

Finally, there is an intangible on winning teams that has no name. You can't quantify, label or measure it. There is no formula and established criteria. In the entertainment world it is referred to as the "It" factor. Bono has "It". Madonna still holds "It". Will Smith has a truck load of "IT". Obama has more than his share of "It". "It" starts with Charisma, the ability to draw others to you. Add the tendency to succeed and the innate ability to lead and influence and you are getting close. In sports, Tiger Woods has more of it than anyone. In addition to the qualities listed he also adds a trance-like calm, zen-warrior focus and a will to win that is peerless. Tiger can't be beat in pressure situations. Competitors crumble when stared down by the freak of nature on a Sunday.

The Thrashers has none of it this year. It's a foreign state of mind on the ice. Collectively they repel victory and success; from the front office to forth line. It's an ingrained mindset that must be reversed if credibility is ever to be established. There is one player in Atlanta that has "It" but he has mysteriously disappeared.

Where is IIya Kovalchuk?

When I think of IIya I think of one play. During a close, hotly contested game in New Jersey last year, IIya scored on Marty Brodeur. It was a rifle shot from 20 feet that left the Hall of Fame Goalie shaking his head. Kovy uncaged a visceral scream, pounded the opposing glass and made a breaking motion with his stick over his knee. That is IIya - intense, driven and as talented as any NHL player.

The man wearing #17 is a shell of that player. He is emotionless, lackadaisical and uninspired on the ice. He has 11 goals. Last year he totaled 52. Something is wrong with IIya. Could it be that he is so beaten down from years of disappointment in Atlanta that he has lost his desire to play? I have no idea but I do know that thousands of Atlanta hockey fans would pay top dollar just to watch him perform. If Kovalchuk remains in this funk and leaves under a dark cloud the organization may not survive. Plain and simple....

Mr. Brightside

A few glimmers of light have broken through the greyness in Atlanta this year. First and foremost, Bryan Little has put forth a breakout season. Little has the a nose for the goal and instincts that can't be taught. As he develops physically he will
become a force in the NHL.

Defenceman Boris Valabik has also improved leaps and bounds this season. With the passing of each day his confidence has grown and his game has matured. Can the huge Slovakian become Chara-like in a couple years? He could indeed.

Finally, Colby Armstrong has found his game over the last 3 weeks. He hits, he scores, he plays with a nasty edge.

Coda

There will be stretches of brilliance in Atlanta this year. The sun shines for a spell in every NHL city given the length of the season. These victories will remind us why we are fans and why we can't abandon our club. The interminable blues will be briefly interrupted by a triumphant anthem and hope will return, if only for fleeting moments.

It keeps us coming back, year after year.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Why IIya Kovalchuk must stay in Atlanta

2008-12-11T21:13:00.008-05:00

Dec 10, 2008 - 17:11- third period

The superstar has been using his hands. Not for touch passes or as an igniter of his invisible shot. He has been beating on Scott Gomez all night long. The superstar has spent a little less than half a period in the box. Not for hooking or holding. He's been roughing. He's been fighting. He wants this one.

With 17:11 left in the third period IIya Kovalchuk did what he has done more often than any other player in the NHL since 2003. He scored a goal. That's what he does. That's what he loves.

When puck hit net a wide-eyed primal scream followed. He stared me straight in the eyes through the glass in section 119 and screamed like a wild animal, pumping his fist. The hair on the back of my neck was standing up.

October 12, 2001

The Thrashers welcomed back a small but dedicated fan base to Philips arena. The expectations were low for the Thrashers. The fans came to see one player. He was 18 years old and looked sixteen. He was skinny, had a face-full of acne and spoke almost no English. And then he stepped onto hit the ice.

I have still not seen anyone faster on skates than Ilya Kovalchuk during his rookie year. Watching his first few professional shifts was like watching a young bull let into the ring for the first time. Saying he was wild is a huge understatement. Imagine the Tasmanian devil on skates after 10 cups of coffee. Ilya was a one-man show. His blinding speed coupled with his Barry Sanders-esque moves on the ice made grown men giggle in amazement. His moments of brilliance were breathtaking. He moved through Defenders like they were orange cones on a test track. At times his brain envisioned moves on the ice that his legs could not achieve. He would literally juke himself to the ground. His game was playground and selfish. Passing was not in his vocabulary. Phases such as “team game”, “control” and “defense” were foreign. It didn’t matter in his rookie season. Alone, Ilya was a spectator sport and instant excitement for the Thrashers franchise. Sometime during the game on October 12, 2001, I bought in 100% to Thrashers hockey. I’ve been all in ever since, heart and soul.

Atlanta's Best

IIya Kovalchuk is the most talented athlete to play in Atlanta since Dominik Wilkins. Some will make a strong case for John Smoltz, Greg Maddux or Chipper Jones. All of the before mentioned are Hall of Famers. IIya is a once in lifetime, franchise player. Numbers don't capture Kovy entirely. Yes, he has led the league in goals over the last five seasons but that's not the end of the story. Kovy has a quality that you can't quantify. The combination of speed, creativity and power is rare. His presence is a gift. He can light up or intimate an arena with one movement. Kovy, at his best, leaves even the most seasoned hockey purists breathless.

IIya is ours. He is the Thrashers. He is 25 years old and his game is still evolving. If he spends the most productive years of his career in New York, Boston, Montreal or dare I say - Toronto, it will be an embarrassment that the Atlanta Thrashers will not overcome for at least five years if they survive at all.

The first line that left

First, Dany Heatley departed as the Dan Snyder tragedy was too heavy to hold. Marc Savard was then given his walking papers after the 2005-06 season in which he amassed 97 points. He had the nerve to ask the emerging Thrasher organization for an "outrageous" five million per year. Savy totaled 137 Assists during the next two seasons.

Marian Hossa ran the hell out of Dixie last year. Although Hossa is a bit of a tourist who believes the big silver Cup is owed to him, the Thrashers didn't fight to keep him. They barely whimpered.

The prospect of Atlanta losing IIya Kovalchuk is sickening even to those who are not fans of the Atlanta club. How could a legitimate professional sports franchise justify losing the 25 year old Kovalchuk? How will the powers that be in the Thrasher organization explain this to the dwindling fan base. "Oops, sorry but we got some draft picks" is not tolerable. Not again. It's not acceptable if the franchise is interested in clutching on to the thin thread of credibility they still hold.

What is fair value in trade for IIya? Perhaps the identical Sedin freaks and a draft pick? How about the Buffalo Sabres for Kovy? Stamkos and Martin, "follow the yellow brick road", St. Louis? The Thrashers don't win if they trade IIya for anyone less than Sid, Alex or Malkin. This will never happen.

No more Mr. Nice GM

Don Waddell is a great guy. He is humble, charming and has a good sense of humor. I'd like to go to a game with him and talk hockey.

How Mr. Waddell is still employed as GM in Atlanta is a mystery to everyone familiar with this team. IIya is Don's greatest achievement but it was a a no-brainer. choosing IIya #1 in the draft. Since his selection it has been a comedy and tragedy of errors in Atlanta. This would be the final act of nauseating performance. It just can't happen.

If the Thrashers lose Kovy they become a punchline. They become an endangered species. If the Thrashers lose Kovalchuk, they lose me.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

The Heat Miser and Gretchlby

2008-11-26T07:57:00.005-05:00

Part I - Blueland Legends
-MJ Crewe

It’s 7:10 p.m. on a Friday night at the bulb. Heat Miser is taunting the visiting team again. When true rivals visit our arena, Heat is a greeter. He has a special message for the enemy during the warm-up skate. Tonight he is standing behind a sign depicting Carolina Hurricane Chad Larose as an Olympic diver. Whenever Larose skates near, Heat makes a diving motion with his hands. A fellow Thrashers fan catches on and joins in. Larose simply shakes his head while a few of his teammates don’t even attempt to hide their guffaws.

Heat Miser is impossible to miss. At 6’3” his size alone makes him stand out but what sets this Thrashers fan apart is his hair; it’s a giant flame.

I recently spoke with Heat and his wife “Gretchelby” at Trackside Tavern in Decatur about their passion for the Thrashers. In real life, they’re known as Gretchen and Greg Mann. Greg is a salesman and technical adviser for a local computer company and Gretchen is a nurse at a pediatric cardiology center.

The Heat Miser

First, there is the calling card - the wig. There have been several, two are currently on display in the hat trick case near the MARTA entrance in Blueland. Both sacrificed to celebrate a Kovalchuk hat trick.

“Originally I saw the wig at a drug store and it reminded me of the Atlanta Flames", Greg said. “At the time we were coming to games in blue face paint to take advantage of a free ticket promotion the Thrashers were offering. I thought the wig would really amp up the whole look and I’ve been wearing it ever since. It’s also a tribute to the players I watched growing up.”

Greg is a native of the Atlanta area, and he grew up watching the Flames at the Omni. He mentioned forward Tom Lysiak and goalie Dan Bouchard as two of his favorites. Besides poking fun at the visiting team, Heat Miser's role on game days is that of Nasty Nest, (Sections 317-320), cheerleader. He’s a regular on the Jumbotron, and is the catalyst of the patented Nasty Nest goalie and referee chants.

Gretchlby

Gretchen also grew up watching hockey as her father is also a devout hockey fan. She is well-known in Blueland as a little bit of an Exelby fan. Gretchen saw something in “X” the night he left his mark on Montreal when they came to Philips Arena.

“I remember it was a flat, boring game. Exelby came out and I’d never heard of him before. He ended up hitting three or four guys in one shift then fought Habs's winger Gordie Dwyer. Dwyer had to be assisted off the ice. I knew I was watching something special and I’ve been a huge fan ever since”.

Gretchen shows her support for the Thrashers and for "X" by creating and displaying a different Exelby related sign to every game. Her sign making began after the before mentioned game against the Habs. It read simply: THE SHERIFF’S GOT A NEW DEPUTY - a reference to Thrasher legend Jeff Odgers and his new sidekick.

Gretchen's signs do not simply consist of poster board and magic marker and are not created haphazardly in the parking lot before games. These are works of art incorporating pictures, drawings, slogans and creativity. They take time and care to prepare.

Last year at Philips Arena she actually met Exelby’s parents through one of her signs. “I was standing in line to get a pretzel and I noticed a man twisting his neck around to read my Exelby sign. I turned it around where he could see it and he said, Oh, you’re an Exelby fan. Why do you like him? I answered, because he gives his all every night and I love his physical game." The man then held his hand out and said, 'I’m John. Garnet is my son.’ "I couldn’t believe that they’d take the time to introduce themselves to me.”

The meeting got only slightly awkward when Mrs. Exelby told Gretchen that they had seen her car in the parking lot. You see, Gretchen’s car is covered in custom-made Thrashers stickers, and not surprisingly, most of them say something about # 2. Examples:

"X - does a body damage"
"Got Exelby?"
"Garnet Exelby: His checks always bounce"
"You’d be tough too if your parents named you Garnet"

“I asked them if they read all the stickers and they said that they did. I think they got a kick out of it. They seemed to really enjoy and appreciate the support Exelby gets here in Atlanta,” she said. “Very good, down-to-earth people.” And what about Exelby himself?

“He couldn’t be nicer,” she said. Gretchen has talked to him many times over the years at practice, and I’ve seen with my own eyes his reactions to her signs at games. She had an Anchorman sign for him at the last game and he absolutely cracked up when he saw it at warm-ups. (If you haven’t seen his take on Ron Burgundy as he does the Keys to the Game you’re missing out - http://tinyurl.com/6zvz64)

Gretchen started playing hockey two years ago, and just like her favorite Thrasher she proudly wears the number two with the name “Gretchelby” across her back. Does she hit? Sure, but not necessarily on purpose…or so she says. “I once hit a guy and he flipped. I saw the bottom of his skate while he was in the air. It was awesome”.

Besides attending all home games, the Manns also travel to see their team on the road. They’ve taken trips to Nashville, Tampa, Florida, and Gretchen has been as far as Montreal. Heat Miser and Gretchelby are now second-year full season ticket holders and very much a part of our Thrashers family. If you'd like to see Gretchen's artistry and the reaction it elicits from the players, go down to the tunnel area behind the Thrasher's bench before every home game. Just follow the big fella with a flame on his head.

MJ

Crap on ice

2008-11-23T09:26:00.007-05:00

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."
- Albert Einstein

About 10 minutes into Saturday's Thrasher/Bluejacket game I had a vision. The ghost of Herb Brooks, 1980 USA Olympic Hockey Coach, materialized. Herbie had rolled over in his grave and was a bit irritated. He had only one thing to say. Over and over, with increasing intensity he uttered, "Play your game." Apparently, the Thrashers didn't hear the legendary mantra. The team was too busy. They were focused. The Atlanta club was absorbed in a futile exercise thought to have been exercised from Blueland with the departure of former Head Coach Bob Hartley. Saturday brought the unwelcome return of the "dump and chase" and with the strategy came the predictable result - defeat. Bad habits die hard.

Despite a record that currently has the Thrash occupying a bottom feeding position in the Eastern Conference, the team has made strides to improve. Rookie NHL Head Coach John Anderson has brought with him a new system and an exciting brand of hockey. The system focuses on constant offensive pressure which utilizes all players on the ice and constant attacking through fast breaks, aggressive skating and passing. It's a fast-paced, energy driven strategy that has produced positive results of late. The Thrashers have bought into it after a difficult opening month of adjustment. Enter the Columbus Bluejackets.

The Jackets have been successful this season with a plodding system originally introduced in the 1990's by the New Jersey Devils. The relatively slow and physical Columbus club incorporates a trapping scheme intended to slow down the game, break any flow and wear down the opponent. There are two ways to break a trap. The first is to skate and pass through it. The second is the dreaded dump and chase. The D&C is simple - push the puck to the center line, dump it into the offensive zone and chase it down behind the enemy net. Besides creating a viewing experience with a similar excitement level as watching paint dry, it is also is difficult to execute, especially if the club is not committed to the second element - chasing down the puck.

Ten minutes into the first period it was apparent that two diametrically opposed hockey philosophies had collided in Blueland. The Thrashers had two choices. Go forward with their system or play the Jacket's game. They choose the later option and guess what? It failed miserably and resulted in a 2-0, nails on a chalkboard defeat in which Atlanta managed an anemic 15 shots on goal.

Why Coach Anderson abandoned his system is a mystery. The Thrasher's came into the game having won five of the last seven games. The two losses were of the well-played and a bit unlucky variety. Saturday's defeat can to be blamed on the coaching staff.

The disappearance of IIya Kovalchuk

An urgent missing persons alert has been issued in Atlanta. Somewhere in the city a Russian superstar is being held against his will. The person wearing a #17 Thrashers uniform is not IIya Kovalchuk. Kovy scores goals. Kovy plays with the energy of a mad dog. He ignites the club and the crowd. Kovy is electric. The Blueland faithful don't know who this lethargic, unfocused guy is wearing IIya's uniform but they'd like him removed from the building immediately.

On Saturday IIya Kovalchuk played perhaps the most uninspired, mistake-laden, lackadaisical game of hockey of his life. IIya whiffed on one-timers from his office in the left slot. He made about a dozen errant passes which resulted in turnovers. He missed assignments. Kovy skated aimlessly, not involving himself in the play. I've missed about 5 games that IIya has played during his NHL career. On Saturday he played as badly as it is possible for him to play. Why? I don't know for sure. I don't have post-game access and am not clairvoyant. But I can make an educated guess. That's my job. Here goes:

Kovy has been forced to change his game to accommodate the Anderson system. For instance - he has been moved down low on the power play. He doesn't unleash his invisible laser of a one-timer on a regular basis. He's been asked to assimilate and he has agreed. Kovy has been asked to pass more often. He has and he is a great, not good, passer. Assists have gone up but his line mates don't have the talent level or wherewithal to cash in his passes on a regular basis. Once again, he changed his game at the request of the organization. IIya has been asked to back check. Not a great utilization of his talent in my opinion but once again, he's bought in. He's been comprising a good bit lately. And then last night the Thrashers abandoned their system and IIya hit a melting point. This is my guess.

Kovalchuk has seen hard times in Atlanta. He has been a blazing point in light in a sometimes dark and gloomy hockey town. Kovy has single-handedly kept the club afloat for years. He's waited for reinforcements and still they have not arrived. The Thrashers have promised to retain the services of a number one Center for years and have not followed through. Time and time again he has been made promises by the organization and has been disappointed. I think he has had it. For a night he showed his disapproval by not buying in and not being accommodating. He went on strike last night and I don't blame him. He deserves better treatment.

Like many great scorers, Kovy's calling card is urgency, not patience. But he has waited obediently. He's waited for the Thrasher organization to commit to winning. IIya has waited for the powers that be to remove their collective heads from a bodily orifice located below the back. He's dealt with the loss of Dany Heatley, welcomed Marian Hossa and then sadly watched him go. He's been called selfish. If being selfish includes a burning desire to lead a winning club, yep, that's him.
He's waited for years. All this waiting, frustration, a multitude of broken promises and disappointment has to take it's toll on a driven talent like Kovy. Add the return of the freaking dump and chase? My guess - he may have finally said enough is enough and protested.

It's only one man's guess. But if I am correct I applaud Kovy for his statement. Once again, he deserves more than a mediocre supporting cast. His dedication in Atlanta warrants respect, some reciprocity, some follow through and a little help. A little help for God's sake! Anyone? Reverting to the dump and chase is cruel and unusual punishment.

It's only one game. It's only one loss but overall the Atlanta Thrashers took a giant step toward the toilet last night. Hopefully the net result will be a valuable lesson learned and not a harbinger of things to come. The Thrasher must commit 100% to the change in philosophy they have started or it will end the way every other "rebuilding" plan has ended - in the start of another plan. Smarten up Thrashers!

Rant over, game on.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Thrashers await next victim

2008-11-09T17:36:00.008-05:00

"Winning - It's like better than losing"
-Ebbie Calvin *Nuke* LaLoosh from Bull Durham

The birds are singing. The sun is shining bright. The food tastes better and marginally attractive folks suddenly appear hot. Such is the beauty of living in the midst of a winning streak. The Thrashers are riding high.

If you've been reading along, you'll know that I called it. Here is proof from my last entry, written right after the first win of the streak:

From Nov 1st - "The Thrashers will rattle off at least three in a row. Momentum in hockey is palpable and extremely one-sided. Uncle Mo is with the Thrash now. Superstitions be damned, at least three in a row, bank on it."

I don't know much but I know this hockey club.

It's not just that the much maligned Atlanta club is winning. It's how they are winning which is most impressive:

Thursday Nov. 6th - Down by two goals to Islanders at the second intermission, the Thrash came out of the gates firing on all cylinders and tied the game in just over a minute in the Third period. The puck did not leave the Islanders zone for what seemed like 10 minutes. The Thrasher attack was ferocious and unyielding.

Friday Nov 7th - Historically the Atlanta club is horrid on the second day of back to back games, especially on the road. The club traveled to Buffalo to take on a very talented Sabres club after the previously mentioned hard-fought victory in Blueland. The club should have been fatigued. The Thrashers we know and love would have been down three goals at the end of the first period. This team is different. They battled all night and overcame a third period deficit, forced OT and won it on a dramatic Jason Williams goal.

Sunday Nov 9th - An untelevised game. Why? I have no idea but I think the NHL should mandate that all games be covered by either the home or away TV team. It looks bad for the league to have a total black-out and not even highlights for ESPN or the like to televise. But I digress...

According to the radio crew this game was dominated by the Thrashers for the final two periods. Marty Reasoner scored not once, which is rare, but twice. You know your team has pleased the illusive Gods of momentum when a guy who scores a goal about once every 9 games scores twice. Reasoner is invaluable on special teams and a very smart player, but not a scorer.

"Don't Fool With a Winning Streak"

That's not exactly the way the saying goes but we try and keep it clean around here. Winning streaks in sports are rare occurrences that must not be disturbed. Whatever it is that Jason Williams is doing, I suggest he continue. Williams has scored in four straight games. Jason - if you are wearing pink jockey shorts under your uniform please keep wearing them and for God's sake don't wash them. If the team is eating Dirty Moore beef stew before games, stock up on it. Play the same songs in the locker room. Put on the skates at the exact same time. Carry that lucky coin. Whatever it is, it's working. Don't mess with it.

Confidence and Trust

Coach John Anderson has a plan. A Coach with a plan is a new concept for long-time Thrashers such as IIya Kovalchuk. Not only does Coach have a plan but it actually works. Again - this is untraveled terrain for the Thrashers. It's taken a few weeks but it appears that the team has bought in to the system. Their confidence shows on the ice and in the standings. The first and second offensive lines have flow. They have rhythm. If they were music it would be Reggae.

I've heard about defense but have not seen any on the ice in Atlanta, until this year. Ron Hainsey is everywhere. Toby Enstrom is too quick for most opponents and handles the puck as deftly as anyone in the NHL. If Garnett Exelby does not knock down an attacker he shuts him down with positioning. Nick Havelid is the personification of fundamentally sound. And there is of course Mr. Schneider whose name in on the Cup.

Over the last two weeks the Defensive unit has reduced the number of shots against and are scoring and assisting on goals on a regular basis. Dare I say - the Thrasher have the best defensive unit in the Southeast Division? The Eastern Conference? Maybe but....

Is this as good as it gets?

If you are a Thrasher fan, you are very familiar with disappointment. This may be as good as this team can possibly play. Also, they have not exactly defeated the NHL elite during the hot streak. As much as it pains me to say it - they may have peaked. Slava Kozlov has found the fountain of youth and is punishing the back of the net. Jason Williams is unconscious and clutch. The bounces are going the way of the Thrashers of late. Will it all come crashing down soon?

On the other hand, IIya has not gotten off to a good start and he will get hot and carry the club to victory about ten times this year. That's who he is and what he does. Also, Goaltending has been average at best except for the last four games and the Thrashers should improve in that area. Some Thrashers who have been productive in the past, (Perrin and Christensen), have not contributed to their potential or previous levels. They will soon.

It's anyones guess if this team is a last or first place team. They have looked like both at times this year. There is still about 10 million left in Don Waddell's piggy bank for 2008-09. Spending this money on a snipper or two would increase the odds of hockey being played this May in Atlanta. Open the wallet Atlanta Spirit. Win and they will come. Atlanta is a fickle sports town. Bandwagon fans dominate the landscape but Atlantans will fill the building of a winner.

And finally - Much love!

...to the fans that have been cheering their throats hoarse in Blueland this year. The attendance numbers are down but the souls in attendance are hearty. To those who have left us I ask again for your return. We need you. This club is giving it all on the ice and they are exciting to watch. Give them another chance.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Kovy Ignites Thrashers

2008-11-01T08:15:00.008-04:00

"Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all time thing. You don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. - Coach Vince Lombardi

If you are here with me now you are a Thrasher fan. If you're a Thrasher fan you've been deflated of late. The nights have been long. Losing, whether in blowout or gut-wrenching fashion is still losing. If you're a fan you have only two options after a game - elation or despair. For a real fan there is no such thing as a good loss. It's been all despair of late. Nothing has gone the way of the Boys from the South despite many strong efforts.

There is a guy on the Atlanta club that has been feeling worse than you about the six game losing skid. He wears #17. He plays with passion, loves to score goals but most of all, he loves to win. He's been on the ice this season but had not found his rhythm, until tonight. He's back. IIya Kovalchuk has found his groove.

Kovy carried the Thrashers through a critical stretch of the game on Sunday scoring twice and playing strong and quick on both ends of the ice. His speed and the edgy aggressiveness returned and the club responded with their best effort since opening night. The Thrashers showed no sign of fatigue playing on the back end of consecutive games as they defeated the Panthers 5-3 in Blueland.

So many things were went well during this game that I thought a list appropriate:

1) Shots on goal - Thrashers 30, Florida 21. For two years the Thrashers have been the worst in NHL in this area. This is a huge step forward, especially encouraging is the low number of shots allowed.
2) Christensen comes to life - The Thrashers are very limited when it comes to goal scorers and play makers. Erik Christensen must be both for Atlanta to have a respectable season. On Sunday, he provided spark, three shots on goal and two assists.
3) Slava, "The Scoring Machine, Kozlov - The crusty Russian was hampered by injuries last year. He is healthy and once again scored a goal.
4) Toby Enstrom joins the party - The talented Blueliner looked a bit lost in the John Anderson system until tonight. He moved the puck, shut down rushes, contributed an assist and appeared comfortable on the ice.
5) Smiles all around - This game is supposed to be fun for both players and fans. It's been about as enjoyable as dental surgery for all involved lately. The doom and gloom left the building tonight.

The Beginning of a Winning Streak

The Thrashers experienced an overhaul in the off-season. New Head Coach John Anderson brought with him an actual plan and system which was unprecedented round these parts. October was an exercise is placing a round peg in a square hole. From the drop of the puck tonight it appeared that the Thrashers finally got it. As the game went on they began to trust it. When the final horn sounded they skated off with confidence. This is how a winning streak begins. The Thrashers will rattle off at least three in a row. Momentum in hockey is palpable and extremely one-sided. Uncle Mo is with the Thrash now. Superstitions be damned, at least three in a row, bank on it.

Irritant of the Week

I loath message board trolls. If you are unfamiliar with these beings let me enlighten. The Troll lives in the dank basement of his parents house where the only light supplied is by the pasty-skinned crapbag's monitor. He smells of mold and gummy bears. Under the guise of being a fan, the wretch posts on message boards excessively but rarely if ever goes to a game, or outside for that matter. Here is an actual post that is currently contaminating Ben Wright's space on the Blueland Blog:

Posted by: Floyd on November 2, 2008 3:27AM EST
Hedberg has to be the worst goalie in the entire league. This was the case years ago when he joined the Thrashers when we were still developing, and now he's still around!!! Go away you BUM! bout time that guy joined some stupid swiss league or whatever, he has no reason to still be in the NHL and he's with us!! terrible move Waddell!!
Pavalec, what a surprise, came in and didn't give up a single goal, didn't look shaky, didn't get "unlucky" like Moose does every damn game. Pavalec has so much talent and potential, attributes that Moose doesn't even possess. Waive hedberg please, it's about time that happened. If you're going to be a GM, you have to have balls, DW hasn't shown balls since he fired Hartley, but even after that, he didn't hire a coach til now, and this new guy sucks!!!!!
Thrashers need to trade Kovalchuk for some picks and prospects, so then we can tank and draft Tavares, it's the only way this team will survive. This season is down the drain already, forget about the playoffs, it's not going to happen. Trade Ilya, get some badass young guns, draft Tavares, we'll be nasty. It will only take 2 years, instead of being below average every damn year.... come on DW we need a big change, show us your cahonas!!!

Please son, go away. Go far away and spare us your bile-ridden, reactionary tantrums. Notice that the post was entered at 3:27 am. If I ever feel the need to whine like a lost cat about Don Waddell's genitals at 3:27 in the morning, I hope one of you will have the decency to put me out of my misery.

Attendance Update

The crowd at Philips was small but feisty. The faithful rocked the building and this noise was acknowledged and appreciated by Erik Christensen during the post-game show. I know the economy is scary. I am aware that the team is shaky and it is apparent that some long-timers have left the building. The truth is that the fans invigorate the team. It was obvious tonight. Kovy needs the Blueland roar. He feeds on it. Come to the game on Thursday. I guarantee a victory.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

A New Voice

2008-10-24T14:59:00.003-04:00

I am excited to introduce MJ - Thrasher fan supreme. She got hooked on our team immediately and I had the pleasure of watching it absorb into her bloodstream.

MJ has passion for and knowledge of this game and this team. She also offers a unique prospective. You'll smell what I cooking if you follow along this year. Without further adieu....ladies and gentlemen help me welcome MJ to the ROAR.....

Hello Blueland!

This is my first blog entry ever, so I’ll take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is M.J. Crewe, and I’m a proud Thrashers fan and even prouder goalie mom. I’m thrilled to share with you the highlights of my Blueland, where I won’t talk hockey the game as much as I’ll visit with you about my favorite thing: the hockey fans.

As a fan of the Atlanta hockey club, I’ve heard my share of grief about hockey in the South. How it shouldn’t exist here, how we don’t deserve a team, how we don’t understand the game, and all those other jabs we’ve become familiar with. I always laugh because hockey in the South is the only hockey I know. I was born in Arkansas and raised on Razorback football. When I started following the Thrashers I really did have to learn the game from beginning to end.

Here is my story:

We discovered Thrashers hockey one fateful November night (the 16th-Kari’s birthday, coincidentally!) in 2005. Some friends of ours who had lower bowl season tickets invited us out to a game. Once we got settled in our seats I recall immediately noticing Sean and Stacy, who happened to be sitting a few rows over from us. Even from a distance I could read the passion in Sean’s eyes each time he reacted to the game. I knew right then and there that Thrashers hockey was something special.

My son was four at the time, and he sat perfectly still throughout the entire game in stunned silence. Frankly I thought he was scared of the noise and flaming bird heads. On the contrary, he was mesmerized. When we got home that night he got online and went straight to the Atlanta Thrashers homepage, and by the next day he knew the entire roster, stats, and hometowns of all the players. I took him to watch the team practice in Duluth a few days later where he met Kari Lehtonen and the rest, as they say, is history.

We have been to nearly every home game since that night three years ago and several away games. I am a second year season ticket holder and my son is now a Mites goalie in Duluth. Looking back, I can’t imagine life without hockey.

I am not a hockey analyst, but what I would like to offer here is my perspective on the Southern hospitality aspect of Thrashers hockey, and the idea that we are all part of a huge, passionate, and wonderfully irreverent family. To me, hockey in the South means that you’ll never meet a stranger at a Thrashers game.

Throughout this season I’ll be writing about the fans who make up this hockey family. I’ll write about people I know personally, and I’ll especially be looking forward to meeting new people and getting to know them through this blog. If you know of anyone you’d like to read about here drop me a note.

I’ll also touch on youth hockey here and there, because we don’t seem to hear enough about the fantastic programs this city has to offer. Same thing goes for my pieces on youth hockey…let me know if you’d like to have me write about a player, coach, or a team.

I’m happy to hear suggestions, ideas, and comments so feel free to contact me at any time. I’m truly excited to be a part of Blueland Roar and I will see all of you at Philips very soon.

Sincerely,

MJ

Thrashers slay the great unwashed

2008-10-19T09:31:00.012-04:00

Infestation

The stench of sour wing sauce and stale beer was palpable as they descended upon our fair city. The crisp Atlanta Fall afternoon was fouled by the unwelcome swarm. They wore Vanek and Miller jerseys and spewed monosyllabic profanity punctuated by belches and intermittent flatulence. They sported poorly groomed facial hair reminiscent of C-grade 1970's adult entertainment performers. The men were equally unkempt. They vomit uncontrollably, often on members of the clergy and unassuming boy scout troops. Their undergarments are soiled. Their souls are barren and their gag reflexes compromised by years of choking in the post season. I think the Nasty Nest put it best when they eloquently chanted in unison:

"Buffalo"
"Buffalo"
"Buffalo"
"You Suck!"

Yes, the bi-annual infestation befell our fair city On Saturday. The minions from Buffalo arrived belligerent and confrontational. After Thrasher Goalie Kari Lehtonen denied the final Sabres shootout attempt, they fled Blueland like rancid rats off a sinking ship, defeated by the upstarts from the South. Sometimes the good guys win. Karma - the great equalizer.

Why the Venom?

Why are Buffalo fans under my skin? Why do I choose to write highly exaggerated descriptions of their character, personal hygiene and class? First off, it's kind of funny. But it's not because Buffalo fans travel well and support their team. That's admirable. It's not because they are boisterous and make their presence felt. The devotion of Buffalo fans is unquestionable. It's because they taunt, not cheer, on the road and that's unacceptable.

Of course this is a generalization and like most sweeping statements it is only partly true. There are some very enthusiastic Buffalo fans that also have respect for their surroundings and the game. I met a few before the game - had beverages with them, hung out, talked hockey, etc. One of my closest friends is a Sabres fan and a classy fella. From my experience this is the exception, not the rule.

Buffalo fans - If you plan on coming into our house in the future to taunt our fans, expect repercussions. If you ignore the etiquette of sports expect consequences. I'm not talking about violence. That too is unacceptable. Let's just say that your comfort level in our building will be tenuous at best. That's just how it is. If you want to chirp, expect chirping back - all night long.

Enough of this - on with the show...

A Thriller in Blueland

From the drop of the puck, the well-rested Thrashers attacked the previously undefeated Sabres who had played the previous night. At the end of the first period Atlanta had out-shot Buffalo 19-6 and held a 2-0 lead on goals by IIya Kovalchuk and Bryan Little. The score would have been much more lopsided but Sabres back-up Goalie Patrick Lalime kept Buffalo in the game with spectacular saves throughout the period and the game.

In the second period Buffalo cut the lead to 2-1 on a Vanek laser during a two-man advantage. With a little more than three minutes remaining in the third period, Jason Pominville tied the score at two. Overtime was scoreless despite constant action. This thriller was decided in the shootout.

The second Thrasher shooter, Kovalchuk, scored. The Sabres also scored on their second attempt, tying the score. The final shooter for the Thrash was a hobbled Slava Kozlov. Kozlov was drilled with a puck in the ribs in practice earlier in the week and understandably struggled physically for most of the game. Despite the pain, clutch Kozy lit the lamp for the clincher. Kari Lehtonen, who once again put forth a sharp performance, stoned the final Sabre shooter and the bulb erupted with joy.

Throughout this game the Thrashers were aggressive and had many quality scoring chances. Defenseman Ron Hainsey was again a standout. Hainsey was all over the ice. On one occasion he took the puck coast to coast, ending up in a heep in the crease after attacking the net. Other Thrasher Defenseman also had quality scoring chances as the Coach Anderson tactic of using D-men offensively clicked on this night.

IIya Kovalchuk seems to have found his place within the new Thrasher system. He netted the first goal of the game, totaled five shots on goal and made a key defensive play to break up a Buffalo odd man rush and force a shootout. Other standouts from this game were the smooth skating and composure of Toby Enstrom, the lightning quick glove hand of Kari Lehtonen, and shooting and skating speed of Bryan Little. Overall this one one of the most exciting 65+ minutes of hockey played in Blueland in recent memory. The 14,000 fans in attendance got their money's worth. As for the 4,000 empty seats...

Where have you gone Thrasher fans?

The attendance this year has been disconcerting and embarrassing to long-time fans, season ticket holders, Thrasher personnel and players. A non sell-out or near sell-out on a Saturday night is historically very rare. A 3/4 full house versus Buffalo on weekend is unprecedented. Is it the economy? Are Thrasher fans damaged by past team and upper management performance. We miss you Blueland faithful and desperately need you back. The team feeds on your energy. You missed a great game last night. We have a very exciting team. They leave it all on the ice. Learning a new system under a new coach takes time but it clicked last night. Come back! I'm personally going to put some skin in the game.

Free tickets for the disenfranchised

I have a pair of lower level tickets in my beloved section 119 to the Friday, November 14th game versus Carolina for a Thrasher fan who has attended games in the past and has become disillusioned for one reason or another and has not attended this year. Here are conditions:

1) Don't lie - this is not an opportunity to upgrade your seats.
2) E-mail the explanation, (200 words or less), why you have shown up in the past and have not this year - scg@bravepoint.com
3) Responses are due by Friday October 24th.
4) After the game, I'll post whatever you have to say. Was it good to be back? Are you still angry? Whatever you feel, I'll post it.

That's it. Who wants it?

A New Addition to the Roar

A couple weeks ago I asked if anyone wanted to join me in this little journey and write in this space. Thanks for the submissions. Our winner will be introducing herself this week. Also, the redesign is going well and barring delays, will be done in a few weeks.

Keep the faith Blueland.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Thrashers erupt in home opener

2008-10-11T08:54:00.008-04:00

"I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world" - Walt Whitman

Doom and gloom have taken control. Each day the global financial crisis grows more frightening. We have depleted the fossil fuels that drive our lives and have gravely injured our Planet in the process. The Iranians and North Koreans thirst to nuke us. Sarah Palin is potentially a heart beat away from placing her well-manicured finger on the button. At least she is a hockey fan. The populous is on edge, limping through the daily ritual like hunted animals. From which direction will the next kick in the guts come? We’re wounded, damaged and scared.

For Thrasher fans, the prognosis has also been bleak. Many experts have named the Atlanta club the favorite for next year’s number one draft pick. In the off-season Hossa and Recchi fled the seemingly sinking ship. Expectations are non-existent. The proverbial bar has been set at snake belly height.

Approximately 17,000 of us arrived at Phillips arena on Friday night for the start of a new season. The nervous energy was palpable but at least the pressure was off for a couple hours. You can’t watch the CNN stock ticker from inside the arena. We didn’t need any gas in order to watch the hockey game. Most assumed the losing trend of the preseason would continue. Most were dead wrong. Rumors of our demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Catharsis - purification or purgation of the emotions (as pity and fear) primarily through art

The inspiration for this web space returned about five minutes into the game as Ron Hainsey netted the first goal of the season. Blueland roared like an escaped caged lion. Eyes widened. Teeth were exposed. Lungs expanded. Feet left the ground and hands slapped hands.

As scripted, one of the main components of Coach John Anderson’s system bared fruit immediately. Anderson expects D-men to jump up into the offense and crash the net. Hainsey did exactly that on the power play as his close range shot hit the back of the net. His tally was just the beginning of a thrilling night at Philips arena that left Thrasher fans pleasantly surprised.

The Thrashers scored the first three and last three goals of the game en route to a thrilling 7-4 victory in the Blueland Opener. Bryan Little was outstanding, scoring two goals and adding an assist. Slava Kozlov, Marty Reasoner, Todd White, and Colby Armstrong also contributed to the onslaught with goals as the allegedly anemic Thrashers put up a crooked number on the Caps.

The Thrashers took a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. The two goal cushion was erased after Washington’s Mike Greene scored twice during a fluke double-minor high-sticking call on Marty Reasoner. The score was tied at four at the end of the second period. As the lead evaporated, the feeling of “here we go again” materialized. Of course the Thrash would crumble. Faltering is expected round these here parts. Not this time.

The Thrashers won the third period and the game on heart. Team chemistry and cohesion have not yet been established. It takes time. The Thrashers won because they wanted it more than the Caps. Both teams were gassed in the late stages of this high-energy game which featured 75 shots on goal. The Thrashers were able to dig deep and walk away with the win.

Thrasher Goalie Kari Lehtonen faced 43 shots and none of the four that got past him were soft. He was sharp for 60 minutes. The turning point of the game occurred with the score tied at four when Lehtonen denied Ovechkin on a penalty shot. The save ignited the Thrashers and deflated the Caps.

In the final minute, with the outcome of the game determined, Friday night fights took center stage. The marque bout featured 18 year-old Zach Bogosian against ageless villain – Donald Brashear. Bogosian delivered a clean, hard check on the Cap’s Enforcer who took exception and picked a fight with the kid young enough to be, well, his kid. Zach went toe to toe with the legendary brawler. Not a bad first fight for the rookie whose “firsts” and rites of passage are coming at a dizzying pace.

The accelerated maturation of 1st round draft pick Zach Bogosian continued in his NHL debut. The rookie Defenseman who is three years away from his first legal Budweiser and very recently earned the right to vote, completed the obligatory rookie trifecta during one of his first shifts on the ice. First, his nervous energy caused him to be out of position. Seconds later he completed step two by hooking the Capital skating circles around him. While in the penalty box, step three was inevitable. The Caps scored. Zach hung his head. He felt shame. Don’t worry Zach, every rookie Defenseman is required to complete this process. Bogosian, as is his tendency, got it out of the way quickly. His play improved and his confidence grew as the game progressed.

Observations from this victory:

• Bryan Little has a deceptively quick shot and sneaky speed on the ice.

• Coach Anderson’s aggressive system will result in many more shots on goals than in the past, a more exciting fan-friendly style of play and will be difficult to defend.

• Slava looks reinvigorated, rejuvenated and reanimated. A.K.A - He's back.

• Ron Hainsey is solid defensively and also has offensive skills

• The Thrashers still allow way too many shots on goal

Large patches of empty seats in the lower level show that the Atlanta club has temporarily lost a portion of its fan base. Presumably the vacancies have been caused by a combination of the team’s past performance and economic conditions. The team will have to earn sell-outs. The fans that were in attendance left the building hoarse and energized. A few more games like this will put familiar and unfamiliar butts in seats.

Maybe the Thrashers won for Coach Anderson. Papa John’s, (just came up that one), mother was in attendance for his NHL coaching debut. Maybe they won it for the fans, who have persevered and remained with this success challenged club. Maybe they won for veterans or for the kids. The fact is they won it - in a thrilling fashion no less. For a while, 17K of us forgot about our diminishing portfolios, our injured Planet and the impending doom that is force fed to us from all angles. A good game of hockey will do that.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

The post mortum of meaningless games and return of the vicious cycle

2008-10-02T14:26:00.013-04:00

Home Again

The Blueland doors opened on Wednesday and thoughts of financial crisis, gas shortages, political rhetoric and Iranian nuclear capability drifted from consciousness. The regulars returned despite rumors to the contrary. Guarded optimism filled the air. The boys in my beloved section 119 showed up early for some trash talking about superiority in our intra-sectional fantasy league. Dwayne brought his Grandson to his first game. He liked the ice cream and fire breathing bird. Rapid Fan was there. Still rapid, but a year older - he was seen toting his child, hopefully not named Rabid Junior. Fred in section 116 was taking pictures with his giant, tricked-out camera. Joe was complaining about the power play. George drank his body weight in beer. Brett drove him home, again. My wife had hot chocolate before the third period, per tradition. Hockey is back and all was right with the World.

And then the puck dropped.....

The Thrashers lost three in row at home this week. The first two defeats, (Detroit and Nashville), were of the high-quality, productive, meaningless variety. The loss to the Blues in the pre-season finale was disconcerting. The most alarming element of these losses was the performance of Kari Lehtonen. Lehtonen looks slow on his feet, usually a sign of poor conditioning. The fact that he faced way too many shots did not help the situation at all.

The lowlight of the week for Kari was an assist on a perfect pass, two feet from his net, to the Wings Zetterberg in an attempt to clear the puck. Again, it's a pre-season game but Kari's focus has been questioned in the past. Mental vacations during games must be minimized in order to give the Thrashers to be competitive this year. Kari is a talent, great with fans, (especially kids), and a good teammate. This is a critical year in his career.

Also a bit disheartening was the unwelcome return of a foul trend from last season:

The Vicious Cycle

Step One - Start out sluggish and/or unprepared in the first period. Chase the opposition around while they dominate puck possession.
Step Two - Perpetrate a fatigue penalty, (all this chasing is draining), and create a short-handed situation.
Step Three - Here come the pucks, lots of them, in the direction of the Thrasher goal on the opponents power-play and inevitably, goals against. Create the need to play from behind early in the game.
Step Four - Because of the deficit on the scoreboard, start taking unnecessary chances that create scoring chances by the opposition.
Step Five - Rinse, Repeat

Result - Constantly being shorthanded causes the entire team to wear down quickly. Again, chasing is much more physically and mentally taxing than attacking. Not only does the penalty killing unit get gassed, the skill players wear down as well because they are always pressing. It matters not if the penalty killing unit is functioning well. Repeating this process will result in losses in nine out of ten games. It's a spiraling cycle that will not end unless step one is eradicated. The team must be ready to play at game time. The responsibility for this preparedness falls on the coaching staff and the Captain.

Add below average goaltending to this formula and the result is 60 total points in late March, empty seats, disgruntled players planning exit strategies and a dwindling fan base demanding the severed head of Don Waddell be displayed in the center of town.

But wait a minute....

Relax, loosen your shorts, stop spewing bile on the message boards it's pre-season. It doesn't count. But the bitter taste will linger until the season opens on Friday. Coach Anderson summarized the pre-season best when he said, “I don’t think we’ve helped team morale.”

What can the Thrashers do this week to right the ship? Here are my useless suggestions:

1) Name Kovy Captain - First off, it just sounds cool - "Captain Kovalchuk" Say it few times. See, I told ya. More importantly, IIya deserves it. In addition, the team wants to be led by him. Finally, sewing the "C" on to IIya's jersey will make it more difficult for him to leave his team when his contract expires at the end of next year.

2) Make final cuts and assign lines now - Defining the club as quickly as possible will create team cohesion and unity. It's going to be a few weeks until this club plays together comfortably. Delaying in this area creates unnecessary worry and uncertainty.

3) Fugetabotit - It's frigin pre-season and it's over. Let's move on.

Accentuate the Positive

On paper, the Thrashers are much improved from last season. The addition of Ron Hainsey, Matheiu Schneider, the arrival of Zach Bogosian and maturation of Toby Enstrom give the Thrashers the best Blueline in the Southeast Division. A quick aside, anyone else notice that Mathieu Schneider bares a close resemblance to a young Leonard Nimoy? Can we call him Spock?

Sorry, I digress....

Kovy is still here and will again be worth the price of admission. Slava is healthier and ready to rebound. Colby Armstrong, Eric Christensen, Chris Thornburn and especially Jimmy Slater and Eric Perrin look great. We have an Enforcer in Boris "the blade" Valabik who will provide entertainment for those of us who enjoy controlled violence. Exelby hits like a train. Todd White can score, (I swear he can), as can Jason Williams. Both will take pressure off and provide openings for IIya.

The Thrashers have a well-balanced mix of veterans and youth, power and speed; discipline and reckless abandon. Leading this group is a Coach who has a proven track record of success and the respect of this players.

This club won't gel immediately. Adopting a new system, (or any system in the case of the previously misled Atlanta club), takes time. There are many new faces in Atlanta and they need time to become accustomed to each other's tendencies. It's going to be sloppy in the short-term with many eye rolling moments but this is the nature of true rebuilding. It's painful to watch at times, exhilarating at others but we should have very few dull moments this fall in Blueland.

The Roar is Growing Stronger

Please welcome Fred Johnson to Blueland Roar. Fred is a long-time, die-hard Thrasher fan and an excellent Photographer as you can see if you glance up and to the right. My format is not doing his images justice so I will be modernizing this space over the next few months.

I've bought my domain, (www.bluelandroar.com) and hired a very talented Web Designer, Jon Dean, to pretty up the place. Jon is also a Thrasher fan and works for tickets. Soon you'll see vivid images, animation, video, and perhaps an arcade. What you will never see is a proliferation of advertising. If want to buy something, you know where to go and you don't need any advice from me. It will stay purely hockey in here and no chat room will ever be added. Chat rooms are a great in theory and a cesspool of crap in reality. Usually they are dominated by the least knowledgeable and most annoying folks.

In summary, the new site will be state of the art but will remain simple in concept - pure, uncut Thrashers hockey.

And now it is time to add another voice. I am looking for a Writer to add some varied prospective to this site. The qualifications needed for this unpaid job are simple:

1) You are a Thrasher fan.
2) You attend many Thrasher games as your budget and schedule will allow.
3) You have some command of the English language in written form.
4) You have an opinion. I am not looking for a Reporter.
5) You have a personality, creativity and a sense of humor.
6) You have the time to write one article a week.

To apply send me an E-mail that includes a 300+ word piece on any Thrasher related subject. The format is wide open. Be creative and have fun with it.

Real games begin this weekend. Are you ready?

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace
scg@bravepoint.com

A Tragedy in Blueland - September 29, 2003

2008-09-29T07:13:00.006-04:00

"Dan Snyder was one of those people who gave others energy. Just being in his company made you feel good. His quick, crooked smile was infectious. His eyes twinkled -- somehow simultaneously emoting both kindness and a hint of good-natured mischief. There was nothing forced about Snyder -- he was genuine through and through."
-Darren Eliot, NHL Commentator.

A Celebration
September 29, 2003

The Atlanta Thrashers were poised to take the reins. Led by IIya Kovalchuk, Dany Heatley and Marc Savard, the young franchise was dubbed "The team that would be King" by ESPN the Magazine in its NHL season preview. They were electric, explosive and maturing rapidly. For the club from Atlanta, a city exiled from the NHL for two decades, the sky was again the limit. An unprecedented hockey buzz reverberated on Marietta Street as Thrashers season-ticket holders marched through Centennial Park to meet the club. The annual event, held days before the season opener, drew a record crowd of more than a thousand. Finally, the Capital of the South had embraced the game of hockey and its team.

From the day the Atlanta Flames played their final game before relocating to Calgary in 1980, hockey had devolved from a novelty to a mystery among native southerners. Days before the Thrashers’ inaugural game in 1999, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution devoted a full section to the rules and history of hockey. Interest grew, a little every year, and on Sept. 29, 2003 hockey unofficially re-arrived in Atlanta.

At about 7:15 that evening following a rousing introduction ceremony, the team dispersed to five autograph-signing stations. My wife and I were on a mission. We had devised an intricate strategy, relying on place-holding in the long lines, to obtain all the Thrashers’ signatures on one jersey. At 8:45, with two stations to go and 15 minutes remaining in the event, the outlook was bleak. But at 8:59 Stacy found a friend, cut in line at the last table despite angry glares and was the final person allowed through. Last in line on the other side of the table was Dan Snyder. He signed his name and number 37 on the jersey while collecting his things, flashed a dentally challenged smile, and exited the building. The framed jersey hangs on a wall in our house, a daily reminder that life is fragile and every moment precious.

Heatley and Snyder went directly from Philips Arena to grab dinner at The Tavern at Phipps. Both ordered one 10-ounce beer before leaving the restaurant around 10:15 p.m. in Heatley's 2002 Ferrari 360 F1 Spider. At 10:22 a security guard working on nearby Lenox Road called 9-1-1 and reported that a car had "exploded" when it collided with a wrought-iron fence lined with brick pillars along the treacherous, narrow road. A pillar had ripped the car in half and Snyder was ejected 12 feet from the vehicle. Two forensic experts would later estimate that the Ferrari was traveling in excess of 80 miles per hour at the time of impact. The posted speed limit was 35 mph.

The Longest Week

The news hit like a tornado the following morning. Heatley, the team’s first superstar forward, had suffered a multitude of injuries including a concussion, broken jaw and torn knee ligaments. The severity of Snyder’s head injury was apparent when it was reported that at 2:15 a.m. Sept. 30, renowned neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta performed a craniotomy to relieve pressure on his brain.

Throughout the week, media reports of Snyder’s condition changed constantly. Several times, news of “great improvement” was followed hours later by descriptions of his status which included the word “grave.” It was a sickening roller coaster ride for a close-knit community, as groups of fans began showing up at Grady Hospital without a plan. It was difficult to stand still, but being in closer proximity made it somehow more bearable.

From the moment they arrived in Atlanta to be with their ailing son, LuAnn and Graham Snyder acted unconventionally. They went to Heatley’s hospital room to support the man whose driving ultimately killed their son. They forgave him sincerely. They provided emotional support for grieving teammates and friends while their son fought for his life. Graham Snyder, a hockey coach, urged the team to play a scheduled preseason game and gave a pregame speech before the contest while his son lay in the hospital. Later Graham Snyder would testify in Heatley’s behalf at his sentencing; during the hearing Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes would tell him, “you’re a better man than me, Charlie Brown.” The Snyders attributed their ability to provide strength, rather than pass judgment, to their Mennonite faith and its core values of forgiveness and pacifism. LuAnn mentioned that it was never a conscious decision to forgive Heatley; rather, it was how she was raised. It was instinctual.

Dan Snyder died on Oct. 5 of sepsis caused by an infection. During the funeral procession in his home town of Elmira, Ontario, hundreds of kids lined the streets, tapping their hockey sticks on the pavement in a tribute to their hometown hero who had made it big.

A Lone Piper
Oct 9th, 2003 – Opening Night

The anticipation of agony started as a lump in my throat. Philips Arena was filled to capacity with fatigued, injured souls that needed to be together more than they wanted to watch a hockey game, and when the lights went down, the crowd of 18,000-plus went completely silent. A lone piper, John Reckneger, began to play "Amazing Grace" as a video tribute of Snyder’s career shone from above the ice. It showed him skating with the reckless abandon that was his trademark. It showed him throwing his body around the ice, antagonizing the opposition, energizing his club. That toothless exuberance and mischievous grin was revisited one last time. As a crowd grieved together, tears flowed in the dark.

To conclude the ceremony, a spotlight illuminated only Snyder’s “#37”, which had been painted on the boards of the rink earlier that week. It remained there for the season. The air was heavy and my legs were numb but when the lights came on, a wave of relief took hold. Finally, it was over. It was time to move on. Atlanta won the game in dramatic fashion on a goal from Chris Tamer, an original Thrasher not known for his offensive prowess. The roar when the puck hit the net was visceral. It was a cathartic victory for the players and fans, and for a few hours, jubilation had interrupted the pain.

Assuming the personality of their fallen teammate and friend, the Thrashers kept winning and overachieving. They gained a point in each of their first seven games, not losing until almost a month after the accident. Winning took their minds off reality, and they won on heart. They won for Dan and Dany.

Aftermath

In the blink of an eye, the Thrasher organization was changed forever. The following year Heatley was traded to Ottawa for Marian Hossa and Greg DeVries. When asked why he demanded a trade, Heatley said that he would never again be able to smile in public in good conscience in Atlanta. Hossa begged out in 2008 and was traded to Pittsburgh for talented but unproven prospects. Heatley has become a perennial NHL All-Star and a team leader in Ottawa, while the Thrashers have yet to overcome the effects of the accident.

Still, many positives resulted from the tragedy. The Atlanta club was and remains very accessible to its fans, many of whom had the opportunity to speak with Heatley and Snyder. This personal contact made the situation more difficult to accept, but also created a stronger bond between the team and its community. The shared experience brought the fans closer together and the great majority who lived through it continue to vocally support the organization. Posthumously, Snyder has remained a spark plug for the Thrashers. During their March 2007 playoff push, a “Win it for #37” sign remained over section 120.

Most importantly, the tragedy brought out the best that humanity has to offer in the form of the Snyder family, who acted with grace, honor and dignity. Their selfless support of everyone affected by the accident showed us our potential as human beings: This was how good we could be in times of adversity.

The Snyder family founded the Dan Snyder Foundation, which is dedicated to providing scholarship opportunities to young athletes and to assist in the pursuit of their goals. Please visit http://37risingstars.com to learn more about the foundation or make a contribution.

A detailed account of the Snyder/Heatley incident can be found within the book “A Season of Loss, a Lifetime of Forgiveness” by John Manasso, former Thrashers beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The familiar chill - hockey is back

2008-09-21T10:50:00.008-04:00

"I wake up sweating in the middle of the night, thinking about Damian Rhodes." - Don Waddell commenting, in a joking manner, on why he did not trade Goalie prospect Ondrej Pavelec. The always injured Rhodes collected many checks while contributing little to the organization during the early years of the Thrashers.

Waddell had the line of the night while addressing a subdued gaggle, (or is it pack?), of season ticket holders at Philips arena last week. Besides mentioning that he turned down at least one trade for Pavelec, he also shared the fact that Slava Kozlov had surgery on both his shoulder and knee in the off-season and that the injuries could be responsible for the veterans sub-par production last season. Slava never publicly hinted he has hurting this bad last year. His lack of whining caused many people who cover the Thrashers, myself included, to criticize his play and apparent below average effort. My apologies Slava, we didn't know. Not using injuries as an excuse is admirable and not the norm for today's professional athlete.

Waddell was gracious, forthcoming and humble during the meeting, Ron Hainsey was well-spoken but John Anderson stole the show. Coach John Anderson is impossible to dislike. He is positivity and genuineness, personified. As Don Waddell said, "There is no phoniness in John, he is a real guy." A real funny guy also. Coach spoke and fielded the questions of about 300 guardedly optimistic season ticket holders last Wednesday. Here is a sampling of his one-liners. His tone was playful throughout:

On Ken Klee, velocity challenged veteran Defenceman - "In our system our Blueliners will be challenged to step up in the offensive zone. Who knows, even the fleet-footed Kenny Klee might score three goals."

On Jim Slater - "We're going to need more production our of Jimmy. You guys have seem him play. He has all the tools, he has to work on his shot. Jimmy grips the stick real tight."

On Todd White, who Anderson know well - "Todd is better than 14 goals. He scored 40 freakin goals a few years ago in minors. How do you go from 40 to 14. He is better than that. This team won't get any better if he stays on this pace."

On the system employed by the Thrashers last year - "I don't like the dump and chase, especially when you all you do is dump the puck and forget to chase."

When asked what needed to be changed most in the Thrashers style of play, "You can't score when the puck in always in your defensive zone. I know this is obvious but..."

Coach's ribbing has a purpose - motivation. Anderson has played this game successfully at the professional level and has gained the credibility to take shots at guys who he believes have underachieved. Although his overall tone was light and positive he was very serious about several points. The first was that this team will create offense differently than in the past. A Defenceman in the Anderson system will be a weapon expected to jump into the offense as the situation dictates. He also stressed that the team will not be married to a "system" and will be chameleon-like in their approach. The strongest point made by the Coach was that players will earn their roster spots at training camp. Numerous times Anderson said, "I hope the young guys take a few jobs away during camp." Speaking of camp....

It takes about five minutes to thaw out the extremities after 45 minutes in the bulb. First your feet come to life. Legs and arms follow and finally you can feel your face and fingers. Skin tone returns and it's time to get back into it. Stepping into the arena in Duluth the familiar chill returned - reason 5,432 why hockey is king.

Thirty one forwards, Fifteen D-men and five Goalies filled both rinks at the Ice Forum on Saturday as camp opened in Duluth. Myself and some friends spent our time near the bulb where Coach Anderson was running drills. Anderson is animated and nimble on the ice. He can skate and I'd bet that few Thrashers would win a one on one collision with the Coach. He doesn't discriminate on who gets "coached" during practice. Both Veterans and unsigned prospects received his attention equally when they missed an assignment, botched a drill or performed exceptionally. Here is what I observed:

1) Slava looked much more comfortable on his feet than last year. (See the before mentioned injury reference.) His quickness is back.
2) Toby Enstrom is a natural. He is always in position and has composure and polish beyond his years. His play seems effortless.
3) Chris Thorburn has an excellent shot. I hope he uses it more this year.
4) Unsigned Danick Paquette and 20 year-old Arturs Kulda have skills.

Thrasher first-round draft pick Zach Bogosian stood in the lobby taking it all in. Zach has a minor hip problem but should be back on the ice very soon. He looked miserable watching the others play. This kid is going to be something special.

Only nine days until the puck drops in Blueland.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

....But first, let's channel the magic

2008-09-03T21:15:00.008-04:00

It's almost that time. Leaves are starting their decent. Football season has begun. Folks in Atlanta have broken out the Bulldog gear. Red is the color of choice. Darkness falls a little earlier each day and the blazing heat has subsided. It's almost time for hockey and hope springs eternal in every NHL city.

The NHL press has also begun their annual bashing our team. The truth is that it is impossible to predict which hockey town currently houses the sleeper of the year. This great game is about team cohesion, chemistry and system, more so than any other major sport. One or two players can not carry a hockey club. A great hockey club is great because they come together as a unit and perform above their individual capabilities. Sometimes they are a faceless entity, the whole much greater than the sum of their parts.

Case in point - The 2005-06 Edmonton Oilers. During the regular season they amassed 95 points and squeezed into the final playoff position in the Western Conference. The Oilers then went on to beat the number one seeded Wings 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs. Next, Edmonton took care of the the fifth seeded Sharks in six games. They gained strength and disposed of the then "Mighty" Ducks in five games in the Western Finals. This Cinderella club took Carolina to seven games in the Stanley Cup Finals. They were one game away from raising the CUP. Without doing any research, name 5 players on that team. Not easy eh?

In the off-season many clubs changed coaches and drastically changed their roster. The Wings, Pens and Blackhawks will be dominant. Besides that, it's wide open. Do not write off the Atlanta Thrashers this season and beware of this club next season. The tide has turned. Our new Coach is a winner. Our off-season has been productive. With one last trade things could get very interesting in Blueland. Could the Thrashers be the sleeper in 2008-09? But before we get into all of that. Remember April 2007?

Why we are fans
April 7th and April 12th -2007

The final game of the season was a celebration. The division was clinched and the atmosphere was relaxed for the first time in a long time. The Thrashers came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 over Tampa in OT in front of a full house in Blueland. Fans lingered in the bulb after the game and took in the satisfying flavor of victory. There were smiles all around and a sense of accomplishment. I stood in the club section, waiting for the post-game party, and took it all in. The journey, (painful at times), was worth it. Seven years of allegiance to our franchise paid off at this moment.

A few days later, 10 minutes before the puck dropped in our first playoff game, the cheer of “Let’s go Thrashers” enveloped Blueland. Chills ran through me and still do when I think about it. This was the finest moment in our history.

The Greatest Accomplishment

It wasn’t the division title although it is the most tangible measure of the success of the 2006-07. But that’s not it. Our greatest achievement is the birth of you, the true fan. Atlanta has long been criticized as a sports city that lacks passion and dedication. You changed that perception this year. You multiplied and the resulting army in blue energized the team. You screamed your guts out and wanted it badly. You stuck with it and now you’re stuck with it. You’re going to care about this team more now. It’s going to be hard on you. Being a fan is taxing. But you’re in and you can’t get out anytime soon.

We’ve a planted a seed and it will grow. There will be playoff victories and greater moments. And you will be there. There will be crushing losses, and you will be there. You will be there because it’s entered your heart and become part of you. It happened this season, you bought in and that is the greatest accomplishment. I am very proud to call myself a Thrasher fan, just like you.

I'm ready for the season. You in?

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Regaining Respect in Atlanta

2008-08-17T20:43:00.003-04:00

Only six short weeks left until we see a little hockey. Tick, tock, tick, tock...

The following is an article I am writing for a traditional hockey magazine that will be published before the start of the season. I had to focus on one specific Thrasher-related topic. I chose how to repair the Thrasher image. This has not gone to the Editor yet and I wanted to get some feedback from you smart people. Please take a peek and let me know what you think. A little constructive criticism will not hurt my delicate feelings:

Starting Over in Atlanta, again

Let me preface the tempered diatribe below by saying that I am a long-time Thrasher season ticket holder who has missed three home games in the last five seasons. I’m a fan but also a realist. Put simply; the only way to go is up for Atlanta Thrashers. They reached the NHL abyss during the off-season.

After Marian Hossa tucked tail and ran out of Atlanta, the hits just kept on coming for the organization. First Tampa’s Dan Boyle told the media that Lightning ownership had threatened him with “exile to Atlanta” if he didn’t waive his no trade clause. Brian “Soupy” Campbell followed by turning down a lucrative contract offer from the Thrashers that would have paid him a million dollars more a year than the offer he accepted from Chicago. The reason - he wanted to play for a winner. Finally, when asked if he believed he was coming back to Atlanta after a very productive half season, Mark Recchi actually laughed and said, “Ah, no.”

A glimmer of hope has peaked through since the public bashings took place. The Thrashers hired a new Head Coach in John Anderson. Rookie NHL Head Coach Anderson brings an exciting, aggressive system which resulted in championships in the minors. His fresh approach is needed. Atlanta also has new additions that will fill critical needs. The Thrashers drafted an impact player in Zach Bogosian and acquired Defenseman Ron Hainsey and Forward Jason Williams in the off-season.

Much work is left to be done if the Atlanta organization is to regain the respect of the hockey community. The effort must start at the top.

The much maligned Atlanta Spirit Ownership Group must shoulder some of the blame for the downward spiral of the organization. The ASG has been in a bitter legal battle with Co-Owner Steve Belkin for five years and counting. Their childish inability to resolve the situation has been costly, distracting and damaging to the fledgling organization.

If the Owners regain their sanity and prove to be competent, the next step is regaining a fan base that has been diminishing since the Thrashers were swept in their only playoff appearance in 2006-07. At a season ticket holder “town hall” meeting, ASG member Bruce Levenson stated that season ticket prices will continue to increase for years regardless of the teams’ performance. Endearing? I think not. The solution might be to take a play from Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank’s playbook and fill the building, at all costs. When Blank took control of a miserable Falcons team, one the first things he did was offer $100 season tickets for a year. It worked. The building was full until the Vick incident.

With ample butts now firmly in seats, it’s time to sign the franchise player to a long-term or lifetime contract. IIya Kovalchuk is the Atlanta Thrashers and he is discontented. His repeated requests for a first-line center have been ignored. At times last season he seemed to be the only player on the ice for the Thrashers. Kovalchuk’s game has matured drastically over the last few years. He is now a complete player despite reports to the contrary. He is the best passer on the team, plays a very physical game with emotion, and also has learned defensive responsibility. Oh, and he can score a little. Kovy will be the Thrasher Captain. He wants to win in Atlanta. He feels like the Thrashers are his team. If Thrasher management has any sense they will sign him to a 6+ year contract that includes many zeros, after or during the upcoming season.

If these changes occur, the Thrashers are on their way back. Some of the finer points involved in creating an organization that NHL players want to join have already been completed. According to those who played for him in Chicago, Coach Anderson is a player’s Coach who is supportive on and off the ice. Positive word of mouth amongst the NHL player community should begin immediately fueled by his coaching style. The Thrashers also have stockpiled a wealth of prospects that should create a buzz when unleashed.

A starting point has been reached. If the powers that be in Atlanta continue their recent trend of good decision making, joy should return to Blueland in the next three years. Don’t pencil in the Thrashers as a last place team in the Southeast next year. Kovalchuk alone gives them respectability.

• Three key off-season moves

o Drafting Zach Bogosian. The edgy Defenseman is mature both physically and mentally beyond his years. He will make an immediate impact.
o Acquiring Ron Hainsey. This move improved the Thrashers most glaring weakness, defense. Hainsey will also be a key member of the power play unit.
o Signing Kari Lehtonen to a one year deal. The Thrashers #1 Goalie needs to prove himself worthy of the job. A multi-year deal would not have motivated Lehtonen to dedicate himself to his craft 100%. This is a make or break year for Lehtonen.

• Two key players

o IIya Kovalchuk – One of the top five players in the NHL should be named Captain this year. He’ll be amongst the league leaders in goals and points.
o Slava Kozlov – Expect a marked improvement from Kovlov this year. He has a track record of success every other year. Last year was disappointing for the Russian veteran.

• Player to watch

o Zach Bogosian – The rookie has all the tools needed to become a legend. He hits with malicious intent, skates at blazing speed and possesses the offensive skills of a Forward.

• Team grades

Offense – B-
Defense – C+
Goaltending - C
Special Teams - C
Coaching - TBD

The new regime

2008-07-29T11:08:00.008-04:00

Complacency is contagious and deadly. It feeds, consumes and multiplies. It's viral. In sports it starts when ownership and management come to accept mediocrity. Players pick up on the lack of urgency to perform. It spreads rapidly and can infect an organization for years if left untreated.

Some would say this is the affliction that has hampered the Thrashers organization. Being in a constant state of "rebuilding" lowers expectations and usually performance from the top down.

When your GM is also your Head Coach you are asking for trouble. This was the case in Atlanta last year. The "all eggs in one basket" principle applies. A despotic leader with absolute, unchecked control is a dangerous proposition. Everyone else inherits this person's value system and takes their cue from the leader on how to behave. If the prevailing trait of this leader is not motivational, neutral is the best gear a team can hope in which to remain.

Why the hell I am going on about this?

Fresh blood has arrived in Atlanta and with it new voices that will demand attention. Joining Head Coach John Anderson’s staff will be former Rochester Americans Head Coach Randy Cunneyworth and former Chicago Wolves Assistant Coach Todd Nelson. Cunnyworth has the reputation of being an excellent developer of young talent. He was instrumental in the maturation of young Buffalo Sabre talent. Nelson and Head Coach Anderson have worked together for two years and have put together a system that resulted in a Calder Cup last season in Chicago.

This coaching staff is motivated to stay in the big league. Once they are accustomed to people carrying their bags, hotels with concierge service and clean ice on which to play; getting back on the bus in the minors will be difficult to swallow. In this respect the Thrashers have the right team in place to facilitate a speedy rebuilding process. Simply put, this coaching staff has one chance to prove themselves or it's back on the bus and into the two-star hotel for the lot of them.

Rebuilding is nauseating for fans who require immediate gratification -(A.K.A - wins). Unfortunately it is reality for the Thrashers in 2008-09. The difference this year is that the organization is doing it right. The good news for Blueland residents is that on the bench this year will be Coaches who know our young talent, (and how to nurture young talent in general), better than most. The worst case scenario for the Thrashers this season is an exciting, mistake-filled, slightly out of control season - the fruits of which will be experience gained rather than frequent victory. Bogosian, Little, Sterling, Stuart, Boris, etc. need real playing time in order to develop. They may skate upon NHL ice often this season and may make many mind-numbing mistakes while on it. That's what young players do. Worst case is a bumpy ride for Thrashers this year but invaluable experience with a new system will be gained.

The best case scenario is interesting...

IF the Thrasher are able to acquire a proven, veteran Winger via a trade, the upcoming campaign will be much more successful. My guess is that Atlanta may be forced to give up a young talent such as Little to acquire a quality Winger. The addition of a legitimate scoring weapon would divert attention from IIya and open up the Atlanta offense.

On paper, the Thrashers also look much improved on defense considering the addition of Ron Hainsey and Zach "man-child" Bogosian. If Kari Lehtonen steps-up his effort and dedication the Thrashers will be stingier, keeping the goals against at a respectable level. Additionally, an element of Coach Anderson's system involves D-men stepping up in lanes and attacking the net. This strategy should catch defenses off guard. If a first or second line Winger with a track record of putting biscuits in baskets were added, the Thrashers would enter October with an unorthodox, unpredictable, versatile offense that could sneak up on unprepared foes. It's an intriguing prospect.

So Don,(Thrasher GM), drink plenty of coffee, get on the phone and turn on the charm. One big trade is all we ask. One trade, worthy of coverage during the first 15 minutes of Sportscenter will put you back in the good graces of the Blueland faithful immediately. One time Don! One time!

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Something brewing in Blueland and Anderson Interview - take II

2008-07-18T19:28:00.006-04:00

Hello folks, feeling better lately? I haven't heard news of the beheading or drawing and quartering of Mr. Waddell. "The Don" may have temporarily pacified the restless natives with a few recent moves of value. Don't worry Don, I'm sure the masses in blue will once again be calling for your demise soon. Enjoy the respite.

After what seemed like an eternity of inactivity the Thrash have been making moves. Re-signed are Kari, Sterling, Esposito, Joey Crabb and Nathan Oystrick . Acquired are free agents Jason Williams to provide secondary scoring and Marty Reasoner to kill penalties, win faceoffs and show up every night. But still, I feel a trade is brewing. Yes, there is a transaction on the horizon. I see a Goalie, packing his bags, entering Hartsfield/Jackson Airport, waiving goodbye to his wife/girlfriend/dog/significant other.

I'm blindly guessing like a message board troll but that 1-year deal for Kari Lehtonen seemed a little noncommittal. The old sign and trade trick perhaps? Also, the Thrashers now have five centers. Who will stay? Who will go? If you say that you are mine. I'll love you til the end of time. So come on and let me know. Should I stay or....sorry...

I was unsatisfied with my first attempt to capture the Anderson interview. Below is a revised copy. Remember, I'm not a professional Journalist. I am merely the guy who sits in section 119 and makes a considerable ruckus. This article is going to be published in a traditional magazine.....on glossy paper....with pictures....and everything.

Thrashers Coach John Anderson – something to prove
"Believe me, I didn't come here to lose" – Thrashers Head Coach, John Anderson

Atlanta sports fans have never had the opportunity to complain about the cost of victory parades. This isn’t Titletown.

Despite flashes of brilliance, the history of the Atlanta Thrashers begins with the monumental underachievement of the franchise's first draft pick, Patrick Stefan. Add a tragic car accident that took the life of fan favorite Dan Snyder and led to the departure of Dany Heatley. Stir in a sweep by the Rangers in the team's only playoff appearance. Finish with the unpleasant departure of Marian Hossa. The recipe results in a foul concoction.

Recently, NHL players have added to the dog-piling begun by fans and journalists. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle summed up the image problem nicely: “When you’re threatened to be put on waivers and end up in Atlanta, it was an eye-opening situation for me.” Without a head coach and any discernible direction, Atlanta was well on its way to becoming hockey purgatory and the punch line of a cruel joke while the Stanley Cup playoffs raged on. Talented veteran players were scurrying away from the ATL like rats from a flood.

Then, on June 19, John Anderson was named head coach with a simple yet monumental task: To resurrect an NHL franchise that had been administered the last rites.

Anderson is a blue-collar coach with a blue-collar background and a firm handshake. He's a worker. Looking at his hands, it is apparent he hasn't spent much time behind a desk. It's also obvious the man could pin guys half his age in an arm wrestling match.

Before landing the Thrashers' gig, he unsuccessfully interviewed for head coaching positions in Toronto, Boston and Anaheim. Anderson coached the Wolves, Atlanta's AHL affiliate, to the Calder Cup Championship this past season and has won five league championships in 13 years as a minor-league head coach. In a 17-year NHL career, he amassed 282 goals, 349 assists, and 631 points in 814 games with Toronto, Quebec, and Hartford. His best stretch was from 1981-87, when he scored no fewer than 29 goals in six consecutive seasons.

Anderson is also the antithesis of pretentious. “I hate the aloofness of the stereotypical professional athlete,” he said. “We will be approachable and active in the community.” Humble – almost apologetic – when he talks about the reading awareness and adopt-a-pet programs his Chicago Wolves sponsored, he quietly pointed out that “it was only the minors.”

When asked about changes he will make in Atlanta, Anderson said, “Last the year the locker room was divided. We want to create a positive atmosphere here. We want to make sure we are not just teammates, we're friends and confidants. We need to be a close knit group. We want to make sure everything is going right so guys want to go to war together.”

A teacher and a hockey geek, Anderson lights up when asked about the game of hockey and starts talking with his hands. Diagramming a play on an imaginary whiteboard, he said, “If our D-men see daylight, they have the green light to go to the net. My system can change during a line. Are they pinching, laying back?” Anderson’s speech accelerates as he talks about the weak-side trap, protecting your line, and something called the “mongoose defense.”

So what will it take to turn around the Thrashers? “They have to believe in themselves again,” Anderson said. “This team was in first place in the division at one point last year. People forget that. There is still something here. Believe me, I didn’t come here to lose.”

Conversation with Coach John Anderson - Part I

2008-07-13T17:30:00.012-04:00

"Believe me, I didn't come here to lose"
"Winning comes from the top down"
"I hate the aloofness of pro sport"
- Thrashers Head Coach, John Anderson

On Saturday, myself and a gaggle of other Thrasher Bloggers were invited to interview Thrasher Head Coach John Anderson at the Atlanta's practice facility in Duluth. I'd like to thank Ben Wright and Rob Koch for the opportunity and also thank Coach Anderson for taking 45 minutes to meet with us.

As soon as he opens his mouth you feel comfortable. He's blue collar. Coach looks you in the eye. John Anderson has devoted the majority of his life to hockey. He's a worker, nothing has been handed to him. When you look at his hands you know he hasn't spent much time behind a desk. It's also apparent that this guy could pin me in an arm wrestling match in about five seconds despite my time in the weight room and age advantage.

Anderson is the antithesis of pretentious. Coach is disarming, humble and doesn't take himself too seriously. He'll tell you he only has experience in the minors. He knows what he doesn't know and hasn't yet experienced. He's honest and doesn't deliver a canned answer. He tells you what he thinks then he shakes your hand, firmly.

Before landing the Thrashers gig, he unsuccessfully interviewed for head coaching positions with Pat Quinn, Boston and the Ducks. He's not whining about this. It's just been part of his journey. This guy doesn't tolerate whining. God help any player who requires Diva treatment at a Thrasher practice, game, meeting, function, etc.

His resume speaks for itself. Anderson coached Atlanta's AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves to the Calder Cup Championship this past season and has won four total league championships with the Wolves (IHL Turner Cup in 1997–98 and 1999–00; AHL Calder Cup in 2001–02 and 2007-08) as well as a Colonial League title with the Quad City Mallards in 1997, giving him five titles in 13 seasons as a head coach. Prior to becoming a coach, the Toronto native enjoyed a 17-year pro career as a player that included 814 games in the NHL where he amassed 282 goals, 349 assists, and 631 points with Toronto, Quebec, and Hartford. Anderson scored 30+ goals in six consecutive seasons.

Anderson on building a winning tradition and a hockey town

Q: How do we get more people in the Atlanta area interested in hockey?
Anderson: "You can't just make a person want to come to a game. He's got to grow up with it. And I believe that our local youth program players will become future season ticket holders. Ten to fifteen years from now we want them to enjoy hockey so much that they want to come and see the Thrashers. You have to let the young people experience the game. They'll grow into hockey fans."

Q: You have won cups, more than your share. Why?
Anderson: "First, we had good players of course. It starts at the top. Our ownership in Chicago was very strong, very demanding. When we were not winning, ugh! We all must have the same goal. It starts from the top all the way down. When we talk about the season, we talk about winning a championship, not just some games, not playing better than .500. We want the whole nine yards and that is what we push for all season long."

"....I believe in our ownership. They have always shown, right or wrong, that they were willing to take a swing." (referring to acquisitions made at the end of the 2006-07 season)

Q: How do we entice NHL players to want to play in Atlanta?
Anderson: "NHL Players talk all the time, in the the summer, etc. They skate together if they live in the same area. They talk about their experience on one team or another. We want to create a positive atmosphere here. We want to make sure we are not just teammates, we're friends and confidants. We need to be a close nit group. We want to make sure everything is going right so guys want to go to war together. An example, when Bryan Little came to Chicago he needed a car. He was 18-19 years old and going away from home was difficult. We set him up with a couple car dealerships and helped him transition in other ways. So right away you establish trust. You gain trust and respect."

Anderson on the Thrasher Roster

Q: You know our young talent better than anyone. Which Wolves players who have had limited or no playing time in the NHL do you think can be successful in the NHL this season?
Anderson:"Colin Stuart may be able to step in right away. He's a strong skater and good on the PK. Bryan Little is a top six forward. Pavelec, Boris, we have some great young talent."

Remember this Pavelec reference.

Q: Who or what has positively surprised you the most at prospect camp?
Anderson: "Zach Bogosian, hands down. I did not realize his offensive skill level, I see it now."

Q: I imagine you are reviewing tapes and getting familiar with everyone. Our Goaltending seems set, and our defense...(Coach interrupts the question)
Anderson: "Nothing is set in stone, we have good options, no question about that."

Remember that previous comment about Pavelec? Interesting.

Andersonese of the week.
"We need to play mongoose defense, keep pokin at em"

Thrasher fans, it's going to difficult to not love this guy. He's tough, he's straightforward, genuine, not self aware and he wants to prove himself worthy of his position. More than anything he wants to lead a winning team. You can see it in his eyes.

I'll have part II of the interview next week which will include discussion of his system, coaching philosophy and other candy for true hockey geeks.

Better times ahead...

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Finding hope in Blueland

2008-07-08T18:52:00.013-04:00

"When you threaten to be put on waivers and end up in Atlanta, it was an eye-opening situation for me.” Dan Boyle - grammatically challenged former Tampa Defenceman commenting on the near death prospect of playing in Atlanta.

The descent of the Atlanta Thrasher organization may have reached maximum depth.
Alcoholics call it rock bottom. What was once the most promising franchise in the NHL is now a punchline. Example - I know this elephant dung shoveling job isn't much, but it's better than playing for the Thrashers.

Granted Dan Boyle will never be summoned to speak in front of Congress, be invited to lend his prospective to a think tank or asked his opinion about the energy crisis. Still, his comment stings those of us masochistic enough to remain Thrasher fans through the bludgeoning that has been the last year in Atlanta. The hits just keep on coming. Brian Campbell made a similar but more politically correct comment while turning down a much more lucrative offer from the Thrashers than the deal he accepted. The Thrashers have been called the most poorly run organization in the NHL by many hockey publications. It seems that daily a new comment is added to the cauldron trashing the Thrashers.

Meanwhile, our salary Cap issue has not been rectified. The Thrashers remain under the league minimum even after acquiring former Columbus D-man Ron Hainsey. Hainsey is a welcomed addition to Atlanta club but the reality is that the Thrashers were forced to overpay. The price-tag for Ron was exorbitant at 4.5 million a year for 5 years. It is what it is. Welcome to Atlanta Ron, we're happy to have you.

The inactivity on the free-agent market has exhausted and disgusted those who care about the Atlanta club. Since the Hainsey acquisition we have lost Mark Recchi who expressed interest in staying with the Thrashers last year. Recchi's production in 2007-08 was surprising solid and his salary was moderate. His departure and recent negative comments about the organization are yet another symptom of the malady that has paralyzed the franchise. No other free agents have been added to the club.

And that's quite enough of that. It's time to turn the page and look forward. The Thrashers have been mauled in the press, slammed by departing players and overwhelmed by the outpouring of displeasure of the fans. Most of the criticism is justified but it's time to move on. All is not rotten and sour around Blueland. Positives? I got your positives right here:

1) Zach "Man-child" Bogosian - All reports from prospect camp are that this kid is special. He is dominating both from a physicality and skills prospective. If he continues to perform at a veteran level and maintains his intensity, it will be hard to keep him off Phillips Arena ice on opening night. And by the way, he isn't 18 years old yet.

2) Acquiring Ron Hainsey and re-signing Eric Bolton - The Thrashers are getting nastier. Don Waddell's much needed focus on defense and drafting hard-nosed players may have an immediate impact. The current Thrasher team is much tougher and bigger than last year. Atlanta's style of play this season will be much more physical than in years past.

3) IIya - Kovalchuk is still worth the price of admission. The maturation of his game is almost complete and he is a spectacle to behold. He has it all, speed, an invisible shot, limitless energy, he hits, he passes, he plays defense. IIya is sometimes overlooked when the best players in the league are mentioned. He still has not shaken the "selfish" tag. The only people who still think he is one-dimensional are those who don't watch him play the game.

4) Coach Anderson - The guy knows how to win. He may have forgotten how to lose. Winners win at any level. Coach Anderson brings with him a fresh attitude, a proven system and a new prospective. Who better to lead an organization in rebuilding mode than a hungry, rookie NHL Head Coach with something to prove?

5) Rebuilding - Thrasher fans are experts on the subject. The great thing about a young team is that the expectations to succeed are not that high. As such the players are loose. They don't have much to lose. The play is at times brilliant and at other times painfully sloppy but it's always entertaining. Young players will give it 100% on every shift. Lallygagging, (one of favorite words), will result in demotion to the minors and riding a bus to work. Young guys are motivated to stay. I look forward to watching Boris Valabik, Angelo Esposito, Bogosian, Little and rest of our young talent.

Atlanta Thrasher fans have been calling for the severed heads of Don Waddell and members of the Atlanta Spirit ownership group since Hossa left town. The attacks have been vicious and for the most part justified. I propose we get it all out before the season begins. Write Don or Bruce, (Owner), a letter or an E-mail. Let out a diatribe on a message board. Berate your defenseless ticket Rep. Get it all out. But don't leave. Let's face it, you can't. You say you can, you threaten, but most of you can't pull the trigger. Why?

You love NHL hockey. You've also come to love this flawed organization. You have been thrilled out of your seat in Phillips arena more than once. Goosebumps on your arms. You haven't forgotten. You chase the high.

I'm irreversibly hooked and not going anywhere either. I'll be in section 119, screaming like a wild animal for my team in blue. Don't give up.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Black Tuesday in Blueland?

2008-07-01T20:03:00.006-04:00

At the beginning of the century the Thrashers were called "The Team that will be King" by many NHL experts. Dany Heatley and IIya Kovalchuk arrived in Atlanta. They were electric, limitlessly talented and provided the promising foundation for an organization for which the sky was the limit. The organization was young and vibrant. The team was wild. They made many mistakes but the potential for greatness was obvious. It was just a matter of time. Many transplanted Atlanta hockey fans became Thrasher fans and made the decision to stick with this team as it matured. We invested in our hockey club. The future was bright.

Seven years, one terrible car accident, many poor drafts, ill-advised trades and acquisitions later......

The minimum wage in the state of Georgia is $5.85 per hour. The minimum amount an NHL is allowed to spend on their roster in 2008-09 is about 41 million. The Thrashers current payroll is currently about 33 million or about $4.68 per hour. (Stretching this analogy to its outer limits) At this point the Atlanta Thrashers are violating labor laws and are not an NHL team by definition.

It's free agent frenzy day in the NHL and as of 8:06 pm EDT, 42 players have been signed. Twenty two NHL teams have made moves. Some have completed as many as four signings. The biggest news out of Atlanta is that the Thrashers have lost their Captain, Bobby Holik. None of the massive available salary cap has been used to acquire a Defenceman, Forward, bag of pucks or even a new pair of blades for IIya Kovalchuk to wear when he skates out of Atlanta at top speed in two years.

At 5:40 Brian Campbell was signed to a multi-year deal with Chicago - Disappointment, he was our #1 target.

At 6:24 Brian Rolston was signed by the Devils - Further disappointment followed by a sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach. Rolston was the perfect complement/second weapon for the Thrasher offense and his price was reasonable.

At 7:37 Wade Redden was signed by Rangers - Anger has set in round these parts. Is our GM asleep or has this franchise conceded the upcoming season?

At 8:06 the Islanders signed Defenceman Mark Streit - As far as I can tell the D-man pool is now a puddle, shallow and uninviting except for some fella named Ron from Columbus.

Hossa, Sundin, and Jagr are all still available. Please raise your hand is you think the Thrashers are in the running for any of these superstars no matter how much green they throw in the ring. Go ahead, raise it up. Anyone? No hands can be seen, visible are only expressions of disgust and disappointment. Have Atlanta Thrasher fans once again been sold a bill of goods and let down by the management of our chronically underachieving, over-promising organization?

Or.....

Maybe this deafening silence is followed by a dramatic crescendo. The contracts secured by Redden, "Soupy" Campbell and Mark Streit seem excessive. Maybe, just maybe, Dan Boyle becomes a Thrasher in a trade. Perhaps our GM is wise to be patience and is ready to strike after buyer's remorse sets in for teams who stretched their wallets wide in the feeding frenzy. Perhaps Don Waddell has 11th hour moves up his sleeve that will cause the Blueland faithful to cling to some hope of success in the near future. Maybe all is not lost and the sky will remain overhead.

Then again, maybe not....

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

A new beginning for the Atlanta Thrashers

2008-06-22T00:12:00.004-04:00

"The Stanley Cup is absolutely our goal. ... Good isn't good enough. Excellence is good enough." - John Anderson, Thrashers Head Coach

Weeks of deafening silence and exhausting inactivity mercifully subsided on June 21, 2008. A new chapter in Thrasher history began this weekend with the hiring of John Anderson as Head Coach and the drafting of man-child D-man Zach Bogosian. Remember this date Thrasher fans because it will be mentioned as the day the Atlanta franchise turned the corner for years to come.

John Anderson - Opportunity of a lifetime

Coaching record - 587-326 with 34 ties, 28 overtime losses and 47 shootout losses in 15 seasons overall, 506-283-24-28-47 in 13 seasons with the Chicago Wolves

Coaching championships - 1997 Colonial Cup with Quad City of the Colonial Hockey League, 1998 and 2000 Turner Cups with Chicago of the International Hockey League, 2002 and 2008 Calder Cups with Chicago of the American Hockey League

NHL highlights- Five 30-goal seasons, led Toronto with 80 points in 1983, scored 282 goals with 349 assists for 631 points in 814 games

When asked about Anderson the first thing those closest to the Coach say is that he is a winner. His track record proves it. When it was finally officially announced that Anderson had the job, he first went back to his hotel room and cried. John then stated that he'd like to get to work immediately. A winner with hunger and passion? Not a bad combination.

This is a life-changing opportunity for Coach Anderson, his big chance. To say he is motivated to bring winning to Atlanta is a gross understatement. He has paid his dues both as a player and a Head Coach and now, at age 51, has the opportunity to bring his proven hockey philosophy to an NHL organization not familiar with a winning attitude or swagger. Success at this level will result in Anderson getting into a very small fraternity, the NHL Head Coach pool. If his tenure with the Thrashers brings about positive change and results he will most likely never have to except another job in the minors again. Winning in Atlanta means no more bus trips to the next game. It means no more nights in two-star hotels or meals ordered via the drive through window. It means status and respect. This man is motivated to produce immediate results.

Zach Bogosian - skilled nastiness

"He's a man,". "He's a very physical guy. When you shake his hand, you know." - Don Waddell

Somebody check this guy's birth certificate. This can't possibly be a a 17 year-old. At age seventeen human males are gawky, unsure, and have a deer in the headlights demeanor. Not Zach. Zach is a nearly finished product physically and mentally who carries himself with the confidence of a veteran. Oh, he can play a little too. Viewing video of him can really make you smile if you're a citizen of Blueland. He has soft hands, quick feet, a sound mind and the ability to knock opponents silly.

Hanging around with the likes of Scott Stevens, (Mentor), Bobby Orr, (Agent), and Ray Bourke, (Coach), doesn't hurt. Zach compares his approach to that of Chris Chelios. I think this Chelios fella has won a Cup or two.

The bottom line is what Bogosian brings to Philips arena is a driven nastiness and will to win that is sorely needed. The Thrashers got tougher this weekend. Maybe we need to change to black uniforms.

Don Waddell and the Atlanta Spirit - A chance for redemption

Don Waddell has been called everything but a Presbyterian since the Thrashers lost to the Rangers in four straight in the opening round of the playoffs in 2006-07. Some of his high draft picks have disappeared into the abyss. A few of his trades have damaged the organization. (see Coburn). It's been a rough ride with Don driving in Atlanta but now he has a chance to right the ship.

The great thing about the masses is that they love a comeback. Americans will generally offer a second chance to those who admit the err of their ways with humility and dedicate themselves to change. (See Pete Rose, Rocky, the Reverend Falwell, etc.) Don has done this and Don is a very easy guy to root for. The results over the next couple years will determine if Waddell is given the opportunity to work in hockey for the rest of career. He has to be driven by fear at this point. Fear is the great motivator.

The Atlanta Spirit - learning to play with their toys

Let's face it, what we have here is a pack of rich guys who thought it would be cool to own a couple major sports franchises and an arena. They painfully have found out that their toy is difficult to operate without any real experience. The ASG is beaten up, ridiculed, humbled and desperate. They have realized, after much squirming, that they don't know how to do this. Might they ask for some help at this point? An Advisor of two perhaps? We shall see, but again this might be their last chance to turn this organization around. The alternative is financial hardship and despair. The worst thing you can do to the affluent is demote them to the middle-class. These boys are motivated to right this ship.

Thrasher Fans - the few, the strong, the wounded

We've heard the promises, we've felt the sting of failure, we've had snow kicked in our faces from established NHL clubs. We've also experienced glimpses of greatness over the past few years. Blueland has roared and it was intoxicating. We are chasing that high. We've had a nibble of success, just enough to hook us. Some of us have had to leave, recover, the pain was just too great. But most stayed, revolted with vigor, but remained nonetheless. We're still here because we want it, just one time. The thought and vision of a CUP being raised in our building by our boys sends chills through our wounded beings. One time. The hair on our arms stands at attention. We want it bad and will endure this rebuilding again because we are addicts, plain and simple.

So we are off on the journey again and hope springs eternal. Next up, a crucial two months of off-season acquisitions that will make or break the Thrash in the short-term.

Ain't this fun.....

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

New faces - coming soon to Blueland

2008-06-18T09:44:00.010-04:00

It's that time of year again. It's time for the powers that be to roll the dice and decide which embryonic hockey stud will lead us into the future. The current class of future stars was born in or around 1990. Most have completely missed the 1980's. This crop of prospects have never donned a pair of parachute pants or a net shirt. They had not had the pleasure of attending a Wang Chung concert. The kids, whose lives will change dramatically after being drafted into the NHL this weekend, consider Nirvana and Pearl Jam classic rock.

Over the next few days the future, direction and commitment to winning of the Thrashers organization will also be defined. With the number three pick in the draft, Atlanta has the opportunity to add an impact player who should see significant NHL ice time in 2008-09. We'll discuss our options in a moment.

The interview process for Head Coach is also nearing completion. General Manager Don Waddell has stated that a Coach will be in place by the draft which begins this Friday evening. It's Wednesday. Tick, tick, tock. The decisions made in the next few days coupled with the quality of the upcoming off-season acquisitions will quite simply make or break the club's ability to compete in the immediate future. No pressure Don!

The 2008 draft class has been called "good" overall. A handful of players have been saddled with the dreaded, "can't miss" label. Remember Patticake Stephen folks? He was a #1 overall, can't miss pick. As we have painfully learned in Atlanta, there is no such thing as a sure thing. Below are our options for our first selection. Remember, stars are not always found in round one but talking about the 3rd round is considerably less exciting.

Steve Stamkos - certain #1 pick and franchise player. Forget about him, unless we trade up.

Nikita Filatov - Russian, highly skilled, two-way player, a leader, exciting, could be another Kovy, Datsyuk or Semin. He is a very, very risky pick. The process of getting someone from Russian is time intensive, expensive and not a sure thing. I'm pretty sure Mr. Kovalchuk would be interested in playing with him and may have some input on Friday. My opinion is pass on the enticingly talented play-maker but Filatov is a tempting selection if he is available. Step away from the young Russian, Don!

Which brings us to the most likely candidates. They are all highly touted D-men:

Drew Doughty - Six foot, 220 lbs - He brings high hockey IQ, size, speed, poise, and a substantial amount of international experience for a 19 year-old. If he is available, The Thrashers will probably select him. If he is not, which is probable, it gets interesting.

Alex Pietrangelo - Alex has been compared to Chris Pronger. He is tall at 6'3'' and still growing. He has poise, solid instincts and has been universally described as an extraordinary talent. It's going to be hard to pass on him.

Zach Bogosian - Zach is a little nastier, very talented, a little more mature than Alex and a fierce competitor. He has been judged to be the most NHL ready Defenseman.

This is very difficult, but my pick is Pietrangelo by a nose but all defensive options are exciting. If the Thrashers choose anyone that I have not mentioned with the number three pick in the draft, there may be multiple suicides or a stampede at the Thrasher draft party on Friday.

As for the Coaching position, it seems to me that the three leading contenders are Chicago Wolves Head Coach John Anderson, Thrashers Associate Coach Brad McCrimmon and Tampa Assistant Coach Mike Sullivan. My vote, which counts for less than nothing, is for Anderson. He has won four Calder Cups with the Wolves, is hungry, a little cocky and charismatic. The Thrashers need a fresh face and an injection of exuberance and Anderson can provide it.

And finally, the Thrashers resigned Goalie Johan "Moose" Hedberg to a multi-year extension. If this move is any indication of how productive the off-season will be, I am feeling very optimistic. Moose is universally admired by his teammates, considered one of the hardest workers in hockey and brings much needed leadership to the young Thrasher Netminders. Oh, and he can stop a puck as well.

I'll be back this weekend to break down the young talent that will be joining us in Blueland and hopefully discuss our new Coach. If you're a Thrasher fan, send defensive thoughts in the general direction of Mr. Waddell. Please Don, no more prospects that are described as "projects".

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Who will lead us?

2008-06-10T13:08:00.015-04:00

The grass is sizzling, withering and quickly turning brown. The pavement is searing, slowly melting all Goodyear products that dare tread upon it. The AC is cranking at full capacity. It's Serengeti hot in Atlanta. Maybe a discussion about something cool would help. Perhaps an activity that involves frozen water?

I'm back. I may be a bit premature but I just can't stay away any longer. The chatter about potential coaches, draft picks and acquisitions has begun. Besides, there just isn't much else going on around here with any entertainment value. The Braves have been mildly disappointing thus far and except for Chippers' quest for .400, there isn't much local sports excitement. I tried to improve my golf game in the off-season. That hasn't worked out. I've read a couple books. I'm bored, so...

Let's get into it.

The Atlanta Thrashers organization has reached a critical point in its history. One season after making our first post-season appearance, the Thrash unraveled and took a giant step backwards. The team had no chemistry and showed little heart when adversity presented itself during the 2007-08 season. The competence and leadership ability of our GM/Coach, Don Waddell and the Atlanta Spirit ownership group was questioned vehemently by the media and hockey community. Season ticket holders revolted. The folks in the Nasty Nest became reserved and timid. Cats and dogs befriended, etc.

Now hear this, forget about last year. There is no value in rehashing it. Tuck any memories of last season away in that shady, secluded part of brain that also stores the memory of what you really did at that bachelor party and what really happened at your high school prom. Forget 2008. Maybe we could hire a hypnotist to perform a mass memory erasure ceremony before the opener in October.

The future starts with the hiring of our next Coach which has been promised to happen before the draft next week. Here are the current candidates:

The Contenders....

Brad McCrimmon — McCrimmon has been intimately involved with the team for four seasons. His responsibilities increased last season after Hartley's firing. McCrimmon ran practices last year and has 18 years experience as a D-man in the NHL which brings him credibility. He is universally respected by current Thrasher players.

John Anderson — Anderson has been very successful as coach of the Wolves, the Thrashers' American Hockey League affiliate. He led Chicago to league championships in 1998, 2000 and 2002, and the Wolves lead this year's Calder Cup Finals series 3-2.

And the Others....

Paul Maurice — Coach Maurice is also young at age 41. He coached the Maple Leafs the past two seasons. We'll try not and hold that against him.

Joel Quenneville — He has spent the past three seasons as coach of the Avalanche and also coached the St. Louis Blues for eight seasons. He does not have a record of success in the playoffs but does have a tendency to get his teams into the post-season.

John Tortorella — Fired as Tampa Bay's coach last week. He's won a Cup for the Lightning and knows the Southeast division. He also has a temper and is a dictator which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Next up, the draft. I'll cover that next time.

Last item - There are quite a few Thrasher sites out there and I want this site to be the best for real fans of the club. What would keep you coming back to my site at least weekly? Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Please leave me a comment.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Filling the void

2008-04-30T22:46:00.002-04:00

Dallas Stars fans are ecstatic. It’s very quiet in Atlanta. Pittsburgh Penguin followers stand with chins pointed north, chests expanded outward. They grin. It’s very quiet in Atlanta. The dreaded Philadelphia Flyers contingent just about tore the roof off their building tonight. It’s a like a morgue here in Atlanta. Red Wing nation is feeling pretty confident at this juncture. Of course they’ve seen this all before. The Thrashers have yet to taste playoff victory. It’s April 30th and the silence is deafening in Atlanta.

Not a whisper of a trade/acquisition has been uttered. Not a murmur regarding our vacancy at Head Coach has been heard. Not a peep round here. The Thrasher beat writer has taken up pilates and fire yoga. He’s braided what is left of his hair and joined a book club. It’s rockin in Phily. Danny Briere just netted the game winner.

Jealous? You bet I am. There is nothing more intense, exciting, and breathtaking than post-season hockey live in your bulb. Every play of relevance illicits a synchronized crowd response. Every moment is magnified and amplified. When your boys score the arena shakes. You lose your voice midway through the second period. The beer tastes better in the post-season. The hot dogs are actually hot. Absolutely no non hockey thoughts cross your mind when the puck is in play. The focus is peerless, the play is tight and vicious, and no player or fan takes a play off. It’s pure adrenaline. Post-season hockey is epic.

So here in Atlanta we watch other clubs having all the fun but we’re not alone in our boredom and discontent. Toronto fans have had to find something else to complain about of late. Calgary fans would like a do-over of game seven and Caps fans would have given body parts to watch Alex shine on longer. So we watch the “Versus” channel and utilize our NHL center ice package. And it hurts. In Atlanta we pay special attention to the Penguins because Hossa plays there now and most of us down here would like to see him raise the big shiny Cub over his platinum coated head. It would be bittersweet but….

So I and other Thrasher fans wait. We wait for a rumor. We wait for a stir, a buzz or a transaction. I’ve had to find other things to do to occupy my time. Braves games have not exactly been pleasant as they seem to be creating new and creative ways to lose, daily. The Hawks have given the Celtics a good series thus far. Go Hawks!

I’ve taken up boxing this off-season. I’ve accumulated suppressed lingering anger and this seems to be a good outlet. Yesterday, my Trainer suggested I throw 3000 punches in 30 minutes. After about 2000 I needed motivation to raise my arms. A vision of Don Waddell floated through my mind. I threw harder, the trainer’s catching gloves snapping. At 2500 I needed a reason to go on. A memory of a playoff guarantee before the beginning of this season materialized. Sweat flew off my arms now as I ripped into five punch combinations with vigor. Lashea yelled, “One hundred more, work, finish strong!” Patrick Stefan, (A.K.A Pattycake, A.K.A Buttercup, A.K.A Peaches) appeared in a dark corner of my insanely fatigued being. Patty, our first selection in our inaugural draft. Stefan, the personification of our franchise’s angst and a human symbol of Thrasher failure. Pattycake, the softest player in the history of the NHL. I ran off 100 straight upper-cuts into the ribs of my imaginary opponent and the bell finally rang.

Folks will say losing builds character. People will tell you it makes victory sweeter. I don’t know about all that but if my beloved Atlanta Thrashers continue their decent into the abyss next year, I might be a light heavyweight contender by this time next year. I’m coming for you Antonio Tarver.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Deafening Silence and blowing sunshine up the nether regions

2008-04-17T20:56:00.002-04:00

No, it’s not the title of the new Smashing Pumpkins disc. It’s a description of the sorry state of affairs with my beloved Atlanta Thrashers.

While the NHL playoffs roar on, the Thrashers and Thrasher organization are left inactive and pondering the error of their ways. The 2007-08 season offered an abundant buffet of events hard to swallow for Thrasher fans. The cherry on top was the departure of Marian Hossa. Number 18 left because he did not believe the organization was focused on winning. The Franchise, IIya Kovalchuk, has since reiterated Hossa’s sentiment. The Atlanta sports media and worldwide hockey media has also stepped on the neck of our troubled franchise characterizing the organization as a “train wreck”, “a mess” or worse.

Nothing has happened around the Thrasher organization since seasons’ end which is understandable. Historically, acquisitions of both players and coaches are completed after The Cup has been awarded each year. So we wait…And every day seems like a week…And nothing happens, not a peep…..So we wait….And then our GM speaks a little too much….And we miss the silence.

Don Waddell is difficult to dislike. He is a very disarming, nice guy who seems honest. He is the kind of guy you’d like to drink beers with at a game, take fishing or play with your kids in the backyard. He seems authentic and real. Earlier this week he was interviewed by our local rag, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, (A.K.A the Urinal Constipation). Don’s comments in that article did not help the situation.

First, Mr. Waddell mentioned that he loves and is dedicated to the city of Atlanta and the Thrasher organization. Good so far. He mentioned that he needs to concentrate on adding impact D-men. He is displaying his skill as a master of the obvious but OK, moving right along. He mentioned that he has cap money to spend and intends on spending it. I’m still on board with the rhetoric, getting a little excited. He then stated that the Thrashers are only a player or two away from a return to contender status. What??? Come again?? I agree with him if these two players are named Malkin and Phaneuf but…...

The time has come for those in a position of power within the Thrasher organization to cease speaking about the future. No more promises or guarantees. We’ve heard it all before. Action is all that will be judged in the next five months. This has to be Don’s last chance to the right the ship. The Blueland nation has begrudging agreed to give him one last draft and off-season to save his job and our team in the short-term. No more talking Don. You must get it done and soon.

While we wait for our fate to be decided by “The Don”, go Caps and Preds! For those who believe that southern hockey is a farce, watch and listen to the fans in Washington and Nashville. Their passion is peerless amongst NHL fan bases. That means you Montreal, Hockey Town, and especially the evil minions of Toronto.

Your Loyal Servant,
Sean Grace

Thrashers Finish Strong

2008-04-06T10:42:00.002-04:00

It felt like the good ole days in the bulb last night. As the wife and I entered the arena, soggy from mist filled but successful Braves game, a ruckus entered from above. Chants of "Toga, Toga, Toga", roared from the main stairs. The Nasty Nest is back. Slightly altered members of the most vocal group of Thrashers fans dressed in frightening bed sheet togos were in the house. They were back on their game and their groove was on. Nice job folks, we've missed ya! On the subject, I'd like to apologize for calling out the Nest for lack of recent support of the team. It's been frustrating this year for all of us and I blew a fuse.

Congratulations to Sally on being named the Thrashers 7th Man this year. You deserve it girl! Sally is the creator of many cool signs, Kovy gear and loud roars. She doesn't miss home games and attended every Eastern Conference venue this year when the Thrashers came to town. Yes, I want this coveted award one day but she is the right choice this year.

Overall, It was a season to forget in Atlanta. As we exited Philips arena for the last time this spring, the franchise in our rear view mirror is in disarray. The Thrashers lack a Head Coach, a viable blue-line cast, chemistry, secondary scoring and upper management direction. The highlights from the 2007-08 season are few and far between. The emergence of Defensemen Toby Enstrom is a point of light. IIya Kovalchuk’s season was once again worth the price of admission. The arrival of giant D-man Boris Valabik and first rounder Bryan Little stand out. First and foremost, I am going to store the last twenty minutes of our final game versus the Lightning in my memory this summer. Thrasher fans hope it is harbinger of the return of good times to Blueland.

The Thrasher scored three goals in the third period to beat the lowly Lightning in the season finale in front of a surprising large and boisterous Blueland crowd. The goal scorers should leave the Thrasher fans some hope going into fall training camp. First, Colby Armstrong netted a wrap around to break a 1-1 tie. Jim Slater followed with a contested empty netter. Promising Rookie Bryan Little ended the scoring with a deflection of a Mark Recchi pass. All four of these players mentioned,(one more year Recchi!), must contribute substantially if the Thrashers are to return to contender status next year. Also, Goalie Kari Lehtonen ended the season on a high note allowing only one Tampa goal and making many high quality saves. Remember this game boys, only this game. I wish I had access to the memory altering devise used by Will Smith in Men in Black to forever erase the remainder of this train wreck, A.K.A the 2007-08 season, from collective memory.

We’re due for some good luck in Atlanta. We need it at 8 pm on Monday when the NHL lottery is held. The winner of the first overall pick in the draft will choose Steven Stamkos. Stamkos a center who plays for the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has tallied 58 goals and 47 assists in 61 regular season games. He’s special and his addition would transform the Thrash into an instant contender. A Thrasher season ticket holder, (forgot his name), has been selected to represent the organization at the lottery. My man, you will be a hero if you bring home the prize.

The end of this season is bittersweet. My Blueland friends have made plans to get together in the off-season for a Braves game. We’ve become pretty tight over the years and saying farewell to the crew is a little difficult. Some may not be back next year. After the final horn and closing ceremonies I tapped the glass in front of my beloved section 119 twice for luck. I did the same to the entrance door of the section and the arena. It’s just what I do at the end of the season. On Monday, the jerseys go to the cleaners for their annual cleansing. They will remain in plastic until next September. The Braves jersey emerged from it’s protective cover yesterday. Golf season officially begins next weekend. The goal, break 80 once before October.

For the remainder of the NHL post season I’ll be a Caps and Predator fan. Southern US hockey supporters must stick together.

This off-season will be critical in determining in which direction our team goes in the future. The Thrasher must draft well and get lucky in the lottery. They must select the right Head Coach and they must acquire key players in the off-season. I feel a comeback brewing. Keep the faith Blueland.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Sweet Victory

2008-03-27T23:09:00.001-04:00

The final horn blew and the Graces actually smiled. We’re still grinning and even punched it in from our respective couch positions. The cat has a little more skip in his step and dog barked with vigor. It’s been a while since the end of an Atlanta Thrasher game elicited anything but head-shaking, expletives and long faces amongst my little family. Tonight’s 3-2 win over Florida means very little in the overall scheme of things. Both teams are looking forward to early April tee times and long afternoon naps. But as “Nuke” Lalouche so eloquently stated in Bull Durham, “Winning, it’s like better than losing”.

Maybe the Thrashers won this one for each other. Maybe Holik and Recchi played for pride. Perhaps twenty year old rookie Bryan Little was motivated to show anyone watching that he belongs at this level. Little created and assisted on the Recchi go-ahead goal with a relentless fore check and a pretty touch pass. The kid belongs here and is going to bring the Blueland faithful to their feet for years to come. The Thrashers played a solid, focused 60 minutes tonight and low and behold they picked up two points. Better late then never.

The first, second and third star tonight was the embattled Atlanta Goalie, Kari Lehtonen. Kari made 42 saves, many of which were Sportscenter quality. Last week Lehtonen was chastised by Atlanta media for throwing his equipment during a monumental third period Thrasher meltdown versus the Caps. After Cap’s shot number 25 in said third period found the back of the net, Kari let out some steam by testing the aerodynamic capacity of his catching glove and stick. Our local Beat Writer called it a tantrum, the idiot who does two bumbling segments on the radio post-game show, (and must be related to someone in upper management on the network), said Kari should grow up. Truth is, the Thrasher D-men should feel lucky that Kari has not opened fire postal style in the locker room. Every night he faces 35+ shots from close range. High velocity rubber attacking from every direction must haunt his dreams. If ever a guy had a right to throw a brief fit, it was Kari. For me it also showed he actually cares about the outcome of Thrasher games and has heart. This is more than I can say for 75% of the team since the All-Star break. But let’s keep it positive. We won one tonight and it feels great.

The Thrashers have two home games remaining and the wife and I will be there for both. We’re always there and so are George and Brett from section 320. They watch warm-ups from the same spot before every game. MJ will be there, sportin a home made sign and Thrasher gear. Rapid fan will be there, banging on the glass like he has since 1999. The Nasty Nest will occupy their perch reminding the opposing Goalie that he does, indeed, suck.

Southern US hockey gets very little respect from the North but the truth is that we do have a core, die-hard fan base in Atlanta that will be back next year. The team will have new faces, hope and Kovalchuk. We’ll be back and the South will rise again.

And finally, Leaf and Sabre minions - You’re not going to playoffs either, punks.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

The fight in the dog

2008-03-22T13:42:00.001-04:00

It’s a beautiful day in Atlanta. Bright, clear skies stretch for miles. Nature is blooming. Colors are coming to life and folks are out and about wearing smiles. Maybe Mother Nature has decided we’ve had all we can handle.

We’re battered both literally and figuratively. The culmination of the prolonged beating took place last week as a hurricane thrashed our city. The city is healing but the buildings are scarred as are the residents. A tornado is real cool to watch on television. Aroused Meteorologists dust off and parade their flashy software to our amazement. News organizations get graphic footage. It’s entertaining when the destruction is not in your backyard. The reality is not as sexy.

Windows are being replaced, structures rebuilt and residents relocated. Dumpsters sit where flower beds used to live. The wind that knocked us out was the final blow for Atlanta which has been on the ropes for quite some time.

Before the twister finished us off, the Mike Vick situation cast a shadow on Peachtree Street for what seemed like eternity. A more negative than ever impression of the South sprung from this incident and subsequent media circus. The Falcons have since cleaned house. They are starting over.

Scott Burnside of espn.com thought that it would be a good idea to tear the Thrasher organization apart in his lead story. We’ve had enough Scott. Kicking a wounded city and team when they are down takes little creativity and less courage. Negativity is easy. The dark side of the consciousness of the masses eats it up. It spreads and it’s embarrassing. We’ve had enough. It’s time for the Thrashers and the Thrasher fans to rebuild as well.

A large mob of Thrasher fans have jumped on the pile and have turned on the organization for far too long. Part of rebuilding a sports organization is reinvigorating the fan base. This must begin from within. If you’re a Thrasher fan and are interested in seeing NHL hockey in Atlanta in a few years, step off your team’s neck now.

If you don’t want to renew your season tickets then don’t but kindly shut the hell up. The whining and finger pointing is unbearable and has gone on long enough. Yes, this season is a huge disappointment. Yes, mistakes were made by upper management and players have not performed to their potential. And yes, there is reason to be angry. But those of us who plan to gut it out would appreciate if you’d go elsewhere and take your endless negativity with you. We want to rebuild.

One of two things happen when you knocked down. You either get up or you quit. Character is built in these times. The size of the fight in the dog will become apparent in the next few months. Don Waddell and the Thrashers Ownership have an opportunity to get off the canvas and battle in the off-season. The Thrashers have a large amount of salary cap room to work with come July 1st and will get a very high draft pick. Let’s give them a chance to make a come back and right this ship.

I promise you it will get better in Blueland next year. The magic we experienced last March will return. You will be inspired by this team again. They will make the hair on your arms stand up and send chills through you again. Stick with it. Decide to believe. Positivity and hope is contagious. Pass it on.

And now on to the hockey part of the story……

For two periods the Atlanta Thrashers played their best game in weeks. The hitting was ferocious. The passing was crisp and pucks were finding net. When the horn sounded to end the second period the Thrashers lead 3-1. The energized Blueland crowd of 17,000 gave the boys from the South a standing ovation.

When the horn sounded to end the third, an expletive filled Bronx cheer oozed from the disenchanted mass in blue. The frantic Caps scored four unanswered and won 5-3.

The Thrashers were out shot 23-2 in the third period. Not one of these 23 were of the fling it in from the blue line variety. The great majority of shots were lasers fired in bunches from point blank range at a defenseless Kari Lehtonen. The Atlanta Goalie played an excellent game overall making a dozen high quality saves. The remainder of the Atlanta team never showed up for the final twenty minutes.

Most of the credit for this domination must be given to the hungry Caps who simply would not be denied. Backstrom and Ovechkin, who scored number 60 tonight), were unstoppable in the third. Both graphically displayed how great competitors rise to a challenge with heart and relentless effort. Ovechkin played over 25 minutes in this game and rarely left the ice in the final period. With four minutes left and the Thrashers clinging to a one goal lead, the 19 year-old Backstrom scored to tie the game. Thirty two seconds later he untied it. Backstrom will win the rookie of the year award this year and Alex, who is worth the price of admission, should win the MVP. If this team gets into the playoffs as an eight seed, the one seed is in for a war.

So I’m jumping on the bandwagon. Go Caps! The world deserves to see Ovechkin on the large playoff stage. He is truly special and could be an ambassador for this game and grow the American fan base if he got half the media coverage as Sid.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Lonely Kovy Nets 50th

2008-03-18T23:09:00.001-04:00

This is the season of our discontent.

The Thrashers have slipped awkwardly down the peak that they climbed so valiantly last season. Watching a long, exaggerated fall by your team is excruciating.

On Tuesday night Atlanta was once again out shot,(47-19), out played and controlled physically. Tonight’s lucky recipient of Thrasher funk was a struggling, playoff hungry Phily club. The Flyers escaped with a 3-2 home victory and continue to hold the last playoff position in the East.

Following a first minute Thrasher goal, Philadelphia dominated for the next 58 minutes. IIya Kovalchuk made the last minute very interesting.

With 30 seconds remaining, Phily leading 3-1 and the Atlanta Goalie on the bench, Kovy scored from point blank range. The Thrashers called time out and planned a final rush. With six seconds remaining the Thrashers crashed the boards in the offensive end and the puck was thrown in the front of the net. It found the profound curvature of Kovy’s stick with three seconds on the clock. One side of the net was open. IIya’s shot found the outer limit of the lower right pad of Phily Keeper Niittymaki. Kovy fell to the ice. He buried his head in his gloves. This is the image I’ll keep of this Thrasher season.

Kovy couldn’t enjoy his 50th goal. He needed number at least number 51 to carry the Thrashers tonight. Despite playing on a team that has no chemistry, very limited supporting talent and questionable coaching and upper management, Kovy has been spectacular this season. How he has managed to score fifty while being triple and at times quadruple teamed is beyond me. Seventy goals and 120 points are well within his reach if the Thrashers can lead the league in off-season acquisitions. If substantial moves are not made before next September we may be seeing the last two seasons of Kovalchuk in Atlanta.

If I’m IIya I’ve had thoughts of striking both GM Don Waddell and the Atlanta Spirit ownership group. In the very least I’m consider suing for lack of support. If I’m IIya, here is my abbreviated list of grievances:

1)Marc Savard is let go without a fight - Savard, the most effective play maker in Thrasher history, was looking for about 5 million a year. Savy is one assist behind Joe Thornton for the NHL lead this year. I think he may have been worth five million.

2)Lack of talent at Center - After Savy left town quietly the list of Atlanta Thrasher Centers reads like a who is who of mildly effective 3rd and 4th line role players.

3)Hossa - The Thrashers displayed just how unattractive playing in Atlanta has become for blue-chip NHL stars when Marian Hossa departed. He wanted off this sinking ship as soon as possible. At least the Thrashers received some talent for the retreating Hossa.

4)Draft picks - Where are they? Besides Bryan Little who has shown promise this year, where are our other recent #1 picks?

5)De-fense - There is no “D” in Atlanta. Thrasher puck possession is abysmal. Again, upper management forgot that in order to score more goals than opponents, the puck must leave the Atlanta defensive zone.

IIya scored number fifty and didn’t get to celebrate. We feel for you#17. We know you want to win more than anything. If the Thrasher organization fails to assemble a good supporting cast around you this summer, you’ll probably leave. I think I speak for many Thrasher fans and season ticket holders when I say I’m right behind you.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Tornado Roars through Blueland

2008-03-15T08:47:00.000-04:00

My dog Sonny is terrified of thunderstorms. My wife and I don’t need news organizations to inform us when one is approaching. Last night at about 9:15 as we watched the uninspired conclusion of a sub-par Thrasher performance on TV, Sonny started shaking and would not move from between us or lift his head.

A little before 10 pm on Friday night a powerful tornado touched down in an area occupied by about 60,000 sports fans attending the SEC championship and an Atlanta Hawks game. Amazingly no fatalities and only a handful of major injuries have been reported as of early Saturday morning. Damage to the heart of Atlanta has been significant. Facilities that have sustained heavy damage include the CNN center which houses Philips Arena, (home of the Atlanta Thrashers), the Georgia Dome, Centennial Park, the Omni and Westin hotels and the World Congress Center. The touch down could not have hit a more concentrated area of population in Atlanta. If it had happened two hours earlier or 30 minutes later thousands of fans attending events in Atlanta would have been outside the arenas and in jeopardy. We feel very lucky this morning despite the fact that our city is a mess.

As the sun comes up the visual reality of the situation is graphic. Chairs originally located within the Omni hotel sit in the middle of Marietta Street. Hundreds of cars have been destroyed or severely damaged as have some buildings. Debris is everywhere. Landmarks such as the towers in Centennial Park have fallen. Insulation from God knows where has relocated to the trees and roads of downtown. As the sun comes up, this area of constant activity is eerily quiet. Faces show distress but also relief. This could have been worse. This could have been catastrophic.

A wide-eyed man dressed in Kentucky blue, in town for the SEC basketball tournament, reported seeing people lifted six feet in the air and then driven into the cement outside the CNN Center by the wind. Other eyewitness reports include descriptions of the effect of the pressure changes on their ears coupled with the scream of broken glass. Hundreds of windows exploded/imploded over a period of a few minutes. Glass covers the streets.

The next step will be assessing structural damage to the Georgia Dome, Philips arena and other Atlanta landmarks. My guess is that Blueland will remain relatively sound structurally since it is located within and insulated by the CNN center. The hotels and the Dome will not be so lucky. Video of a waterfall was shown descending down an escalator within the Dome.

It’s 8:30 am and the dog still isn’t right. He won’t leave my side. We’re all a little shaken up but we’ll rebuild. Folks are resilient down here. You have to be thick-skinned to remain an Atlanta Thrasher, Hawk or Falcon fan.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Talking Bout a Revolution

2008-03-09T20:05:00.001-04:00

Take 750 irritated season ticket holders, beaten briskly. Add some upper management rhetoric and filibustering. Stir in an Owner who speaks his mind. Let simmer. You've got a recipe for trouble.

Before the game on Friday night in Blueland, a season ticket holders town hall meeting was held. The timing could not have been worse. The Thrashers had lost eight straight, giving little or no effort during the wretched stretch. Rumors of in-fighting on the club were being leaked and ticket prices had just been raised, again.

The masses were led in and a nice buffet spread was laid out for the taking. Chicken, sandwiches, cookies and beverage were offered in hope of appeasing the frustrated life-blood of the organization. The good eats only fueled the aggravation. When Owner Bruce Levenson stated that ticket prices would increase every year for near future regardless of the team's performance, it was on. Heads were shaking. Folks were hissing and the cookies lost their taste. After this hour long bitch session, a hockey game still needed to be played.

We were led back into the arena like cows to slaughter. A constant grumble meandered through the bowels of Philips arena as most STH I walked near swore they wouldn't renew. Not again. Not this time. I renewed my tickets a week ago. My name is Sean and I am an addict.

This is our season of discontent. The Atlanta hockey club, allegedly destined for greatness, has taken a giant step back this year. Our point total has not broken 70 with a dozen games to go. The promise of last year's first ever post season appearance is gone. Hossa is gone. The team is phoning it in. Kovy has lost focus and Kozlov and Zhitnik have lost interest. It's gloomy round these parts and baseball season can't come fast enough. But as I mentioned earlier, a game still needed to be played on this night.

The Good Ole Hockey Game

A near sell-out was treated to an excellent game of ice hockey. The Wild, fighting for their playoff lives, out-played the Thrashers for about 55 minutes. In the final period the Thrash found some fire. With about five minutes to play in regulation Colby Armstrong scored his first goal in Thrasher uniform on a Kovy rebound from close range. Minnesota quickly regained the lead on a PPG with a little over two minutes to play. Atlanta was not dead yet.

After a frantic scramble IIya Kovalchuk scored from a tough angle to tie the game at two with 45 seconds remaining. The large crowd forgot that the team was merely playing out the season. They forgot that this was home stretch of the most disappointing season in franchise history. We lept from their seats and let out a roar. Spring-loaded high-fives a plenty filled the bulb. The big Thrasher mounted to the ceiling of Philips arena spewed fire. The "Whoo Hoo" song blared over the PA system. White people, many of whom should never, ever dance, kicked out some Caucasian steps.

In the shootout, new-comer Christensen was the only one of six shooters to hit the back of the net. Johan "Moose" Hedberg completed a great game by stoning all Wild shooters and we went home happy.

A good hockey game can make you forget about the big picture. Our lives are just so damn important. Getting lost in the drama on the ice makes the world go away for a couple hours. It's the best game in the World. That's why we keep coming back.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Sweet Dreams

2008-03-02T20:57:00.002-05:00

"We gave it all we had"

"It was a valiant effort"

"Nothing to hang our heads about"

"We left it all out there"

"It was a moral victory"

What do all these phases have in common? Winners don't us them. Winners find a way to win hockey games. The Atlanta Thrashers have found new and creative ways to lose seven straight games. First the excuse was the Hossa distraction, then the losses were blamed on the Hossa trade. Since last week no player has steped up and made a big play. You've got to hand to these Thrashers, they employ an ingenious variety of losing strategies. Today the old, "play the first 2 minutes asleep" trick resulted in a two goal deficit. Then the Thrash capped it off with a recent favorite called don't score at all in the shootout. Yes they played the last 55 minutes hard. Yes, it was a good effort. And yes, once again, they failed to earn two points. Losing is losing is losing. The details don't mean diddly.

I'm a little cranky so maybe a nap will allow me to see the bright side. Head on pillow....getting dark....eyes heavy....breathing slowing......drifting, drifting.........

April 5th, 2008

The Atlanta Thrashers completed a stretch run for the ages by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-1 in front of 19,000 strong in Blueland. Fueled by the third IIya Kovalchuk hat-trick in a month, the Thrashers clinched the Southeast Division in resounding fashion. At the final horn Kovalchuk was mobbed by his teammates and carried off the ice to the chant of "Kovy, Kovy, Kovy." The Thrashers end the regular season on an improbable 13 game winning streak sparked by IIya and veterans Bobby Holik and Slava Kozlov. Kovalchuk ends the regular season with a league best 58 goals, one better than Ovechkin. Holik and Kozlov's reemergence has been nothing short of phenomenal. The veterans combined for 15 goals, 21 assists and a +23 rating during what will be known as "The March" for years to come in Atlanta.

Kari Lehtonen was brilliant, stopping 40 of 41 shots on Saturday. Since March 5th, Kari and Johan Hedberg have collected 6 shutouts and amassed a very stingy 1.76 goals against average. Once again Colby Armstrong was the emotional leader on the ice. After the game Armstrong addressed a media filled locker room, " I just want to say thank you to Don Waddell for believing in me and bringing me to Atlanta.", said the teary-eyed scrapper, " I never dreamed this could happen."

After the game 10,000 die hard Thrasher fans marched the streets late into the night chanting "Stanley Cup!" The Thrashers are now the favorites in the Eastern division and await the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. When asked for a comment a shaken Sean Avery wet his pants and went into convulsions.

"Sean?"

"Sean, time to get up"

"You have to take out the garbage."

Eyes opening.....head aching...dog barking...cat screaming...wife yelling.....pain...7 game losing streak.....blanket over head.....reality....wait til next year.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Farewell Marian

2008-02-26T22:49:00.000-05:00

At least will still have Brad Larson.

Sorry folks it’s either sarcasm or hysterics and nobody wants to watch a grown man cry.

The excruciating inactivity and interminable distraction ended at approximately 2:53 today. Marian Hossa is no longer a Thrasher. Atlanta acquired forwards Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, super-prospect Angelo Esposito and a 2008 1st round draft pick from Pittsburgh in exchange for Hossa and Pascal Dupuis. From a business prospective and organizational standpoint it was a sound and necessary move. The worst case scenario involved Hossa playing out this season and then simply walking away. From a fan’s prospective the reality of today’s transaction was painful.

The identity of the Atlanta club is now much less defined and the dreaded rebuilding process has begun, again. Marian Hossa was worth the price of admission on many nights. He singlehandedly dominated games. The highlight reel of his triumphs in a Thrasher uniform will be long but his less spectacular, fundamentally sound play will missed the most. Hossa is true two-way star and one of the strongest players in the NHL with the puck. He brought excitement to Blueland and was responsible for many butts seated in Philips arena. These rear ends may come to rest elsewhere for the next 6 weeks.

Dupuis will also be sorely missed. Pascal plays at 100% on every shift and brought spirit and jump to this mostly uninspired club. The chemistry briskly developed between Dupuis and Eric Perrin is gone. The tandem had evolved into a very solid secondary scoring threat. They were a deadly combination in penalty kill situations and combined for the most shorthanded goals in the NHL this season.

Hossa’s departure is a major blow to the struggling Atlanta organization in the long and short term. Playoffs this season? I think not. The team now has one true scorer and a matador defense, (not addressed by this trade), that has given up astronomical shots against totals of late. This is a combination that will result in early April tee times for this club.

The long term effects of this lose will be more devastating. The inability of Thrasher management and ownership to resign a franchise player may be a harbinger of things to come. The main reason Hossa gave for not resigning with Atlanta was his perception that the organization’s commitment to winning was questionable. Can the Thrashers keep Kovalchuk when his contract runs its course or attract other marquee players in the near future? Time will tell but 2008 has been a giant step backwards, the first in franchise history.

Esposito may become a star in the NHL very soon. Armstrong will bring a hard-nosed style of play and a big heart to Blueland. Christensen brings a nasty slap shot, size and promise. This may turn out to be a brilliant move by GM Don Waddell but today it feels our team fell apart and conceded the season. At the same time today’s move may be a relief similar to having a damaged diamond tooth removed. The pain is gone but so is the value.

The final icing on this cake of bile came in the form of another third period collapse in Montreal coupled by Carolina and Cap victories. The Thrashers sit in forth place in laughable Southeast division, nine points out of first. Say goodnight, the party is over.

Let’s end with a good memory. Here is an excerpt taken from an article I wrote last season on www.atlantathrashers.com. It was one of Hossa’s most memorable games in a Thrasher uniform:
Saturday, January 27, 2007 – 8 am.

My voice is shot. I opened my mouth to speak a moment ago and what came out sounded like a cross between Shaquille O’Neal and Peter Brady as he entered puberty. Friday’s game at Philips had everything; drama, intrigue, a Willis Reed moment, (youngsters, you may need to look this one up), and finally two points…..

………the second period was not pleasant. As the Thrashers were in the process of losing the remainder of their three-goal lead, Hossa went down hard. Tripped as he drove toward the net, his awkward slide on the ice ended violently as he collided skates first into the end board without bending his knees. You could hear a pin drop in arena as the Trainer attended to Hossa who was writhing in pain on the ice. The crowd broke into “Hossa, Hossa, Hossa.”. Finally he rose, 18,000 people willing him to his feet. His face contorted in pain, he limped into the dressing room assisted by the Trainer and teammates. The Islanders promptly scored a short-handed goal. Our team looked lost on the ice, obviously shaken by the injury to our hero. The horn sounded to end the second period with the score tied at three.

Cue the “Rocky” theme music. Hossa takes the ice with the team and the crowd erupts. “Hossa, Hossa, Hossa”. The arena is shaking and now the plot gets ridiculous. Nineteen seconds into the third period, our hero makes his patented move to the net and scores with a beautiful shot over the Dunham’s left shoulder. I’ve attended roughly all of the Thrashers home games since 2001 and have experienced only one moment more emotional than this on this ice, the eulogy for Dan Snyder. The crowd is deafening. Grown men are jumping around like little boys. I turn and look up at the masses and the facial expressions are priceless…….

Good times! Farewell Marian and Pascal, you’ll be missed. Both will be an asset in Pittsburgh both on and off the ice.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Thrashers Win Thriller in Jersey

2008-02-16T14:42:00.001-05:00

Never a dull moment. This season for the Atlanta Thrashers has been called a lot of things. Some say it’s a disappointment as the team will most likely take a step back, from a total points prospective, for the first time in its history. Others view the team’s performance as as bi-polar, chronically inconsistent and frustrating. Yet other Thrasher faithful who thrive on chaos are enjoying the wild ride. One thing is for sure. It has not been boring.

On Friday night the Thrashers outlasted the Devils on their home ice in the 10th round of the shootout. The winning goal was scored by Pascal Dupuis on a top-shelf laser over the left shoulder of Marty Brodeur. The shootout included brilliant saves by both Keepers, pucks ringing off posts, and very inexperienced shoot out participants. I believe I was on deck if Dupuis’ attempt was unsuccessful. For the record, my plan was a wrist shot, high, glove side. The second point of the evening earned by Hedberg and Dupuis was gravy. The Thrashers extension of the game was driven by heart and hard work.

With about a minute left in regulation Atlanta trailed by a goal and pulled Thrashers back-up Keeper Johan “Moose” Hedberg. The puck was sent into the Jersey zone and never exited. A furious 30 second fury culminated in Marian Hossa’ doorstep goal with just 19 seconds left. Thrashers were everywhere during this breathless flurry. Numerous Jersey clearing attempts were thwarted by Atlanta hustle. Bodies were flying, Marty was scrambling and gutty boys from the South would simply not be denied. The much maligned club willed OT and eventually two points.

The Thrashers overcame a 2-0 and a 3-2 deficit to take home this hard fought victory. During the game, there was no smiling. A focused and hobbled IIya Kovalchuk wore an expression of determination all night. He wanted this one. Hossa played a very physical game and scored the tying goal through unyielding perseverance. He wanted this one. Exelby hit everyone in sight. Hedberg sacrificed his body and played like a professional. The Thrashers wanted these two points and they got them.

The win once again propels the Thrash into a first place tie with the Hurricanes in the tightly contested Southeast division. The top four teams in the division are separated by a meager two points. After a season ending injury to Carolina Captain Rob Brind’Amour and the trade of veteran leader Cory Stillman, Carolina seems an unlikely candidate to win the division. Florida has been coming on strong, Washington has turned their season around for the better and Tampa has the talent to take home the Southeast crown. It’s up for grabs. It’s high drama and it’s going to be entertaining.

As for Atlanta, anything is possible. They could trade Hossa. They could sign Hossa. They could let Hossa run out his contract and walk away in the summer. Hossa could have a nervous breakdown from the constant questions about his status. The questionably competent Atlanta ownership group could continue to keep their collective wallet under lock and key or they could release the cash. The sky could fall or the stars could align. Don Waddell made moves last year at the trading deadline that sparked a March to remember in Atlanta. He could do it again or he could do nothing. Buckle up Blueland faithful. Whatever happens, it’s not going to be boring.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Distrust, Uncertainty and Doubt

2008-02-14T21:33:00.003-05:00

Let's get ready to rumble.

In the blue corner, the underdog, out of parts unknown, about 6000 Atlanta Thrasher season ticket holders. In the green corner, weighing in at about 20,000 pounds, (if all their cash were in their pockets), it's GM/Coach Don Waddell and Atlanta Spirit ownership group. In the middle of the ring, getting pummeled from both sides is Marian Hossa. It's going to be a blood bath and there will be no winner.

Thrasher season ticket holders are revolting after receiving renewal packages which include a price increase and decreased benefits. This unpleasant but professionally produced, (includes many expensive pretty pictures), mailing coupled with the fact that management and ownership have not been able to sign or trade Hossa and have done nothing to improve this team in a year, has temperatures rising in the dirty South. (Deep breath, that was a long sentence). Morale on and around the club is in the toilet. The message boards are filled with venom injected diatribes of distrust and disbelief. Fans are angry. The Owners are not responding and the front line Thrashers Account Reps are taking heavy fire from the disgruntled Blueland masses. It ain't pretty round these parts. And by the way, the team is in first place in the Southeast division.

As an aside, there was some exciting hockey played. The Thrashers overcame a late, game tying goal from Alex Ovechkin and beat the Capitals in the shootout on Wednesday night. The highlights included spectacular play from Lehtonen in goal, an inspired performance from Eric Perrin and the play of the year. With about a minute left in the second period of tied game, Lehtonen gained control of the puck in his crease. He sent a perfect pass down the center of the ice that hit Marian Hossa in stride just short of the blue line. Hossa beat Oleg the Goalie and the crowd erupted. This round of applause may be Hossa's last at Philips arena. In the shootout Perrin and Kozlov scored on the first two Thrasher attempts and Lehtonen capped off a career best performance by denying the first two Capital shooters. The victory left Atlanta, Carolina and Washington in a first place tie at 60 points. The Thrashers now go on the road for 5 games, all versus Eastern conference teams. Every point is critical.

The thrill of victory lasted for about 12 hours. The dire reality of the situation has returned.

The Atlanta franchise is in trouble. The fan base has very little faith that the powers that be are interested in building a winning organization. The uncertainty of the Hossa situation has hung over the team all year. To date, the Owners have not chosen to spend near their salary cap limit on talent. The recent ticket price increase announcement has exacerbated the tense situation. We may need a mediator down here. Is Doctor Phil or Bono available?

I've listened to the position of both sides and right now I am disgusted with both the suits and the "fans". The Owners have caused the tension to rise by not responding or communicating with their life-blood, the season ticket holders. Raising prices without explanation and without offering additional alternative value is a good way to alienate your core fan base. The competence of the Atlanta ownership group is very questionable at this point. Marketing wizards they are not. These rich boys may have purchased a toy they are not qualified to play with in their diamond studded sand box.

The fans, not season ticket holders, are also partially to blame for this unstable situation. Many spectators have dressed as empty seats this year. If a metro area of over 5 million can't fill an 18,000 seat arena on a regular basis, franchise threatening financial problems are inevitable. NHL teams do not have the TV coverage and resulting revenue that carry most NFL, NBA, and MLB organizations. Butts must be in seats and playoff games must be played for an NHL club to turn a profit.

The excitement level in the arena has also decreased from last year. Granted this Thrasher club doesn't deserve the roars that last year's team earned, but the disparity has been measurable and unjustified. Atlanta sports fans have long been characterized as tepid, disinterested, and fair weather. This must change or we will once again lose our NHL franchise.

Is the sky falling onto Peachtree Street? We'll know in about two weeks. If upper management and our GM can make significant acquisitions or sign Hossa before Feb 26th a revival/love fest may take place. For now, STH are gathering torches and are ready to storm the tower. Can't we all just get along?

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Time to Ante Up

2008-02-10T10:07:00.000-05:00

Alexei Zhitnick has been a epic disappointment this year. Acquired during the stretch run last year, the veteran Defenseman was instrumental in bringing the Thrashers its first division title. Sadly, this year has been a different story. For 57 games he has skated as though a piano has been supplanted on his back. Zhitnick had only one more goal and four more assists than I going into Saturday's game versus Tampa. His energy level has been comparable to that of an individual on a heavy dose of Thorosine. He had no passion, no jump, and no life until OT on Saturday night.

The much maligned Zhitnick took the puck from his own blueline, skated briskly through the entire Lighting team and ripped a Kovy-esque wrist shot past Tampa Keeper Holmquist for the game winner. Where that burst of energy came from is anyone's guess but the sell-out Atlanta crowd will take it. After a week of one-goal, nails on chalkboard, heart breaking losses, the Thrashers move into a tie for first place in the tightly contested Southeast Division.

The time is now for Thrasher's upper management to either relieve themselves or get off the commode. A season of frustration followed by brilliant play followed by ineptitude, (rinse, repeat, etc.), has somehow left the Thrash an opportunity to play deep into April and beyond. The Thrashers have obvious strengths in above average goaltending and firepower supplied by Kovalchuk, Hossa, Recchi and Kozlov. They have worked to strengthen their penalty killing unit led by Eric Perrin and Pascal Dupuis. The weaknesses are also glaring.

The Thrashers are miserably undersized on the blue line and this deficiency has been exploited time and time again. The formula for beating Atlanta is retain the puck in their defensive zone, wear down our small team and either draw a penalty or score. This strategy has worked for opponents numerous times and I'd guess opposing scouts are very aware of its effectiveness. The remedy? The Thrashers must add at least one bruising, skilled Defenseman in order to compete down the stretch.

The second most pressing need is secondary scoring. IIya Kovalchuk, with some assistance from Hossa, has carried this team all year until he was injured two weeks ago. Wearing a knee brace has curtailed the superstars speed, maneuverability and offensive production. As such the latest trend in Atlanta is 2-1, or similar, losses. A significant forward must be acquired if the Thrashers are going to compete for the big, shiny Cup. Which brings us to the key of the stretch run, resigning the Slovakian superstar.

Marian Hossa wants to stay with this team. He wants to be shown by upper management action, not rhetoric and suit speak, that this organization is committed to winning. Losing Hossa at this point not only destroys hope for this season, it also sets the Thrashers organization back a giant step. If Atlanta is not willing to commit to a game/season changing player like Hossa, why would the next impact free agent even consider playing for the Thrashers? Atlanta will lose the little credibility they have gained in last few years as a serious NHL franchise if Hossa leaves.

The Blueland faithful deserve a winner and the upper management action needed to get to the next level. Year after year season ticket prices have increased and "perks" have been eliminated. We've stood by this team during the lean years of expansion, the Heatley/Snyder tragedy and the playoff sweep of last season. We suit up in expensive jerseys and pricey hats. We pay $20 for some cold food and a warm beer. We put our butts in Philips arena seats night after night. Ante up Atlanta Spirit. Ante up Don Waddell. If action is not taken over the next two weeks to improve this team, you will lose our confidence and our numbers will decrease. It's crunch time. Do the right thing and clear the cobwebs from the seldom used wallet. You've got to pay to play.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Thrashers Get Nasty

2008-02-02T23:38:00.000-05:00

Heart and guts. These areas have been questionable for the Atlanta Thrashers this season. The Boys in Blue have been at times brilliant, at other times uninspired but never have they been accused of being a tough club, until now. The birds are mad.

Atlanta has roared out the post All-Star gate winning three in a row and have tied Carolina for the lead in the Southeast division. The streak comes at the most unlikely of times, with their leader on the bench. During the victory over Pittsburgh which has ignited the current run, IIya Kovalchuk sustained a minor injury on a knee on knee hit by Jarko Ruutu. As Kovy went to the ice in pain, Thrasher D-man Steve McCarthy unleashed the fury with a five punch combination on the flaky Finnish veteran. The Thrashers have been scrapping ever since. Atlanta followed up it’s victory over the Sid-less Penguins with a classic against Buffalo on Friday.

The problem with Buffalo Sabre fans is they have vocal chords and gas money. The minions from upstate New York once again invaded Philips arena in droves and attempted to take over. The game was vicious. For 65 minutes bodies flew in all directions. Bobby Holik hit everyone. He checked the Forwards. He leveled Defensemen. Holik played like a man on a mission and a true Captain. Garnett Exelby also left carnage in his wake with massive, old-scho0l, clean hitting. The security guards in Blueland also were busy as the generally passive Atlanta crowd reached it’s patience limit with the New Yorkers. Cheering your team on in enemy territory is one thing. Taunting a home crowd is another. Buffalo fans, although passionate and devout, went too far. They could be seen taunting Thrasher die hards repeatedly after Buffalo goals. Between the 2nd and 3rd period numerous minor altercations erupted as the Thrasher faithful had endured enough.

The Thrashers played with reckless abandon in the third period, tying the game on a Jimmy Slater goal. Yes, I said a Slater goal. Buffalo answered with a power play goal on one of many questionable calls that slightly tainted this great game. With less than a minute remaining in this battle the Sabres led by a goal. The Thrashers gained a two-man advantage and pulled their Goalie. With 18 seconds remaining Atlanta cashed in on the 6 on 3 advantage. Toby Enstrom’s blast from just inside the blue line found the back of the net and the Atlanta fans erupted. The game winner came in the Shootout as Eric Perrin, (Shorthanded specialist who is seldom used in the SO), netted a beauty. Johan “Moose” Hedberg denied all four Buffalo shooters and picked up a very gutty win. The Buffalonians crawled back into their holes, tails between their shockingly white legs. The Sun just doesn’t shine up there. It’s no wonder the minions travel south to see a hockey game.

A day later, a fatigued Thrashers club willed their way to a 2-0 victory in Washington against the hot Capitals. Kari Lehtonen denied all 36 Washington shots and the Thrashers limped off the ice victorious. Four days, six points, first place, nuff said.

A cornered, weakened animal can do one of two things; submit and die or attack. The Thrashers have gone for the jugular, teeth first. This week they have also shown that they can win without heroics from Kovalchuk. Not only have they pulled themselves back from the abyss, they have done so with force. This team is built for speed, not power. The physical play has come from likely suspects such as Holik, Exelby and Thorburn and also from generally “soft” players such as Todd White, Pascal Dupuis and Eric Perrin. Goals have come from the unlikely sources as well. Jimmy Slater, 0 for 12 months, scored key goals in both the Pitt and Buffalo games. Lastly, Bobby Holik has stepped up this week providing scoring, hitting and leadership.

It took 55 games and an injury to our best player but finally this team has established an identity. Adversity has brought out the best in the Thrashers. They do indeed have a heart and their pulse is strong. Game on!

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

By Sean Grace | Hype it | Bark it | N

Fear and Loathing in Atlanta - All Star Weekend

2008-01-26T10:28:00.001-05:00

The following is a three part series, presented in reverse chronological order, on the NHL All-Star weekend in Atlanta. This piece is dedicated to the late Hunter Thompson who inspired me to attempt to write.

Part III - Why we are fans

No further tales involving the annihilation of the evil minions from Toronto. No more will I bash the beautiful people even though some went elsewhere and left their premium seats vacated. Instead the focus will be on the event. The 2008 NHL All-Star weekend in Atlanta was an overwhelming success. The event showed that sports in their purest form can unite disparate people. Nineteen thousand souls from all over the globe spent a weekend together without incident. It was a celebration from beginning to end that displayed the best humanity has to offer. The game was good too.

The West got on the board 12 seconds in on Rick Nash goal. Nash would go on to tally a hat-trick and should have been named MVP. Rick Dipietro and Evgeni Nabokov gave exceptional performances in goal. This was not a game for Goalies or defense so they should be commended for keeping the score in the single digits. The most entertaining moments occurred late in the second period. Twice IIya Kovalchuk had point blank shots on goal and twice Nabokov stoned the superstar with spectacular saves. Kovy fell flat on his back in surrender after one attempt and discarded his stick in dramatic, comic fashion. With the pressure off the personalities of the stars shown through. I became an Alex Ovechkin fan this weekend. The young Russian is hilarious and incredibly gifted on ice. I gained further respect for Jerome Iginla as well. He truly is an Ambassador for the game of hockey.

The lead changed hands several times in the third period but Marc Savard netted the game winner with less that 30 seconds remaining for the Eastern squad. The hometown boys, Hossa and Kovy, both got on the scoresheet. Hossa registered a goal which brought the loudest cheer of the weekend. Sadly this may be one of his last games on Blueland ice as trade rumors have become deafening of late. Say it ain’t so Hos. Please stay!

So much was right about this weekend. First off, total immersion in hockey for 72 hours was unforgettable. Everything else was secondary. The city of Atlanta once again showed that it is an ideal stage for high profile sporting events. The city is designed to accommodate thousands of people in a very small area comfortably . The downtown area also offers many other things to do which are all within walking distance. In addition, our city gained very valuable media attention this weekend which hopefully will grow the Thrashers fan base. Thrasher fans occupied about half of the seats on Sunday and showed this is indeed an emerging hockey town.

What I’ll remember the most about this extraordinary weekend will be the fans. Wandering in and around the area I met people from all over the world. The brothers from Winnipeg were there, attending their 10th straight All-Star game together. The crew from Edmonton never took off their giant orange wigs. The Nasty Nest regulars could be heard over the roar of the PA as usual. A Czech contingent sang songs no one else could understand in section 207. Section 310 was led by a raucous high school band. The guys from Queens don’t think the Rangers have a chance this year. The Phily fans from Cherry Hill, NJ think this is their year. Everyone I spoke to spoke proudly of their team, their fans, their game. Hockey fans own this game and that is the beauty of it all.

My favorite moment occurred during the warm up skate on Sunday. On my left was a older gentlemen, his son and his two young grandsons. The patriarch had a hockey nose which had lost shape years ago. He had played a few thousand shifts. He and his family all wore Habs jerseys. The elder statesmen seemed to be explaining the drills to the kids. At one point the kid’s attention was overtaken by the Canadians mascot. The old man surveyed the bulb, taking it in slowly from all angles. He seem to be savoring the expressions of the starstruck fans. He had the smile of a 4 year old on his weathered face. About 10 seconds later our eyes crossed paths and he gave me a nod of approval.

Atlanta was the place to be this weekend if you love the game of hockey. I’ll never forget it.

Part II - Northern invasion and hockey harmony

Early on it was apparent that today’s events would cleanse the rotten taste left in my mouth. The wretched affluent mass has dispersed, probably to Phipps Plaza to do some power shopping. The only trace of the bloodsuckers were a few Evian bottles strew in front of a Starbucks . The smell of high-priced perfume and coconut styling mouse that permeated my soul has dissipated.

A diverse species has come from the north and have peacefully assumed control of Atlanta. The meandering hum of the southern drawl has been replaced with staccato Eastern European rhythm and Canadian harmony. New Yorkers sporting Messier, Leech and Gomez jerseys coexist with Devil and Islander supporters. A Wings fan bought a Blackhawk fan a beer. Toronto fans managed to remain as repugnant as ever but those from Vancouver, Montreal and Edmonton have learned to tune out their drunken idiocy.

It was cold, crisp and overcast as the players made their red carpet arrivals. The juxtaposition of the vivid jersey colors against the gray background left the visual impression of bright marbles in the sand. A jolly fellow with a long white beard who could have been Santa’s brother delivered the Eastern squad in a Mac-Daddy bus. As the bus arrived a few friends and I attempted to record a pre-game lead in for Hockey Night in Canada. On take number seven we nailed it.

Superstar after superstar came up to the podium and expressed gratitude for being invited to the All-Star weekend. The NBA, NFL and MLB should take note of this universal humility. Egos, if they ever existed, were left on the bus. Alexander Ovechkin is the antithesis of Barry Bonds. His demeanor at the Saturday events was that of a kid having fun. He has not internalized the enormity of himself. It’s refreshing.

Wide-eyed kids from all over the World climbed light posts and snapped pictures of their heroes on the red carpet. Grown men acknowledged the special atmosphere and savored the moment. The purity of the great game took over the afternoon.

The familiar doors of Philips arena opened and the visitors, armed with credit cards, emptied the gift shop with military precision. Replica, customized jerseys were priced at $234. They flew off the shelves. A plastic souvenir ticket holder was priced at a mere $14. Production costs of this item probably totaled about 72 cents. I only bought two. The flurry of capitalism ended a little before 7 pm when the skills competition began.

The NHL has attempted to make these preliminary events relevant. The goal has been to put together a showcase comparable to the NBA slam dunk competition and MLB home run contest. Hockey by it’s nature is not as conducive to an individual skills competition. As IIya Kovalchuk mentioned after the game, “You can’t dunk on skates”. Still there were highlights. The Young star three-on-three game was very entertaining as was Ovechkin’s breakaway performance. He skated down ice bouncing the puck on the blade of his stick and took a unsuccessful swinging shot.

The highlight of the evening’s on ice festivities was watching the players interact. Marc Savard made peace with Kovalchuk with a handshake. Earlier this year the two former Thrasher teammates had an on ice fight. Ovechkin and Kovy cut on each other all night, probably in Russian. The atmosphere of the event was without tension.

At a break in the action I strolled through the bulb without a destination. A Vancouver fan and I had a conversation about attendance, playoff scenarios and the state of the game. Looking on was a very familiar looking man wearing a leather Thrashers jacket. After the Canuck and I parted ways the man tapped me on the shoulder. He asked me if I was a season ticket holder and what I thought of Don Waddell as a Coach. I gave my opinion and then he told me he was a blood relative of someone high up in the Thrasher organization. I had a feeling he had some information to share so I let him know that I was reporting on the event and might use what he had to say. He continued his story. According to this source within weeks, Brad McCrimmon will be named Thrashers Head Coach and Waddell will be named President and GM of the Thrashers. This is of course an unconfirmed report.

The event wrapped up at 9:15 and the multi-colored mass of humanity exited peacefully. Harsh reality dressed in evil blue and white jerseys reappeared. Not content with the serenity of the evening, a pack of Toronto fans started the dreaded “Go Leafs Go” chant while spilling beer on a group of youth hockey players. First a large Wings fan reacted with expletives and a glare. A female Kings fan took off her shoe, wielding it at the agitators. Mild mannered Edmontonians removed their orange wigs and engaged the drunken fools. The entire Southeastern division contingent broke their souvenir sticks, lite them on fire and chased the Toronto misfits with torches. A gang of hundreds, all 30 NHL teams represented, chased the Leaf infiltrators through Centennial park, around the Georgia Aquarium into the Marta train station. The hunted still managed to finish their beers while on the run.

Inside the train station they were cornered and broken. The mob burned their jerseys while singing “The Good Ole Hockey Game” in unison. The black sheep of the NHL, perpetrators of bad manners, limited hockey knowledge and allegiance
to a team who hasn’t won anything since the age of HIPPIES were defeated. With the spirit of the night’s events in mind we offered mercy, covering the wretched souls with new Atlanta Thrasher jerseys. Suddenly they transformed into gracious, well-mannered hockey experts. Their weather bleached skin suddenly took on a healthy southern hue. The leader spoke, “Let’s go Thrashers”, he exclaimed, puzzled by the words he had spoken. That’s how we do it down here. One conversion at a time.

Part I

Friday, January 25th - 10 pm. (Lobster Bar/Chops Restaurant- Buckhead, Atlanta)

Observations from the proletariat at table 12

The aristocracy don’t make reservations. Their arrival causes the good tables to suddenly become available, accommodating peasants to scurry about and general chaos. If your not wearing Prada, you could be trampled or dismembered. Their vehicles are shiny and new and won’t be subjected to typical valet treatment. Instead the rich and cosmetically altered must park their cars four feet from the entrance. They can’t be subjected to the tedious 30 yard hike normally required to enter this prestigious establishment. Their expectations are high and they are not afraid to use hair product. They are pretty, obnoxious and smoke cigars. The beautiful people have landed in Atlanta for the All-star weekend and need attention.

I merely wore a black Donna Karan suit to dinner but I had a trick up my moderately priced sleeve. “Do you have a reservation Sir”, questioned the pretentious host. “Of course my good man”, I offered in retort. “Name?”, he asked as if I were a drain on his time and energy. “Hossa, party of four”, I answered like Federer returning a weak second serve for a winner. My Slovakian accent was perfected from practice in the car. My recently bleached blond hair also made this offering believable. The host down shifted and yelled, “Derek”. Derek is the VIP Server. He sprung into action to serve his superstar guest.

Our misrepresented VIP party of four was seated in a smart table in the back near some foreign film stars and NHL veterans. Derek did not leave stray more than 20 feet from our table for the next 90 minutes.

The affluent are not interested in substance. They are interested in preferential treatment and service above and beyond. Orders are barked at the “help” accompanied by glares of superiority. The women apply enough perfume to cover the stench of a rotting corpse. The men are manicured, lotioned and dressed like Ivy League sissies. In sharp contrast, certain NHL alumni in attendance in their twilight years look as if they could put on the skates and still play.

The steak was the best I’ve ever eaten as was the signature fried lobster tail. We ran up a very respectable tab, tipped well and strutted toward the exit. Our Host stepped from behind his podium, grabbed our coats from the lowly coat girl and dressed us himself. “I hope you’ll join us again Sir”, he offered meekly. “You bet brotha”, I replied, smirking from ear to ear.

Buckhead is Atlanta’s version of Hollywood. On normal weekend evenings, marginal affluence descend on the area for dinner and drinks. Tonight, the A-list was out in full force. This weekend is going to be interesting. Power to the people!

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

The Same Ole Song

2008-01-21T22:54:00.000-05:00

Coach Waddell knows it. Captain Holik can’t explain it. IIya Kovalchuk is haunted by it. It irritates the superstar to the point of losing control of the English language he has worked so hard to master. It causes Mark Recchi to shake his head in veteran disgust. It drives Thrasher fans to rip out their hair. The culprit, the highest degree of inconsistency imaginable.

The Thrashers started off their latest inexplicable display of bi-polar behavior by beating the hottest team in the league, (Pittsburgh), then the mighty Wings, at home no less. Coming home on a high, Atlanta lost a hard fought, well-played contest versus the Habs in the shootout. They left the Blueland ice with a valuable point which kept the club in first in the Southeast division. And then came the reappearance of the other Thrasher team.

It’s difficult to lose an NHL game 10-1. You really have to work, (or not work in this case), at a beating of this magnitude. It’s especially difficult to lose by nine goals to a team that had not won since 2007. The Thrashers took the ice in Buffalo exhausted, unfocused and two steps slower than Buffalo. The Sabres took out every bit of their oh-for-08 frustration on our comatose club. I was waiting for a white towel to be thrown from the Atlanta bench. We needed the enforcement of the little league mercy rule. But it was only one loss.

On Sunday, the Thrashers again stepped onto the ice with nothing to give. Over Eighteen thousand packed Philips arena and waited for a spark. We’re still waiting. During the 4-2 loss to a very average and road-weary Oilers club, the Thrashers looked disinterested and mentally defeated halfway through the second period.

Why can’t this club find an identity? How can the same team have such disparate performances from one night to the next? Is this Atlanta team the Cup contender they appear to be once a week or a bottom feeder? Why can’t they focus for 60 minutes three times a week? Here are the factors contributing to the Thrashers enigmatic ways:

1) As Kovy goes so go the Thrash - IIya has carried this team all year. When he plays even an average game, they lose 90% of time. Lately I think this burden has taken it’s toll. His fire and passion has been replaced with frustration which is causing him to press.

2) Coach Waddell is one of the guys - Coach and GM, (this double-duty is also a problem), is not a butt kicker. He is a very nice guy who relates to his players. This management style has worked for some like Bobby Cox, but most successful teams are run by someone who can also motivate by occasional intimidation. Don does not have it in him.

3) Hossa is a star not a leader - Some great players just can’t lead a team. Marian Hossa is a superior talent and a producer but he does not lead others on the ice or in the locker room.

4) There is no “D” in Thrashers - At times this year the Thrasher D-men have overachieved but overall they just don’t have the collective skills to compete with NHL powerhouses. The Thrashers do not have a true #1 D-man and they are grossly undersized.

5) Focus - This club has played at 100% effort for 60+ minutes about 5 times this year and have won each game. They seem to play down to lesser opponents and completely lose their game for long stretches.

All that being said, this team as presently assembled can still win this division. The Thrashers have more than their share of offensive firepower and sufficient Goal tending. The key is consistent focus and discipline. Will it suddenly appear? The odds are not good.

We need to be a buyer before the trade deadline and what we need to buy is defense. We need big, tough, scary D-men with few teeth, many scars, and 10 years left in their careers. In order to acquire this muscle we may need to trade a superstar. The Thrasher may need to move our second best player who wears the number 18. Do I want to see this happen? My opinion changes daily and I would not want to make this call. Good luck Don. Either way, you're going to ruffle some feathers but that's why you make the big bucks.

All-Star Weekend

It's finally coming after 4 years of hype. It can't possibly live up to our expectations but God knows we need the media exposure. If you have tickets please wear a Thrashers jersey to the game. We must show the NHL and a large TV audience that we are real hockey fans. Folks in Boston, New York and Toronto would rather we keep quiet and stick to dirt track racing and cow-tipping.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Slaying the Giant

2008-01-15T22:14:00.000-05:00

Wow!

Let's recap what just happened:
1) The Thrashers beat Detroit 5-1. Five to freakin one in Detroit?
2) Kari Lehtonen had 46 saves and was poised as fast-moving rubber attacked from all angles.
3) As of this moment the Thrashers are in first place in Southeast. First place? Us?
4) Marian Hossa had a hat trick and was the best player on the ice. This performance confuses me the most. It's not because a hat-trick is beyond his limitations. It's the timing that is intriguing. Let's take a moment and analysis this.

Lethargic, Robotic and going through the motions. If I'm playing word association and someone says "Hossa's 2007-2008 season", that is my answer. But not tonight. He was playing for something tonight. But what? Did the meeting he had earlier this week with the Atlanta Owners energize and motivate Hossa to show THEM what he can do? Or was this a sales pitch on Joe Louis Arena ice? Is Hossa doing his best to show other NHL teams, or perhaps specifically Detroit, that he would be a good stretch run pick-up? I have many more questions than answers and am stunned right now.

Ecstatic, giddy and proud. If immediately before game time you asked how I would feel if the Thrashers beat Detroit, that would be my answer. But I am more confused than ever trying to figure this team out. Are we a Cup contender or a seller before the trade deadline? My head hurts. What the hell just happened?

I'm going to sleep on this and finish this post tomorrow. Maybe clarity will enter in my sleep. Signing off - 1/15/08 - 10:31 PM

7:23 PM - 1/16

Ok, I'm back and I've had time to let this sink in. First off, Thrasher fans, we need to savor this victory for a while. The truth is we were outplayed for a little more than half of the game. Detroit was constantly applying pressure and putting pucks on net. But the Thrashers won because they capitalized on the opportunities that were presented. Being opportunistic is a trait of all winning teams. Even a great team won't be great every night. The winners find a way to win when they are challenged. Also, Kari was absolutely spectacular. I've seen every NHL game he has played and this was his best performance. He should gain confidence. He should bring that confidence with him on the ice tomorrow against the Habs. But let's forget about tomorrow for a moment.

Being a fan is emotional roller coaster. If you're like me you have one of two emotions after a game, elation or despair. These are good times, enjoy them. Our little team just beat the hottest team in the NHL, (Pitt), and followed that up by beating the best team in the NHL at home. That's impressive!

If you've been reading along with me for two years you know I live by the principle of the short memory. Players need a short term memory in good and bad times. If a club loses a tough game it must be forgotten immediately or a losing streak is inevitable. Similar reasoning applies to a big win. In this case, overconfidence is the enemy.

Fortunately, we're just fans so let's enjoy this a little. Last night the Boys in Blue proved they can play with anyone. They proved that our dedication to this team is warranted. They proved that they are capable of greatness.

Buckle up Blueland. These final 11 weeks are going to be interesting.

Your Loyal Servant,
Sean Grace

Epic in Atlanta

2008-01-13T20:13:00.000-05:00

Well over a hundred thousand souls converged in downtown Atlanta on Saturday during a two hour period. The masses donning camouflage intermingled with those dressed in Thrasher blue. Monster trucks at the Dome brought the Confederates out in droves, a boat show drew the interest of leather-faced Seamen and the women who love them and a massive collection of useless crap that will end up in a box in your basement drew a crowd at the Gift Mart. The Blueland faithful were surrounded, outnumbered and intrigued by our temporary neighbors. The city was pulsating, the parking lots owners were price gouging, the roads were gridlocked and the line at Wendy's represented the diversity gathered in the Capitol of the South. No matter your social status or the interest that brought you here, everyone loves a Frostie. Close-quartered harmony flourished until a Slovakian Hossa fan attempted to cut in front of a large gentleman from lower Alabama in the massive men's room line. The exchange was Comedy Central worthy but cooler heads prevailed and an international incident was averted proving that we can all indeed get along. At seven O'clock the sell-out crowd settled safely into their seats at Philips arena and for the next two and half hours witnessed a classic game of hockey that won't soon be forgotten.

Setting the Stage

At warm ups a large crowd and their cameras followed Sid the Kid's every move. I stopped counting Crosby jerseys about 10 minutes before the game started and my final tally was 34. When the puck dropped, the kid who would be King scored the first goal on a convenient rebound from point blank range. All the Crosbys, (at least 34 of them), squealed in delight. Halfway through the first period, the Thrashers inconsistent power-play unit took the ice. IIya Kovalchuk blasted a fierce one-timer past Ty Conklin to tie the score at one. The Kovy blast rung loudly off the post, almost blowing the net apart. Sid 1, Kovy 1, game on...

The next two periods were played intensely by both clubs. The hitting was constant and highlighted by two vicious checks by Thrasher Captain Bobby Holik on Sid. The second of these hits left Crosby wandering around the ice stickless. The Pittsburgh Captain came to his senses and scored again on a brilliant give and go move to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead. Holik tied the game in the third period, willing a Hossa rebound past Conklin from close range. Overtime ended in a 2-2 tie to the enthusiastic cheers of a thoroughly engaged Blueland crowd. Cue the Hollywood ending in the shootout.

The Revenge of the Recchin Ball

The first three Thrasher shooters were denied by Cinderella story Ty Conklin. The first two Pittsburgh shooters were bested by Lehtonen. Both Goalies played superior games in net. It was apparent that Pittsburgh believed that Atlanta Keeper Lehtonen was weak high on his glove hand side. They attempted to beat him in that area twice and twice they were denied. And up stepped the man-child with a chance to end it.

Crosby is truly special in many ways. As he showed the Blueland crowd on this night, he can do anything on the ice. His vision is Gretzky-esque as is his play-making ability. He is strong, quick and physical. Captain Sid also possesses the maturity of a seasoned veteran both on and off the ice. What is sickening is that he is 20 years old. I don't know about you but at 20 I should not have been given the responsibility to oversee the remote control much less a major NHL franchise.

So up steps Sid, the last shooter, ready to once again show why he is the poster boy of the NHL. He skates in, freezes Lehtonen and releases a tight backhander, once again high to Kari's glove hand. The coronation would have to wait for another night as Sid was stoned by Lehtonen. Psssst....NHL players...come a little closer...I have secret....ready? Kari is not at all weak to his high glove side. On to extra shooters and up steps Mark Recchi. Philips arena explodes as he steps over the bench.

Mark Recchi is a very humble and classy guy. You'd never know that he has accumulated Hall of Fame numbers during his distinguished NHL career by his demeanor. But Recchi is also a competitor and in his heart I'd guess he holds some ill-will for the Pittsburgh franchise that first benched him and then threw him away.

Recchi skates into the zone, deaks twice and delivers a backhander top shelf, nothing but net. Stuff was flying around the bulb as the crowd let out a playoff quality roar. Sid, it'll be a pleasure watching your career but on this night the old guy stole the show.

Wake up Atlanta, your hockey team is very much alive and well.

And now for something considerably less pleasant, the Marian Hossa situation. I don't know exactly what words Hossa used but he said something like, "I want to play for a winner". Let's back up a second. Hossa is a superstar and superstars have quite an impact for the teams on which they play. If Hossa wants to play for a winner I would suggest putting more pucks on net, playing 100% on every shift and talking less. The Thrashers can make the playoffs with the team they put on the ice right now. With a few additions they can make noise into May. Without Hossa playing his "A" game they are a .500 team despite the the heroic efforts of NHL MVP Kovalchuk.

Why would he want to leave Atlanta? Because it's not a hockey town? What Hossa doesn't understand, or won't admit, is that his play could be instrumental to elevating Atlanta to the hollowed "hockey town" status. Marian, you are not a role player, you can change the destiny of an organization by fully utilizing the gifts you have been given and showing some heart. Stay and I'd bet you and Kovy can bring a Cup to Atlanta within a few years. Sure, it would be easier for him to go to Detroit and ride the coattails of others into the finals. It's considerably more difficult to take responsibility for your team's performance and be a leader.

If Hossa leaves remember that what the Thrashers receive in trade is basically for Dany Heatley. Thrasher fans, raise your hands if when Heater needed to be traded after the Snyder tragedy, you would have quietly accepted some draft picks. I don't see any hands in the air. That's the road we are headed down and it won't be a good trip if it continues.

Hossa needs to decide now if he is a leader. If so, he should stay and fight with Kovy to bring this organization to the top. If he would prefer to blend in for a "winning organization", I say good riddance Hos and thanks for the memories.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Thrashers Overcome Buffalo Infestation

2008-01-06T22:06:00.000-05:00

They arrived early and attempted to drink all the beer. They strolled through Centennial Park talking yankee talk. Little girls with Vanek and Roy jerseys heckled vendors in the CNN center. They were everywhere, Buffalo fans, buzzing, crawling, multiplying, exhausting all natural resources. Like locust they ascended upon my fair city on Sunday. Where do they come from? There are many theories. Some say they are a large gypsy caravan , traveling from rink to rink and living off the land. Others swear they live underground and only emerge on game day. I don't know the truth, but two Sabres fans went into a small room and 10 came out minutes later sporting Ryan Miller jerseys.

They are loud but seem to have a limited vocabulary. Between large gulps of cheap beer they chant "Let's go Buff-a-lo", in unison with that accent that makes the hair on the back your neck stand at attention. As I sat in my seat in Philips arena they surrounded me. The smell permeated my being. Chanting and drinking, drinking and chanting. To my left were multiple Brieres, in front a Pominville, flanking me was a Campbell tandem. As game time approached, their numbers increased and their volume rose. We, the loyal Thrasher fans, were matched in size by this foul army and about to be overcome by the hostile masses. But Marian Hossa finally awakened from his funk and quieted the mob. They slunk in their chairs, beaten. But they still managed to drink all the beer.

Buffalo fans are some of the best in the NHL. They travel well, are vocal, passionate and devout. In all seriousness, I envy their fan base and hope some day that Atlanta can earn such a following. As the crowd of 75,000+ at the outdoor game played in Buffalo displayed, these folks love hockey and their Sabres. Much respect to you, Buffalo fans. Collectively, you are a force of nature and you have a created a great hockey town.

All that being said, the Thrashers delivered the New Yorkers an old fashioned, down-home, out in the woodshed, Southern whoopin in Blueland on Sunday. Marian Hossa emerged from his fog with two artistically pleasing and timely goals to lead Atlanta to 5-2 victory. Johan "Moose" Hedberg was brilliant in goal, making 37 saves including a handful that were gymnastic in nature. Surprising rookie Colin Stuart added a coast to coast tally and Thrashers hung on to get to the two points.

Perhaps the awakening of Hos was fueled by a less than complementary article in the local Atlanta newspaper. Perhaps he had a good breakfast. Hossa may have realized that having a sub-par season in the final year of his contract was not a good thing for his career. Whatever the cause, he played like the Hossa of last year totaling nine shots on goal and adding 100% effort on the penalty kill unit.

The Thrashers again showed signs of why they are a .500 team. They allowed the Sabres inordinate puck possession in their offensive zone, took too many penalties and were outworked at times. Hossa, the Thrashers D-men, and especially Goalie Hedberg were the difference today. The win moves Atlanta to within 1 point of the eight and final playoff position and into second in the division, three points behind the Hurricanes. Every point is critical in the Eastern Conference this year where parity is king. The difference between the number two team in the conference and the number 14 team is only 10 points. The Thrashers continue their five game homestand with three critical games this week. If Hossa maintains today's form there could be much joy in Blueland.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Captain Implosion and Overconfidents

2008-01-04T23:38:00.000-05:00

Bobby Holik has had a great, not good, NHL career. He has raised the Cup over his head and knocked opponents to their knees. During his 17 years in the NHL he has amassed 313 goals, 721 points and a +123 rating. What stats don't illustrate is that he has been an intimidating force since George the first was in office. Bobby is still big and scary at age 37 and has also found a scoring touch of late. On a personal level, I've had a long conversation with him at a fund-raising event and he is a very intelligent, well-rounded human being that can converse knowledgeably on many subjects. I like Holik. All that being said, his mistakes this year, most specifically over the last two games have cost the Thrashers dearly. Holik's miscues should not be made by a veteran, much less a team Captain.

Carolina should have slumped away from this home and home series with the Thrashers with zero points and a tenuous one-point lead over Atlanta in Southeastern division. As it stands at 10:43 PM on January 4th, they have a five point lead and momentum. Holik must take a great deal of responsibility for this debacle. In Carolina, the Thrashers lost a late third period lead on a Powerplay goal. Holik was in the box when the puck ended up behind the Moose. He was called for a retaliatory slash perpetrated directly in front of the referee. Team Captains do not take silly, emotion driven penalties late in a critical division game. Tonight, Holik hoisted a puck over the glass during the last half of a very questionable four minute penalty on Ken Klee, again late in the 3rd period. The resulting delay of game call and subsequent two minute 5-3 advantage yielded the winning goal for Carolina. Two big games, two huge mental mistakes, three points handed to the Canes. Unacceptable.

A team's identity is partly defined by its Captain. The man with the "C" on his chest is responsible for intensity at practice, locker room morale and most importantly, on-ice performance. The Captain sets the tone. Unfortunately, Bobby's on-ice play represents the Thrasher's team identity accurately. They are at times inspired but mostly inconsistent and partially focused. The thrashers follow-up great play with uninspired effort and untimely mistakes. This uneven identity has resulted in a very fitting record, slightly below .500.

Bobby is not one for politically correct rhetoric and BS. One of his best qualities is that he tells it like it is, no sugarcoating included. I think he would tell you that his Captaincy has not been successful thus far. It doesn't help that he is later stage of is career but many NHL Captains get the "C" in the twilight of their careers. You can be an effective Captain as a role player as long as your performance in this limited role is positive and inspiring to your team. I would not characterize his overall play as inspiring and there is a lingering ugly question about this team.

Did the Thrasher lay down to start the season in order to insure that Coach Hartley would be fired? This is not a pleasant thought but they played like a team that wanted to put their Coach's job in jeopardy. If this did happen, did Bobby lead the revolt? We'll never know but a few comments Holik made about the similar situation that occurred in Washington make you wonder.

You can't place all the blame on #16. The Thrashers have a horrible PK, (except when Perrin and Dupuis produce a SHG), a propensity to turn the puck over, an underachieving #1 Goalie, and sub-par overall veteran production. Without Kovy, this team is last in the East. There is a formula for beating our boys. Opponents control the puck behind our goal and wear out of undersized defenders. The result is a fatigue penalty, a man advantage and about 23% of the time, a goal.

Tonight's game symbolizes the Thrashers season. They were brilliant in the first period but failed knock out a very shaky Carolina Goalie. They entered period two with a two-goal lead. The Thrashers took the ice in the second period thoroughly convinced that they could cruise to victory. The energy of period one was gone and so was the lead at the horn. In the third period Atlanta made the critical mistakes at the critical times and lost a game that they should have won.

I'm frustrated. Our club has obvious personnel deficiencies that include lack of size and depth at the blue line and limited secondary scoring. OK fine. What's frustrating is that when this team gives 100% effort and focus for 60 minutes they almost always win. There is no excuse for repeated lack of effort. I'm disappointed in this team right now. The prospect of sitting through three and a half additional months of consistent inconsistency turns my stomach. If your a fan like me, you should be angry.

Of course redemption could come on Sunday. That's the beauty and the curse of the long NHL season. It draws you in and hooks you like a successful drug dealer. If the Thrashers pick up two points on Sunday we'll at least partially forget about the current sour taste in our mouths and regain some hope for May hockey in Atlanta. That's the addiction of a being a fan and why we keep coming back. Maybe it will be different this time? Maybe the boys will rattle off 6 wins in a row? The "maybe" fuels the fans even after hard losses like this one to Carolina. Short memory boys, tomorrow is another day.

Random Thoughts

1) The Winter Classic - The outdoor game in Buffalo could not have been better for the NHL. The snow was falling, the crowd was electric and the poster boy, (Sidney Crosby), scored the winning goal. This contest on New Year's day drew the attention of the American sports enthusiast. It's about time! Great job NHL, I hope this becomes a tradition.

2) The Coast to Coast goal - If you missed the goal scored by Kovy in Carolina you need to find video of it. It's been called the best goal in 10 years and IIya's greatest play. He took the puck from behind our goal, changed speeds several times as he weaved through the entire Canes team and then snapped a wrister top shelve. IIya is worth the price of admission and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to watch him work his magic.

3) Best Fight - The fight between Jarkko Ruutu and Tucker the other night was classic. The commentators even calculated the punch stats. Take a look at hockeyfights.com if you have a chance.

4) The "Center Ice" package and NHL channel - You must acquire both if you are a hard core hockey fan. The package features over 50% of the games in HD and often offers the games televised by both team's networks. The NHL channel, while still in its infancy, is also a must have. The highlight show is extensive, offering all relevant highlights with the announcers call of the play.

5) Season ticket Holder Town Hall meeting on Friday - It was fairly standard. The fans asked good questions, the Coach/GM tried to answer as much as he could without creating a headline and the free food was much improved. Highlights include comments from Don Waddell that the Thrashers would acquire Defensemen if the opportunity arose, that he feels confident that Hossa will resign soon and that he agrees that the NHL screwed the STH's with seat location to the All-Star game.

That's it for now. We've got home games every two days next week. To say that this stretch is critical is an understatement.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Redemption In Blueland

2007-12-30T08:12:00.000-05:00

"There's a little roller up along first....and it gets through Buckner, and the Mets win!" ... (Vin Scully's call of the Mets 1986 game six World Series victory over the Red Sox.)

I just couldn't help myself. The gentlemen donning the Red Sox hat seated two rows ahead of me had it coming. When A puck went through the wickets of the Bruins point man on their power play I pulled out this little gem. A good sport, he winced, and acknowledged the moment. On a night when the Patriots completed a brilliant 16-0 season, the Celtics record stood at an NBA best 25-3 and the Sox are the current World Series Champions, this little jab was justified.

Nothing went right for Boston on Saturday in Blueland as the Thrashers dominated the Bruins and went on to coast to a 5-0 victory. When Bobby Holik fired a Hail Mary off the skate of Andrew Ference into the net after Bruins Goalie Alex Auld strayed out of his crease, you knew it was going to be a good night for the Boys in Blue. It was justice. After the Thrashers lost in snake bitten fashion to the Panthers on Thursday the hockey Gods evened the score on this night. The Thrashers thoroughly outplayed the Cats in our previous game, totaling 41 shots on goal but every bounce went in Florida's favor. The Panthers scored four goals against Kari Lehtonen on alleged "deflections" en route to a very frustrating 5-3 victory. Tonight the scales evened.

Joy in Blueland

The Thrashers played a near perfect two periods. The passing was tight and not overly abundant. Pucks were thrown at the net, boards were crashed, shots were blocked, scoring opportunities were cashed in by players other than Kovy and Chris Thorburn won his first fight of the year. IIya of course added a goal with his patented invisible slap shot that can not be seen even on a slow motion reply. The third period was tranquil and relaxing for the first time in a long time. The wife sipped her hot chocolate and never yelled once at a Ref. Shooter, a section 119 legend, spread tidings of holiday joy to all that would accept them. Taking a 5-0 lead into the third period improves the behavior of the masses exponentially.

It was a good night to borrow money from someone wearing a Blue jersey with a bird on it. After the first period the collective joy of domination permeated the bulb. They were smiling in beer lines, grinning in the concourse, and giggling in the team store. I thought I heard a Christmas carol being sung in the Nasty Nest. Of course they followed this seasonal song of good will toward men with "Santa, Santa, SANTA, you suck!." Even the Aristocrats in the club section added their corporate voices to a few cheers. Yes, the holiday spirit overtook Philips arena and we all went home with the warm glow on satisfaction.

"Today's news is tomorrow's fish wrapper"

My warm-hearted CEO offered this little gem to me once in a meeting as I shared the recent triumphs of my division. At the time I wanted to swing a bag of apples in his general direction but upon further review it's good point. Our beloved team has a tendency to follow a great game with sub-par effort and overconfident play. The truth is we're not a great hockey club. The Thrashers must give 100% effort in every game in order to be playing hockey during the second week of April. Hopefully Captain Holik and Coach Waddell will remind the boys that they are currently a .500 team and on pace to total 82 points and be out of playoffs.

I don't want to throw a heaping bucket of bile on this glorious victory. What confuses me is why the same team that played a tight, near perfect game versus Boston can be so inconsistent. Is it ADD or perhaps the dreaded ADHD that afflicts this club? Does the same Attention Deficit Disorder that has doctors handing out Ridilin like M&M's to grade school kids have hold of the Thrashers? The Thrashers have the talent and have worked hard to acquire the chemistry needed to win our division. Focus boys, the season is long and every point is crucial.

Most improved Thrashers

Over the last few weeks, a handful of Thrashers have elevated their games. Here is a list,in ascending order, of the most improved players:

5) Ken Klee - His legs are moving again and he has a recent tendency to break up odd-man rushes.

4) Alexei Zhitnik - After a long slumber, the veteran has regained some of the form that fueled the Thrasher's successful stretch run last year. He also netted his first goal last night.

3) Bobby Holik - The Captain has been hitting like a mad man lately. His physical play is critical. We're not a big team and the big guys need to play big.

2) Nick Havelid - The opportunity to play with rookie Toby Enstrom has been a Godsend to Nicky. He has shined in a mentoring role and his textbook defensive technique has returned. Big ups to very nice guy!

1) Steve McCarthy - First off I'd like to apologize for suggesting he take up pizza delivery as a career. Stevie Mac's play has taken a 180 degree turn for the better recently. He hits, he defends, he hustles, he is very solid on the ice. My guess is that job security issues may have been the motivating factor. Whatever the cause, hats off to number five.

Home Sweet Home

The Thrashers have 5 straight home games scheduled from Jan 4-12 with strong Eastern Conference teams. This stretch is going to go a long way in determining our fate this year. Come out and support the team by placing your posterior in a seat at Philips. Who knows, you might feel the love that infected the arena on 12/29/07.

A Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night...

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Thrasher Train Keeps A Rolling

2007-12-22T23:55:00.000-05:00

As Slava Kozlov knocked in a loose puck on Tuesday you felt it. Momentum had swung and the Hockey Gods were once again smiling on Atlanta. After turning the tide earlier in the week, the Thrashers played their best game of the year on Thursday defeating Ottawa. Tonight the Boys in Blue made it three in a row with a hard-fought 3-2 win over the Habs. Slava and Marian Hossa sent the festive, capacity Blueland crowd, (most sportin new Santa hats), home happy with two goals in shootout. Kozlov, the master of the shootout, faked Montreal Huet to his belly and calmly deposited the puck top-shelf for the deciding tally. Atlanta is now 7-1 in OT games this year, 4-1 in the shootout.

The first star was unquestionably Atlanta Keeper Kari Lehtonen. Kari was solid in net, making 37 saves and keeping the Thrashers in the game versus a very disciplined Canadians club. The resurgence of Atlanta’s number one Goalie has sparked the return of the Thrasher’s winning ways. Atlanta is now only 2 points out of the final playoff spot in the East and six points off the the lead in the Southeast Division.

The Eastern Conference of the NHL is a logjam of epic proportions. Eleven points separate the worst team from the #2 team. Because of this parity it appears that about 90 points will be needed to make the playoffs. Doing the math, the Thrashers need to average a little less than 1.2 points per game to play in the post season. Not a giant hurdle by any stretch of the imagination. If Atlanta can stay healthy and add a quality D-man and one secondary scoring threat, it could be an interesting April 2008.

“A rope, a tree, let’s hang the referee.”

Hockey Refs get absolutely no respect. Officiating the fastest major sport is challenging to say the least. Not only do officials have to skate like NHL players but they also have to keep their heads up, break up fights, keep out of the play, and dodge pucks going 80+ MPH straight at their groins. It’s a tough job. For their efforts they get booed for about every other call they make and get serenaded in the manner mentioned above. Other numbers that can be heard in Blueland include:

“I’m blind, I’m deaf, I want to be a Ref” and the Nasty Nest’s, (sections 317-320 in Philips Arena), little ditty that goes, “Referee, Referee, REFEREE, You Suck!” There are others but I’d like to keep it clean here. They are abused, heckled, pelted with objects and generally disrespected for the majority of their time on the ice. I don’t feel at all sorry for them. They get to skate on NHL ice for about 9 months a year. That’s hollowed ground and a privilege that few get to experience. There is one aspect of Referee abuse that makes me crazy.

When the Officials step out of the ice before the drop of the puck, they are immediately booed in Blueland. This makes no sense to me from a fan’s perspective. Imagine that you are entering your office at 8:30 on Monday morning and as soon as you walk by the Receptionist she hisses in your general direction. Perplexed, you trudge toward your cube/office as the IT guy calls you a jackass and the VP of Marketing flips you the bird. At this point, would you want to do your best for the company that day? Of course you wouldn’t. Throughout the year, Thrasher fans wonder why so many calls don’t go our way. This has to be a factor.

When the Refs enter the ice I cheer and bang on the glass. My seat is very close to their entry point and I try to make them feel at home. I offer words of encouragement and compliment them on their expertise and wisdom in the hope that maybe we’ll get the close call. Smarten up fans, welcome the Refs to your ice. If they make a horrid call, THEN let then hear it. This is just common sense.

Ok, I feel better after getting this off my chest. I hope you all, (except the Leaf fans), have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The family Grace is heading up to the Georgia mountains to spend the holiday with black bears and nervous deer. It’s still hunting season in them there parts. To all a good night….

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace.

PS: Vote for IIya - http://fanballoting.nhl.com/

The Tide Turns

2007-12-20T22:05:00.001-05:00

Momentum in hockey is wildly dynamic. A seemingly unconquerable hockey club can become inept overnight and visa versa. At times the change is caused by something tangible such as an injury, fatigue, a spectacular individual effort, etc. More often than not the reason behind an about face is less obvious. For example, there is no good reason for Ottawa’s long losing streak this season. One night they were a great team with a superb record. Then something snapped and for the next three weeks they played like an expansion squad. Another case in point, the Thrashers were never in jeopardy of winning any of their previous four games before Tuesday night. Not for a moment did they offer a threat to an opponent. They appeared to be capable of going oh-for-6 weeks. And then a puck bounced their way…..

Slava Kozlov’s goal at the end of the first period during Tuesday's 6-2 victory over Tampa was a play that can start a winning streak. The questionable goal,(the Ref would have blown the play dead eight of ten times), is an example of the myriad of bad breaks that have cast darkness upon the hapless Atlanta squad before this week. This time the Thrash got the kind bounce, a favorable call and the “cheap” goal. For the remainder of the evening the Thrashers took advantage of opportunity and played with the confidence of a winning club. The defeated body language of the last two weeks was replaced with energy, aggressiveness and inflated chests. They built upon this momentum on Thursday and delivered their best all-around performance of the season, beating Heater and company 3-2 in exhilarating fashion.

So is it some kind of mystical hockey Karma that causes a team to suddenly come to life? Perhaps a biorhythmic shift? Luck? Whatever the cause, it's thrilling to watch our club play like they have in the last two games. The Thrashers are capable of beating anyone with their "A" game. They just have to believe this to be true and play hard for 60 minutes.

The Thrashers totaled 45 shots on goal tonight. No, you read it right 45 shots! The shot total tied the most in Thrasher history and set the record for most shots in a home game. Marty Gerber was superb in net for Ottawa but the boys in blue persisted, overcoming two Ottawa leads to snatch up two critical points. Kari was brilliant in net fending off a third period rally by the Sens. IIya scored a beautiful goal on a backhander from in tight and Todd White netted the game winner early in the third on the powerplay. Toby Enstrom, who was again one of the best players on the ice, set up White with a perfect feed and he finished strong.

The energy in Blueland returned as a slightly below average sized crowd shook the arena in the final period. Even the Detroit fans seating in front of me gave us props for rocking the arena and playing a superior game tonight. Great job tonight boys, ride this wave into the Saturday night game versus the Habs.

The parity in Eastern Conference is going to make for a brutal stretch run this year. I'd bet that about 5 teams will be fighting for the final two spots in March. I still think we need to add a little more defensive talent and one more offensive threat to our squad in order to make a serious run. The addition of Mark Recchi and reseting the lines has given the Thrashers new life. Slava has partially awakened from his slumber after being reunited with Hossa and IIya and Recchi are clicking. If Kari can continue his inspired play of late we have a shot at extended spring hockey.

All Hail the Greek Gods

Our forth line deserves some recognition for another all-out gutty performance. Slater, Bolts and Thorburn are vicious every second they are on ice. They win the one on one battles, they hit hard and tonight they were responsible for the first goal. The goal characterizes what this line is all about. They forced the puck down the ice, dug in out from behind the net and Bolts deposited from close range. Slater, a freak in the gym, also dropped the gloves and got the crowd going in the first period. These guys personify hard-nosed hockey and out work the opposition on the ice. I'd like to rename them the "lunch pail" line. Greek Gods? Come on Jimmy! :)

To do list

So you've been running around buying useless crap for people for the last month. Your credit card is emitting smoke and you may have to get a second mortgage to buy your kid a gaming system on the black market. Ah the joy of the holiday season. I have a couple last requests for you, the Thrasher faithful:

1) Vote for IIya damn it! I know I've been nagging for about a month but we've been slacking and Big Head Ovechkin has taken the lead on Kovy. The link is on your right, use it.

2) Show up at Philips - The crowd tonight was boisterous but too small. Empty seats for Saturday are unacceptable.

3) Send me pictures - I have to stop hijacking internet photos. The wife has added some good ones as has Thrasher die-hard George Cooper. If you have Thrasher photos you are proud of, please send them to me at sean@suckerhead.com. I'll give you credit on the site.

4) Do something good for someone else and don't tell them - There is so much commercialism at this time of the year that I think we lose focus of what the holiday season is supposed to mean. Do a good deed and don't take credit for it. There is something special about a selfless act.

5) Have fun Life gets a little heavy, remember to do something you enjoy everyday.

I'll be on vacation from the day job starting this weekend. I've been holding in a few stories that I think you'll like. They are coming soon.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Mediocrity

2007-12-12T22:10:00.000-05:00

"I had such a bad game, there's nothing really else for me to say... tonight I have to take responsibility for us. I was a big part of their success," Holik said. "We can all look around, but I'm not going to look around. I'm only going to look in the mirror." (AJC, Craig Custance, 12/14/07)

On Wednesday night the Thrashers played with purpose, focus, energy and a will to win; for 16 minutes. Unfortunately, there was 60 minutes of playing time in this 5-3 loss to the Bruins. Atlanta arrived ready to play halfway through the second period. In the opening stanza our comatose club was out shot 13-3. The third shot was questionable. In our last four losses we have been thoroughly outplayed, outscored and outclassed in the first period. This is an ugly trend that points to poor leadership and preparation. If I'm the guy with the "C' on his jersey I point the finger directly at myself as Holik did in the post-game interview. Our Captain was minus four on the night but he was not the only Thrasher responsible for this sloppy loss. Garnet Exelby scored the deciding goal for Boston on a nice deflection from point blank range. X also had a handful of other turnovers on the evening as did Kovy and McCarthy. Slava Kozlov continues to appear to be skating with a piano on his back and something besides hockey on his mind. The Thrashers got what they deserved, another home loss.

Mark Recchi sparked the brief glimpse of quality Blueland hockey with two goals in a minute and an overall inspired performance. His presence injected life into the beleaguered Thrasher power play which was successful twice. The acquisition of Recchi for a half a million dollars is a steal. He is winner, a hard-nosed competitor and should be able to bring some focus to our distracted bunch. But the problems on this club can not be solved by one Hall of Famer.

Perhaps it's a contagious strand of Attention Deficit Disorder? A conspiracy? A revolt? I don't know what the hell it is but it's persistent and needs treatment. The Thrashers can not stay focused and play for an extended period of time with energy and tenacity. Giving effort, hustling and playing with heart for less than a third of a game, time and time again, is utterly unacceptable. The perfect storm of negative attributes has come to characterize the play of this underachieving club. Take one part "turnovers in the defensive zone", add a myriad of excessive passing, lolligag often, don't hit anyone or put the puck on net and finish with a confused power play. The result is mediocrity, embarrassment, frustration, and a decreasing fan base. So there are the problems, how about some suggestions for improvement?

1) Resolve the Marian Hossa situation.
Either sign or trade him before the All-Star break. Something is distracting this team. This has to be at least part of issue.
2) Find a full-time Coach
Don Waddell has done an admirable job in an interim role but he is our GM. The team is not showing up to play recently and needs a strong leader who will kick a butt when needed. Brad McCrimmon would be an excellent choice. He is both respected and feared by the players.
3) Acquire quality Defensemen
The Thrashers simply do not have enough defensive talent to win consistently in the NHL.
4) Get Nasty
This team has to be more physical. Our lack of physicality is resulting in limited puck possession, fatigue penalties and getting out shot over and over again. The Thrashers have only had more shots on goal than their opponents twice this year. Absolutely ridiculous!
5) There is no such thing as a bad shot on goal
Instead of looking to make the perfect pass, this team needs to throw the puck at the net and scrap. Granted we don't have many bulls that can take the punishment in the crease but Holik, Recchi, Boulton, or Thorburn should be able to perform this role.

As fans, we can not accept mediocrity. Acceptance of our current condition is not an option. If you are in the arena and X scores for the other team, let him hear your displeasure. If Slava continues to lumber aimless on the ice, let him hear it. As a season ticket holder I am disgusted by our lack of effort of late. Losing while giving 100% is a normal occurrence in the NHL. On some nights your team won't get the breaks or make the crucial play. Losing because of lack of hustle or questionable heart should make you an angry paying customer.

All is not lost. Not by a long-shot. I am convinced that this team in underachieving which means if they play to their capabilities they should be able to make a run. On Friday we have an opportunity to take our frustrations out on the Leafs. Who better to feel our wrath?

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

The Atlanta Thrasher Report Card

2007-12-06T16:01:00.000-05:00

The Atlanta Thrashers are the freaks of the NHL. Don't try and figure them out, it's mind numbing. Last night is a perfect example. Overall we outplayed the Islanders. The puck spent a great deal of time in their zone. We were aggressive, drew nine penalties and continuously applied pressure. We also were out shot by 9, played most of the first and part of the third period in a coma and went 0-9 of the power play. Ohh for nine! This is the line that includes Kovy, Hossa, and Slava. How is name of all that is good and sacred can the power play smell of feces to this degree? Blindfolded, hobbled and drunk this line should be able to convert 20% of their power play chances. Conversely, we scored two short-handed goals, (both keyed by Eric Perrin), and somehow won the game.

This has been a very strange season, to say the least, but somehow the Thrashers are still very much in contention. Not only are they in contention but they show flashes of brilliance often. These hot flashes,(or menopausal moments if you prefer), are generally followed by inexplicable periods of listless, uninterested play. Is focus the issue? Perhaps bi-polar disorder? I don't know but let's take a moment to reflect as I present my "somewhere between quarter and half season" report card. First let's look at the team as a whole and then individual players:

Power Play - "D-" The only reason they don't get a failing grade is because of Toby Enstrom's play on this unit. Kovy, Hos, and Slava - you're better than this!

Penalty Kill - "C" - After the departure of Hartley's prized "box" system, the Thrashers have become decent, even offensive at times on the PK.

Defense - "B-" - Again a huge improvement here since the 0-6 start. Almost all D-men have stepped up their games lately.

Even Strength Offense - "B+"- I know the first line is dominating the scoring but the other lines are playing their roles well.

Goaltending - "B" - Moose and Pavelec filled in very well for Kari and now Kari looks solid.

Coaching - "B-" - Coach Harley has been blamed for everything negative by the Blueland faithful since his departure including global warming, the drought and sky-rocketing gas prices. The truth is our terrible start was not entirely his fault and "The Don" has not been perfect, (see our special teams play.)

Front Office - "B" - The positives are our draft picks including Little, Haydar, Popovic and especially Toby. The negatives are the mostly uneventful off-season acquisitions and the release of Belanger among others. Mr. Sutton, good riddance!

Overall the Thrashers have proven to be an exciting, fast team with quick strike capability that doesn't shoot enough. They are talented but extremely small defensively. They can be both great and miserable within 5 minutes of any given period. They are simultaneously entertaining and nauseating.

Now for some individual grades. Let's start with the obvious:

IIya - "A" - The reason he doesn't get an "A+" is that he still occasionally attempts the 1 on 5 rush. He is the NHL co-MVP right now. Vinnie is having a great year as well.

Toby - "A+" - He wasn't expected to make the team and is now a key player. He has great hands, speed, and composure. When he starts to shoot a little more often he will be a star.

Hossa - "B" - Despite being slightly injured all year he is still averaging more than a point per game. He will get stronger.

Slava - "D" - Some of you won't like this but he deserves this barely passing grade. He looks slow, lethargic and is one of the reasons the PP is not functioning. He simply does not shoot on the power play and every team knows it. This allows Defenders to key on Kovy and Hos and shut us down. Come back to us Slava, we need you!

Slater - "B-" - He hits, he hustles, he makes decent decisions on the ice, he's fast, nimble, etc. And then someone passes him a puck....

Havelid, Klee and Alexei Z - "B" - These three are the most improved Thrashers. Enstrom's energy is a key to Havelid's revitalization.

Little - "B+" - The kid has mad skills but just needs to bulk up and mature a bit. He'll be a star.

Popovic - "A-" - He is so solid and sound defensively, deserves more ice time.

Holik - "C" - I am big Holik fan but you have to send some of the blame for the 0-6 start to him. He is the Captain and should not have tolerated and contributed to the early season collapse. He has played well lately.

X - "B" - He has become more than just a hitter but has occasional Sutton-esque moments in front of net.

Dupuis - "B-" - He is excellent on the PK and is starting to get confidence in his shot. He should contribute more very soon.

White - "C+" - His absence, although he was on the ice, really hurt the team early. Hopefully, recent clutch goals and assists will continue.

Thorburn - "A" - I really like his game and effort. He makes his presence felt in a limited role.

Larsen - "D" - Not much from a very nice guy this year.

Kari - "D" - This has nothing to do with his play. His lack of off-season preparation is inexcusable. Hopefully this recent injury will open his eyes.

Moose - "A" - Great job in a tough role by the ultimate worker and teammate.

Bolts - "C+" - I'd like to see more physical play out of the big fella.

Perrin - "B+" - His best game was last night. Eric is a PK master and a hustler. I'd bet his offensive numbers look great at year's end.

Haydar - NA - Not fair to judge him because he is a rookie getting his role changed often.

McCarthy - "F" - He doesn't get much playing time and there is a reason for that.

Whew, that was exhausting. I'm done for now. I hope you have an opinion on the report card and will let me know about it. Last but not least, keep voting for Kovy. If he doesn't start in the All-Star game it would be a crime.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

All-Star Voting Challenge - The Winner

2007-11-29T10:50:00.000-05:00

And it's over. Spike gained focus and pulled away by voting 160 times yesterday. His prize is 2 tickets to the March 21st game versus Alex, "Giant Head", and the Caps. Nice work guys! If all true Thrasher fans consistently voted half as much as you, IIya would be in a starting position now.

Spike - 470
Jake - 390

Kovy has moved up in the voting standings and it is because of you, the Blueland faithful, so take a moment, reach around and pat yourselves on the back. Ok, the moment is over. Go vote again. Kovy needs to be a starter and we can get it done. We have a little less than a month to complete the mission.

I'll be back with a new post tomorrow.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Vote or be gone

2007-11-25T11:22:00.000-05:00

This is embarrassing and will not be tolerated. We are just plain lazy and should be ashamed of ourselves. Perhaps Atlanta is indeed a mediocre sports town without a soul. That’s what people in NY, Boston and Toronto think of us. What the hell am I talking about you ask. The fact that IIya Kovalchuk, the best player in the NHL this season thus far has almost 70,000 less votes than that snot-nosed kid in Pittsburgh. This differential narrows, starting today. Why is this so important?

1) The freakin game is on our ice. It would be nice if the best player in the NHL, who also happens to be our guy, was a starter.
2) Our reputation as a hockey town is on the line
3) Thrasher fans are a passionate group. We can get Kovy into at least third place if we dedicate ourselves. This is a test of our ability as a community to assemble and conquer. We can do this.

The solution – At least 20 votes a day

Don’t even think it and if you utter the three words, feel deep seeded shame. I’ve heard and used the excuse “I’m too busy”, way too many times. It takes me 25 seconds to complete an on-line all-star ballot. After some experience, muscle memory kicks in and you get quick. Even if it takes a minute to complete a ballot, that’s 20 minutes out of your day to complete this mission. Make this your goal. If you miss a day, double up the following day. This doesn’t have to be a chore. Here are some ways to make this process enjoyable:

1) Time yourself – Each day record how long it takes you to get to twenty. If you’re a numbers geek, keep a stats sheet, make a spreadsheet, etc.
2) Bet on it – For example, Kari could bet Billsen a beer on who could get to 50 fastest. MJ could bet Benjamin; the omnipresent Craig Custance could bet the all-knowing Ben Wright, etc.
3) Group votes – I challenge the Nasty Nest to collectively vote 5,000 times in a week. I challenge the main message board regulars to do the same. Also, to make it more interesting. I’ll take on any member of the Nest, one on one, over a week’s time. We’ll each have 1 hour a day as a limit. The price is a Thrasher hat. Nesters, tell me who your representative is and let’s start on Monday, 11/26.
4) Peer Pressure - We need participation from anyone who is Thrashers fan. The best way I know to get this is hard-core peer pressure. Put the heat on your friends, co-workers, spouses, kids, etc.

And of course, a contest

The winner gets a pair of tickets to a late season Thrashers game. The contest is simple. The first three people who enter the contest by commenting below will be the contestants. Each contestant will reply to me each day by 10 pm with how many votes they entered for the day. Votes after 10 pm count for the following day. The contest will run for a week starting on Tuesday 11/27. I’ll keep a running daily tally on the site. If you want to be a contestant, send a reply with “voting contest contestant”.

Now, go here and vote often for Hossa and Kovy:

http://fanballoting.nhl.com

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Magic

2007-11-21T16:52:00.000-05:00

November 19, 2007, Third Period - 17:37

A fraction of a second after IIya’s shot found the net to tie the game Monday night late in the third period I remembered what I needed to see. In my line of sight were about 5,000 people with variations of the same emotion exuding from every pore. The second after Kovy scored I realized why hockey and sports in general have entered my soul. Focusing on the collective and not a specific jubilant fan, one word came to mind. It was joy. Joy in the purest form. It wasn’t rehearsed or insincere as many of our exchanges have become. When Kovy scored Thrasher fans of all ages, shapes and sizes didn’t have time plot their reaction. The mass of humanity seated behind me became one being that reacted without inhibition or thought. It was beautiful, uncut, uncensored and natural. The moment lasted about 2-3 seconds until people became cognizant that they were jumping and screaming like children. Some toned it down at that point, some turned it up, some continued a little longer. That 2 seconds after Kovy scored is why I go to every game and will be a fan for life.

The vast majority of life is uneventful and routine. You get up, brush, eat, shower, work, eat, sleep, repeat, etc. Hidden within the tedium are moments so extraordinary that they are beyond description. A few are universal. The first time you look into someone’s eyes and realize you are in love qualifies. The first time you see your child is a big one. The moment after your first home run leaves the yard, you score you first goal or touchdown counts. There are a few adult moments that I won’t mention but you get the point. Think about your moments and try to describe them. They should be almost impossible to capture with intelligible thought. These are the snapshots that run through your head when you die. It’s the highlight reel you show to God. It’s the 30 seconds of your life that are most precious.

When Kovy scored I spun around quickly and got a look at how happy people can be if they are unburdened. I wish I had a picture from different angles of the crowd, the Thrasher bench and players on the ice at that exact moment. You rarely get to take home a souvenir at times like this. When I’m 85, drooling and need help getting out of bed, I’ll bet I still have this visual image in my head. It will be a part of the highlight reel and what I get show God when he/she/it asks how I enjoyed the ride.

Why do some people cherish sports? There is a bit of life affirmation in the best of times. Maybe it’s worth it to limp through 50 hour a week mind-numbing jobs if you know a moment is coming. It might be worthwhile to trudge through the muck just to feel the gold in your hand for a second.

Spinning around to see you after Kovy scored made my day. You were truly thrilled. You were sincerely amped. You were loving life and you didn’t care how you looked or sounded.

About a minute after Kovy scored my wife Stacy turned to another rabid fan in our section and said, “This is why I love hockey.” Yet another reason we’re married, she’s a genius.

I’ll be back in my seat on Friday. How about you?

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Sweet Home Atlanta

2007-11-16T22:23:00.000-05:00

It’s raining in Seattle tonight. It was raining sideways yesterday afternoon and in buckets last night. It rarely stops raining in Seattle. People wander the Billy goat steep streets of this ill-conceived city is a state of aggravation. They trudge and splash through the gray mist in black Doc Martens. The masses are damp, tired and pale. The two days I spent in the birth place of Pearl Jam, Nirvana and corporate coffee are mercifully over. Most every time I travel for the job that pays the bills it makes me appreciate home. Be grateful if your phone number includes a 404, 770 or 678 prefix. If your phone number does not begin with these digits, please stay where you are. We’re full.

Carolina vs. Thrashers – 11/16/07

First Period – I think we can safely say that Hossa is all the way back. Number 18 owned the first period in Raleigh scoring the only goals of the period. He was denied a natural hat trick on a great save by Cam Ward on a short-handed break away. The Thrasher defense bent but did not break. Carolina won the shots on goal battle but their scoring chances were few and weak. Todd White once again made a key play on the rush. White showed tremendous patience drawing in Ward and then threading a beautiful touch pass to Hossa. Hos is a finisher similar to LaDainian Tomlinson in football. If he gets an opening he is going to score these days. Great road period, the Carolina faithful are quiet.

2-0 Thrash.

Second period – power play, pass, pass, pass, no takers, somebody shoot, Moose, no rebound, sticky glove hand, no rebound, PP no shots, sloppy, sloppier, Moose saves, no rebound, fourth-line bang, fourth line buzz, buzz, check, lift the puck Jimmy, everything but the goal, Moose gives it up, Moose gives it up and falls down, monkey meet football, you do the math, just hold on, hold on, penalty, breathing hard, lungs burning, too much pressure, just hold on, shot blocked, shot, clear, nice PK, horn, whew!

2-0 Thrash

Third period
They didn’t panic, not even once. They didn’t panic and the Thrashers played the final 20 minutes like a team who knows how to win. A team won this game tonight. The D-men did their job very well, the stars scored the goals and role players played their roles. We actually have a system now and it works. Johan Hedberg got his first shutout in a few years and put on a fundamental net-minding clinic. The Thrashers fly home happy with two critical road points.

Final - Thrash 3 – Carolina - nuttin
My three stars:

1) Hossa – he did it all
2) The Moose
3) A tie - The PK unit and the forth line – Our PK is the worst in the league at a little over 70% effectiveness but the kill looked very composed tonight. The forth line provided some muscle, jump and energy.

Nine wins and four losses

Never again will I question Don Waddell’s hockey expertise. Under his leadership Atlanta is 9-4 and performing like a playo*%#@ team. I almost prematurely used the “P” word If it ain’t broke, don’t replace it. I vote that Don retain his job through the postseason this year. Here are the main reasons why the Thrashers have done an about face since the departure of “Smilin” Bob Hartley.

1) Line Cohesion – Since the lines have had a chance to play together consistently they have each gained an identity. The MVP line, (named this because someone on this line is getting the NHL MVP this year), is unstoppable. Some feel that the disproportionate amount of goals scored from the Kovy, White, Hossa line is dangerous. Please explain why. They score goals and we win. Ottawa packed a line last year and almost won a Cup. Our other lines each have an identity and a purpose now and across the board they look comfortable. Line tinkering doe’s not work. Remember 0-6?
2) See #1
3) “The Don” System – Fugetabotit, we finally have a system. It’s our first true system since the team’s inception and it works. It’s based in logic and the players respond to it. They look like they are having fun on the ice. What a concept!
4) Making plays – Certain Thrashers are stepping up in key situations. Todd White has made two huge plays recently that have won games for the Thrashers. In the Thriller last Tuesday, White out hustled a Florida Defender in their zone and made a spectacular, no-look pass to Kovy for the OT winner. Hockey games are usually decided on a few plays. We’re making them recently and White has proven to be a playmaker after a slow start.
5) Team Mentality – It appears that our guys want to win for each other. You can see it on the bench, on the ice and in the post game comments. IIya has dropped the word “I” from his vocabulary and tonight Hossa passed to IIya for an empty netter instead of completing the hat trick.

So the boys have the weekend off. Maybe play a little golf in Tucker? Take the kids to the park in mid-town? Watch some football at Jocks N, Jills? Maybe find peace, quiet and beauty in the GA Mountains? Whatever they choose, they can do it in or around Atlanta. We take our city for granted at times and overemphasize its shortcomings. The traffic is bad, we all know it. It may be the worst traffic in the US but I’d sit idle on route 285 for 4 hours a day rather than drown in Seattle angst, marinate in the L.A self-importance, or stew in the land of Mickey Mouse and timeshare pitches.

Monday we meet Vinnie and the Lightning in Blueland for a change. A win gets Atlanta to .500. It’s getting exciting!

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace

Apocalyptic Times

2007-11-11T22:43:00.000-05:00

If the news is true, we’re in grave danger. The Planet is warming at unprecedented levels. Some scientists say that Ohio will be ocean front property in this century. Areas of the world that are not melting are on fire. Those who choose not to go green shall be executed. MRSA Staph infections have mutated and become impervious to antibiotics. Whatever you do, don’t touch anyone. They could be infected. Smoking will cause a horrible suffocating, premature death. Drinking will dissolve your internal organs. Chinese toys will kill all the children. Terrorists are plotting our demise this second. Gas will soon be $5 a gallon and the scarcity of our global drug of choice will cause WWIII. The sun causes skin cancer, diet coke causes bloating. We’re all dangerously fat and stressed beyond our limits. What was that pain? Is this the heart attack I’ve been waiting for? Caffeine will rot you brain. Polar bears have no chance of survival. Georgia fish flop in torment, gasping their last desperate breath in dust bowl of the South. The twitchy stock market lost 200 points today. I guess Junior will be going to state college if he survives. Pestilence, inflation, disease, evil, and rage clog the evening news. We’re terrified, frozen in place by the blackness of it all. Grinding our teeth to the nubs, we put a shaking foot forward. What horrible misfortune waits around the next corner?

It’s getting kind of heavy people. All this connectivity and global awareness is well and good until you digest the content. I can’t offer a solution. What I can offer is some relief. For next three minutes let’s think about a cathartic, visceral sport that’s just for fun, hockey. We can get back to impending doom in a moment. CNN graphically depicts it 24 hours a day.

Batman Returns

Have you ever seen Cam Ward and Batman in the same room at the same time? I thought not. Coincidence? Cam single handedly stymied a spirited Thrasher attack on Saturday night. Ward was spectacular following ridiculous glove saves with ludicrous kick saves. At one point I think he actually entered the Matrix and slowed reality down for his pleasure. The lucky punk frustrated the Thrashers and the sell out crowd in Blueland into submission. There were however many bright spots for the Thrashers.

Hossa seems to be coming out of his funk and overcoming his nagging injuries. He scored twice and could have easily had four goals if it were not for the actions of before mentioned action hero. Ward stopped two Hossa break away bids on the same shift. After the second break-away save, I found a white flag and began waiving it like the Frenchmen in a bar fight. Never the less, Hos seems to be getting the strength back his legs which drive his power based game. Slava also has woken from his slumber and made some picturesque passes in this contest. In general the offensive attack once again looked strong.

The game was very entertaining overall and a loss that is easy to take. The Thrashers put forth a great effort on the tail end of back to back games and simply were beat by a superior effort in goal. Fatigue did seem to set in about half way through the game but still the Thrashers gave it their all. It’s a loss, it happens, it’s a long season. Get over it. For the most part our team is playing very well over the last 11 games and our schedule gets more favorable in the upcoming months. If our rookies continue to perform at a high level and our stars play like stars, this should be a very exciting season.

The nagging problem for the Thrashers is giving up an inordinate amount of shots on goal. We’ve played 17 games. We’re 0-17 in the shots on goal battle. This must change if this season is to extend into late April or beyond. Our overall size deficiency is a major cause for the excessive rubber flying at our Goalkeepers. Our D-men just can not take the puck from larger teams. This causes prolonged possession in our zone, fatigue penalties and shots on goal. We’re not going to get any bigger and probably not going to get much more skilled on D so we’re going to need high goal output and great net-minding to contend.

Reassessing Existence

Maybe the Millennials, (people born b/t 1980-2000) are right. Maybe quality of life and self is more important than hard work, sacrifice and taking responsibility. Maybe we should all call in sick tomorrow and play flag football or go to movie. Or maybe we should just force ourselves to have some fun everyday, no matter the cost. It’s a short life and some say we only get to live once. All this negativity, pressure and fear are oppressive.

I like hockey. I like to watch it live and on TV. I like to write about after I watch it. I like to talk about with like minded people, some of which have become good friends. Even after the most wretched day I can always find a hockey game and escape for a while. Maybe that’s the answer. A little pleasure each day might just lighten us the hell up. It’s certainly a better plan than cowering in a corner and watching the apocalypse in HD on CNN.

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace