Postgame, vs. Florida Panthers: Return of the Cardiac Kids

A win is a win. Take two points no matter how ugly they are. The good teams are the teams that find ways to win even on the bad nights.

There are a lot of ways to say it, and they are all true. The Thrashers stole two points last night, and turned a loss into a win. I didn’t take as good of mental notes as a usually do, but here are a few random thoughts from the game:

Marian Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuk. Ilya continues to dominate, scoring the game winner only 25 seconds into overtime. Marian Hossa, after being absolutely stone cold to begin the season with people yelling to trade him, has turned it a full 180 degrees in the other direction and is producing like old. Is anyone else excited to watch Hossa and Kovalchuk on the same line for an entire season?

Thrashers won again in a non-televised game. This, like the sellout streak, is just really quirky.

The team is now 4-0 in overtime games. Between this record and the incredible comebacks recently, words such as “clutch” and “Cardiac Kids” are more than appropriate. A goal with 2.6 seconds left to tie the game? The game winner 25 seconds into overtime to win it? Just another nailbiting, heart attack inducing finish to a Thrashers game.

The change from last year. I don’t know what it is, but there is something special about this team. Remember last year the three or four games when the Thrashers were on the powerplay down by a goal to end the game and couldn’t score? And how we never seemed to get the clutch last minute goal, but usually gave it up? Not true this year. With just over a minute left last night, I felt oddly comfortable. Something deep in my shoes knew this game was going to overtime.

Johan Hedberg. He played very well for just about the entire night to get the win. He hadn’t played in a while, and didn’t show any signs of rust. The second goal allowed was pretty weak, coming off of a long shot from the left wing position. He threw himself down on the ice after it went in because he was so upset. Other than that, great game Moose.

I don’t want to waste time harping on the negatives (cough Zhitnik), but just want to bask in the glory of an ugly but thrilling last-second-tying-kovalchuk-overtime-winning game against a division rival.

(Picture (c) Fred Johnson)

Canes Diving

From Jon Press on AOL’s NHL Blog:

After Florida defenseman Bryan Allen was whistled for tripping ‘Canes center Eric Staal on a questionable call in overtime, Panther netminder Ed Belfour lost it (clinical term) and started skating around while doing his best pantomime of a dive (though if we were playing charades, I’d have probably guessed “high hurdling” or something). The result was a two-minute minor for Belfour for bad acting unsportsmanlike conduct, a two-man advantage for Carolina and a two-point win on the Whitney goal moments later.

After the game, the Panthers were still steamed at the call(s) and the way they believe the Hurricanes play the game.

“We’ve got to get five or six guys to dive every time you touch them,” Panthers captain Olli Jokinen said in reference to Carolina’s Eric Staal hitting the ice on Allen’s penalty.

“He embellished it as much as he could,” said Allen. “It’s embarrassing the way they play the game. They’re looking for the easy way out, taking dives and looking for the cheesy call.”

Here is Belfour’s acting out the dive and what drew the unsportsmanlike. It is maybe one of the funnier things I have ever seen in a hockey game.

Postgame, @ Florida, Mar. 28

Recap – AJC
I sat down to write about the game tonight, and realized that I couldn’t figure out who didn’t deserve a point more in the game. From one perspective, the Thrashers did not play great hockey, missed many great opportunities, and played quite flat and on their heels for long periods of play. On the other hand, Florida scored one off an incredibly weak goal let in by Kari, and their second goal came after a shot from the point hit a Thrashers stick and bounced directly to Jozef Stumpel crashing the net from the weak side. Slava Kozlov also had a goal overturned, but more on that later. Neither team played all that great tonight, but it was an entertaining game overall.

The whole first period the Thrashers played timid and seemed off. Kari in particular was nervous, consistently looking behind him after stops and made numerous awkward saves. 7 minutes in, Florida forward Bryan Allen scored, coming in from Kari’s right side. He shot from the top of the circle, and as Kari was sliding across the crease, the puck slipped through. Kozlov tied the game with 2 minutes left in the period on a beautiful play. Bobby Holik meandered his way through the neutral zone and carried the puck across the blue line. Kozlov faked going into the corner and instead headed for the net. Holik hit him, and Slava put a one timer past goalie Craig Anderson.

The second period was all the Thrashers. The puck was controlled and Atlanta players were aggressive, drawing 5 penalties. Kozlov scored again 13 minutes in on a 4 on 3 power play. Hartley called a timeout when Jay Bouwmeester was called for hooking, and set up an absolutely gorgeous play. Zhitnik, to Hossa, to Mellanby, to Kozlov at the doorstep. Tic, Tac, Toe. Beautiful. The second period was all Thrashers, but you could sense impending doom after the Thrashers had so many power plays and great opportunities and couldn’t cash in on any of them to take a larger lead. It seemed like there were at least four good breakaway chances that were not converted.

The last period was ugly for the Thrashers, and also for the Panthers at times. Jozef Stumpel tied the game at 12 minutes on a lucky bounce off of a blocked shot. The Thrashers were sitting on their heels and did not continue the pressure and forechecking that worked in the second period. Overtime was very similar to the last period, but the Thrashers were able to generate a couple of good chances.

Before tonight, Florida was 1-8 and Atlanta was 6-3 in the shootout. What would happen tonight? Of course, Florida scored on its 2^nd and 3^rd chances against Kari Lehtonen, while Kozlov and Hossa missed their chances. Game over.

Part way through the game Slava Kozlov had a goal reversed. A rebound came to him all alone at the side of the crease. He kicked the puck forward to his stick, and then tried to touch it with his stick making it legal. At first it was ruled a goal, and then later reversed. Slava ends any debate here: ““I saw the puck come to me, my stick was there, I tried to kick it to my backhand and put it in the net. The puck jumped, hit my skate, and I had no chance to catch it,” Kozlov said. “It was a kick.”

Congrats are in order for Kozlov who set a season high in points tonight with his first goal. His previous high was 73, and he now stands at 75.

Also, happy birthday to Keith Tkachuk who turned 35.

So what to make of this game? Craig Anderson started in place of Ed Belfour tonight, and played absolutely amazing. He got the first star and rightfully so. The Thrashers would have liked to have gained two points on their foes tonight, but one is all right. If the team comes out tomorrow against Toronto and is fired up and plays well the entire game, then this game can be overlooked. If the poor play continues, then it was a huge missed point.

Toronto is scratching and clawing for playoff positioning, and they will bring intense playoff hockey tomorrow night. Can the Thrashers match it? It should make for a great game.

(AP Photo/Steve Mitchell)

Panthers and Sim

I can’t say much about last night’s loss to the Florida Panthers because I couldn’t watch it since it was only on NHL Center Ice. I will leave game analysis to those who actually saw the action rather than just kept up with the score. I do have one thing to say, that it doesn’t surprise me that Florida came ready to play having beaten them six times this season prior to last night’s game. And so we were knocked from the top again, but I am confident that we will retake the division, even if comes down to that last game against Tampa Bay.

The reason this post also mentions Sim is that I had to link to Jon Cooper’s article about Sim. I really enjoyed reading this article and those of you who have seen Jon Sim play many times and have come to enjoy his bouts in front of the goal will undoubtedly enjoy reading this article. Here is a small quote:

“He talks a lot on the ice, he talks a lot in [the locker room], he talks a lot everywhere,” said de Vries, with a laugh. “He’s definitely a little pest. He’s a guy that probably has a history with just about everybody on the ice, every team. He’s in your face and he doesn’t back away. He talks to everybody.”(more…)

Pregame, @ Florida, Mar. 10

Preview - Game Notes – Viewing Party

The Thrashers head into Sunrise, Florida for a 7:30 game tonight, which could turn out to be a record night for the franchise. With a win, the team would set the record for longest winning streak, and most games over .500.

Florida has been playing great hockey recently, scoring a point in 8 out of their last 10. Atlanta beat them this past Tuesday 4-2, on the strength of two Keith Tkachuk goals. That was against a Florida team playing on the road though. At home, they are completely different, going 19-10-4, which is the fifth best Eastern Conference home record.

This season, Kari Lehtonen has absolutely dominated the Panthers, giving up only 8 goals in 6 games, with two shutouts.

The game is not on TV tonight.

Season series:

• 10/7: W, 6-0
  
• 10/21: W, 4-2
  
• 10/22: W, 6-3
  
• 11/25: W, 1-0
  
• 12/2: W, 3-1 — Video
• 3/6: W, 4-2 — Video

Thrashers		Panthers
36-23-10	Record	28-27-13
82	Points	69
SE, 1st	Division Rank	SE, 4th
24-9-7	vs. FLA
11-6-2	@ FLA
6-0-0	This Season	0-6-0
18-13-4	on Road
	at Home	19-10-4
5-0-0	Last 5	4-1-0
6-3-1	Last 10	6-2-2
15-5-6	vs. Opposing Division	8-12-3
W, 4-2	Last Meeting	Tuesday
.667	Win %, Leading After 1	.750
.724	Leading After 2	.778
.360	Trailing After 1	.125
.231	Trailing After 2	.077
Steve Rucchin	Injuries	Alex Auld
		Branislav Mezei
16.8% (22)	Power Play (RK)	18.6% (9)
78.5% (27)	Penalty Kill (RK)	82.4% (17)
0	Goal Differential	-17
1.14 (9)	5 on 5 Ratio (RK)	1.03 (12)
29.6 (14)	Shots/G (RK)	33.2 (2)
31.2 (24)	SA/G (RK)	29.2 (14)
52.9% (2)	Faceoff % (RK)	48.1% (25)
8	SHG	5
M. Hossa (39)	Team Leaders – Goals	O. Jokinen (30)
M. Hossa (48)	Assists	O. Jokinen (37)
M. Hossa (87)	Points	O. Jokinen (67)
I. Kovalchuk (16)	PP Goals	O. Jokinen (9)
Lehtonen	Goalies	Belfour
30-19-8	Record	21-14-8
4	Shutouts	1
2.81	GAA	2.69
.910	Save %	.905

Postgame, vs. Florida, Mar. 6

Recap – AJC – Box Score – Scoresheet – Shift Chart – Photos

The magic of winning streaks is that a team can play average for most of a game and downright horrible at other times and still manage two points. Tonight was that case for the Thrashers. You can thank two things for the victory tonight: the penalty kill, and the stars. Everything else was pretty ugly.

First off- the penalty kill. The officials had a hyper night, calling 16 penalties. That included 8 hooking, 3 slashing, 2 holding, and 1 each of holding the stick, tripping, and interference. The penalty kill for the Thrashers had 6 penalties to kill, and successfully killed 5 of them. The missed opportunity was a bit of a garbage goal that just chipped over Kari’s shoulder, so nothing much to worry about. The man-down squad continues to show marked improvement over a few weeks ago.

Where is credit due for the recent winning streak? The stars are finally starting to produce again. Over the last four games, Kovalchuk has 2 goals and 2 assists, Hossa has 4 goals and 2 assists, Tkachuk had 2 goals tonight, and Lehtonen has played stellar in all four, averaging 1.75 goals per game. It’s not only just the stats that made the board though; countless times tonight Hossa or Tkachuk had a great move and just missed a shot or had it poke-checked away at the last second. All the big name guys are starting to produce at the right time. And how ’bout that beauty of a pass from Kovy to Tkachuk that led to his first goal? Kari was nothing short of a wall tonight, with 38 saves, and of the two goals allowed, one was on a point blank slapshot and the other was a bit of a garbage goal.

Now to the bad. Is it just me or is the team just absolutely horrible at clearing the puck? I have a funny feeling that’s not just my opinion. Many times we weakly attempted to skate it out or shoot it through to no avail. A few of them almost came back to bite us in the butt.

The power play again struggled. They did have two goals, but continued to look unorganized and couldn’t keep possession. With 10 chances with a man up, you better get a few goals. Two things I would like to see changed: Tkachuk on the side, and two defensemen. All I have heard about Keith is that he is money right in front of the crease. So how come he plays on the wall most of the power play? Recently both Havelid and Zhitnik have been on the ice with a man advantage. First off, Havelid needs to be taken off. I have always been of the opinion that four offensive players is better than have two defensive players.

Pascal Dupuis is starting to really impress me. At times tonight he was the only one really skating, and his speed and effort is amazing. He and Larsen looked like they are starting to connect, so that will be interesting to see what they can do.

Folks, this is NOT baseball. That means DON’T DO THE WAVE. I’m thinking (and hoping) that the people that read blogs like this and are that interested in hockey already understand that there is no place in a hockey arena for the wave. So please, if you ever see others doing it, stop them immediately.

What is up with the Winger magazine? Against Ottawa, Eric Belanger was on the cover and scored two goals. Last game against Carolina, Kari Lehtonen was the cover boy, and had 35 saves for the win. Tonight against Florida Keith Tkachuk made his cover debut, and scored two goals. What is up with this? I will argue that the designer of the Winger has just as much to do with the winning streak than any individual player (kidding).

Can we please get more than 12,566 fans in the arena for the game on Thursday vs. Montreal? The crowd noise was average, but the sight of that many empty seats was just depressing. It almost felt like a Florida Marlins game.

As of the writing of this, the Thrashers are in first place in the Southeast and third in the Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay is playing in Vancouver right now. Doesn’t it feel great to be winning again?

(Photos by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Pregame, vs. Florida, Mar. 06

Game Notes – Preview

The Thrashers take on the Florida Panthers tonight at 7:00 p.m. Although the Panthers are the third worst team in the East, don’t take them lightly, as they come into the game today having gone 7-1-2 in their last ten, and are on a seven game point streak.

SportSouth is broadcasting the game.

The season series is heavily favored for Atlanta, who is 5-0-0 against the Panthers. In those five games, Kari Lehtonen has been the top star four times, and has two shutouts.

The Panthers have a great powerplay, and generate a ton of shots (2nd most in the league), so the defense will have to play well tonight. The Atlanta centers should have a good game though in the faceoff circle because Florida ranks 26th in the league, while Atlanta is 2nd.

10 of the 15 Eastern Conference teams are in action tonight, so there will be a bunch of movement. With an Atlanta win and a Tampa Bay loss, the Thrashers will take over sole possession of 1st place in the division and 3rd place in the conference.

Season series:

• 10/7: W, 6-0
  
• 10/21: W, 4-2
  
• 10/22: W, 6-3
  
• 11/25: W, 1-0
  
• 12/2: W, 3-1 — Video

Panthers		Thrashers
27-26-13	Record	34-23-10
67	Points	78
SE, 4th	Division Rank	SE, 2nd
	vs. Panthers	23-9-7
	vs. FLA in ATL	12-3-5
0-5-0	This Season	5-0-0
8-16-9	on Road
	at Home	16-10-6
4-0-1	Last 5	3-1-1
7-1-2	Last 10	4-5-1
8-11-3	vs. Opposing Division	14-5-6
Dec. 2	Last Meeting	W, 3-1
.750	Win %, Leading After 1	.652
.778	Leading After 2	.704
.125	Trailing After 1	.360
.080	Trailing After 2	.231
Alex Auld	Injuries	Steve Rucchin
Branislav Mezei
18.8% (8)	Power Play (RK)	16.6% (23)
82.1% (16)	Penalty Kill (RK)	78.0% (28)
-16	Goal Differential	-6
1.03 (12)	5 on 5 Ratio (RK)	1.10 (9)
33.1 (2)	Shots/G (RK)	29.6 (15)
29.2 (13)	SA/G (RK)	31.0 (22)
48.0% (26)	Faceoff % (RK)	52.9% (2)
5	SHG	8
O. Jokinen (30)	Team Leaders – Goals	M. Hossa (38)
O. Jokinen (37)	Assists	M. Hossa (46)
O. Jokinen (67)	Points	M. Hossa (84)
O. Jokinen (9)	PP Goals	I. Kovalchuk (15)
Belfour	Goalies	Lehtonen
20-13-8	Record	28-19-8
1	Shutouts	4
2.70	GAA	2.84
.904	Save %	.909