Frippy, Sappy, Suppy

Well, this time of the year has finally arrived. In 24 hours, I will be in sunny southern California, ready to embark on my yearly trek into the desert to take in every single aspect (eh, close) of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. The set times are now up for everyone to take a look at and get delighted/pissed/annoyed/WTF about. I have yet to take any of the times in, but that's one of the things I'll examine on my evening flight into LAX tomorrow. I try to organize these things, knowing that everything will probably be thrown out the window once I get on the grounds. So whatevs.

Basically, enjoy the playoff hockey this week and I'll enjoy what So-Cal has to offer. First is a 2+ hour drive from LAX to Indio where I'll relax in my private condo (for a nite, that is). Then I'll pick up some friends in Palm Springs on Thursday, take in the surroundings. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are occupied by this. And my Monday will be spent in Los Angeles, a city I haven't been to in over 10 years. I'll actually attend the Diamondbacks/Dodgers game that nite, too! It's definitely looking like an action-packed weekend and it's a sure thing that updates are in the future once I return... next Tuesday. Although an immediate update might not happen as I'm attending that evening's show of the Arcade Fire, live in Atlanta.

Why do I do this to myself?!

Time to get packing...

'06-'07 Atlanta Thrashers - R.I.P.

After a relatively strong season (to Thrashers standards, maybe not to the league's standards), going four-and-out in the playoffs definitely left a bitter taste in the mouth of Blueland Nation. No one - players from both sides, media, the fans - expected a sweep in this series, no one. So for the Thrashers, the third seed in the Eastern Conference, to come into the playoffs like a black labrador and go out like a canary, it's a disappointment. After waiting seven years to get into the next step of the team's development and character, everyone folds completely. Kinda sad, but, unfortunately, that's the way things go.

Yes - they could've played better. Sure - we could've had those lucky bounces. But what's done is done. Just be proud of your team for getting that far.

Maybe it serves us right. Maybe everyone was too optimistic about everything. Did people realistically expect the Thrashers to make waves in the post-season? I sure didn't, and I love this team more than anything. Regardless, it still hurts that the team unconsciously decided to not be present for (at least) a game in the playoffs. Things like a, sniff, first-round sweep can only serve to motivate what remains next season.

A lot was made of the team finally reaching the playoffs. About how the last playoff hockey in Atlanta occurred 20+ years ago when the Flames were cast out of the city (courtesy of the New York Rangers... hmm). About how the young stars of the team could step up and prove their real worth. About how the Hossas, the Kovys, the Lehtonens, could really make a statement and boost this franchise's value in the city that wants a winner more than anything (save the Braves).

Was there too much pressure on the team's collective shoulders? Perhaps. They'll never tell, and maybe the players themselves will never know. Management made moves to sacrifice the future for now, deserately trading away some nice prospects (we'll see how they turn out in a few years) and future draft picks for some more stability and possibly more names on the marquee. While it seems like the Tkachuk deal didn't pan out exactly as Don Waddell hoped, he (along with Zhitnik, Belanger, and Dupuis) provided the added spark to get the team to the post-season for the first time in its seven-year history.

And wasn't that the point? Playoffs or bust? For a while there, that's what it seemed like. Then it turned into, "Series win or bust." Then, "Regain series control or bust." It eventually turned into, "Show up or bust."

It's one's love for the team that constantly encourages more and that other things get lost in hindsight. Ending the regular season without a playoff berth would've signaled a definite failure of hockey in Atlanta (at least with the management staff). But you know what? We not only made it into the playoffs, but we have a banner to hang as a result of the hard-work that got us there. All of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into each game this season will be rewarded come October when we raise some sort of recognition to the rafters of Philips Arena.

For a moment, at least, the four-and-out playoff run will be forgotten and a sense of pride will be renewed.

Blueland Nation - I mourn as the rest of you do about the past four losses of the team that ultimately ended their season. I lived it all vicariously through the players' triumphs and miscues and run-ins with fate. But please do recognize the bigger picture here. We made the playoffs. We didn't sneak into it, we held that spot almost all season long atop the Southeast Division. Granted, there's a lot of parity in that division, but we commanded (albeit with some level of struggle) it. No one would've expected last September and October that we would've won the Southeast Division. Sneaking in as an eight seed, probably no higher than a six seed, was more appropriate.

But we won the division fair and square. Don't forget who got you there and all that happened through this roller-coaster ride of a season.

I, for one, am proud of you, each and every one of the Atlanta Thrashers, for going the extra distance this season. We didn't have the outcome we all wanted and felt we earned. A exit from the playoffs is inevitable. Either you win sixteen games or lost a series. A series loss of 4-3 or 4-0 results in the same outcome - no more hockey for you! We got into the next round of hockey that some teams are left out of. We got there and we opened the eyes of the league and made everyone consider our chances, examine our team, and really consider us a threat.

Isn't that what it was all about from the start?

Thanks for a great season, Atlanta Thrashers. You made the playoffs and really gave yourselves motivation for next year. Missing the playoffs by a couple of points was a start. The scores of this series should be posted in the locker room and acknowledged before every game next season so that the players are constantly reminded of what's on the line and that there's reason to go on. Right now, it's difficult to think about that, but it's the truth. Go ahead and drown in your sorrows and disappointment. Come July though, we're a new team and we have a new agenda.

Let's hang that banner in October and start anew.

Let's go Thrashers!

OMG WTF LOLZ ROTF LMAO TTYL G2G, etc.

After last nite's terrible, miserable, pathetic game 3 loss to the New York Rangers, Blueland Nation is trying to figure out if this Atlanta Thrashers team has a pulse and if it will start beating in less than an hour in New York.

Now, I wasn't going to go into how non-existant the game was yesterday... but I am going to post something that will surely make everyone laugh, just because it's so stinkin' bizarre... and hilarious. Courtesy of a friend of mine who lives in Boston and hosts the Onward Charles blog, here's a video from the Angels/Red Sox game Monday afternoon. This isn't just your normal highlights of the game, though. It's a great moment caught on tape that deserves to be spread around. It's worth more than just a good, hearty laugh, IMO.

Red Sox + beer + pizza + =



Boston Herald: Pepperoni with that? Flying pizza at Fens

About this evening's game - go out there with dignity and pride, Thrashers. Please.

New Blog Alert - Welcome to BLUELAND

Just came across this this morning and it looks pretty good. From a college student in Columbus, GA comes a new voice for the Thrashers:

Welcome to BLUELAND

Welcome aboard!

Photos: ECQ Game 1 - Thrash vs. Range-uhs (clicky)

More are located at the flickr site, as is the norm. Clicking on any of the above brings you there as well.

ECQ Game 1 - vs. the Ranguhs (clicky)

Let's just start this off the bat with this - it was probably about 10 minutes prior to the pre-game skate that bunches of Thrashers fans were surrounding the home bench and spilling over to where Kari would be in goal for the start of the game... and there were massive chants of "LET'S GO THRASHERS!"

The home team representation witnessed last nite was unbelievable. That kind of atmosphere was what I truly expected on Saturday's season finale against Tampa Bay - and I was somewhat let down because it just wasn't there. Last nite's playoff opener, however, I felt it. I was immersed in it. You knew that this was a special nite and that Philips was going to be a magical place.

Oh, and how I was not once disappointed. There were times I thought I considered ear plugs because it was that darned loud. To have so many fans adorned in Thrashers blue and constantly keeping with "LET'S GO THRASHERS" chants and the "LUNDQVIST - YOU SUCK!" heckles ("heckle" is an injustice to what really occurred), it was so special. The fans of the Atlanta Thrashers are no Atlanta Braves fans, I'll tell you that. There was no sitting down and being so casual and numb to the idea that the Thrashers were fighting for their lives last nite, proving a point that we as both a team and city will not back down and we WILL make our presence known to whoever, and at any time.

Before the game starts? Yell your heart out.

After going down a goal? Come back louder than ever.

Getting down two goals? Well, the Blueland faithful was a little more reserved, but we never left the building.

Scoring a goal to cut the Rangers' lead in half? Words cannot express how amazing it felt to be a part of that experience.

It was just insane! I only wish I could make any of the remaining games for this series. Knowing that I'll have a difficult time trying to watch Saturday's matinee affair on television hurts so bad, especially after how this game went.

And I haven't even mentioned THE GAME yet.

I couldn't be more proud to represent the team that I love. They put it out there and tried their hardest to come back and really stick it to the opposition, even after some mistakes that eventually cost them the game. But whatever - with that kind of support and backing, it's going to be very difficult to be down for long if you are the Atlanta Thrashers.

As for the game itself, it wasn't so bad. The shot total was 38 to 24, in favor of the Rangers, and it was noticeable that the defence wasn't as strong as it should've been. Granted, they played some great hockey for some of the game (mainly in the third), but there were moments of desperation, yelling, "GET AGGRESSIVE!"

There wasn't a moment that crossed my mind that we'd take this series easily, and that game only proved that. John Kincade (local sports radio personality) forecasted a series result of four-to-one in favor of the Thrashers - uh, impossible. It's gonna be tight, it's gonna be nail-biting, and it's gonna be awesome.

Here are the things that concerned me the most about this game:

- the inexperience issue - Sure, on paper, we have a lot of playoff experience from members of the team, but as a unit (and as a city), it's either non-existant or absent for 27 years. I can handle a loss from the home team if it means that they can finally settle down, get all of the nerves and anxiety that this initial meeting caused behind them, and really play the game that they hinted at during last nite's loss. There were a lot of nervous guys on that ice and it showed. But if a nervous squad leads you to a one-goal loss, I'd hate to see what this team does when they are completely confident in themselves.

- the lack of power - There has been a lot of talk about Marian Hossa's invisibility during his time in Ottawa (regarding their playoff appearances). Last nite, not a single member of the Thrashers upper echelon of scorers appeared on the scoring sheet (save for Tkachuk's helper on the wonderful Belanger tally in the first). In order for this team to thrive and really persevere, Kovy, Hossa, and Slava need to show up. Do I really think that the Rangers' defensive corps shut them down that much to make them ineffective during that game? No. I think this ties into my first point.

- Kari's shakiness - Initially, I thought he was really holding himself together. That Jagr goal to start it all was just amazing and Kari had nothing on it. But as time went by, you could tell that his head was catching up with him. It eventually did as he lost a second somewhere and couldn't handle a rebound as he should've and it resulted in the game winner from Nylander. He needs to zen out somewhere, channel that part of his personality that "asks for the do-or-die situation", and wade in it. We know that Kari can be a difference-maker. Same as the previous point, this also applies to my first comment on the game.

Things that I could preach on forever about from the game:

- physicality - Since when have the Thrashers EVER pushed anyone around? Last nite, it was apparent that was a part of their agenda and they carried it out throughout the duration of the game. I mean, when players like Kovalchuk take out members of the opposition, that says something. And the Exelby hits? Yeah, they are expected, but he was seriously packing some juice when he LEVELED Sean Avery and FLATTENED Jagr in the third. The hits kept on coming and I loved that the team came out firing on a physical level. They weren't going to be pushed around by a team that a lot of people predict will survive this series. If they are going to go down, at least the Thrashers will go down in a blaze of glory.

- scoring from WHERE?! - We knew that Belanger was a nice addition when he racked up a bunch of points after the deadline, so his great deflection to start the Thrashers mark on the playoffs wasn't that surprising. Goals from Pascal Dupuis and especially Shane Hnidy were unexpected and probably a surprise to Rags' goalie Lundqvist and the rest of their defense. Brad Larsen and Nic Havelid got some great credit on the scoresheet, too. In the playoffs, you cannot solely rely on your big guns; everyone needs to produce. While the "Three Sticks Mafia" was held scoreless, our other "no-names" picked up the slack when they needed to and proved themselves. Awesome.

- power play - As of right now, we're 50% on the power play, which is nice! The fact that we even scored on our first chance, I must admit my mouth kinda dropped there. The management of special teams in the playoffs is almost as important as big-time goaltending. That the Thrashers cashed in on their first chance must be a morale booster for the team, a team that noticeably struggled throughout the regular season with these kind of scoring advantages. While we didn't exactly continue our earlier success on the late Pock penalty, we can say that we scored ONE. Now we have an idea on how to play it for the next three games, hopefully more!

So, Blueland faithful, be proud in your team today. They really showed up, as did every one of you. Anyone who questions the loyalty and passion for this team needs to be examined because we really proved ourselves out there - as a team, as fans, and as a city. There is no doubt in my mind that Saturday's game is going to be any different in terms of play. Hopefully the result will be reciprocal!

Let's go Thrashers!

Today's the day!

So last nite, I was going to put together a little thing I wanted to call a "Thrashers Playoff Kit", which was basically going to be a silly take on what was essential for the game this evening against the Rangers. After playing around with it for a while, I just wasn't that satisfied with how it turned out, so I'll just do a quick version of what I wanted to do yesterday.

Basically, today is a huge day. Players are coloring their hair blue (and now I'm seeing that it was only temporary), fans are going nuts on the local airwaves, and you better believe that there'll be a bunch of face painting. All of these things are great ways for fans to express their hockey love, but they are definitely not essential.

What is essential to have upon your arrival to Philips Arena this evening is the following:

- your Southeast Division Champions t-shirt that you bought at the game last Saturday (you know you have one);

- if there's some reason that you do not have this shirt, a Welcome to Blueland t-shirt will make do... for now;

- another visible item of clothing needs to be blue - this applies to pants (I'll have blue jeans), shoes (I have blue Pumas), socks (where I'm lacking), hats (I guess I can rock the Thrashers hat that I have from earlier this season), and/or gloves. I'm sure there's more I can add to this list, but, because it's 60+ degrees outside, I'm refusing to add "shorts" because this is playoff hockey! Shorts are NOT worn at playoff hockey games... I don't care how damned hot it is outside;

- if you've stock-piled 'em up until now, pull out your Thrashers thunder sticks, inflate, and make contact.

- a mouth that's ready to scream, yell, BE LOUD for hours on end. If you can avoid talking until the game, I highly advise it. Drink plenty of water, drink some hot tea - just do anything to preserve your throat;

- you better not forget that jersey of your's. Whether it be the old away (navy/maroon) jersey that was retired last season, the current away (white) jersey, or the current home jersey, you wear it.

- and, what is perhaps the most essential item of your inaugural Atlanta Thrashers playoff experience, yourself! If you don't have a ticket, get your rear down to Philips and spend the evening in Centennial Park and watch the game on the big screen across the street from CNN Center - it's guaranteed to be on there while the game is going on inside.

So everyone, get up, grab your garb and head over to Philips Arena and let the atmosphere take you over... because tonite is gonna change your life. It's that serious!

Uh, yeah, that's what it's all about!

Good God, what a game! After watching an entire game (and please note that I missed the first 60 minutes, too!), the Canucks pulled it out in a FOUR OVERTIME thriller against a Dallas squad that was still running strong. Mr. Luongo, I think you definitely proved yourself tonite, especially dealing with a barrage of 70+ shots! Despite Marty Turco's playoff troubles in the past, he also played a great game. Keep your eyes on this series; it's gonna be interesting come Friday when they meet again!

Welcome to the NHL Playoffs '07, everyone; we're in for a treat!

Let the Madness Begin, Blueland!

You know, for the first few seasons as a Thrashers fan, I really enjoyed the novelty of hockey again. I was out of the loop for a few seasons too many and I slowly got back into the thick of things. At the time, there was a very young franchise that was starting to get on its feet and validate its existence in the sphere of NHL play.

As my relationship with the Thrashers grea stronger and stronger, I knew what was ahead - the playoffs. It was only so long before this team received a taste of playoff hockey. In '03-'04, we started off somewhat strong, but ultimately fell apart midway through the season after a nice victory against the Lightning on home ice the day after Christmas.

Then the lockout happened and changes were made, but nothing significant happened. Enter Scott Mellanby and Jaroslav Modry (and a few others). Also, Kari Lehtonen's time was approaching and he was beginning to be counted on by this team, this city.

Last season, we really tried hard despite the hard times (read: goalie diarrhea) and still came up VERY short. Guarantees were made, but still nothing was there to put the money where the mouth was, so to speak. We stuck to our guns and missed the objective. Last season, the playoffs would've been the goal - plain and simple. Anything past that would've been a pleasant surprise.

Now, heh, well now things are different. In my roughly five years' experience with the team, I've come from casual fan to really crazed, possessed, passionate believer in the future of hockey in Atlanta. A lot has changed since the infant stages of my relationship with the Atlanta Thrashers.

The biggest, and most meaningful, change occurs on Thursday evening as the Thrashers open their first ever playoff appearance against the New York Rangers at home in Philips Arena.

Even including last season's push for a ticket into the "real" season, it's perpetually been something as just an interest to be a Thrashers fan. Yeah, you liked the team and you occasionally voiced your opinion about what upper management should do. But nothing that's been said in the past compares to what's occurring currently. Deep analysis of the team is happening all over North America. Of course, some Thrashers fans have this discussion down pat over at their ends (name check to Southeast Shootout, Talons, and Talking Thrash), but the rest of the league could've cared less up until this point.

With that said, people are still writing off the team, saying that there isn't much to the squad to keep them in a high-intensity series against legitimate contenders for a week straight, two weeks if the writer is in a generous mood at the time they pen the piece on the Thrashers' likely outcome in this playoff race. Talking Thrash broke some predictions down and basically said that most of the media have the Rangers over the Thrash in five or six, and you take out "homers" like Darren Eliot and Scott Burnside and that's even less backing for a team that is as powerful as the Thrashers.

The point of this whole blahblahblah-ing is that the word is out - the Atlanta Thrashers are in the playoffs for the first time in their seven year existence. Everyone is recognizing it and there's no denying it. This team is poised to make a run, not just "an appearance". You can break down the series as much as you want to and make predictions out of the wazoo, but the fact of the matter is that Thursday nite starts a new era in Atlanta - Blueland. Let Blueland Nation overtake the city and cause a stir among the locals. If you aren't in the loop, be prepared to get bowled over in blue for as long as it takes.

Marian Hossa was run out of Ottawa because he couldn't compete at the level that playofff hockey (or Ottawa, for that matter) demanded. Scott Mellanby has appeared in more games than anyone in the league currently without a championship to his name. Ilya Kovalchuk is questioned as someone who can provide plenty of energy during the regular season, but what about when the pressure is really on? And then there's the question-mark about Kari Lehtonen - sure, he's competed a bunch on the junior level and in the AHL, but surely he cannot be enough to handle teams that will go for his throat at any given time.

The doubts linger... for now. Come Thursday, they will be silenced... for a moment, at least. Let the excitement carry over Blueland all of Thursday and let this sensation carry the team throughout whatever they come across in their journey toward the future of the team, toward the future of hockey in Atlanta, toward the future of hockey in the South.

I'll be there in the flesh and, unfortunately, it will be the only playoff hockey I will experience... unless the Thrashers make it past the first round. The job prevents me from doing such, so I'll have to live vicariously through the blogs and through the AJC and through friends and family. But there's no doubt in my mind that I'm missing the first ever playoff game in Philips Arena. I'll be there super early to check out everything that's going on and I'll have the camera ready for anything and everything. It's going to be an event, that's for sure. I thought I knew what playoff hockey was back on the Isle all those years ago... I'm ready for the madness to kick back in.

LET'S GO THRASHERS!

...And we're in!

After the Ranger's shellacking of those poor, innocent Toronto Maple Leafs, the Atlanta Thrashers finally have their ticket to the playoffs guaranteed - no questions asked. With all of the ups and downs throughout not only this season (literally, hello streaks!) but in the team's short history, the city of Atlanta has another team to be proud of - and y'all best recognize if you haven't already!

Congratulations to the members of the Thrashers for all of their hard work during the chaotic season! Let's continue to push further with this renewed sense of life as y'all have completed only one step in the process for ultimate success. The next stop is to go for the great distinction of a Southeast Division champion. Everything is in our court right now - don't hesitate and even consider laying back a bit just because of the recent triumphs. The time is now - this saying will never get old.

Also, thank you thank you thank you to the players, the upper management, and everyone else affiliated with the team. After all of the late nite phone calls to improve the team, all of the last-second tallies that determine victory or heartbreak, all of the injuries that just happen to occur at the "worst time", all of the passes and no shots on the power play, all of the fist-pumps to the heavens in celebration, all of the ticket-scanners at the entrance of the arena, all of the sheer volume from the Nasty Nest, you've done it. Everyone should take the time to revel in this glory.

We finally did it, Atlanta - let's not stop here.

AJC Blog: Thrashers clinch
AJC: Thrashers clinch first playoff bid
SeSo: Playoff Bound!
NastyNest: Big Moment Coming
Blueland Blog: It's Official- Here Come the Playoffs!