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!
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