...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!

The time is now, Atlanta!

Yeah, it's been a while since the last hockey-related post. But that's ok. I mean, I could've responded to the San Jose game from last week, but nothing pleasant would've come from that. I would've posted about how I went to practice yesterday morning, but I honestly don't have much internet access at the new job, so that just wasn't possible. However, pics from that will be posted either later on tonite or tomorrow.

Here's something I just thought about, and it's a completely honest thought. April 7 is a HUGE day for Atlanta fans, and for Tampa Bay fans as well. That's the day that both of our seasons come to a colliding end at Philips. And, of course, we all know what's at stake here - a division title and home-ice advantage in the playoffs. That's nothing to take lightly for sure.

I've noticed that a lot of Thrashers fans are concerned about this race to the top culminating on that dreaded day - April 7. Bunches of people are worried to all hell that this creates the ultimate problem - choking when it counts.

Here's where I could get blasted for my opinions...

I say, let that happen. Let the ultimate precursor to the playoffs happen right here in Atlanta on the 7th against the Lightning. If a division title is on the line, our spot is already guaranteed for the playoffs, and that's what Thrashers nation has been pulling their hairs out all season long. This was the make-or-break year for the team, the players, the organization - EVERYTHING. If we're worried about a division title at the end, that's when we know we've made it.

Of course, it's great to want more, and I'd love to secure the division days before that and really put it to the Lightning. For me, the number one priority is to win the division, not simply to get to the playoffs.

So why am I really hinting at that if that's what it comes down to?

We need this kind of atmosphere. We need the residents of Blueland to feel what it's like to arrive at crunch time. Let's face it - the city will get wrapped around the team for THIS ONE DAY and it will create a sensation before the push INTO the playoffs occurs. Win or lose, a great mindset will happen to Atlanta fans, something that has yet to happen EVER in the six or seven years of the team's existence. Let's get playoff fever started.

Like I said, if we can really rid ourselves of the stress that this race to the top created, I'm all for it. But if the moment arrives on April 7th for our PLAYOFF POSITIONING glory to be secured, I'm not going to run away, duck, and cover, and come out when it's all over. I'm going to be there louder than ever, ready to get the Lighting back to Florida to figure out what they did wrong and how they couldn't top us that one time when it all mattered.

I'd be more concerned if the entire PLAYOFFS were on the line for this matchup. But, seriously, if we're worrying about playoff positioning as opposed to simply living another few days in the league, I think things will be OK if we lose one game, but know that we'll be back around in the coming days - something that was the plan from day one of this season for the Atlanta Thrashers.

The time is now, Atlanta! Get behind your team while you still can, because they sure as hell are going to need you now than they ever have before! Let's lock this one up in the easiest way possible - WIN! And if we face a few struggles along the way and all the marbles are on the table on April 7, don't you dare turn away then! Let's play a TREMENDOUS role in getting the team to the next step in their short history in the National Hockey League and propel them to the top of the division!

Let's go Thrashers and let's bring it on the 7th, Blueland faithful! This is what we've all waited for!

vs. Le Habs - 2007/03/08

Wow, so THAT was a game! It was apparent that Huet was not even a blip on Montreal's radar tonite. That just goes to show you how crucial goaltending is in this sport. While Huet was struggling before his season-ending injury, he is still a force to be reckoned with, and that was proven when he (and I guess the rest of the Habs, too) dominated the last time the Thrash hosted 'em back in January.

Starting tonite was 21 year-old rookie Jaroslav Halak, someone who the Canadiens suggested would be their man in the net to make their run to the playoffs... over somewhat-seasoned David Aebischer, who really is more successful as a backup. This decision ended up killing the Canadiens' nite as the Thrashers seemed to find ways to score five unanswered goals halfway through the game on only 15 shots. I couldn't help but feel bad for the guy as the fourth Thrashers goal by Belanger just sailed into an open net as a result of a complete defensive breakdown of Montreal. But the rest of the Thrashers' tallies were great marks that, most importantly, stood for an entire 60 minutes.

Two things about the Thrashers really impressed me during this game:

a. After going into the third up by a five goal margin, Atlanta kept their cool and didn't try to outplay Montreal and go for the senseless kill. The kind of play demonstrated in the third was a strong, consistent, and, yes, SMART. There were opportunities that the Thrashers could've started something, but they didn't. There was a realization that, "Hey, we're up huge against a team that we've stumbled against a few times in the past... let's not eff this up, boys!" I never felt this lead was in jeopardy, and that's saying something considering the Thrashers are/were a team that is/was known for blowing any kind of lead going into the third halfway during this season. Three-goal leads weren't any safer than a one-goal margin a month or so ago. Now, there's something about the players in Blueland Blue that eminates the feeling of, well, SECURITY. For once, can I get an AMEN?!
b. At the end of the second period, during a stoppage of play, Kovy was pissed at some comment from (I presume) Bouillon, and that started some skirmishing in the Canadiens' defensive zone. A few pushes and shoves later, it was evident that something else was brewing here and Keith Tkachuk came to Kovy's side and manhandled Bouillon to the ground. I mean, for a player that was acquired less than two weeks ago to come to the aid of a new teammate, I saw it as huge. It's been said over and over again that Tkachuk believes in the Thrashers chances for the playoff push in April. This kind of camaraderie (sp?) was so encouraging and made me feel like that kind of, uh, "brotherhood" would fit in nicely when the free agency window opens July 1. Could Tkachuk make for a great captain of the next, uh, successful wave in Blueland? I'm just sayin' here, kids.

As a whole, I was very impressed with the play tonite. It was a different team on the ice today than what was represented on Tuesday. This team had an objective from the get-go and played until the game's outcome was already decided. This team had no plans of letting go of the stranglehold lead they established at the midway point and never turned back. A little teamwork and "I've got your back" mentality went a long way and some players really proved their value to the rest of the squad as well as the fans in attendance. The next game is Saturday nite in Florida against familiar foes, the Panthers yet again. Here's to hoping that we really show ourselves then, just as we did Blueland proud this evening.