Game 1: The Good, the Bad and the Reasons for Hope

Like most fans I have mixed feelings following game 1. They are neither elegant or insightful, but I'll share them anyway.


The Good
As a fan experience game 1 was a huge win for the Atlanta Thrashers and their ownership. There was a very real feel concern amongst some fans before the game that the game wouldn't sell our, or that the reports of remaining tickets on the eve of this game might mean an arena filled with Rangers fans. Talk about your misplaced concerns. I've never been to a game more overwhelmingly filled with Thrashers fans. I was at our last home game against the Rangers and I believe at that game we had more Rangers fans in our section than we had in the entire arena last night.

The team pushed events to make this playoff game accessible. They had a well publicized block party beforehand. They made sure everyone knew the doors would open early. They made people aware of the start time and the parking concerns. They let you know about the planned giveaway. When the puck dropped the seats were more filled than they have been for any game. Shortly after the entire arena, even the notoriously empty corporate seats and boxes (shown in this photo) were filled with Thrashers fans. Also take note of the press box. The team stopped granting me media credentials following the trade deadline on the grounds that they expected a high demand leading up to and through the playoffs. I thought this was a line of horse crap, especially given that the Thrashers have one of the largest press boxes in the NHL. They aren't exactly elbow to elbow up there, but both rows look fairly full to me and I'd wager press attendance might have set a record for an Atlanta Thrashers game.

Beyond attendance numbers, the experience was great. The fans were into the game and chanting "Lets go Thrashers" before the teams came out for the opening face off. The game production staff gets some major points for style and effort. The first commercial break started off a little confusing to fans and they booed the opening shot...but they soon "got it". This gem speaks for itself, just watch it:


The Bad
Our defense didn't garner many points for style or effectiveness last night. Because he was a draft pick in our early years, and because he has one of the most charismatic and fan friendly dispositions of anyone on this team, Garnet Exelby is a fan favorite. Last night I sat in my seat cringing at his on-ice decision making. Yes, there were some nice hits that fans appreciated, but maintaining coverage is more important and crowd-thrilling hits. At one point it really looked like Ex had decided to play ring-around-the-rosie with Jaromir Jagr and the net. Here is my defensive tip of the day, if you are behind the opposing teams net, you can't stop the puck. Jagr is an incredible puck-handler and he's a better skater than Ex. Chasing him around like a kid playing freeze-tag isn't an effective defensive move--especially when the net effect (no pun intended) is to leave a huge gap in coverage in front of the net. Even more perplexing and disappointing was to get to my car and hear who I believe was Darren Elliot on the post game show actually say something to the extent of "Exelby looked great out there, like it was his 100th playoff game. He really went out and played his game." I guess pandering to fans is important, especially if you work for the team, but that comment cost Elliot what credibility he might have had with me as a listener. I also expected a lot more from Alexei Zhitnik last night. As a whole our defense failed to play their best, and that play has to start with Zhitnik who I would consider our defensive leader on the ice.

The special teams play was negated a bit by the relative lack of game penalties. But our Power Play unit still hasn't learned not to pass. We scored on the first power play (despite passing 6 times before taking a shot) but at the end of the game, when we needed a goal to tie it up, we still didn't get it. For those of you not watching, the Thrashers were on the power play, and we had pulled the goalie. Instead we play hot-potato with the puck and miss some key scoring opportunities. We also somehow missed that we were the recipients of a delayed penalty. May viewing mate caught this and was screaming at the ice for the guys to turn over the puck so we could get the advantage. Recognizing the call when it happened and turning over the puck to get our man-advantage would have given the Thrashers an extra 30 seconds of 2 man-advantage when we needed it the most. With less than 2 minutes on the game clock there was no reason not to cash in.

Reasons for Hope
Despite the loss the team gave fans enough reasons to believe we can win this series. The team play improved as the game progressed, power play excepted. Bob Hartley is a great coach and I think practice today provided him a chance to calm the players and give our team leaders a chance to step up and steady the younger guys. There were some jitters last night, those should be gone by Saturday. Kari Lehtonen gave up some goals, but it wasn't due to horrid play on his part. He could have been a little sharper, but he didn't have the defensive support last night. Shane Hnidy and especially Pascal Dupuis turned in better than expected performances. In a lot of ways the Thrashers out played the Rangers so with a little focus and fine-tuning I expect great things. Saturday's game will be great, and I think every game of this series will be fought tooth and nail. So tune in and and turn out. Get your fact painted. Bring drops for your throat. It's going to be a wild and crazy ride.