Thrashers vs The Rangers

The Thrashers finally returned home from a long (horribly unsuccessful) road trip for the first game of the new year. On a 9 game losing streak, they were desperate to get something going for the team. The fans were pretty desperate, too! The game was more attended than I thought it would be. We are in the middle of a ridiculous cold snap, temperatures are in the teens here. It actually snowed during the game. On top of people not knowing how to drive on ice, Atlanta, a city of 5 million only has 3 or 4 trucks equipped to deal with de-icing the roads. It was pretty treacherous. Also, there was some big damn college football championship thing going on (yawn). I was glad to see there were people there to cheer the Thrashers on! Of course there were a ton of asshole Rags fans, too.


I brought a "Happy New Year Thrashers" sign and my Department of Blueland Security poster. Moose winked at the chick next to me, she had a sign. I'm jealous.



Warm Ups!


Moose getting Sassy with the puck!





Toby helping Slater out with puck duty.





Moose getting ready to take some shots in the crease.





Kovy likes my sign.





Lunqvist being a pimp and doing an interview. Yum!





Hainsey decides to use mind powers to control the puck.



Max taking one to the net.





Pavs: So Kane, how many penalties are you going to take tonight?
Kane: At least 2
Pavs: Glad I'm not playing.





Some fodder for my dart board, Sean Avery.





Hello King! I have Happy New Year in Swedish on my sign, feel free to enjoy!





This is what I call the "Moose Cruise." He does it all the time.





I think Kovy has a song stuck in his head, I think it's by the Clash.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqH21LEmfbQ





Colby taking it to the net.





Bogo decided to warm up with no helmet! While I enjoyed the show, WTF is up with his hair? He's been hanging out with Thorburn too long.





Swarming the goalie. Don't look at me Pavs, I can't help you.





Slava doing his back and forth skate he does every warm up.



First period!


Opening face off.





Kaner in front of Johnson.





Imagine that, Avery in the box, and he's running his mouth. No surprise there! Max is also in the box. I don't know what he said to Max but it was like gasoline on a fire.





Scary moment, Colby face down on the ice.





Todd was in front of the net quite a bit in this game.





Chad Johnson got his first NHL start on this night and played balls-to-the-wall for most of the game. In possibly one of the best saves I've ever seen in person, he absolutely robbed Rich Peverley. Bogo faked a shot and passed it to Pevs instead. Johnson had to lunge to his left and stole it from him. Mr. Fred took this awesome picture of the jaw dropping magic.

It was an exciting first period and Atlanta out shot New York 12 to 6, but thanks to Johnson's heroics in the Rangers net the score was 0-0.


Second Period!


Opening face off.




Arriving late to the game, as all Atlanta fans do, were these delightful "ladies." They were with guys who were almost 3 times their age and they apparently thought the game was a photo shoot. I won't mention what we were calling them, but will just stick with the term "ladies." You never know when you do a blog with pictures if you are insulting some one's sister/brother/cousin/etc. Don't drop your ice cream, honey.






Some action in front of Moose.





No worries! Moose got it!





More chaos in front of Moose.





Avery jawing at Slater. I wish I had team photographer, Scott Cunningham's seat. There is another reason he gets good shots. I'd also like to know what Avery was saying. At one time Scott was laughing so hard he covered his face.





The guys waiting around while a play was reviewed.





Classy Rags fans showing us the New York state bird. Congratulations gentlemen, you are so funny, clever and original by flipping off the camera during the kiss cam. If Bobby Holik can play along, so can you. Stay classy New York.





Army and Boulton in front of the net.





GET SOME, Kane!





More photo sessions from The Ladies. We were apparently in the "Bring Your Lady To the Game" section. There was an extremely drunk lady that kept forgetting where she was sitting and her lady friend's "girls" were about to fall out of her shirt.





Old friends Brashear and Boulton discuss possibly getting together for lunch.

The Thrashers and Rangers were about even on shots at the end of the 2nd period, 12-13 and Lisin managed to get a goal in on Moose. We went into the 3rd period with the Rangers up 1-0 over the Thrashers.


Third Period!


Some pushing and shoving in front of Johnson.





Moose is thirsty!!!





Michelle got her tickets upgraded by her rep and was sitting behind the players' bench. She got this fantabulous picture.





Whitey and Slava waiting for the puck in front of Johnson.





The Slater/Slayer sign gets some love! It's a good thing she brought it, Super Slater scored to tie the game up!





This is my personal favorite pose of the ladies.





Our #17 is better!





Moose taking some abuse on a save.





Damn, I think Toby shot it!





Johnson getting ready to make another fantastical save on Pevs.





Pevs should press burglary charges against Johnson.





At the end regulation the Thrashers and Rangers were tied 1-0. We went to OT but no one scored. So it's SHOOT OUT TIME!!! WOO HOO! With Moose in net and Slava shooting, our chances are good.


The ladies get some recognition!





Johnson saved the shot from Max.





Moose says "no way" to ex-Thrasher, Eric Christiansen.





Money in the bank! Slava scores!





Callahan misses the net.





Johnson made the save on Kovy.





Damn! Gaborik scores on the Moose.





Pevs lost control of his puck and didn't make a shot on the goal.





Kotalik missed the net, you can see the puck in the air.





YES! Bryan Little scores!





Del Zotto misses the net!!! Thrashers win!





Victory celebration! Losing streak over!



The Caps are coming to town next, I'm super worried about that. But, as of now, the losing streak is snapped. GO THRASHERS!