The Curse of the Monkey: Thrashers vs Tamp Bay

Antero Niittymaki is not human. He's some kind of Finnish elite crease demon...at least when he's playing Atlanta. Niitty came into this game with an unbelievable 15-0 against Atlanta. This is the 3rd time I've brought this sign. We have to beat this bastard ONE DAY!!





One very exciting thing about the game, my hockey buddy Shauna was able to be there. She is a hockey nut but due to various "obstacles" this season, has been unable to attend many games. Michelle got a picture of us all on the glass before warm ups. It's me, my sign, Shauna, Marissa and Randy. On my left is the best hockey baby EVER! He was giggling the whole time and banging the glass. He wasn't even scared when the pucks banged on the glass.



Warm ups!


It's Pavs and Pevs!! *hehehe*





Slater digging pucks out of the net.





I guess Ronsey thinks he can do a better job.





Niitty checking out my sign. ONE DAY!!!! One day we will beat you! If we don't...can we please sign him?





Moose, Little and Max watching warm ups.





Kaptain Kovy...*sigh* Possibly my last warm up picture of him.





Nik: Any idea what's going on with Kovy?
Boris: I heard a rumor of a deal with the Hawks.
Nik: I heard a rumor of a deal with the Kings.
Boris: I'd like to hear a rumor about him playing a well rounded game where he back checks, is defensively responsible and plays with full-value effort.





Zack, Nik and Boris.





Why so serious, Max?





Nik has beautiful hair. Though it is kind of mullet-esque, it's pretty. He should do a shampoo commercial.





Swarming the Moose.



First period! No picture of face off, I was devouring over-priced, but delicious, chicken strips.


Face off in front of Pavs.





Pavs trying to clear his crease. Out of the way, Tanguay!





A few minutes into the 1st period, we had a dive-bomb attack by Thrash. I think he thought Shauna was Minnie Mouse. Don't tell Mickey!





Pavs makes a sprawling save.

The Thrashers ended the first period in all too familiar territory. Though shots were even, 7 shots for both teams, the Thrashers were down 2-0.


Second Period!


Yes Niitty, bow to Satan. You are obviously evil. See, I have proof!





Sometimes evil is H-O-T! This is one of my favorite goalie stretches in the NHL.





Second Period face off.





Pevs and Colby trying to break Niitty's evil spell.





Niitty isn't even in the damn net and we still can't score!





Hey honey, can't you spike his water or something??





Get it in, Nik!





Pavs makes another sprawling save.





Stampkos trying to get another goal.





Niitty is so evil, the glass shatters sometimes when he's in Blueland. It's happened before!
http://gettingpucksdeep.blogspot.com/2009/02/curse-of-philly-flyers.html





Thor trying to get another short handed goal. Why not? He's already 2nd in the NHL in shorthanded goals!





Niitty hustling over to make another save (great)





Chaos in front of Pavs.





Lock it down, Pavs!

The second period was a little better, we out shot the Lightning 11 to 6 and Whitey got us on the board. It's a one goal game and the Thrashers are still in it!


Third Period!


Hey how'd that kid get on the ice?!?! That's not safe...oh wait...





Niitty peeking over Boultsie.





UGH! DAMN YOU, NIITTY@





Look out, Pavs!





Pavs doing a little hustling of his own.





Better cover that, Pavs!





Boris is looking at Konopta like "are you kidding me?!?"





Boulton and Konopka kept discussing things after the scrum was broken up.





Hit the midget!





Look how low Niitty is.





I love a picture with an airborn puck! I would have loved it more had it gone into Niitty's net.





Tons of chaos and still no score on Niitty.





Woo! The Slayer/Slater fan (Beth who won the contest!) got an upgrade! Her sign is in the club seats!





I had seen Cup Guy and I'd seen his kid, but never realized that his kid's jersey says "Cup Guy, Jr." How adorable!!





After the game was over and we had loss, Ilya was on the far side alone. I had a feeling he was going to snap. He took his stick and smashed it on the goal. Of course I was too slow to get that pic, but in this picture, you can see that his stick is broken. This could very well be the last picture of Ilya Kovalchuk as a Thrasher I ever take :(


Well the Thrashers did NOT tie it and we lose again. Niitty's streak is intact. He is now 16-0 against the Thrashers and sits only 1 win against us behind the current NHL record set by Chris Osgood. Ozzie has beaten (ironically) Tampa Bay 17 straight times. If it were not against my team, I would love this stat by Niitty. It is truly impressive. Congratulations Niitty, you bastard!