Thrashers vs Panthers

What a crazy night!

The team had quite an adventure getting home to play the Panthers. Friday they were in Washington where they were having record snow fall. The next morning the airport was closed and they couldn't fly out. So the team jumps on a bus and hits the road for Richmond, VA hoping to fly out of there. Don Waddell said they were going about 15 mph at first and were being escorted by snow plows. They eventually did make it up to 40 mph. Maybe they should have stayed a bit slower, the bus had an accident and the side-swiped a transfer truck. It took off the mirror and caused a bit of damage. Coach Anderson said he was glad the guys were in the back of the bus and didn't have to see the road. They did make it to Richmond, but there were only 2 de-icers. Also...the airport said they were closing in 10 minutes. The Thrashers managed to get off the ground! Waddell and Anderson said it was pretty scary in the plane because you couldn't see a thing. Fortunately they said once they were up, it was a smooth ride. So glad our boys made it home safe! Unfortunately, they didn't arrive until about 6:30 and the game was set for 7:00. Needless to say, the game got pushed back.


Also pushed back was the Town Hall Meeting for season ticket holders. This was my first Town Hall and after the trade of the beloved Kovalchuk, I was expecting some drama! One lady I had particular high hopes for. She was wearing a Dallas jersey, Funny enough, it was the infamous Dallas Stars' Uterus jersey.
http://cdn.faniq.com/images/blog/7d519820efdaebb98f0558e985f63286.jpg
The guy with her was wearing a Canucks jersey. She was carrying her Kovalchuk jersey on a hanger. I was hoping she was going to throw it or something, but she didn't open her mouth the whole time! Drama Fail!!! I'm not going to recap the Town Hall meeting, Bird Watchers Anonymous did an outstanding job. You can read an almost verbatim recap here:
http://www.birdwatchersanonymous.com/2010/2/7/1299185/thrashers-travel-travails-team

Once the guys finally arrived, it was warm up time. I was ready with my signs welcoming Johnny Oduya and Niclas Bergfors to Atlanta!





I also had one for our Olympians. We are super proud of them!



Warm Ups!


Johnny loved my sign, oh did he? Just look at that smile!





I wasn't the only one welcoming the new guys!





Johnny: Wow, there are signs every where. Everyone is so friendly.





Johnny: I think I'm gonna like it here!





Don't be jealous Moose, you'll always be my #1 Swede!





Johnny looking at my signs.





Word is, Moose will be getting a new mask in a few days. I guess Sponge Bob Moose Pants was damaged beyond repair. I can't wait to see the new one!





Boultsie tossing some pucks to the kids. He should be on a Mardi Gras Float.





Pavel: Don't screw with me, I've had a long day.





Atlanta's other new cutie, Niclas Bergfors. He had a HELL of a game.





Max coming in with a shot on the Moose.





Yeah, I put up another Oduya pick...Oh did I??





Wipe your nose, pumpkin.





So we are enjoying warm ups and there is about 75 seconds left and this guy and his family want their seats and was a dick about it. Randy said "oh we are just here for warm ups, we will be leaving when they are over." The guy says "So I can't sit in my seats now?" Warm ups were over, so I just left. Had there been more time left, I wouldn't have. Fans are invited to enjoy warm ups from the glass (or anywhere else). When warm ups are over, return to your ticketed seat (in theory). If you have those seats and want them for warm ups..beat me to them.





The douchebag family has gone to get snacks and drinks. You were really worried about warm ups. Get your feet off the glass asshole, I'll need that spot for the next game and I want it clean.





First Period!





Douchebag dad had to go douche it up somewhere. Enjoy those seats.





Tell 'em Pops! Pops is yelling about something.





Dvorak making life miserable for Moose.





Dvorak making life miserable for every Thrashers fan in the building.





Vokoun is so shell shocked by the incident with Ballard from a previous trip to Blueland, now he just lays down.
Vokoun: Not again! Please don't hit me.
Ballard: Get up Tomas.





It was a chippy game, there was a lot of pushing and shoving.





Vokoun peeking over Pevs.





There is no peeking OVER Antro, so he has to look around him.

Blah! Another crappy first period in Blueland. It was very disappointing to fall behind 2-0 yet again, especially with such a loud rowdy crowd on hand. Thanks to Dvorak's 2 goals we started another 2nd period behind.


Second Period







UGH! So close.





Hainsey and Ballard pushing each other around.





Apparently Ballard took exception to something Hainsey said/did. You want to fight Ron??





Hainsey will go! Don't let his pretty boy good looks fool you. Of course it did take him a while to dramatically remove his equipment.





Get him, Ron!





Beat him like he just slashed your goalie.





DDT!





Bergfors takes the puck behind the net.





Kamil is taking a Krep in Moose's crease.





Get in there, Pops!





Marissa and her dad were on the 2 Minute Drill...during a penalty kill. Thanks assholes, put me on the 2 Minute Drill while the team is killing a penalty.





No sitting down on the job, Jimmy!





The boys having some discussions.





Army: WTF did you just say to me?
Ballard: I said I'd beat you like you were my goalie.
Army: Oh, never mind.





We seem to sit in the make out section. These guys weren't quite as bad as the last couple, but they did have friends helping. There was another couple with them for a while and the guy and the other girl kind of made out a bit.





Woo Hoo! Section 115 is the Chick Fil A lucky section! Too bad kids, you sit in 114. Leave the cow alone.



Jimmy in front of the net.



The second period was all Thrashers! They out shot the Panthers 15 to 5 and we went into the third period tied at 2!


Third Period! The guys had already had a long day, but it was going to be longer. After tonight's game was the Valentine's Day Puck Surprise. You buy pucks that are signed by players. If you get a gold one, you get to meet that player and have your picture taken with him. Fun! I was lucky enough to be invited along with the lovely and talented Holly to help her take pictures. So I don't have many 3rd period pictures because I left early.





Hainsey hoping to make something happen.





So close Jimmy!





Getting chippy agtain.





So I cut out of the game a few minutes to meet Holly and help her set up. She told me to expect chaos. I worked for 3 years in an IMAX theater seating up to 500 school kids per day, I thought that experience might come in useful. I felt like I was just in the way, but Holly said I was very helpful so I either was or she's a good liar. Mainly I lined people up, moved people out of the way of the shot and held people's belongings while they got their pictures taken.


Highlights included:
1. Pissing off Pavs. I had to ask him to move/scoot over like 3 times. I got a funny look from him. Sorry Pavs.
2. Holding Brian Little's coat and drink. He went to put it on the floor and I said "Oh no Bryan, you don't have to put it on the floor, I'll hold it. " I was so thirsty and his drink was so cold. I wanted to chug it.
3. Holding Jim Slater's newly awarded "Player of the Month" plaque.
4. Watching Holly grasp Slava's leather jacked clad arm and move him into position. Then some guy put his arm around Slava and left it WAY too long. AWKWARD!
5. Getting to chat with Moose a bit. Holly's 6 year old daughter is his #1 fan and she was nice enough to let me crash their party.

And then there is this. This is the first in what I hope is MANY pictures of me and Johnny Oduya. He and Bergy looked a little overwhelmed (I got to hold Bergy's stuff, too). Lou didn't make them do this type of thing in Jersey. I wasn't sure if Johnny would be there or not since this is like their first night in town. I totally dorked out when I saw him. I'm pushing Pavs out of the way and holding Little's coat with no problem, but dorked out with the new guy...who is one of my very favs! I told him "I was so excited when I heard you were coming to Atlanta, I'm a big fan." He thanked me. He didn't look frightened so I guess that's a good thing. Hopefully Moose won't warn him about me!


So the Thrashers win!!! Bergie got the game winning goal late in the third period. Evander was awarded an empty net goal a few minutes later. He was headed for the goal, but a Panther player slung his stick and stopped Evander. GOAL!

A long day for the guys, but it ended on a high note. Let's go Thrashers!!