Atlanta Thrashers vs Phoenix Coyotes

I was excited to see the Phoenix Coyotes because I have now seen and photographed all 30 teams in the NHL! Another exciting thing about the game was that it was another Thrashers Blogger Day! My fellow bloggers and I arrived about 2:45 and were lead on a tour of the Sports South production truck. I'm a big dork and found it very interesting. I couldn't believe how cramped it was and all of the activity going on inside. We also got to up to where Darren Elliot and Matt McConnel sit for their broadcast show. While we were waiting for Natalie Taylor (our tour guide) to get some paper work, we got to talk to Evander Kane a few minutes. He had his little boot on :( We asked him if he went home for the Olympics and if he got to see any of the sports, he said he did. We asked some questions about his junior team and how they were doing. It was nice impromptu little chat.


Another great thing about blogger day, I have media credentials and that includes access to the club section. Smoked chicken nachos, bitches!

I actually turned down free GOOD food so I could buy expensive nachos. So worth it!




I was excited about having a different vantage point for watching the Coyotes warm up.
Bryzgalov: See, I was right!
Yandle: I know! I thought surely no one could have less fans show up for a game than us!





Hainsey looking incredulous about something.





I was on photo assignment for my friend Candace who is a rabid fan of #12, Paul Bissonnette. She adored him back when he was a Pens property. She sent me this picture and I guess I understand why. Paul is easy on the eyes but this picture cracks me up. Instead of thinking "Damn, that's a hot guy" I immediately thought:

1. Why is he holding his junk?
2. Why is he holding a bag of frozen chicken?
3. Why is he wearing sunglasses in side?
4. WTF is up with that ugly couch.

His junk is covered, but I added the star to try and keep it PG here at GPD.





Personally I prefer this picture...but HEY back to the game.





Here is Bissonnette, or "Biz Nasty" as his fans call him stretching.





More Biz.





I love Bryzie's mask. I'm guessing that is something his child(ren) colored and he had placed on his mask.





It's our old friend, Mathieu Schneider! He still has phenomenal teeth.





Shane Doan taking the puck behind the net.





This is Shane's "GET SOME" picture.





LaBarbera is a big Metallica fan and has images of the band on the side of his mask. What is on top looks to be someone you lovers of old school WWF wrestling might recognize. Am I crazy or is that the Ultimate Warrior?





I like Fiddler because he used to be a Predator.





No need to stretch too much Bryzie, you have the night off!





Wojtek Wolski.





Taylor Pyatt looked like he had been in a scrap recently.





Stempniak: How YOU doin?





Shane Doan waiting to take some shots.





More Wojtek.





Bryzie loves the kids! It was puck-a-paloosa over there. Pucks for everyone.





Bryzie even called some of them over to the side to give them more pucks.



Up to the press box! I spent the first period in the press box, so not many pictures from that. It is such and incredible view up there.

The first period ended with the Thrashers outshooting the Coyotes 10 to 4 and neither team had scored yet.


Second Period! I went down to sit with my friends Randy and Kerry for the second period.







Antropov making life difficult in the Coyotes zone.





MacArthur trying to get a goal.





LaBarbera made a save.





Some action in front of Pavs.





Great, thanks. Two minute drill during a penalty kill. Thanks.





Get it, Mac!





Yotes on the Kiss Cam!





They're heading your way, Pavs!





What is Slater smiling at?





Some chaos for Pavs.





LaBarbera making another stop.





It was Thrash's birthday so they had a party for him! All of this mascot buddies from teams and businesses around the city showed up to wish him a happy birthday and play some hockey!

Phoenix scored in the 2nd period and we headed into the 3rd period down 1-0. I went back up to the press box for the third period. Atlanta got on the board in the 3rd period, but Phoenix answered, then Atlanta tied it up. Nothing was settled in OT and we went to shoot out. At the beginning of the game I said "we don't want to go to a shoot out," but of course, what happens. Why don't we want to go to a shoot out?

1. Slava wasn't playing.
2. Moose wasn't in net.
3. Pavs has never won a shoot out.
   
4. They have Wojtek Wolski, shoot out extraordinaire.

This is what shoot out looked like from where I was. Wojtek didn't score, but unfortunately Vrbata and Aucoin did.





Coyotes win. Boo.


After the game, we got to watch Coach Anderson's post game press conference. It was hard, but we all managed NOT to kill ourselves while watching. Then Niclas Bergfors was presented with the March Player of the Month Award by the Atlanta Thrashers Fan Club. We were supposed to interview him afterwards, but he kind of scampered off. I think he was a bit nervous.