Friday Night Frights: Thrashers vs. Tampa Bay

Last Friday saw the Sons of Blueland break out the red jerseys (qua?) for the first time. Now apparently weekend games will be third jersey nights.


The guys during warm ups.



Now after a few games with the new guys I can see patterns. Sopes likes to perch on this spot early in the warm ups. I can tell I'll have a lot of these pictures this season.



Byfuglien delights the crowd by tossing them a few pucks.



Anthony Stewart getting ready to fire some shots.



Kane looking intense.



Buff checks out the home crowd.



I don't think he liked what he saw.



Swarming Manino.



Well the first period was horrific. The Thrashers took 5 penalties against the 3rd pest PP in the league (Told you they were good, Travis. Boston...Number 8 in the league). So too much of the night looked like this...short handed. You can't do that with a team that has a PP that consists of Stamkos, Lecavalier and St. Louis.



Johnny trying to defend the zone while Malone parks in front of the net.



Some discussions.



Come on Buff, no laying down on the job! You can't let the kid do all the work!



Smith makes a save, right into Ladd's shoulder.


So the first period was a nightmare. The box score says we had 10 shots on net, I don't remember it being THAT much, but whatever. We go into the 2nd period down 3-0.


We play Washington the night after this game, so the coach decides to save Mason for that game and puts in Peter Mannino. Welcome (back) to the NHL Pete! Peter last saw NHL action with the Islanders in the 2008-09 season.



Smith makes a save and Kubina and Antro make out. I guess it's been a while since they talked.



Hainsey in front of the net. That phrase has filled me with fear lately, but Hainsey had a decent game. He had several good shots on goal, played some decent D and finished the night as a -1 which isn't too bad when the other team scores a total of 5 goals.



Stewart in front of the net. Lundin and Ladd collide and Ladd is airborne.



YES! Way to go Slater! Watch your ass Tampa Bay, we go this. We are on the way back.



Stuart likes to be in front of the net.



Downie gets his helmet knocked off and is pretty pissed about it. (Couldn't happen to a nicer guy...except maybe Cooke or Avery). Downie, I know you are a bad ass, but you don't want any of Buff!



Downie actually played for a little while with no helmet.


The second period was a little better. The Thrashers stayed out of the box and concentrated on getting it in the net. We slightly outshot the Lightning and did score, unfortunately, so did they. We head into the third period down 4 to 1.


Mannino getting ready for the action.



Gong show! All hell breaks lose.



Toby cruises into the action. I think I see just the midget he's gonna go take care of.



More discussions.



Here comes Baby Burmie.



I guess he's gonna have a chat with someone his own age (or close to it).



Stamkos and Burmie chatting.



Burmie ain't scared of Stammer.



Smaby watching the two teens hash it out.



Smaby not!



More Gong show! Smaby gives Eager a push and Burmie goes after Stammer.



Burmie has his man against the boards.



Lecavalier: Enstrom, really??
St. Louis: Dude, I'm 5'7" I won a Lady Byng.
Stamkos: 5'7'' my ass, Marty.
St. Louis: I saw that kid kicking your ass, Stammer.



Johnny defending against yet another goal.



Getting your ass kicked is thirsty work!



The net gets blown off the moorings.



Finally! The damn game is over. Mason and Mannino console each other.


Abysmal game from the Thrashers. After the empty net goal, the score is 5-2. Hopefully they find their groove so we don't have to sit through another beating with half of the arena full of Buffalo assholes.

Go Thrashers!