That Hurt

Last night the Thrashers fell to the Panthers in a 1-0 shutout loss and though we didn't convert on any chances you can't say that they didn't play well. Yes we dropped the game and yes that loss hurt, it caused a shift in the conference standings that Atlanta could ill afford. With last night's goose egg the Thrashers tumble to 12th in the conference and Florida leap frogged us to 9th. Though still tied with Philly at 49 points and Florida only having 50 points it's not like we're now out, but with the conference and the schedule so tight we need every point we can lay our hands on.

So what went wrong last night? The obvious answer is we didn't score. The fact is that we played every bit of as good a game as Florida did. We were not dominated by them at any aspect of the game. The penalty kill turned aside 4 Panther power plays. The goal that was let in had eyes, despite Moose's superb play every once in a while a goal is gonna go in. I hate to admit it but the fact is you have to tip your hat to Thomas Vokoun he was the real star of the game. Both teams played a tight defensive game with the lowest combined shot total for  two teams that the Thrashers have played this season with only 51 shots between them.

Last night is a prime example of working hard and not getting the result you deserve, that happens in sports of all stripe and we certainly all know how fickle the hockey gods are.

Ok so enough of the Thrasher vs Panther we lost apologist post. Let's dish some criticism after all that's what you guys want...blood...

Here is an interesting stat, there were three players last night with a team leading 4 shots so who were they? Kovy, Kubina, and Boulton. Ok that alone isn't that interesting but pair that with the fact that the person with the lowest amount of ice time last night was......you got it...Eric Boulton. Boultsie only logged 8:28 last night..the next person on the team had a full 3 minutes more..that was Greasy Reasy with 11:30. So how many shots did he take? 1. How many players didn't get a shot off at all? 5 that's right 5 players...who played more than Boulton didn't get a shot off at all...while Boulton was hamstrung with the least amount of time on the ice and he tied the captain in shot output for the night.

If I have a criticism with the way the team played that's it right there..the guy with the lowest minutes logged a team tying most shots on the night. If you want to blame people on the team...don't lay it at Eric Boulton's feet, he did all he could. By the way...another interesting stat to the night about Boulton, no penalty minutes, his ice time wasn't hampered by sitting in the box. Maybe John Anderson needs to look at who he's sending over the boards.

Tonight we have the Maple Leafs. In our only other meeting so far this season back on December 7 we lost 5-2 at the Aire Canada Centre. We get them in our building tonight and we MUST make the most of it. The Leafs are in 14th place in the conference with 43 points and have only won 3 out of their last 10 games. They are coming off a win and will be looking to extend their streak, while your Atlanta Thrashers will be looking to rebound after being shut out last night.

Atlanta needs to continue to play the brand of hockey we have played over the last several games. Going hard to the net and pressing in the corners. The goals will come and the Leafs don't have a goalie as good as Vokoun. Make sure to grab a ticket and come out to Phillips Arena and make some frickin' noise.

Believe in Blueland