Thrashers Fans, bandwagons, and the Wind

I am proud to be a fan of the Atlanta Thrashers. You want to know why? I am loyal to my home town team. I stand behind them faithfully in a loss, just as I do in a win. The reality of sporting events is this: each team involved in a contest has a 50% chance of winning. Sometimes the lucky bounces go our way, sometimes they do not. It is life.

To blame any one player in a loss is wrong. They are a team. The Thrashers win as as a team and lose as a team.

Do you really think that a new team, with a new coach and new systems, would start out of the gate kicking butt? The answer is no. They have to have time to adjust, to settle in, to get to know what is expected on them.

Even the negative "fans" can see a difference in this team versus last years team. I am not going to throw stats at you. Honestly stats are nothing. Stats do not show you how hard a team is working one the ice. The Thrashers are losing 1 goal games. When they get down, they keep scraping, getting goals, and fall just short of a comeback. Have you people seen the same games I have? I see puck possession. I see cycling. I see defense, fore checking, and most importantly shots on goal.

I as a Thrashers fan do not going into the games looking for a "win", I am looking for improvement. Instead of watching goals, root for shots on goal. The more chances the Thrashers take, the more likely that rubber puck will meet the back of the net.

I am happy to see the improvement. Just turn off your negative blinders for a moment. Watch the game. Notice the difference. Each game we are getting better. Just watch. Things will fall into place.

Now as for calling out any particular player, why would you do that?

I read blogs and message boards. I do not comment very often, but I read them.

When the Thrashers win there is a group of message board posters that post. When they lose, there is an entirely different group of posters. People that do not usually post, or only post something negative all the time.


Just a warning, living such a negative life is not healthy.

You cannot blame Hedberg for the loss against Boston. If you are going to do that, then well you have to blame Lehtonen for the loses against Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tampa Bay, and Detroit. You cannot blame either of them. Our goalies take too many shots, yet they still manage to keep the score close.

The goalies are going to allow goals. It is what the NHL wants. Fans want more goals scored. It is why they are changing the size and specs of goalie gear.

Our defense has to be less sloppy in turnovers and clearing the puck. THEY HAVE TO PROTECT OUR GOALIES.

Hear this: THE DEFENSE HAS TO PROTECT THE GOALIES.

Now I do not mean, laying down in front of the goalie and blocking him from seeing the puck (Toby).

You also cannot leave a goal scorer camped in front of the net like he is waiting in line for the fried chicken at Golden Corral. Knocked him down. Protect the goalie!

The Thrashers problem is not goal tending. We have that set. And no, not Pavelec. If Lehtonen can hold his own and keep progressing, Pavs will be gone.

Like it or not, the fans sense this negativity. They read this stuff, and we all know they do. So my plea is this. If you are going to be constantly negative, the find another team to be negative for. Center Ice is a wonderful, wonderful tool to watch any other team you choose. If you are going to be this negative. Stay out of Blueland.

Until Next time.