The Way of the Flames…

Why the Thrashers need to make like the Flames and make like a Toronto Maple and leaf. Ok, all kidding aside, time to be serious. So the announcement comes out today that the city of Winnipeg (ok last joke, promise) has begun the process of purchasing the Thrashers to pull them back home to re-institute the Jets. This may or may not be a good thing, personally I was never a fan of the Jets and was a fan of the Thrashers ( highest rank: #4 on my list of teams) while Nashville was more of a favorite for me, Atlanta had more convenient access to games. Sadly, the Thrashers have not performed well since the loss of One-man-Team Superstar (Ily Kovalchuk) and Long-time Stanley Cup  hopeful (Hossa). They have simply performed, “just okay” in recent years.

Performance however is not the reason I believe that the Thrasher’s vacancy from Atlanta would be a good thing. As a fan of the Thrashers I do not want to see them leave Atlanta, that being said however, I think that the lack of enthusiasm for the team does strike a chord. Please don’t misunderstand me I don’t mean that no one in Atlanta or the surrounding areas but me is enthusiastic about the Thrashers though there is a general feeling of “eh” from most people I’ve had the pleasure of sitting near at games. The closer to the boards the better the reception to the team but for the most part my experience has led met to believe most people who go to Thrasher’s games are there as a social function. I’ve often kidded that you could ask any random person in Blueland what they think of Atlanta’s hockey team and you would get the response, “We have a hockey team?” My experiences in other barns has not been this way. Experiences in Nashville, for example, have been greatly more positive.

While Atlanta does have more hockey history than Nashville the differences between the markets is astounding. The first hockey game I took my wife to was a Penguins/Predators game and even being a long time Penguins fan I was fearful to actively pull for the Penguins because the overall sense of pride that Nashville has for their team is very overwhelming. While I do participate in the heckling, chanting and shouting of “Knights” during the National Anthem, Atlanta is missing home grown tradition. On the other hand, Nashville’s Cellblock 303, the catfish tossing – borrowed and modified tradition from the hooligans in Detroit, and the fight the Smashville community put up to keep the Predators there sing as a crescendo into what I feel will be a hockey club which will remain in good-standing and eventually will lead to new level of respect for the team, city and even south-eastern (US) hockey.

As stated previously, I do not want to see the Thrashers leave Blueland, but I can understand a positive vote to allow for relocation. I really enjoy being surrounded by hockey teams (Predators, Hurricanes and Thrashers) and while the loss of one of those teams would be sad for me, the NHL will go on, hockey in the South-East will go on and ultimately the world will keep spinning. While I hate that this would be looked at as a second failed attempt to bring NHL hockey to Atlanta maybe the next generation will be more receptive and proud to have a hockey team to call their own. Who knows, the next time the Coyotes come up for sale maybe Turner and Glavine  can purchase them and bring the Thrashers back to Blueland.

Backlash and Playoffs

NHL Playoffs:
Well it is official, now that the Stars have been eliminated from the playoffs I have one team that I can rally behind. As many of you know my team is the Penguins my next two teams that I support equally behind my Pens are the Thrashers and Predators. After each of those three teams were eliminated, the next team I support is Dallas. I remember when the Stars were in Minnesota and I supported them then. I watched them be put out, very sad. The only team I can support left in it is the Anaheim Ducks. This could be an interesting series.

WWE Backlash:
Well I am looking forward to Sunday (29 April, 2007) I will be going down to Atlanta to see the Hardys and HBK at WWE's Backlash! I can't wait, this will be my first WWE event, not to mention my first WWE PPV event. I've gotta make some signs...

Sports news from Atlanta

Alright I'm excited I just finished watching the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabers!
[w00t]x2
Unfortunately my Smashville Predators lost to the Detroit Wings :-(

Shortly prior to the Buffalo goal with 6 seconds left to go in 3rd period (OMG that makes me sick) I received a call from my brother-in-law, I'm going to see Atlanta take on the NY Rangers! [w00t]x2

But the greatest news of all Pittsburgh signed their deal to get their new Rink!
WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOO! Penguins will STAY in Pittsburgh!

In related sports news... not really anyway, I think NASCAR is following me around. Last week I was in Vegas and the race was there that weekend, man I would have loved to see that, except for JJ winning. This week I am in Atlanta and guess where the race is this weekend. I REALLY wish I was going to be there for the Atlanta race :-( That race is soo freakin' cool! Can't wait for 'Dega though. Not to mention that Jaime and I now have tickets to do the Richard Petty Driving Experience that too I cannot wait for!
Alright I'm tired so I'm going to bed.

Talladega Nights, the Blue Line, more Hazel

Finally getting outta town for the sole purpose of fun, this weekend, the 7th and 8th of October, I will be camping in a field surrounded by (most likely) drunk people or in a superspeedway surrounded by (most likely) drunk people.
That's right it's a NASCAR race. Specifically I'll be in Talladega. [w00t!]x2
So yeah, I'm gonna be completely devoid of contact this weekend (Can I GET A w00t w00t?)
Go 8 and 16!!!

Oh guess what, HOCKEY SEASON STARTED TODAY!!!!!!!
I'm enjoying watching Smashville and the Blackhawks battle right now.
I cannot wait to get down to Atlanta for a Thrashers game or up to Smashville for a Pred's game!
Go Penguins!!!!!!!!

Also I'm stoked! Twice in One year I get to see Sister Hazel. Sister Hazel will be here in Chattanooga at Rhythm and Brews on October 11.