Last Game of the Season
For me the end of last night’s game was met with mixed emotions, I am looking forward to watching and listening to the playoffs but the Thrashers played so well the last thirty or so games that I wanted more regular season games, it’s very disappointing seeing how they came together as a team and show they had the ability to beat any team in the league but it’s also very encouraging, it means they don’t need to make any major changes during the off season, they just need to do some tweaking in the defensive area.
The game last night was a lot of fun to watch, the Thrashers pretty much owned the Lightning, scoring in every period, a little bit of fighting, but no bloodshed, it was everything you could ask in a hockey game. 3 goals were scored in the first period, two from Atlanta’s Colby Armstrong and Eric Perrin (a shorthanded goal) and one from Matt Pettinger for Tampa Bay. And there were more penalty minutes combined from both teams than there was actual playing minutes, forty-four penalty minutes all together.
The second period was a little more laid back, as laid back as a hockey game can get any way, but the second is where the Thrashers made sure they were coming out of the season with a finale win. Atlanta scored three times, shutting out the Lightning in the second. Kovy got his forty-third of the season, Ron Hainsey scored his 6th goal of the season, his goal came at the beginning of a power play, Peverley won the faceoff and Hainsey went in, shot the puck and scored a goal. Hainsey ended his season with 33 assists to go along with his six goals making it 39 points; I believe that’s a team record for a defenseman. Colby Armstrong got his second of the game, it’s listed as a wrist shot but the puck looked like it bounced off of his leg.
The third period I thought Tampa Bay were getting it together and ready to put up a fight, Steven Stampkos scored their second goal of the game in the first 46 seconds of the period, it wouldn’t have been the first time Atlanta blew a four goal lead, but you could tell that all of the fight was gone from the Tampa, there was hardly any celebration after the goal. I know it’s difficult to celebrate when you’re three behind but you could at least smile. Colin Stuart answered back 6 minutes later with his 5th goal of the season making the final score 6 – 2 Atlanta.
It was a pretty good game, I was glad Atlanta was able to end the season with a win. And at the same time I felt bad for Tampa Bay; I hope they are able to come back with a better team next season. Atlanta will come back next season with a better team, and they will be in playoff contention. Kovy wants it and the fans want it, so Don Waddell better be listening or his team will be without a Captain and will lose a few fans if he doesn’t.
In case anyone is wondering, I’m rooting for the Devils this playoff season. So Go Devils.
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Ryan Bingham - Long Way From Georgia
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