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The Atlanta Thrashers have been lost since losing their leader Illya Kovalchuk over a week ago, and their play has resembled a team in total disarray.

But today in Ottawa, net minder Ondrej Pavelec stepped to the forefront and took over for the slumping Thrashers stopping 50 of 51 shots thrown at him, in a 3-1 win.

In a game where head coach John Anderson seemed far too comfortable allowing his players to play the entire game in their own end, Pavelec came up with highlight reel after highlight reel save to keep Atlanta ahead all day.

Zach Bogosian got the Thrashers off to a lead with a quick wrister that found it's way past Pascal Leclaire to get Atlanta on the board.The first period was the only showing of any offense from Atlanta as the hit Leclaire with 13 shots in the opening frame.

In the second, Rich Peverley tipped in a Nik Antropov shot to grow the margin to two goals. As the offense started to slump Pavelec began to shine, stopping 18 shots in the second frame to keep his team up by two going into the third period.

The third would only be more offense by Ottawa as Atlanta sat on their heels and seemed comfortable doing so. Pavelec in the last frame was credited with stopping 24 of 25 shots faced.The only goal allowed by Pavelec would be on a five on three power plays where he made some terrific saves, but was unable to corral a loose puck on the side of the net.

With time winding down in the third Maxim Afinogenov got a break away on Leclaire and did not miss beating a lees than stellar Leclaire five hole to seal the deal.

Atlanta is off till Tuesday when the travel to Montreal to face the Canadiens. Hopefully for Pavelec and Johan Hedberg the coaching staff can implement some form of defense and transitional play before that game. 

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