Hotlanta Hockey: This Week in Atlanta Thrashers

The Atlanta Thrashers have certainly had an eventful week. In the past seven days, they have won three games, including shutouts against the Canadiens and the Avalanche.

Recently published were also several articles of note about the Thrashers that fans should be made aware of.

Friday, March 6

In front of nearly 15,000 people at Phillips Arena, Atlanta shut out the Montreal Canadiens, 2-0. Bryan Little scored early in the first period, and that was enough for goalie Kari Lehtonen.

Kari saved all 25 shots Montreal fired at him while earning the shutout. He looked very calm and comfortable in goal.

Ilya Kovalchuk assisted on the first goal of the game and also assisted on the empty-net tally by Rich Peverley that iced the game for the Thrashers.

The three stars of the game were Ron Hainsey (1 A), Ilya Kovalchuk (2 A), and Kari Lehtonen (25 saves).

It was a game loaded with penalties, with the Thrashers taking a total of 56 PIM, the Canadiens 42 PIM.

Sunday, March 8

The Thrashers continued their winning ways at home, beating the Calgary Flames 5-2 and playing well once again.

Ilya Kovalchuk scored a goal and added an assist, and Bryan Little scored two goals in the victory. Kari Lehtonen also made 27 saves in the game.

New Flames acquisition Olli Jokinen managed a pitiful minus-three in the game, and Jordan Leopold, another newcomer, also managed a minus-three and had one shot in 23 minutes of ice time.

Calgary captain Jarome Iginla had some complimentary words for the Thrashers after the contest.

"Determination has to be from the start," Iginla said. "The Thrashers were hungry tonight, and we were not competitive enough to create enough chances."

It was a splendid game all around for Atlanta, and the team continued its hot play of late in a big way in a victory Bryan Little said was "for the fans."

The three stars of the game were Bryan Little (2 G), Tobias Enstrom (1 G), and Ilya Kovalchuk (1 G, 1 A).

Tuesday, March 10

In a game that was eerily similar to the game they played on Friday against the Canadiens, the Thrashers came out, played stiff defense, and shut out the Colorado Avalanche, 3-0, at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

The game was tied at zero for the first 38 minutes, but eventually Zach Bogosian scored off great passing from Kovalchuk and Bryan Little to make it 1-0.

Then, less than two minutes later, Todd White struck gold on the power play and the Thrashers went into the break with a 2-0 lead and a tidal wave of momentum that overcame any resistance the Avalanche put up.

With Colorado coming off a huge win against the Blackhawks on Sunday, there was a definite letdown in the way they played the game, and Atlanta took advantage by continuing their solid play up the middle and emphasizing their ability to generate offense quickly.

Rich Peverley performed much as he did in the Montreal game, adding an empty-net goal to complete the festivities and send the Avs faithful home, cursing existence once again.

Kari Lehtonen stopped all 35 shots he faced in getting his second shutout in three games.

The three stars of the game were Ilya Kovalchuk (2 A), Zach Bogosian (1 G), and Kari Lehtonen (35 saves).

Thrashers-Related Articles to Check Out

- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an article talking about what has sparked this emergence of skill and new-found zeal for playing. It is an interesting piece and worth your attention.

- Here is a Q and A with Bruce Levenson, a co-owner of the Thrashers who represents the team to the NHL Board of Governors. In this piece he praises coach John Anderson and provides some insight into how the team is run.

The Thrashers' next game is tonight, against the Edmonton Oilers at 9:30 p.m. EDT. The game can be seen on Sports South, and the recap can be found here on B/R afterwards.

Good night (or I guess I should say good morning), Blueland!