ATLANTA THRASHERS
PROGRESS REPORT
(AP) - Atlanta
November 6, 2007
It just seemed like a short time ago where I wrote a column about how things in Atlanta were looking shaky to start the season. On October 10, 2007 the Thrashers were 0-2-1 and passionate fans in Atlanta were nervous about the results after the first 3 games. The fans in Atlanta have been spoiled since the CPHL started as the team has gotten atleast 100 pts every season since the league began and won the Championship only two years ago. On October 10, I wrote an article saying the following 14 games would be crucial in determining where exactly this Thrasher team was headed this season. The article can be seen entirely at:
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ashers+trouble
A small snip from the article shows the following:
The Thrashers schedule in the next little while looks like this.
52
THRASHERS at JETS 5-4 Win
67 JETS at
THRASHERS 6-1 Win
83
THRASHERS at JETS 5-3 Win
100 NORDIQUE at
THRASHERS 4-1 Win
118 THRASHERS at
JETS 4-3 Loss
130 JETS at
THRASHERS 3-2 Win
151
THRASHERS at HAWKS 6-1 Win
163
THRASHERS at DUCKS 2-2 Tie
179
DUCKS at THRASHERS 4-3 OT Loss
196
THRASHERS at JETS 3-2 Win
211 LIGHTNING at
THRASHERS 4-3 Win
227
THRASHERS at JETS 5-2 Win
230 LIGHTNING at
THRASHERS 10-1 Win
257 DUCKS at
THRASHERS 5-2 win
"There are some good teams in our next 14 games. The Nordique beat us already this year, the Ducks have a very good young squad and the Hawks will challenge for home ice in their conference. You then look at a team like the Lightning who just beat the Rangers. Teams like the Jets and Lightning are rebuilding and their guys are competing for jobs. Those games are never easy to play and if you aren't ready then they can steamroll you. We aren't in panic mode just yet, but if this ship doesn't turn around when our next 14 games are over, you may just see alot of new faces around here. We are probably going to have to win 10 or 11 of those next 14 games to put us in a position where we want to be. We are ready for the challenge as there are so many good teams in the CPHL this year. The team and I are looking forward to it starting with 3 straight games against the Jets." - GM Sutaria
Indeed that 14 game stretch was important to build the confidence of that Atlanta team and they went 11-2-1 in that stretch to sit at 11-4-2 on the season and tied for 1st overall with the Washington Capitals in the CPHL standings. The Thrashers had a favorable schedule in that time playing 7 of those 14 games against the Winnipeg Jets and going 6-1-0 against them. That coupled with a 2-0 record against the Lightning, 1-0 record vs the Hawks, 1-1-1 record vs the Ducks and 1-1 record vs the Nordiques, saw the team skyrocket up the standings in 14 games.
"Roli got hurt in our first game against the Rangers and it put Chris in a tough spot to play our 2nd and 3rd games of the year. We lost both of those so we were quickly 0-2-1. Roli came back and played the 4th game (the 1st of the 14 game stretch that was said to see where this team stood) and since then we've been very good. We played some good teams in that stretch of games. Quebec and Anaheim both played us tough. Winnipeg and Tampa Bay are rebuilding but that can be scary as they have nothing to lose. The guys on those teams have no pressure and are playing for jobs and that can be difficult to play against. We are glad we got through those 14 games with the record we did. The CPHL this year and particularly are conference has so many good teams in it. If you have a stretch of 5 games where you slump, that could push you down 6 or 7 spots in our conference. We are looking forward to the next stretch of games and seeing if we can build on what we have done recently." - GM Sutaria
The Thrashers next 14 games look like the following:
THRASHERS at CANUCKS
ISLANDERS at THRASHERS
THRASHERS at STARS
ISLANDERS at THRASHERS
THRASHERS at CANUCKS
OILERS at THRASHERS
THRASHERS at SHARKS
FLYERS at THRASHERS
THRASHERS at FLYERS
THRASHERS at KINGS
FLYERS at THRASHERS
CAPITALS at THRASHERS
WINGS at THRASHERS
THRASHERS at DEVILS
Things won't come nearly as easy this time for Atlanta with the opponents being a lot tougher this time around (3 games vs Philadelphia, 2 vs NY Islanders, 2 vs Vancouver, 1 vs Dallas, 1 vs Edmonton, 1 vs San Jose, 1 vs New Jersey, 1 vs Detroit, 1 vs Los Angeles and yes 1 vs the CPHL co-leading Washington Capitals) Still, the Thrashers look to have similar success as they have in the past.
" We are facing top teams in this 14 game stretch. We have to show up and play like we have been so far. You can't have off nights against any of these teams or it will be a long night. We are looking forward to the challenge" - GM Sutaria
The sky isn't falling anymore for Atlanta like the first 3 games of the season....well atleast for now. Things in Atlanta seem to be pretty smooth and calm. Let's hope they stay that way.
Atlanta Thrashers Progress Report
