Sometimes you win ugly.
After dropping two straight one-goal games in which they did a lot of things right the Thrashers got two points out of a game in which they probably didn't perform as well. They were good in the first period against the Lightning, terrible in the second and desperate in the third. Desperate worked and got them to overtime where Alexei Zhitnik of all people put the game away. Zhitnik has four goals as a Thrasher going back to last season and two of them are OT game-winners.
As mentioned yesterday some of the Braves went to the game. I stopped by and got a chance to talk to Chuck James and Jo-Jo Reyes who were joined by Buddie Carlyle and Charlie Morton. Both of them were attending their first NHL game and it was Reyes' first hockey game of any kind.
Both players commented on how hockey is a lot faster in person than it looks on TV.
Reyes grew up in Riverside, California- close to Anaheim and LA- but he wasn't really exposed to the game. Asked what his favorite part of the game was through the second period (when the score was 1-0 Tampa) the lefty-handed pitcher said he was a fan of the hitting.
Chuck James liked the physical stuff too. His favorite moment?
"The almost fight. This is my ever professional hockey game. I went to one other one in Michigan. I had a buddy that went to the University of Michigan and they fought a lot."
James echoed Reyes, saying the game was a lot of fun and a lot better in person than on TV.
James sounded a little bit disappointed when he said that they probably wouldn't be able to make it to another game given that the pitchers leave for spring training on Tuesday.
James is confident in the Braves' chances to win their division, pointing out that on paper the Braves have a great team.
"It all boils down to if we can stay healthy though," he said.
After I returned to the press box I made a point of keeping an eye on the group throughout the third period and overtime. They didn't get the fight they wanted but they did get a comeback goal and an OT winner and they certainly looked like they were enjoying themselves.
Next up- Casino Night. I'll be there and if all goes well on the technological end I'll be posting pictures and anecdotes throughout the night for those of you who can't attend. Garnet Exelby said he has something up his sleeve to add to his outfit so we'll find out what that it. Last year he rocked a hat and a brutal 80's mustache.
Brad Larsen has a pretty good beard going right now so maybe he has something special in mind for that tonight.
Time will tell.
