(The following is the final submission of this season's Fan Correspondent, Sean Grace. We've thoroughly enjoyed having Sean help us out and he is without a doubt one of the two best fan correspondents we've ever had.)

Playoff Post Mortem

The season was over with a little over two minutes elapsed in the 2nd period of game three of our playoff series with the Rangers. The score was 5-0 and our team was beaten in every sense of the word. I turned off the TV and didn’t watch another second of the series. Watching this nightmarish game for me was like witnessing a close friend getting attacked and not being able to assist. This was the abyss of the emotional roller coaster that was the 2006-2007 season.

For every team but one, in every competition, the end is defeat. The key to losing well is taking a lesson from defeat. This is what I hope our franchise can take from this 4-0 trouncing:

Accessing the season as a whole has been difficult considering the manner in which it ended. But with time comes perspective. The Thrashers 2006-07 season consisted of five distinctive sub-seasons.

Part I - Emergence
October

Out of the gates, we were tough. In October the Thrashers failed to gain points in only two games. On the morning of November 1st our record stood at 8-2-3 and every facet of the game was clicking, including special teams. The Thrashers scored clutch goals, made the key plays and there was joy in Blueland.

Part II – Helter Skelter
November – January

During this prolonged stretch, our boys displayed all the symptoms of a deep-seeded personality disorder. Take a look at this little run:

The holiday season consisted of consistent inconsistency. (I dare you to say this five times, fast, without lisping). During this period, the trend that would eventually bite us firmly in the behind, emerged. Both our power play and penalty kill began to deteriorate. Coach Hartley’s inexplicable “box” PK formation was born. I renamed this strategy “stand around and watch the other team score a power play goal.” But the team also displayed prolonged periods of brilliance. Blueland was rocking as some of the most exciting games in team history were played in this timeframe. We managed to stay in first place in the Southeast. Also, the Thrashers lost 5 games in OT during this time and picked up a point in those games. This was another key to our season, accumulating points from OT losses.

And then depression set in…..

Part III –What the $%#@?
February

It started with a three game home losing streak. Included in the “lost weekend” was yet another defeat at the hands of the mighty Flyers who finished last in the East with 56 points. They owned the Thrashers, (4-0), this season. Expectations were high for this home stand. The unexpected thrashing sent the club into a miserable 1-4 west coast tailspin. From February 1st through 24th, the Thrashers won 2 more games then you and I. Our special teams play brought back memories of the 1999 season. On the message boards the sky was indeed falling. Blueland demanded the public flogging and beheading of “Don” and Coach Hartley. First place was a memory and the Thrasher faithful, accustomed to wretched tragedy, had the feeling of ‘here we go again.”

Bring in the reinforcements….

Part IV – Don Waddell is a God Among Men
February 6th – April 6th

Around the trade deadline, the most maligned man in our organization became a hero. Mr. Waddell, (no longer just “Don”), made moves that injected immediate life into the franchise. The addition of most unpronouncibly, (I made a new word), named players in team history ignited Atlanta. Tkachuk, Dupuis, Belanger, and Zhitnik along with Kari, carried the Thrashers through the thrilling home stretch. It started innocently as Belanger immediately contributed a goal during a 3-2 road victory in Boston. From March 2nd on, Kari and Moose allowed more than 3 goals in any game only once. We won often and the new guys were the key more often than not. A highlight of this season occurred on the weekend of March 16th as the Thrashers won two heart-pounding games over the Rangers and Sabres. We held a precarious lead over Tampa during the final weeks of the season but the boys came out on top of the Southeast, winning their first division title in franchise history.

Part V – Why We Are Fans
April 7th and April 12th

The final game of the season was a celebration. The division was clinched and the atmosphere was relaxed for the first time in a long time. The Thrashers came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 over Tampa in OT in front of a full house in Blueland. Fans lingered in the bulb after the game and took in the satisfying flavor of victory. There were smiles all around and a sense of accomplishment. I stood in the club section, waiting for the post-game party, and took it all in. The journey, (painful at times), was worth it. Seven years of allegiance to our franchise paid off at this moment.

A few days later, 10 minutes before the puck dropped in our first playoff game, the cheer of “Let’s go Thrashers” enveloped Blueland. Chills ran through me and still do when I think about it. This was the finest moment in our history.

The Greatest Accomplishment

It wasn’t the division title although it is the most tangible measure of the success of the 2006-07. But that’s not it. Our greatest achievement is the birth of you, the true fan. Atlanta has long been criticized as a sports city that lacks passion and dedication. You changed that perception this year. You multiplied and the resulting army in blue energized the team. You screamed your guts out and wanted it badly. You stuck with it and now you’re stuck with it. You’re going to care about this team more now. It’s going to be hard on you. Being a fan is taxing. But you’re in and you can’t get out anytime soon.

We’ve a planted a seed and it will grow. There will be playoff victories and greater moments next year. And you will be there. There will be crushing losses, and you will be there. You will be there because it’s entered your heart and become part of you. It happened this season, you bought in and that is the greatest accomplishment. I am very proud to call myself a Thrasher fan, just like you.

It’s been a pleasure representing you as the Fan Correspondent. I want to say thank you to the Thrasher organization for this unique opportunity. I also would like to thank all of you who read my rantings and sent comments throughout the year. I’ve learned that this is something I’d like to do more of in the future. My time in this role is over but maybe my begging will persuade the Thrashers to keep me around in some capacity.

But I’m not going anywhere. God willing, I’ll be sitting in my seat in section 119 for 50+ games next season cheering on this team, which I have come to love.

You’re up next. A new Correspondent will be named for the 2007-08. If you enjoy writing and have a passion for our team, I strongly suggest you enter the contest next year.

See you in September!

Your Loyal Servant,
Sean Grace

(The following was submitted by Thrashers fan correspondent Sean Grace)

And you thought this would easy

This season, though successful, has been exhausting. Nothing has come easy for our hockey club. We’ve endured inexplicable losing streaks, freakish bad luck and frequent frustration. The elevated expectations may have altered our perception of the 2006-07 campaign, but in any case, it’s been a struggle. So when the puck behaved similarly to the “magic bullet” involved in the JFK assassination during game two, I was not surprised. The Rangers first goal was cheap and a fluke but also a representation of the difficult road to success that the Thrashers have traveled.

Despite the excruciating moments, this team has ultimately achieved. The means have justified the ends all season long. This is why I say that counting this team out is premature. This Thrasher team has a track record of getting it done in the end. Don’t give up hope Blueland, it ain’t over.

Game Three Victory = Game Seven

If you’ve been reading along with my rantings this year you may have noticed that I’ve made a few predictions that have been accurate. For example, in January I told you exactly how many points it would take to win our division. So now, here is the Mac Daddy of all predications:

If we win game three in New York, there will be a game seven in Atlanta, which will be won by Atlanta in OT.

Print it, put it on your refrigerator and believe it as truth. Here is why:

1. The Law of Averages – We have been on the business end of every bad break thus far. This is going to change. Also, Lundquist has been a little lucky. Pucks have been hitting him in the head, off the toe, etc. Eventually, these pucks will find the back of the net.
2. The War of Brothers Hossa – Marian is going to prevail in the end. He has been a ghost so far and this will change in game three.
3. The Power Play – Lets face it, our PP sucks. It’s been putrid for a long time. It’s due. Coach, I beg you, take Havelid off the PP unit. He is killing us by shooting directly into the chins of Defenders from the blue line.
4. The Hockey Gods – They don’t play favorites. Sometimes you just have to wait for your kiss from above. Early in game three, something is going to happen that will turn this series around.
5. Overall Talent – We are just better than they are if you compare rosters. Eventually this edge in talent is going result in wins.

Thrasher fans, the best we can do is call on our crazy superstitions on Tuesday. If you think that your Huey Lewis and the News tee shirt is good luck, for God’s sake, wear it! Light a candle, drink a warm glass of chicken fat, wear your underwear outside your pants, do what you do. I’ve got a pretty booklet of playoff tickets and I’d like to use most of them.

Night One

The rumor is true. There is a dramatic difference between a regular season and post-season atmosphere. To begin with, our arena looks great. There is bunting, flags, player’s numbers painted into the stairs of the lower bulb and neon blue lights outlining the ice. About 1000 people gathered for warm-ups. We were ready. The Ushers wore game faces. The beer vendors had looks of determination. A long time coming had arrived. Everyone, even the AJC, was ready. And then it began.

It started about eight minutes before the puck dropped, somewhere in the 200 section behind the goal. “Let’s go Thrashers”, grew and roared through the bulb and chills ran down my spine. We’ve pictured this moment since 1999. It was more electric than imagined. The energy is our building before play began was more intense than any sporting event I’ve attended and I’ve witnessed some great events. And then it began.

Exelby leveled Jagr, Sutton and Larsen connected on hard checks and Bobby Holik hit everyone. Game one versus the Rangers was played at a fever pitch. Ultimately we lost after a last-minute power-play frenzy failed to yield a goal. If there is such a thing as a good loss, this was it.

At long last, our city got behind our club. The Atlanta mass media “discovered” a local NHL team and helped to create a stir. The Thrashers are buzzing in the local consciousness, finally.

The highlight of our first playoff game was the enthusiasm of the crowd. The passion that the masses in blue brought to the party was shocking. The undivided attention of 18,500+ hung on every play. The crowd did there best to will this team to victory. My wife sounds like Kermit the Frog, if he smoked a carton of cigarettes, today. Her voice is gone.

Folks in cities like Toronto, Montreal and Boston will always thumb their noses at southern hockey. The fact is that hockey is being played by Atlanta this week and Toronto only has Blue Jay baseball to watch. We can thank the Islanders for knocking the sense of entitlement out of Leafs and their evil minions, (AKA fans), by capturing the 8th spot in the East.

Speaking of which, here is a little song I threw together for our friend and Captain of the Leafs.

Chins up folks!

You Loyal Servant,
Sean Grace

(The following was submitted by Thrashers Fan Correspondent, Sean Grace)

9:38 PM – April 1, 2007

On Oct. 2, 1999 the Thrashers played their first game. And then they played another 570 games, all in the regular season. On April Fools Day, 2007 the Atlanta Thrashers clinched the first playoff birth in franchise history as the Rangers pummeled the Leafs, 7-2.

The moment wasn’t dramatic. The scoreboard at Philips didn’t flash the news to 18,000 screaming fans. No parade has been scheduled. But it happened, finally. While watching the Rangers beat the daylights out of the Primadonnas from Toronto; I started thinking about what it took to get to this point. We’re lost some of our favorites to trades, retirement and to a cruel accident in Buckhead. We’ve grown slowly and painfully at times. We’ve come close enough to smell success but never had a taste, until now. This is huge step for this franchise.

I’m relieved to be honest. This season has been emotionally draining. Our team has been in the grips of a personality disorder since November. Just when you think the Thrashers might never win another game, they win five in a row. And then they inexplicably lose four straight. It’s been frustrating to watch at times, exhilarating on other nights. Some of the most exciting games ever played on our ice were played this year. The back to back OT wins over the Rangers and Buffalo recently are a highlight for me.

Equal to the feeling of relief is the sense of accomplishment. So many of you that are reading this right now have supported this team, through thick and thin, since its inception. We’ve watched our young team grow up and we feel a sense of ownership of this club. The opportunity to become a fan of a new team in a major sport is special and rare. It also requires patience and perseverance. The payoff is very satisfying. It’s been a long and bumpy road but on April 1, 2007 at 9:38 PM we took our first big step forward, quietly and together. Congratulations Thrashers, we’re proud of you.

Finishing Strong

If the boys can tack a few more points to the tally, the Southeast division is ours. The advantage of winning the division is home ice advantage. Blueland has become hostile territory for the opposition as the Thrashers have a record of 8-1 since March 2nd. In order to earn the right to hang a banner from the rafters at Philips and play hockey well into baseball season, the team needs to reverse a negative trend.

Over the last few weeks, (excluding the Boston game), we have developed a puck possession problem. The opposition has been spending an inordinate amount of time in our zone. This has caused the Thrashers to expend a great deal of energy relieving the pressure and clearing the puck out of the zone. It also causes penalties and goals against. Most obviously, we can’t score goals while chasing the enemy around the boards in our zone. Lastly, we “waste” shifts as the result of these lengthy spells near our goal. The result is that too many shifts only result in one clearance of the puck, no offensive opportunities and skating to the bench fatigued. This needs to be addressed if we are going to play hockey in May.

My suggestion, (not that it means much), is to play more aggressively with a slight hint of recklessness. Lately, our D-men seem to be very concerned about making a mistake around our net. They are tentative and not particularly physical. I believe that if we attack the puck and put bodies on opposing forwards in our zone that we can turn the puck possession game in our favor. If this aggressive play results in more shots against Kari and Moose it may not be disastrous. They have both been consistently strong lately.

The other tactic we can use is to deny the entry of the puck into our zone more aggressively. To do the team needs to move their feet more and increase the physical play. I believe if we make these adjustments and also take some chances on rushes and outlet passing, we will be a very hard team to beat in April and May. Our offensive talent level is very close to the best in the NHL. If we can open up the game we have the advantage more often than not.

Don’t Make Them Beg

They are begging, you see and hear them everyday. On billboards, on ajc.com, on the radio, they’re begging. The Thrashers are pleading with Atlanta to buy tickets to playoff games. They should not have to work this hard to get 18,000 of 5,000,000 people to attend a playoff game. They are not attempting to sell time shares here, its post-season hockey. Playoff hockey is intense. It is perform or be gone. It’s high drama. Lunatics paid $10,000 for one seat to the final four when they didn’t attend any school playing in the tourney. This is your team. It won’t be your team for long if the Thrashers are forced to spend big money marketing/selling playoff games. How does the sound of Kansas City Thrashers or maybe the Hartford Thrashers sound?

In this spirit, no pun intended, here are the top reasons given for not spending some time with my friends and me at Philips, along with my rebuttals.

Next Week – An analysis of our first round opponent and a report from the first home postseason game

Your loyal Servant,
Sean Grace

(The following was submitted by Thrashers Fan Correspondent Sean Grace)

Intensity

There is joy in Blueland. Not so much in the state of New York. The Thrashers won two thrilling games in OT this weekend over the Rangers and Sabres. The newest additions once again were key as Zhitnik and Tkachuk scored the winning goals. Adding to the bliss of this weekend were the amped-up crowds that shook the building. We overpowered and overwhelmed the many Buffalo and Ranger fans in the house with volume and desire. I’m proud of you Thrashers fans. We have established a true home ice advantage. Philips Arena has become hostile territory and Atlanta has become a hockey town.

• Don Waddell has made the best late season moves in the history of the NHL this year. Don, we all owe you thanks. If you need your grass cut or car washed please give me a call.
• Our penalty-killing unit has been one of the best in the NHL since the acquisitions. The addition of Pascal Dupuis’s a key factor of this success.
• Our goaltending has been nothing short of phenomenal. Moose and Kari have not given up more than 3 goals in any game since Feb 24th. We’re 8-2 during this stretch.

Hold on, I need to get a thesaurus for more words synonymous to great.

Walt’s leadership and production has been invaluable, Belanger’s ability to finish is instrumental and Kovalchuk’s star has never shone brighter. Not only does Zhitnik play fundamental defense he also puts up points like an all-star forward. We’re ecstatic, energized, invigorated and mesmerized by the level of scintillating hockey exuding from the club. I could go on but I am starting to sound like Don King.

Bottom line – 88 points, first in the Southeast by 6 points, smiling ear to ear!

The Moment

I learned many things from my Grandfather before he passed away a few years ago. When I think of him, I think of sports. It was the bond between us. He brought me to my first baseball game when I was six years old and soon after taught me how to conduct myself on the field of play. He also taught me how to be a true fan. My Grandfather Roy was a Met fan from day one of their inaugural season in 1962. His stories of the early days of the organization focused on witnessing the growing pains of a new franchise and being supportive during rough times. He said that enduring horrendous losing seasons made the victorious moments much sweeter. He also said sticking with your team, no matter the circumstances, built character. I celebrated with him the day after the Mets won the World Series in 1986. He acted as if his sons had just won the championship. I’ll never forget the moment I walked into his apartment in Queens the day after the series. He still had tears of joy in his eyes and we spent the day going over every relevant play of games 6 and 7. During this conversation I asked if this was his most cherished Met moment to date. Immediately the answer was no. His most favorite moment was the day the Mets earned their first post-season birth by winning the 1969 National League pennant. He explained that it was the first step toward the ultimate prize. He compared the experience of watching the team celebrate to watching a child take his/her first solo bicycle jaunt.

I moved to Georgia in 1998 and soon after a rumor began circulating that the NHL would be adding an Atlanta franchise. When rumor became reality I bought a jersey and became a Thrashers fan before they ever played a game in 1999. I’ve always wanted to experience what the old man felt on that day in 1969. This was step one.

Cash was not plentiful for me during the first two Thrasher seasons. I bought upper level tickets whenever I could afford them. In 2001 I was set up on a first date for my thirtieth birthday with a girl who I would marry 8 months later. Our first large joint purchase was Thrasher season tickets. We haven’t missed more than a handful of games since.

My Grandfather became very sick in 2002 and was hospitalized for the last month of his life. We would talk every couple of days and often would compare our experiences of being a part of a fledgling team’s growth. We both told stories of sparse crowds, funny moments of ineptitude and rare victories. During one of our last conversations he told me to hang in there with the team because the payoff was well worth it. I bought him a Thrashers sweater during his last holiday season in 2001 and during my last visit with him he was wearing it.

I’ve spent some excruciating nights sitting in my seat in Philips. Our team found new and interesting ways to lose on a consistent basis in the early years. We’ve experienced the long days after the car accident that changed our franchise and the ultimate sorrow that resulted. The early years also have given us the opportunity to watch great players begin their careers. Watching Heatley develop into the dominant player he is today was special. I remember Ilya’s first home game when he flew back and forth on the ice at warp speed, completely out of control. He was a skinny kid with ache and raw skills that needed honing. His brilliant moments equaled his mind-numbing mistakes but he was always entertaining. His development into a complete player has been a privilege to watch.

Sticking with this team has been hard at times but over the last two seasons the tide has turned. Raw talent has turned to production and “moral victories” are now wins. There have been magical moments on our home ice recently.

Last year we came up 2 points short of a post-season birth but the team played their guts out down the stretch. This year has been a roller coaster ride but the new and improved Thrashers are peaking. Barring a catastrophic collapse, hockey in Atlanta in mid-April is a strong possibility.

I’ve held a mental picture of the moment we clinch our first playoff birth for years. The crowd counts down the final 30 seconds, 18,000+ counting in unison. At the final horn the building erupts, debris fills the air, high-fives a plenty, etc. I can picture a gang dressed in blue parading through Centennial Park I can smell the champagne that will cover us when we emerge from the post game celebration. I can feel that sense of accomplishment that will add a perma-smile to my face for days. But mostly, when I picture our first big moment I picture my Grandfather, hands raised in victory in 1969, exiting Shea Stadium in Flushing NY.

I really don’t know what I’ll do when this moment arrives in the next few weeks. I might pick up and squeeze the wife to the brink of unconsciousness. Maybe I’ll just stare out at the crowd’s celebration and take it all in. Perhaps there will be no such dramatic moment because we clinch a playoff birth on the road or by way of a loss by Tampa, Carolina or the Islanders. This would be anti-climatic but I’ll take it nonetheless.

If this doesn’t happen this year, I can wait. God willing, I’ll sit in my seat for all 41 games next year with the same mental image of “The Moment” dancing in my head. Sports hold a special place in heart. They remind me that there is always the possibility of tomorrow and that today should be cherished. Sport reminds me of a close friend who taught me so much about life through the game. So this one’s for you Roy, and by the way, the Mets look strong this year. Try and keep it down up there, the Yankee fans are trying to sleep.

Your loyal Servant,
Sean Grace

Return of the Swagger

Chins are pointed north and chests have been re-inflated. Confidence has returned to Philips. The most pivotal change in character for this team occurred at the beginning of the third period of Friday’s game. Throughout the first two periods, Dany Heatley was doing his best to show us all that he is the player we thought he was when he played in Atlanta. He was the man. If Pedro Martinez were a Thrasher he would have called Heater our daddy for the first 40 minutes of this game. He owned Kari and was inside his head. And then everything changed and our team took over.

The Thrashers dominated the third period. The team had jump and determination from the drop of the puck to final horn. The feisty crowd at Philips regained its belief in Blueland during 20 minutes of great hockey. The fear of losing that we have developed over the last two months left the building and was replaced with the will to win. The house was once again rocking.

This high level of play continued on Sunday as the Thrashers added two points with a 3-1 win over Carolina. Very stingy defense, effective special teams and excellent goaltending were the keys to victory. The big dogs began barking again as Hossa scored two Sportscenter quality goals and Kovy added a power play score.

It was a perfect week for hockey in Atlanta. Three games, three regulation wins and most importantly a regained sense of confidence and hope for the team and its fans. There are peaks and valleys for almost all post-season bound hockey clubs throughout an NHL season. What is important is that a team peak at the right time. That time is now my friends and we look good- real good! If this squad continues to gel and our special teams and goaltending stay at this level, watch out! But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and begin discussing how a big silver cup would look on a float rolling down Peachtree. The only game that matters is the next game.

Thrashers 2006-07
Version 2.0

The latest version of our Atlanta hockey club is a marked improvement from the beta version. The glaring bugs of the initial release seem to have been eradicated. Offered to the public on Monday Feb 26th, the product has shown the following improvements:

• The ability to own the third period
• The passing module is crisp
• New features such as Belanger, Walt, Zhitnik and Dupuis have paid huge dividends immediately
• Original functionality such as goaltending, hitting and puck possession have been greatly improved.
• The new version of this product does not cause the user to look forward to the release of other products such as Major League Baseball and PGA Golf 2007.
• “Thrashers 2.0” does not cause the user’s language to deteriorate into a mosaic of profanity after each session.

Enough already, the point is Don Waddell came through in clutch and made moves that have given Atlanta fans the opportunity to once again like this team. This season was well on it’s way to wearing out the patience of a good portion of the core fan base. Some of the uber fans that I am in touch with had a feeling of “let’s just get this season over with.” We were tired, beaten, shaken and stirred up.

Up until this week the threads message boards contained more bile than usual. Hang Bob Hartley! Draw and quarter Don Waddell! Trade Kovy for a bag of pucks and a Goalie stick! The virtual masses were ripe and wanted blood. For now, all is well due to a few bold strokes of the pen by our GM and the instant chemistry that has been created by these additions.

Casino Night

Every year the Thrashers host a black-tie charity event called casino night. Admission is pricey but the experience is well worth the investment. The entire team, (less Sutton, Rucchin, Tkachuk, Zhitnik and Dupuis this year), attend and are the dealers at blackjack, roulette and poker tables. It’s an excellent opportunity for fans to meet Thrashers players, coaches, management and media.

I positioned myself at IIya’s table at the beginning of the night. Kovy cheats on just about every hand, in the player’s favor. He deals out the first two cards to everyone and then peeks at every successive card and gives it to the player that needs it most. I accumulated many chips at his table, took a picture or two and relinquished my seat to a star-struck woman stalking an open chair at the table. For the rest of the night I wandered around the room and had the chance to talk to about 10 members of our team. Here are a few observations:

1) IIya and Hossa have a superstar aura about them but both are humble and a little shy.
2) Kozzy is highly respected by this team. He also constantly has an eye on IIya, looking out for him. It seems like a big brother relationship.
3) De Vries is hilarious. He wore a mullet along with his tux and worked the room all night.
4) XLB is a stud. He was constantly surrounded by a group of women.
5) J.P Vigier is high energy. His personality matches his style of play on the ice. He tells good stories, engages people in conversation and entertains. He may end up being a lounge singer or a game show host when he leaves the game.
6) Jeff Odgers is very approachable, down to Earth and could still be an Enforcer in the NHL.
7) Slater and McCarthy are the players most likely to do a keg stand.

And then I noticed one table had an empty seat so I sat in it. Representing this Blackjack table was number 16 from Jihlava, Czech Republic. (Editor's note- check out more pictures from Casino Night here.)

The Enigma

Bobby Holik’s role on our team is to intimidate. At first impression his physical appearance reminds me of a villain in a 1970’s James Bond movie. Let’s face it folks, the guy is a little scary looking. He hasn’t avoided a hit in his fifteen years in the NHL. The culmination of that contact has rearranged his face to some degree. It’s not easy to get him talking but once he let his guard down, my impression of Holik changed dramatically. I came into the evening with a great deal of respect for him as a player. I exited the building with respect for him as a man.

Over the course of about 45 minutes I spoke to Holik about many topics ranging from history to the NHL dental plan. I didn’t tell him that I write for the Thrasher main site so I can’t share everything he said during our conversation in good conscience. I can say that he chooses his words carefully like a veteran of public life when asked questions that could evoke provocative answers.

Bobby Holik does not know the rules of Blackjack and does not understand why anyone would enjoy the game. He didn’t deal at his table and he also had no interest in playing. I’d guess he’s also not a big partier. If this event were not mandatory he would be elsewhere, probably at home reading a book about the Stalin era or early European history. Holik would rather not speak then engage in trivial conversation. But I was determined to get the conversation going and here is what I learned:

• He is an equal opportunity checker. He mentioned that nothing is personal and everyone who wears an opposing jersey deserves to be hammered into the boards.
• Holik enjoys living in Atlanta, (Buckhead), and also spends some time at his ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
• Bobby doesn’t smile fully in public and is very conscious of the beating his teeth have taken during his career. He also doesn’t understand why hockey players would fix their teeth during their playing years.
• He is very proud that his name is on the Stanley Cup.
• Bobby will have fun at your expense. The Dealer at his table mentioned that she is attending Clayton State and he asked if it was an Ivy League school.
• He’ll ask questions right back at ya. He asked me why I was a hockey fan. I responded with a dissertation about the speed and ferocity of the game, the long, grueling schedule and the intensity of the post season. At the end of my monologue he smiled and said, “Yeah, me too.”

The truth is I can relate to his mild reclusive nature, his love of peace and quiet and disdain for pretentiousness. I imagine he would get along better with a career factory worker than a stereotypical superstar athlete. Holik believes that hard work builds character and that character is everything. Thanks for the taking the time with me Bobby.

And finally…

Irritant of the Week

And the winner is – the thoughtless, reactionary, caldron of useless idiocy posted on the message board of this site. It is my contention that because of the anonymous nature of well-attended message boards, some people, who should be court ordered not to breed, will post any ridiculous thought that enters their head. The large message board is the public bathroom wall of the Internet. There are no repercussions and no accountability for writing total crap. Do you think that the message board clown named “FIREDONWADDELL” would make his feelings known to Don if he met him walking through Philips before a game? I doubt it. I’d guess he’d say hi and smile.

My typical message board experience usually starts out with my desire to discuss hockey with like-minded folks. It ends with me ripping into someone who complains that we didn’t trade Niko for Sidney Crosby or that they don’t go to Thrasher games because of bad traffic. My first ticket Rep begged me to stay off the main board because I used to take the rumors and gossip as truth. Unfortunately I can’t abstain, it’s a guilty pleasure.

I am not saying that the message board has no value. Ninety percent of the comments are appropriate and most frequent message board contributors offer strong commentary and well thought out argument. Some of the best hockey analysis I have ever seen has been found on the board associated with this site.

This is a plea to the 5% of message board posters that should have been erased from the Earth by now according to Darwin. Please find another team or sport to support. You’ll fit right in on the Philadelphia Eagles message board. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Time to go, but in summary - 78 points, tied for first in the division, sixth in the East and gaining strength.

Ain’t this fun?

Your Loyal Servant – Sean Grace