Maybe it wasn’t quite as electrifying a moment as it might have been had the Thrashers clinched at home in front of a frenzied Philips Arena crowd, but it was eminently satisfying nonetheless. And the fact that the team had won two straight leading to the official entrance into the post-season made it even more impressive. All season long, this has been a team that has defied its history. It has been a resilient bunch, continually getting up off the canvas when it appeared it might be down for the count. Since the trades that revamped some 20 percent of the roster, it’s also been a team that looks as though it has the chance to do considerable damage in the playoffs.

But first things first. As Don Waddell, the architect of this team put it after admitting a sense of relief in securing a playoff berth, now the focus is on winning a division championship. Getting to the dance is one thing, and getting to it for the first time in the history of the franchise is surely special. It’s also important, though, to go into the post-season with some momentum and maybe even a little swagger. There’s no guarantee that a Southeast Division crown will bring either of those, but it would be another significant step forward for a franchise that has steadily been going in the right direction for some time.

So, as we get set for history to unfold and for this franchise to break new ground on the hockey landscape in Atlanta, congratulations to all who have toiled so hard – players, management, coaches, supporting staff – to bring this team and the franchise to this historic point. And to you fans, whether you are new to Blueland Nation or have been ardent supporters since the early, difficult days: enjoy the ride. May it be long.