Is There a Doctor in the House?

Crimson has been playing "club" volleyball for the last couple months. This is a travelling team that has played tournaments in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. While her team has had its struggles, Crimson's game has really improved as she's been taking instruction well and putting a lot of effort into fitness training and volleyball drills.

That all came to a screeching halt two weeks ago. While running cross court during a drill, Crimson managed to step onto another ball. A lot pop was heard and she went down in serious pain holding her ankle. The ankle began to swell immediately.

X-Rays were taken that night but revealed no broken bones, just a severe sprain. A couple days later the orthopedists put her in a stiff splint plus a walking boot but said she could resume volleyball practice in a few days. Last Sunday and Tuesday Crimson went to practice and did her best to participate. However, following Tuesday's practice she was in a great deal of pain and had to return to the doctor. This time the doctor elected to put her in a cast for 3 weeks.

With one tournament this weekend and the last the day after the cast comes off, her volleyball season is essentially over. We spent yesterday watching her teammates play but Crimson was a bit heartbroken not to be part of it. She's determined to make a full recovery and participate start again next year.

Her boot

The cast

Hockey Shots

A couple pictures from the Thrashers - Red Wings game on 3/20/09

Thrashers Game Report - 03/26/09

Atlanta 5 - New York 4 SO

Quite a contrast from the game against the Wings. This time the arena was less than half full. Ranger fans were plenty but were numerous or vocal enough to drown out Thrasher fans. It was back up to the cheaper seats at the top of the arena.

Thrashers started very strong taking the forecheck to The Rangers and controlling. Good effort resulted in the puck in the net but no goal due to quick "yankee" whistle.

The a slew of penalties began. Thrashers played a majority of the first half shorthanded including a couple 5 on 3s. Rangers had one goal disallowed because of high stick but got the lead despite good penalty kill.

The Thrashers were able to get an equalizer but kept drawing penalties. Rangers got another 3 goals including soft shot from the point that Hedberg misplayed.

Down 4-1 the Thrashers spirit was low and you could see it in their play. With less than 30 seconds in 2nd period, it was Kaptain Kovy to the rescue. With a burst down the right, Kovy faked a move to the middle forcing the goalie to move and gaining a stride on the defenseman as he flew behind the net. Before the goalie could recover, Kovy circled the net a stuufed in the back side. The Thrashers suddenly had hope down 4-2.

The Thrashers took the momentum and ran with it. Again they outplayed the Rangers but this time they got results Kovy set up two more goals including a beautiful pass to White for the tying tally. The clock ran out and a loud cheer rang for the great come from behind effort.

OT was pretty disorganized by both sides with few scoring opportunities. The shoot went 10 shootera with a single goal. Hedberg did a great job challenging the NY shooters. Finally Todd White got a puck past Valleque and the Rangers couldn't watch. Sweet victory and bunch of bummed out Ranger fans left wondering if the one point they gave up would be critical in the playoff race.

Kovy was easily my first star although Todd White got the official honor. Hedberg and Exelby were big goats early but at least Hedberg made up for it late. The Rangers looked bad despite early lead and wont last long in the playoffs if they play like that.

Finally i'll share red-neck hockey quote of the night :

"if that guy could hit a puck up here, the Braves would draft him in second"

I couldn't decide if this quote was stupid or arrogant. Probably both.

Thrashers Game Report - 03/20/09

Detroit 6 - Atlanta 3

Finally another chance for me to see my other favorite team in Atlanta. I can't believe it has been almost 3 years since their last regular season appearance. Last time around the Thrashers fared much better.

This was no contest from the opening faceoff. The Wings simply toyed with the Thrashers as they are apt to do to many teams when they are on their game. The Thrashers simply had no answer for their quick puck movement, creative playmakers or stifling defense.

Most teams like to use Detroit as a measuring stick. If that was the case on this Friday night, the Thrashers have an awfully long way to go. Although I am generally pleased with the direction the Thrashers are taking, there are still numerous steps before they'll be a serious contender. The Wings, on the other hand, can dominate the playoffs again if they can play the way they did versus the Thrashers.

Although listed as a home game on the Thrashers schedule, it sure didn't feel like it. Wings fans easily outnumbered, out yelled and out cheered the Thrasher fans. Only the Hossa boos from Thrasher fans were loud. I'll admit it was nice being in an arena with so much energy, even if it was the visiting team generating the most interest. I just hope that some day the Thrashers can have the same energy behind them.

We took our places front row behind the glass in the corner. What great seats these were. More leg room than any seat I've had and a really nice perspective on the game. Nothing quite like seeing two players chasing the puck into the corner, a players face smashed up against the glass or a nice centering pass by Kovalchuk from inches in front of us. You get a much better sense of speed of players and the puck as well as the size of the players. The sounds of the game are great too, even if I the 250lb female Red Wing fan was trying to drown them out with her constant screaming.

I came hoping to see a close game and a Red Wings victory since they need the points more. At least I got one of the two. The Wings jumped out to a early lead courtesy of a couple of power play goals and a couple of 4 on 4 goals and never looked back. The best the Thrashers could do was keep playing hard which resulted in a couple late goals. Osgood played one of his better games in net while Kari was just average. Average ain't going to cut it versus this group.

We got a couple short fights and some nice checks to round things out. Kovalchuk had some great setup plays but teammates couldn't finish. Bogosian had another strong game.

Pretty much what you expect when the best team in the league faces one of the weak sisters. Perhaps when the Wings visit Atlanta again, Thrasher fans, including myself, will have more to cheer about.

Thrashers Game Report - 03/03/09

Florida 4 - Atlanta 2

This report got a bit delayed as I attempted to follow the craziness that ensued on trade deadline day. Looking back I probably should have waited and read about the deals the next day. But I guess that's why they call us fanatics.

I went down to this game hoping to see an improved group. They've been playing better lately, showing signs they are coming together as a team. Unfortunately, I got a reminder that they still have a long way to go and road continues to be bumpy.

It started off well enough. Some nice forecheck and some decent puck movement resulted in 2-1 first period lead. There were some communication issues on defense that resulted in the goal against but Kari must take part of the blame as well.

The second period was all Panthers. The Thrashers had trouble moving the puck because they continue to have inaccurate passing. I lost count of the number of times pucks hit skates instead of sticks. The forecheck all but disappeared and defense had trouble staying in sync.

Much of the problems on defense could probably be traced to the trade of Havelid. With this trade, new pairings were introduced and you could tell some players had trouble figuring out what their new responsibilities were. Toby Enstrom was especially confused playing with Bogosian. Used to having Havelid to back him up, Toby was now filling that role and had multiple occasions were he let Florida players slip behind him. I'm hoping coach Anderson makes some adjustments because I think Enstrom is better suited to a different role. He's far too small to be the last line of defense.

After giving up another late period goal, the score was 4-1 after two periods. The Thrashers put up a little fight at the end and managed to cut it to 2 with Kovy's 35th goal. But with less than 3 minutes remaining, Peverly put the puck over the boards and received a delay of game penalty, basically ending the contest.

There weren't a lot of positives to the game but I thought Christensen (since been traded to Anaheim) and Slater (goal in first game back from injury) had pretty decent games. Bogosian and Reasoner did decent as well.

As I said, Enstrom didn't look good and a lot of the guys look a little listless including Kovalchuk. It's got to be tough knowing the season is winding down and there is nothing to play for. However, these guys are professionals and well paid. They need to be giving full effort night in and night out.

Lastly, I'm going to criticize Lehtonen a bit. Although none of the goals were entirely his fault, he did play a role in each of them. He had a couple stellar saves this game but gave up another soft goal once again. He's been playing a lot better lately but I'm very frustrated that his rebound control hasn't improved much. Poor rebounds resulted in 2 very easy goals for the Panthers. If Kari is ever going to reach the next level (I now have my doubts) he needs to swallow up those pucks and play more consistently.

I'd be remissed if I didn't mention how empty the arena was. I'm guessing less than 5000 in attendance. It's understandable but it certainly takes something out of attending a game when so little energy exists in the arena.

My last bitchfest is related to the third jerseys. In the process of drumming up additional merchandising sales, they've created a situation that prevents crowd unity. I think it's pretty intimidating to look at a sold out Calgary Saddledome and see just about every fan wearing red. The same takes place in the nation's capital. Meanwhile in Atlanta, when it's near capacity, you see blue, red, white, yellow, green and more. Looks more like a rainbow than a group supporting the same cause. Pick one color and stick to it. That being said, I do like the "blue-crew" in their "code red" outfits better.

I expect my next journey to Philip's arena to have a much different atmosphere. A soldout contest against the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings. I'll be sitting on the glass, in the corner for this one. Definitely bringing the camera as well. I won't be the only Red Wing fan in attendance but I'll be one of the few Wing fans hoping for a Thrasher victory in OT.