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.
