Well I don’t know about you but that game felt worse than the Buffalo loss. Let’s discuss Kovalchuk and the night in question. Judging by Ilya’s play and the end result, it is safe to say that a season’s worth of frustration has set in with Kovalchuk. He was a -2 before he completely lost his head. Avery skated right by him for one goal. I am sure he got an earful after that. For one reason or another, Kovy saw red at the end of the first, and sent a message from Russia with love. Now who was this crazy Ivan display for?
Rozival? No. He was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. There was not any bad blood before this between them, and you can bet that Ilya would have mentioned any previous wrong doing in the post game interview.
The Rangers? Maybe. Ilya has always said he loves playing on the stage that is Madison Square Garden. He is a fan of the city. After all he flew his wife from Moscow to New York to have his kid in the United States. I am sure Delta would have flown the family to Atlanta as well. It was their choice. So getting your tail handed to you in the Moscow of the west the past 3 times can’t help. If it was honestly directed at the Rangers, I think he would have found Mr. Avery.
His own team? I believe it. I think a season’s worth of frustration has boiled over. Opposing teams have been playing Ilya tough and not always clean. Unfortunately, he is left to do his own dirty work. I hate to say it, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he did it. The worst that would happen is that he would be kicked out of the game and miss the next game against the Rangers, which is the final time the teams play this season. No repercussions from the Rangers and by the time they meet again, it will probably be forgotten. This team has left him with the check so many times this season, would you blame him if he did this to return the favor?
As for those calling for his head, you got to be kidding me. You knew he was going to get one game, and he deserved it. The behavior is not like him. Those of you who say he went full blast haven’t paid much attention to Ilya in his career. If he was going full blast, both players would have been in the first row. He is just as fast as Ovechkin. Comparing this to Downie’s hit is apples to oranges. If Kovalchuk would have been going the same speed as Downie, left his feet to the point if he didn’t make contact he would have gone head first into the boards, and dive forward, you have a case. Also, replays show Downie skating to the crease area and leaping at the red line. Look at the replay, the last time Kovalchuk took a stride was at the middle of the left face off circle. One stride after coasting from the blueline is not fast for Ilya. Kovalchuk barely left his feet, but he did and should have been suspended. Sorry Philly fans it is not the same.
It will be interesting to see who shows up tomorrow night. The last time the Thrashers were without Kovalchuk was against NJ. The Thrashers won 1-0. I would expect a tough game from the Rangers. Hopefully the Thrashers won’t make it easy on the Rangers again. I mean how many times have you seen an NHL team make a line change instead of chasing down the puck to prevent a break away? Anyway, the good news is the All-Star game is around the corner, and I finally got my seats today. UPS was beginning to worry me.
If you Thrashers fans are looking for place to watch the game tomorrow or hockey fans getting in early for the All-Star weekend, I will strongly suggest TJ’s Sports Bar in Roswell. An unofficial All-Star event is happening. The bar is owned by Atlanta Flame Tim Ecclestone. The Thrashers flagship station, 680 the Fan is doing their afternoon drive show from TJ's Sports Bar & Grill in Roswell, for Bud Light's Hockey Legends Party. Players appearing are Bobby Hull, Dave Schultz, Frank Mahovlich, Johnny Bower, Clark Gillies, Pat Quinn, Rob Ray, Scott Mellanby, Ted Lindsay, Tony Esposito, Willi Plett, Eric Vail, Kurt Walker, Bob Clarke, Gordie Howe, Jason Zent, Mark Napier, Tim Ecclestone, Colin Patterson, Pat Flatley, and Scott Pearson, all scheduled to appear for the roll out of the NHL Alumni Signature Wine Series. Register to win an autographed Legends Jersey and tickets to the big Hockey Game on the 27th (No Autographs).
So I will see you in Blueland on Saturday!
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