"This is fantabulous"

Last night's Thrashers/Stars game was most excellent. Constantly tying up the score, it was anyone's game. I think the Thrashers ended up winning because they bruised so many players with their many-a checks :)
I loved Antropov's goal. There was a line of three players: Enstrom hit it to Peverly, Peverly passed it to Antropov (either accidently or on purpose), and Antropov scored! But I think the best goal was made by Eriksson for the Stars, and he didn't even try. The puck ricocheted off his shield into the net. Thank God he wears one!
Couldn't believe they took Auld out after 3 goals, while Pavelec stayed in for all 5. What was the reason for that? I didn't agree with the announcers that we should "bow down before him," because letting in 5 goals (one immediatly following a FO!) doesn't make up for some good saves. But it seems everyone is saying he did wonderful. Peverly, the rightfully-so 1st star of the game, said Pavelec did an amazing job, maybe his best performance all year. Clearly I know nothing:

What Went Right

- Goaltending. It's not often that goaltenders get praised when they give up five goals, but Dallas easily could have had eight or nine or even more if not for the heroics of Ondrej Pavelec who made numerous jaw-dropping saves to keep his team in the game. When it was all said and done two of the Dallas goals went in off of Zach Bogosian's feet, one came on a screen and one was the result of a last second deflection off of a player's face. Every player in the locker room was singing Pavelec's praises after the game.

- Power Play. The Thrashers went 3-4 on the power play and passed the puck effectively and quickly when up a man, but John Anderson would still like them to shoot more often. Prior to tonight's game the Thrashers were 4-27 on the power play in the month of December. 7-31 certainly looks a lot better. Yes yes yes. Their power plays were awesome. They took their time to map out a path and only failed once!

- Discipline. In a game that was tightly contested the Thrashers picked their spots and did a good job staying out of the penalty box, limiting themselves to just four minors, at least two of which were on plays that may have gone uncalled on other nights.

- Depth. Four different players scored goals and 11 picked up points with Maxim Afinogenov and Rich Peverley both having three-point nights.
(They always have the best recaps)

Also, while watching the 10pm encore (I didn't know they did that!), I began taking note of the players' numbers because I have not memorized them yet. I think I got most of them down now :)

Final score 6-5

(More great photos!)



Found this looking for game highlights!