Thoughts from Atlanta

by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 3:22 PM EST

I attended last night's game, which Peter recapped here. Here are my impressions:

I think that should the team re-sign Craig Anderson, whatever salary he receives won't be an overpayment. I guess the highest praise I can give him is that if I were recapping this game, I wouldn't have marked him down as a hero. His positioning was so sound that his saves looked incredibly routine in person. I kept finding myself wondering why the Thrashers were taking such low-percentage shots. In fact, there wasn't a single shot taken the entire night that I felt had a legitimate chance of getting by him. Even on Stapleton's breakaway, Anderson immediately charged out to challenge and then set his feet like he was in a tug-of-war (which I found weird, but, hey, I don't play goal) and there was just nowhere for the shooter to go. I'm not willing to say he was perfect, because I felt like he played a little too far out of his net at times. It looked to me like there were gaps that better passing teams would have been able to exploit after the rebounds, but the Thrashers were clearly not that team last night.

That's not why we can't overpay him, however. He has an absolute command over his own zone. It's really impressive to watch. I've never seen a goalie use their stick for anything except penalty kills and powerplays, but Anderson beats the ice like it's a rented mule. He's also wildly gesturing constantly, which means he will forevermore be nicknamed KoKo to me, but the effect it has on our defensemen is noticeable. They're already confident he's reading the play correctly and as a result, there were very few turnovers in our own end. It also gives him better lanes to see shots. In short, he's providing the leadership that Phillips and Gonchar weren't. I don't know if there was some kind of communication gap before, but it seemed clear that everyone trusts Anderson. If we're really going to be adding Jared Cowen and David Rundblad to our mix next season, paying more than market value for Craig Anderson will make it worth it if only for the effect he'll have on their development. Wow. I really want to see if the defense looks as organized with McElhinney in net. I bet not.

I'm mad at Bobby Butler, because I had already made a mental note to comment on his shooting ability, and then he scored a beautiful goal and now it looks like I'm just talking about his shot because he scored. I assure you that's not the case. My seats essentially let me look over his shoulder for his goal, so let me see if I can describe it accurately without exaggeration here: He changes the direction of the shot in the act of the release. Butler winds up, and then as the stick is making contact with the puck, he rolls it to the tip and rockets it on a different trajectory than the followthrough would indicate. I have no idea how he did this. Presumably he opened the face of the blade slightly? All of this happens in a fraction of a second. The entire motion took me longer to register than the actual shot took place, if that makes sense.

It's like a golf swing, I suppose. Your eye follows the trajectory of the ball based on where your club swing makes it go. If you hit true, you can immediately pick the ball up in flight once to finish your swing. If you hooked or sliced (which I do all the time) it takes you an extra second to locate the ball in flight. Butler's shot was like that. Mason's glove was where the shot should have gone. It was where my eyes told me the puck should have gone. The puck just wasn't there. That's pretty fucking impressive. When he says that he wants to score 30 goals next year, I suddenly find it easy to believe him.

I'm also mad at Jason Spezza, who really just took the first period off. This was the laziest I've ever seen him play in person. He constantly coasted on his backchecking throughout the first. I believe this is what got him on a line with Lessard and Neil for a shift later in the game, but obviously I have no proof as such. He did pick it up as the game's energy picked up, including his backchecking. He also clearly wants to dish the puck to shooters. He's a playmaker, not a scorer.

Speaking of Lessard, I think he's a complete waste of a roster spot. Very frustrating to watch him lug around and get in the way.

I was also not impressed with Marek Svatos or Ryan Potulny. As I said to Peter last night, Potulny will forever be known in my head as "Who the fuck is 21?" after last night. Every time he did something, that was the question I found myself asking. Maybe he just needs more practice time or something. I don't know. I also found it hard to believe that Svatos has played for Cory Clouston before. He seemed only able to skate in a straight line like a bubble hockey figure (Enhance Your Experience indeed), and generated one turnover in the offensive zone for all his work. I felt bad for Ryan Shannon and Erik Condra, who showed obvious chemistry. They could use a different linemate.

Erik Karlsson is struggling. This is pure speculation based on what I saw in person for one game, but in my opinion, the culprit is none other than Filip Kuba. Karlsson obviously has some confidence issues right now -- the way he broke his stick shows he's gripping it way too hard -- and I think those are stemming from his partner. During play without the puck, he did not look confident to me. He was constantly looking around like he was being followed, but it didn't look like he was actively reading the play -- it looked like he wasn't sure where his partner was going to be. He seemed to settle down and play a much more composed game when he was switched to play with Chris Phillips (sorry, Adnan) and once he was calmer, was moved back with Kuba.

I also felt part of his struggle was his attempt to do to much, which is understandable -- he wants to do better. After his stick broke, he was running all over the place in his own end kicking at the puck and generally making things worse for everyone involved. I was screaming at him to just leave the puck alone and let his partner take care of it, but it sure looked like he was overcompensating for a mistake in the other end.

Speaking of moving playes around, I thought Cory Clouston did a very good job coaching tonight. His usual shuffling was limited to mostly defensive pairings this time around (save for Spezza's banishment) at least that I noticed. I hated Derek Smith's play until he was put beside Gonchar.

And speaking of Phillips, I felt that Blake Wheeler very clearly interfered with Anderson on Dustin Byfuglien's goal. I don't know if it was visible on camera or not, but during the replays and celebration, it was Chris Phillips who talked to Bill McCreary about the interference. Greg Kimmerly got an earful as well... from Ryan Shannon.

Nick Foligno seems to have added a move to his repitoire. In addition to "skate all the way around the net, turn and shoot," he now has "poke the puck the opposite way you are heading and then try to dangle your man." I swear he did this over and over last night.

I feel I have been underrating Jesse Winchester, who simply outworked everyone last night.

The atmosphere for the game was terrible. Calling the attendance "sparce" is generous. I mentioned to Peter that it reminded me of that scene in "A League of Their Own" where the players come out to almost no crowd. I almost felt like it wasn't fair to blame the Thrashers for their play. Who would want to try their hardest for such an indifferent crowd?

Phillips Arena is very nice, though. They create a good environment for entertainment, but people need to show up. Whoever's in that Thrash mascot needs to get their chants straight: He'd bang the hell out of the drum, "BANG-BANG-BANGBANGBANG" as in "Let's go Senators!" (which I of course chanted as loudly as I could) and the crowd would chant "Let's go Thrashers!" The correct rhythm for this is "BANG-BANG BANG-BANG." Who doesn't know this?

Overheard in my private suite: "I guess they give you an assist if you shoot the puck?" "I don't know. I think so." This was in regards to the announcement of a scoring change on Foligno's goal, where Gonchar was magically given a second assist. How do you explain that to someone?

And finally, yes, I did find something to boo. During the first intermission, fans were brought on the ice to play dodgeball, four to a side. At one point, the yellow team had one player left to the red team's three. Anyone who's been in a game of dogeball understands how to get the last man out: you shoot at him all at once. Red team kept shooting one at a time, resulting in deflections. I took personal offense to this affront to basic gym class strategy and booed as loudly as I possibly could. I'm proud to say that the few people in the stands nearby joined me, because sometimes bullcrap is something everyone can recognize. Eventually red team ran out of balls to throw. The lone yellow player had to make a throw, which was caught, and the yellow team lost. Ridiculous.

Final notes: The Senators are now 2-0 when I watch them this season, which is much better than their record when I recap. Lifetime they're now 5-3 when I'm in attendance. I really love watching this team play.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Silver Seven community, and does not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of the site managers, editors, or Sports Blogs Nation, Inc.

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Comments

Karlsson should play with Gonchar

His struggles started when they paired him with Phillips, and now Kuba. He was doing pretty solidly before the new year when he was with…actually I don’t remember if it was Gonchar or Campoli.

But in any case, he generally hasn’t performed well with Kuba or Phillips.

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 4, 2011 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Except for last night. :)

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

Hale

From what I have seen Karlsson’s best play came when he was partnered with Hale. Also, last year down the stretch he played well with Sutton.

On the other hand, Gonchar has played well since the new year. I am not sure who he has been consistently partnered with, but it hasn’t been Karlsson.

by DW19 on Mar 5, 2011 8:06 AM EST up reply actions

Yes!

I miss David Hale. Bring him back!

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 5, 2011 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

Also, your choice of wording is poor, Mr. English major

You mean to say (I think) that no matter what the Sens pay Anderson, it won’t be an overpayment.

But when you say “I don’t believe the team can overpay for Craig Anderson” it sounds like the Sens shouldn’t pay him too much.

So take that! Now I will finish reading the rest of your article. My eyes generally float to Karlsson first.

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 4, 2011 3:37 PM EST reply actions

Ha, I've already edited it twice

I like your version better, so I’m editing it thrice.

ATTENTION ALL OTHER READERS, MY ENGLISH IS PERFECT ALWAYS

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

*always perfect

It reads better, even if what you wrote isn’t actually incorrect.

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

Shhh

Exaggeration makes for better comedic effect.

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

Actually, either way is correct

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

True, but my version has too much passive voice

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Since you changed it, you need a comma before the should.

You need to bracket that phrase in commas, not just put one at the end. I demand a fourth edit!

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

Sue him!

In the name of Her Majesty the Queen!

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 4, 2011 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

...or in my name so that the money could go to me.

But for what? Grammatical assault?

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

That would be high treason

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 4, 2011 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

No it wouldn't

See?

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

Ha!

Well done.

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 4, 2011 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

Why, thank you

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Negative, ghost rider

There’s only two clauses there. One comma is all that’s necessary. You’re adding a comma under the “put a comma wherever you’d pause while speaking” line of thought, which is a good general guideline, but not necessarily grammatically correct.

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

I stand by my edit.

Even if yours is technically correct, it feels wrong.

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

Read yours with the clause you create removed

You’d be missing an antecedent. That feels more wrong.

I don’t even enjoy grammar, damn it!

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

Wronger, you mean?

by JonathanA on Mar 4, 2011 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

Wrongsy, if you ask Spezza

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 4, 2011 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

I like it!

Or rather I likesy it

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by JonathanA on Mar 4, 2011 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

I think that, should the team re-sign Anderson, whatever salary he receives won't be an overpayment

I see nothing wrong with it. You bracket the phrase “should the team re-sign Anderson” because the sentence is still fine without it.

It’s also wordy. I suggest: I think that, if the team re-signs Anderson, no salary is too high.

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

The sentence wouldn't be fine without it, though

“I think that whatever salary he receives won’t be an overpayment.” gives you a pronoun with no antecedent. You’d have to have another sentence before it to clarify who “he” is referring to, like “Craig Anderson is a fartsmeller.”

Alternately, you could just write one sentence of two clauses separated by a comma. Because the first clause contains the antecedent, a second comma to “bracket” it becomes unnecessary. Does that make sense?

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, you'd need a sentence beforehand, but I still say the way you wrote it looks wrong, regardless of whether it is or not

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

Ha

Well, I don’t know what to tell you. Take it up with Strunk and White, I guess.

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 7:50 PM EST up reply actions

Or

don’t!

by JonathanA on Mar 4, 2011 9:59 PM EST up reply actions

I love you for posting this

I thought I was the only person alive who felt The Elements of Style was outdated. But if you’re going to make a grammar joke…

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 10:29 PM EST up reply actions

you are wrong, you know...

if i were marking your paper, i would circle that sentence as being awkward. “i think that should…”

i wouldn’t care to ever point that out unless there’s already a grammar debate in progress… whiiich there is.

by Caden on Mar 4, 2011 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

Awkward isn't wrong.

There are many better ways to write the sentence; I think that’s clear. But I was writing on a computer with a time limit, and hasty writing is never particularly good writing in my case.

However awkward it reads, I think the rules of grammar are on my side here. It’s unnecessary to add a comma to a clause containing an antecedent.

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 5, 2011 12:29 AM EST up reply actions

the ordering of your sentence is wrong

i don’t feel like pulling out my books to dissect the parts of the sentence with terms and definitions, but it doesn’t work. nor does it work better with a comma…

by Caden on Mar 5, 2011 12:39 AM EST up reply actions

Awesome

Anderson beats the ice like it’s a rented mule

So much win

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 3:38 PM EST reply actions

It's like the Grand Canyon, everyone should see it

I’ve only seen maybe 30 goalies play live, but he’s the only one I’ve ever seen go to town like that.

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

I'll be sure to watch him at the rest of my games this season

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

Please do

I’d love to know if I was seeing things or if he’s really that animated all the time

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

My thoughts on the rest

- Agreed Lessard is a waste of space, but better than bringing up someone useful from Binghamton I guess. I assume (hope) he won’t play next year.
- That Butler shot WAS ridiculous. On TV, no one really noticed what happened, it was that out of no where.
- Your hockey analysis is great, if you promise to do this for every game you attend, I will buy you tickets to every game Sens game everywhere with travel costs when I win the lottery.
- The Sens are 3-1 when I attend, including 2-0 in Ottawa.

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 4, 2011 3:42 PM EST reply actions

I have been to lots of games...

It averages out to about 7 a season for all the seasons I have been a fan, so 10 years. I think I’m at about a 50% win rate. Boo lol

by Los Blancos Chicca on Mar 4, 2011 3:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

But the Sens are undefeated when you go to a game with us

There is that.

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 4, 2011 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

Although the 3-1 was this season

I have been to many more in years gone by.

Sens are 0-2 in playoff games when I go though.

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 4, 2011 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

Lessard taking shots whenever he has the puck

awfully reminds me of our friend Schubert. I’m sure we can fill that spot with someone skilled, or maybe he’s just there to protect our young guns?

by AAZZ on Mar 4, 2011 3:44 PM EST reply actions

Bahahahahahahahahaha

One of my friends (who’s a Red Wings fan, incidentally) used to love Schubert. Whenever we went to games, he’d just yell “SCHUUUUUUUUBERRRRRRT” constantly. That is the only thing I can think of when reading this status.

Lessard is here because Carkner was out and we needed some toughness, and I guess we kept him rather than trade him out for someone else because Bingo’s mad enough already.

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 4, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

I don't buy this idea of protecting players with goons

- Goons don’t play on the same line as the skilled players, so they would only be able to protect them after the fact.
- If you take liberties at Spezza, and then the next shift Lessard tries to fight you…you don’t have to fight him.

I think big hits are a much bigger deterrent than fights. For example, if I took a cheap shot at Spezza, I’d be a lot more scared of Anton Volchenkov than Matt Carkner or Chris Neil.

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 4, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

More importantly, I don't know that Winchester and Who the Fuck is 21 need protecting that badly.

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

Well that was point #1

That the goons don’t play on the same line.

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 4, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, yeah

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

except

the idea behind it is that lessard won’t give a fuck and will toss you head first into the boards, effectively ruining your career in exchange for a 20 game suspension.. and you know why he doesn’t care? because that’s the only reason he’s on the team in the first place — to get suspended for a cheap retaliation.

by Caden on Mar 4, 2011 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

What an awesome recap! These are things you pick up being at a live game. Thanks for sharing it.

by Los Blancos Chicca on Mar 4, 2011 3:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Agree

It was awesome, Mark. Thanks.

by Tom Camps on Mar 4, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for reading

It’s why I write.

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 10:33 PM EST up reply actions

So awesome

I was literally going to say the same thing. Mark should be Pierre McGuire’s replacement, if McGuire joins TSN.

An Ottawa Senators fan blogging at www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Mar 4, 2011 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

I would do that job

Then there’d be “bullcrap” memes instead of “MONSTER” ones.

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 10:35 PM EST up reply actions

Ha, thanks

I don’t know what I really picked up. I’m no scout, after all. I’m sure Clouston would give a more insightful and accurate reason for Karlsson’s struggles, for example. But I’m glad you enjoyed my meager opinion!

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by Mark Parisi on Mar 4, 2011 10:32 PM EST up reply actions