The Perils of Fandom: A Lament
by timmyf on Mar 7, 2010 9:30 PM EST
in Opinion
44 comments
DISCLAIMER: This post is a rant. There are almost no stats. If you're looking for stats, you best keep looking...
The Thrashers fan sitting in front of me at this evening's Carolina Hurricanes - Atlanta Thrashers, uhm, "game," was wearing a Ronald Petrovicky sweater.
I felt like I was watching the Thrashers circa Ronald Petrovicky.
As a self-proclaimed "stats guy," I wish there were something I could do to explain the team's sudden collapse. After two very strong games coming out of the Olympic break, the Thrashers have posted back-to-back stinkers. Front two? 5 goals/game. Back two? 1 goal/game. How about goals allowed/game? 2.5 versus 5. What could possibly explain this?
Honestly, I'm not all that interested. As a fan, things are always better than they seem when things are going badly and never as good as they seem when things are going well. There is nothing so distorting as being a sports fan.Take Canes fans, for example: tonight, they probably think their team is great. 8 wins in 9 games? A shutout on the road against a playoff bubble team? They must be feeling pretty high.
This rant continues after the jump...
As a guy who comes from Buffalo, I know a bit about crushing disappointment. Buffalo's a city that has never won a major sports championship. Never. The Buffalo Sabres have gotten close a few times... (NO GOAL!!!!) So have the Buffalo Bills... (I'm thinking of you, Kicker Who Shall Not Be Named.) Despite the constant failure, the unending disaster that is Buffalo Professional Sports, you won't find many fans as passionate as Bills or Sabres fans. Heck, they drive down to Atlanta en masse to make Thrashers fans look like chumps a couple times a year.
We all know that sports in Atlanta are different. This is a city of transplants. This is a city that demands winning. With winning comes fans and passion and sellouts and all of the things that make sporting events great. With losing and mediocrity comes, well, tonight's game.
The announced attendance was 15,306. There were, eventually, a fair number of people in the stands. Clearly, several thousand couldn't be troubled to make the game on time... and on a Sunday, well, traffic is no excuse. Thousands more didn't bother to show up at all. Heck, I didn't even use all my tickets... I tried to give them away, but only succeeded in giving away 4 of my 6 extras. It's a sad state of affairs when you can't GIVE AWAY tickets to a professional sporting event.
I'm glad I couldn't find people for those other two seats. I tell friends all the time, "Come to a hockey game some time. It's the best live sport in the world. You'll be an instant fan if you come to a game."
I could barely sit through it myself and I schedule my life around hockey. My friends, had they decided to join me, would think I'm nuts. [They may already think that, but this certainly wouldn't have helped.]
It wasn't just the team that was flat: it was the fans too. Discount tickets bring in discount fans. Or, at least, free kids tickets with adult tickets seems like a backfiring strategy. Not that there was much to cheer about... Blueland Bandit even left early. (You know the guy: he's dressed up like a cowboy.) It was like watching a bunch of kids playing a hockey video game: a mess of turnovers, a complete lack of strategy. It simply wasn't a fun game to attend.
Sometimes I feel like the "relationship" fans have with this team is a bad one. We're there for the team when they are doing well, but when they lose, it's like they've cheated on us. We're constantly fighting nowadays. I don't know where things went so wrong... "Against the Hurricanes? How could you!? We had such a great thing going and you went out there and ruined it!"
"Well," the team responds, "in a city of millions of people, you can't find 18,545 to come to a weekend game?" Okay, that one hurt. "And worse, our television audience is somewhere in the thousands. Not tens of thousands. Just thousands. You realize that we need those revenues, right?"
"But but but," we counter, "that has to be a problem with the Nielsen system, at least in part. Plus, if you didn't turn out stinkers like tonight, folks might actually watch the games. And if more people watched the games, SportSouth might be willing to broadcast more of them in HD, bringing in an even wider audience."
"So you agree," says the team, "that part of the problem is not enough fans watching us on TV?"
And the argument goes on and on and on...
Even worse, these collapses fuel the fires of the "Make it Seven" train. Clearly, because the Thrashers have now lost TWO GAMES IN A ROW, they'll be moved to Winnipeg. They want a team so badly, they don't care if it's playing like garbage. The magical healing powers of Almighty Canada will fix it!! Excuse me while I puke up my pretzel dog and turn on the Oilers game... or the Leafs game...
As a blogger, it's easy to handle losses. It's easy to write about a bad team. That may be part of the reason why there are so many Thrashers bloggers, in fact. (Of course, there's also the large number of computer-savvy folks in Atlanta, the easy access to tickets to games, and the gap of a strong traditional media...)
As a fan, losses are tough. Losses are a kick to the gut. We were in the playoffs: we had two great wins coming out of the break. What happened? Are the old Thrashers back? The ones that couldn't get a lead, that couldn't hold a lead, that could lose all the games they were supposed to win?
After two games like we've played against Carolina and Tampa, it's hard to justify fighting traffic, paying for parking, and devoting my Tuesday evening to this team for the Nashville game. But I'll be there, ready to cheer, ready to support this team...
...if they'll just show up and give me something to cheer about.
Feel free to use the comments below to vent about the turn our team has taken. As Coach Anderson said in the post-game press conference, it's time to lick our wounds and move on. Tuesday's a new game and our team is still in it. Though we've fallen to 10th...
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Two more things...
1) I hope you enjoy the subtle metaphorical imagery in this post’s picture.
2) It’s almost like the Thrashers realized that, by winning, they’d be cutting their summer vacation short and really just don’t want to cancel that late-April trip they’ve planned…
Prices are cheaper at resorts...
… and there are fewer kids. I mean, can you blame them?
I regret dragging my ill self to that game tonight, and I vary rarely say that. This is one of very few games that I would have rather have watched from home, on my couch, in my robe and slippers. At least if I fell asleep, I’d be comfortable – and my cat doesn’t scream “SHOOT” every 2.6 seconds.
Very flat. We’re going to have games like this – I think that the tightness of the playoff race is really what is making it worse than it usually is. Thankfully the Habs are in the process of losing, so at least something’s going right-ish.
Grasping at straws, I know.
I really think that games like Saturday’s throw this team off so much that they can’t rebound. The refs screwed us over (to a degree) in Tampa, but that stuff tonight was all on us. Eight penalties? Inexcusable.
Reporter: There`s a "stamp out the Beatles movement" underway in Detroit. What are you going to do about it?
Paul McCartney: We`re going to start a campaign to stamp out Detroit.
Said it before and I’ll say it again: the positive ‘bump’ after the trade is the same stuff we saw after Hartley was hired, and after he was fired. It’s the same old Thrashers, only with even less-famous names on the sweaters. Why is everyone surprised an average team played average hockey? Did two wins over Florida really mean THAT much? Clearly not.
It doesn’t matter which players are on the ice if the men in the boardroom are the same. The issues with the team go much farther than Kovy, no-Kovy, Arty, Amry, etc etc. Until ownership changes, nothing will.
by CuckooForKovalchuk on Mar 7, 2010 9:44 PM EST reply actions
I should maybe clarify: I don’t see how ownership affects the day-to-day play. Obviously, I understand how they shape the long-term play of a team.
Oh, I’m not trying to be snarky, honest.
Ok, then I don’t need to explain. :)
IMHO, the ‘day-to-day play’ of the Thrashers in the last two days is a more accurate representation of what they are capable of than the 3 wins after the trade.
by CuckooForKovalchuk on Mar 7, 2010 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
At the beginning of the season, I said the Thrashers should fall in the 85-95 point range… and I think I said 92 as final guess. I’m a bit lower on them now, maybe 89, but I don’t think they’ve done anything to warrant a major downgrade.
They’re not a team that can contend for the Cup. But they’re better than tonight.
I agree with your last sentence, and I hope you don’t take my original post as an attack on you. I’ve just been feeling a bit righteous against the people (no one specifically) who said “OMG they’re such a better team without Kovy”
No, really, they’re not. They were an average-built team with him and they are and average-built team without him.
by CuckooForKovalchuk on Mar 7, 2010 10:04 PM EST up reply actions
It's not explained with numbers
It’s an aura that permeates the entire organization. A lack of urgency. A lack of direction. A lack of accountability. A lack of identity. It starts at the top and trickles down through the whole organization.
Until there is a house cleaning from the penthouse on down, this organization will struggle to be mediocre at best.
by TheBrickwall on Mar 7, 2010 10:54 PM EST up reply actions
Wait, but didn’t we pretty much do that? Which guys from the starting lineup tonight (and behind the bench) were a part of the team that fell apart in the playoffs oh-so-many years ago?
There are very, very few. There will be less after this year. I mean, you can say that it’s ownership and Waddell… which I’m sure you and many others are… but as far as the coaches and players, that’s been done. At some point, the responsibility has to lie with the coaches and players. It’s not like this team is incapable of winning. Or incapable of playing a strong game.
What makes the Devils and Red Wings so successful over the long haul?
Always the most efficient shooting percentage while skating 5-5 on weeknights? Nah. Being able to more efficiently manage TOI of their left wings than anybody else in the league? Maybe, but I doubt it. Listen to players who play or have played for those organizations and you hear one thing come up over and over again; how proud they are to be, or have been, a part of that organization. When was the last time you heard anybody say they were proud to pull on the Thrasher sweater other than an 18 year old on draft day?
I’m not sure how many companies you’ve worked for in your life or how many management regimes you’ve been exposed to, but in over 35 years in the workforce I’ve been exposed to well more than a dozen. Those that have been the most successful have had CEOs/leaders that weren’t just figureheads but people who were actually involved in running and shaping the business. They brought in others that they had worked with in the past who were effective managers and motivators. They looked to come in and change the culture by being engaged and getting the trust of the rank and file to buy in and become engaged as well. Have pride in what you do and the company you represent.
I don’t expect us to be the freakin’ Canadiens all steeped in tradition but I do look to organizations like Carolina and Nashville and see franchises in new markets that have started to define who they are. And see success starting to come in both dynamic and consistent ways.
I would have said “the ability to re-sign key players at below-market prices.” Or just pointed to the years those teams were also terrible. Or attributed their comments to the fact that they’ve been a franchise for more than 10 years and are steeped in history.
But sure, it could also be that our team loses individual games because they aren’t motivated enough management.
by timmyf on Mar 8, 2010 8:34 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I missed tonight’s game because I was playing one of my own. We finished with most of the 3rd left in the Thrashers and went to the bar to watch. I don’t know what feed they were showing, but the score was never on the screen. We looked it up on our phones and quickly understood.
This success of late really makes this disapointment hurt much more. It is like fate smacking you for having faith. The fast and furious pace of the rest of this season will produce a few more stinkers I’m sure, but hopefully not so many.
Feel sorry for ticket reps
I feel really bad for the ticket reps, who Monday through Friday, are trying to sell tickets to the games for a sport that the majority of Atlantans still do not support like the Braves or Falcons.
Here I am trying to get a group together at my school to go to the Rangers game this Friday, and I can only get 15 people. 12 are students 3 are adults. If we were playing hard day in day out while contending for a good playoff spot, then I would have no problem. I may even try for one of the last games in April. But not if they are going to play with no heart!!!! I tried getting people together in November and December too, but to no avail. I can see why.
I am going back to work this AM waiting for someone to ask me what happened to the Thrashers’ recent great play? I will say: “I don’t know.”.
I am tired of thinking about what other team I will cheer for during the playoffs. I want to cheer for the Thrashers for once. I was hoping that they would at least make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs. But if they are going to play like this, they either will not make it or get the 8th spot and play the Caps and go down fast- this is predictable and depressing. I want to see a team that plays with heart the whole season and go far like the Pens; or progres like the Caps have in the last 3 years.
When Boudreau was hired, that was the start of their surge upward. Why can’t we do the same!!!! Sorry, just ranting. I am still going to cheer for them, but just really frustrated righr now!!
by BTF on Mar 8, 2010 6:22 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I feel much the same way. That’s why I put this thread up. Still a lot of games left…
by timmyf on Mar 8, 2010 8:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Something about which to feel good
Besides, I am so depressed about the economy and politics that I need something about which to feel good.
by BTF on Mar 8, 2010 7:08 AM EST via mobile reply actions
BTF
I agree, I sat in my seat as Phillips cleared asking why couldn’t I get one thing go right this weekend.
by thrasherspuck on Mar 8, 2010 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
As long as DW is GM, you can expect more of the same
On Saturday Feb. 6 approximately 16000 fans showed up and cheered like it was game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. Then at the town hall following the game the fans gave DW and the owners a bunch of softball questions. Once again, just like with Hossa, we hear an owner telling us that he gets it and things have to change, but just stick with us because we’re moving in a positive direction. The fans have spoken and they gave DW and the owners the world’s biggest thumbs up and “Keep doing what you’re doing” message. For the record, I did not go to that game, nor have I been since prior to the Kovy trade. Nor will I return this season.
So what did you get for all your vote of confidence, fans? Well, your GM, who you placed all your hope in, got you a new 4th line player and a new 3rd line player who is now being asked to play a 2nd line role. Yeah, I admit that it looked pretty good for you when Artyukhin and MacArthur scored in their first games, but what do you think now? Suppose the team fails again to make the playoffs? You had your chance to send a message on Feb. 6 and you didn’t. And you see I remember a guy name Steve McCarthy who looked like an All Star after the trading deadline a few years ago but ended up being a bum. So when Artyukhin scores his 6-8 goals a season next season and MacArthur chips in his 18 like clockwork, I won’t be surprised. But DW had a chance to pick up some scorers who got traded for peanuts and all he came up with were some marginal improvements. I don’t think that’s going to be enough. And remember too this summer that we may have a floodgate of unrestricted free agents hitting the road. Sure, MacArthur can replace Armstrong and Artyukhin is our new Boulton. But who is going to replace Afinogenov? Who is going to replace Kubina? I’m hoping that if Kubina goes that we finally give one of the kids in Chicago a job, but knowing DW he’ll just sign another Ken Klee. Is terrible Todd White going to be given a starting job? Or will he be bought out? Remember, all of you who went to that game on Feb. 6 told DW that you had faith in him so we’ll see in another month if that faith was sadly misplaced or not.. I’m betting that it will be.
If I had to guess, I’d say the Thrashers re-sign Kubina for 2 more years at more money than he’s probably worth, overpay a free agent winger this off-season, and get criticized by you for making those moves. Even though that seems to be what you’re looking for.
Look, the (Near) Future Top 6 of this team is Antropov, Bergfors, Kane, Little, Peverley, and Somebody Else. You can like that or you can hate it, but it is what it is. Add to that what should be a strong defensive corps – Bogosian, Enstrom, Hainsey, Kubina, Oduya, Kulda/Postma/Valabik – and you have a team that should be able to win games.
We wanted a youth movement. We wanted to get rid of the Bobby Holiks. Waddell did it. The rebuild is more-or-less complete, now it’s just a matter of waiting for these guys to mature.
I guess the big question is why...
does this team continue to struggle. Acceptance of mediocrity? Lack of accountability? Bad luck? To me it is telling that the longest win streak in this team’s history is 6 games. We just lost to a team that for a large part of the year has stank but just had a 7 game win streak. And that view is just a small part of it.
Well, I don’t think we’ve struggled that much this season except for the month of December. I have no idea what happened in December, except to say there were some problems with a certain player I won’t name but whose name rhymes with Bovalduck.
As far as long-term problems, I did a brief analysis on my old blog here (http://www.timmyf.com/thrashers/?p=48) which I may need to revisit at some point. That point will likely be the off-season.
"soft ball questions?"
Look you’re welcome to your opinion but I don’t consider the following softball questions: “Are you going to resign?” “Why should I buy tickets?” “Why can’t we retain our high draft picks?” You may not like the answers, but I thought the questions are fairly tough.
All things Thrashers + stats: www.birdwatchersanonymous.com
Zontar
I renew my tickets and my hope. Just like fans of teams across the country. I believe our day will come and I pray I don’t die before it gets here. Quite honestly that’s why you continue to post – because you want the same thing. I just haven’t been pushed over to the dark side yet. Honestly I thought about jumping into the lower bowl last night.
by thrasherspuck on Mar 8, 2010 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
How amazing is it that so many “fans” of Thrashers hockey were believers up to game time Sat and 1 day later the “it’s ownership (again)” and “we’ll never win” and “it’s over” crap resurfaces with a vengence (PUKE!)…This has got to be the only professional sports team where bloggers circle around and can’t wait to dive in so they can say, “See! I told you so! Why do you even support this franchise? Oh…..I’ll be back once the next point streak is snapped to tell all of you how ridiculous you are to be Thrashers fans!” Yeah…..Whatever helps you sleep at night I guess….
When we don’t show up we get beat over the head by Bradley and Schultz for not supporting our team. When we do show up we get beat over the head by blogging naysayers for “supporting Don Waddell & mediocrity” WOW…..Is it any wonder people have to be dragged to Philips? Look around and you’ll see many teams playing atrocious hockey right now. Absolutely HORRIBLE hockey! Was it getting back into the grind after a 2-week hiatus? Who knows? This team has to fix whatever happened this weekend, but they’ve also proven they can play better by playing some of their best hockey of the year After Kovalchuk….Who I might add was last seen wondering in the Sahara Desert looking for his own answers.
Frustration? Understandable. We were blindsided by a team breaking a skid only to turn around and get it handed to us by a team on a roll….Last week WE were the ones issuing the hurt. Remember? It also wasn’t a total loss. I got a free oil change! :)
by My3(Thrasher)Sons on Mar 8, 2010 10:53 AM EST reply actions
Did you get the “wondering” thing? And c’mon…..“Discount” fans?
by My3(Thrasher)Sons on Mar 8, 2010 10:56 AM EST up reply actions
I hope that you aren’t specifically referring to me as being super negative and blaming ownership and Waddell. I’m perhaps the strongest (only?) defender of those guys left in the blogosphere.
To be perfectly clear, I think you SHOULD show up and you SHOULD cheer and be loud and proud fans. Yes, even when the team sucks. (At least at the beginning of the game.)
To make a professional sports franchise work, both sides – fans and the team (including management) – have responsibilities. We need to show up to the game to support the team. They need to deliver a product we can cheer for. In general, I’ve been pretty happy with professional hockey in Atlanta. Sure, the team hasn’t exactly been great… but I enjoy NHL hockey a lot more than Gladiators games. So I’ll continue to go and support my team.
Nah. Ownership/Waddell wasn’t directed at you. I feel your pain but I also know Dudley is putting together a winner and there will be growing pains along the way. I just wish they wouldn’t happen in a playoff race!
This is football country surprise. So sometimes Thrasher fans show up and rock the house (opening nt & Feb 6th are examples). Sometimes they need a jump-start and four shots in the 1st won’t get er done. I will say my boys were cheering and beating their Thunder Sticks (when they weren’t beating each other with them) from start to finish!
But if I had my choice, I’d rather lose the way we did than the way Anaheim did last night…OUCH!
by My3(Thrasher)Sons on Mar 8, 2010 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
Hope springs eternal...
off the cliff and into the chasm. :)
so we’re now 4 pts from 7th which is currently held by the habs who have played 3 more games than us. yes we played two crappy games that we couldve won, although no one seems to be able to beat the canes now. there are also plenty of games left, and i bet if we win tuesday most of these posts will suddenly turn around to praising the team. this kovy-less team has proven it can play with great teams like colorado and chicago. if we can finally get some discipline and get a shred of momentum and chemistry on the powerplay, we could be right in playoff contention in no time. losing 2 games, one against the hottest team in the nhl right now, is not the end of the world.
Special Teams
Our biggest problem right now is horrible special teams. Or poor special teams execution — PK on account of taking bad penalties from not skating and moving their feet — at key points of games. We had a couple of chances to get back into the game with a PP goal and they choked two PP opps away.
As a ’Canes fan, I really hope you all are not giving up on your team with just a few losses.
You guys certainly are not out of the running for a playoff spot. I don’t want to see your Thrashers shipped up to Winnipeg, I want to see you guys survive, thrive, and win one year (albeit, not against the ‘Canes ;D). You didn’t play a great game or two, so what? If a few Carolina fans believe we can still make the playoffs, then there is absolutely no reason the Thrashers fans shouldn’t continue to stand behind their team.
It’s fine to be critical of your team, we certainly were for that long stretch of a losing streak we were on. You had a ton of penalties, sure. You’ve even had quite a few in your past several games. It’s not the end of the world though, I promise. No matter how bad you do, you can always bounce back.
But don’t stop going to the games. Don’t stop bringing your friends. Don’t stop cheering for them. Don’t give up hope. I understand the frustration, but if you want to see your team win, you’ve got to go there knowing there’s a chance they’ll lose. Maybe these last two losses were a wake-up call? Maybe your team has awoken.
As a hockey fan, I don’t want to see any team’s fans miserable. Have hope. It can only get better from here, right? :)
Hi VGG
Thanks for the happy thoughts (again, not being snarky). I bet it’s a bit easier to survive the craptastic seasons when you’ve already got a Cup, huh? :)
Speaking only for myself, it’s not just two bad games, it’s several years of average play and futility.
by CuckooForKovalchuk on Mar 9, 2010 12:50 PM EST up reply actions
Aha...
Don’t give up on the Bandit, he didn’t leave early – he just moved to discuss the misery with his brother.
DE
TROIT
SUCKS
Rant makes Yahoo Sports
timmyf quoted on Monday’s Puck Headlines – big ups – http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Headlines-Playoff-goalie-headaches-no-NBC?urn=nhl,226654
Well, I’d prefer to get some recognition for stats posts, but I’ll take “killer fan rant” if I can get it!
by timmyf on Mar 9, 2010 12:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 121 |
|
Atlanta
|
82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 83 |
|
Carolina
|
82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 80 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 80 |
|
Florida
|
82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 77 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
Thrashers Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
Washington
|
Fri 10/08 | 7:30 PM EDT |
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@
Tampa Bay
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Sat 10/09 | 7:30 PM EDT |
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@
Los Angeles
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Tue 10/12 | 10:30 PM EDT |
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@
Anaheim
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Fri 10/15 | 10:00 PM EDT |
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@
San Jose
|
Sat 10/16 | 10:30 PM EDT |
Last 5 Games
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Pittsburgh
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Sat 04/10 | W 1 - 0 |
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@
Washington
|
Fri 04/09 | L 2 - 5 |
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New Jersey
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Tue 04/06 | L 0 - 3 |
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@
Pittsburgh
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Sat 04/03 | OT - L 3 - 4 |
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@
Washington
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Thu 04/01 | L 1 - 2 |
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