The entire team rode the bus after the game in Buffalo to Elmira, Snyder's hometown. It was obvious that being at the rink in Elmira meant plenty to this organization.

"He was one of our guys. He's always going to be in our hearts. I'm glad we came here today," said Ilya Kovalchuk.

The only two remaining Thrashers who were on the team with Snyder are Ilya Kovalchuk and Slava Kozlov.

Snyder died six days after sustaining injuries in a tragic car accident on Sept. 29, 2003.

Dany Heatley, who was driving the vehicle, was injured but survived the crash.

Just six years ago, Dan Snyder and his father Graham had talked about having a new arena in the area around Elmira. "Dan at the time told me, 'I'll do whatever you need to help out.' So this day is very special," said Graham.

The Snyder family is invited to Atlanta annually to present the “Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy,” which is awarded to the Thrashers' unsung hero, the player who best embodies perseverance, dedication, and hard work without reward or recognition, so that his team and teammates might succeed.

The Atlanta Thrashers organization might not yet be championship caliber, but the team's class makes you feel like they should be.

Thrashers GM Don Waddell’s NHL club practiced at the new Dan Snyder Memorial Arena rink in front of a packed house of approximately 1,500. Fans were extremely excited to watch the NHL practice and then meet the players during an autograph session.

"For us to be able to come back here today and give back to this community, you know Dan is here today watching over us," Waddell told ESPN.com, his voice barely audible over the frenzied atmosphere during practice. "It means a lot to us being here."

"They're part of our family," said the GM. "It's something that's going to last with us forever."

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Right after the fight, Nikolai Antropov would deke past the defenseman and shoot a cross-ice pass to a streaking Ilya Kovalchuk. Another laser of a shot from No. 17 would would cut the lead in half.

With less then two minutes to go in the opening period, Pavel Kubina would pass it over to Bryan Little, who would find Ron Hainsey to wrist it into the net.

To start the second period, Ottawa’s defense would tighten up in the neutral zone, not allowing many scoring chances.

The lone goal of the period would come from a power play, itself a result from Anssi Salmela’s interference penalty. The strong play of Peter Regin would get the puck over to Mike Fisher for the backhand goal for Ottawa.

In the third period, Atlanta would give Ottawa a few chances off small errors. Chris Neil would score the only goal in the period on a wrist shot.

Ottawa’s counter-attacking style worked well against the run-and-gun from Atlanta—which has yet to out-shoot its opponents—and give them their first defeat of the season.

The effort from the Thrashers just wasn’t there.

“I don’t think we showed up for this game” Ilya Kovalchuk said.

He was exactly correct. The team that showed up for this game didn't work nearly as hard as the team that showed up in their prior two outings. 

It was also difficult for fans, who had to listen to the game on the radio, as it wasn’t available on television.

ROUNDUP

BRIGHT STARS: Ron Hainsey

DARK STARS: Anssi Salmela (two lack of effort penalties, one of which proved costly) Todd White, Slava Kozlov

BLUE COLLAR: Eric Boulton

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Still currently hitting out of that four spot, the slugger position, Wells has earned it with his on and off talented bat and defensive seasons. He currently hits .238, with a measly five home runs, and a high left on base total. Comparing our slugger to our small ball second basemen, Aaron Hill, who has 14 home runs tells you something.

Yes, he's always been an up and down player, but it's getting worse. Yes we know this is an awful year, which means last year should have been a great one; well he did eclipse the .300 mark, yet barely eclipsed 20 home runs. The year before that in '07, V-dub hit a low .245 average and only 16 home runs.

Is it time to trade our franchise slugger ? NO. Well, at least not yet. We're in no way sure about the full direction on this year's Toronto Blue Jays; things could easily turn around for Wells, Rios, and some of our pitching. We do have many great pros surrounding this team, while still struggling with a full load of starters on the DL.

But with the salary of Wells, it doesn't compare to his output on the field, though I do love his intangibles.

Is Cito Gaston helping wells along? Has he pushed him in the right direction?

I love Gaston, but I haven't been a big fan of many of his moves: taking out strong starting pitching a bit too early, leaving some relievers in a bit too long, not playing small ball in some vital games in the interleague play games (come on...that's what they do there, when in rome...).

Maybe Wells needs just a bit of a break. Put him in where he can succeed and not be overshadowed by Lind and Hill. Rios and Wells are starting to look like the Laurel and Hardy show at the plate.

Give him a rest versus some strong lefties, maybe a game or two off at night or at home. Might I say it, take him out of the fourth spot. Oh no. Baseball is very much a numbers game. Cito please follow that rule.

P.S. V-dub, stop chasing those breaking balls

The Western Conference:

No. 1 San Jose Sharks vs No. 8 Anaheim Ducks

This series is too hard to predict. The Sharks have all the tools to win a cup, and though they have never shown they can be a really playoff team, this year they have a real shot. Then there are the Ducks, a team who is a playoff type of team, but they are coming in as an eighth seed.

I had the Ducks going far last year, and they ruined me. I still say the Sharks come out of this series after a tough battle, and hopefully they find themselves in this one. I don't know if Jonas Hiller can really be ready for his first playoffs as well.

San Jose in Seven.

No. 2 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 7 Columbus Blue Jackets

Welcome to the NHL playoffs Columbus.

Thanks for showing up.

Detroit in four.

(Sorry, did I need to go into detail here? If yes, ask and I shall tell).

No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 6 St.Louis Blues

How in hell did the Blues even make the playoffs, and they even got in as high as sixth seed. Well, congrats Blues for making it to the playoffs, they've overcome so much this year.

Though the core of this team is just too young to do much in their first NHL playoffs in years, they should be a great team next year. Luongo himself will be too much for the Blues. Expect the Sedins to really show up to this years playoffs, watch out everyone.

Vancouver in five.

No. 4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. No. 5 Calgary Flames

This is a tough one, but I think people will be a bit shocked. The Flames have many tools that a playoff team needs: great goaltending, physicality, strong defense, and great top offense. Thanks to Cammalleri, the Flames have a strong one-two punch.

The Blackhawks have too much top line young talent to not be taken lightly. Havlat has been looked over, thanks to Kane, and Toews, not to mention Versteeg, and the rest. Then goaltending, Khabibulin is just too great of a goaltender and even if somehow he falters, which I can't see happening, Huet is a strong goaltender, with playoff experience as well.

Chicago in six.

EXTRA:

Again, I'll go more into predictions when the second round begins, but this is how I can see it going, if it goes as I believe.

No. 1 SJ vs. No. 4 CHI - San Jose in six. If the Sharks can finally realize what they have, they'll have too much depth to be beaten by a younger Hawk team.

No. 2 DET vs. No. 3 VAN - Vancouver in seven. This will be a great series to watch. The Canucks depth will help them win this series. They'll win a few in OT, and with the Red Wings not being able to get pucks by Luongo, it will be Vancouver in the end.

No. 1 SJ vs. No. 3 VAN - Vancouver in six. If San Jose can get this far, which I think they might be able to, this next round will be their demise. The Canucks will be able to physically beat the Sharks.

No. 1 BOS vs. No. 3 VAN - Vancouver in 7. Canucks will have stronger leadership and goaltending to beat the younger core of the Bruins.

First off we start with the Eastern Conference:

1. Boston Bruins vs 8. Montreal Canadiens

The Habitans are just too shook up right now to possibly do anything in this years playoffs. I'll be talking about this the most, and it's goaltending. Price hasn't been the same since playing in the rookie and sophomore game at the All-Star break, nor should I believe Halak can fill that role either.

Then there are the Bruins with just too many weapons. I can see this series being done quickly.

Bruins in five.

2. Washington Capitals vs 7. New York Rangers

Should I say it again? Where is the goaltending, Caps don't have it right now, Theodore will not be able to stop everything the Rangers will put at him.

Then there's the Rangers Henrik Lundqvist who is still a great goaltender, and with already a few playoff years under his belt, I can see he now has the experience to win one or maybe even two rounds. Rangers are only lacking (somehow) offense, their leaders will step up, and adding Antropov at the deadline will some of that need.

Not to mention Avery is a well, Avery, a player you would love to have in the playoffs to push and agitate the other team into errors and losses. Caps have the offense, but it will have to explode four seperate nights to win this series.

Rangers in six.

3. New Jersey Devils vs  6. Carolina Hurricanes

This is a tough one, but I'll have to go with the Devils. Devils have too much top line power, and a defense that can put a team to sleep. There ain't any defence that can stop Parise this year, and he's got some other great teammates for support.

Carolina has a well-rounded team who will be difficult, watch out for them in Overtime. They have a team that can turn a game around with one switch.

New Jersey in seven.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs 5. Philadelphia Flyers

A amazing talented group of players versus a team who can grind and beat you up into errors.

This will be a great series to watch, everyone should check it out. Flyers actually have a chance to win this series, if their goaltending can steal a game or two (which I can't see Biron doing), and if they continue to forecheck and punish the Pens, they need to just not go over the edge enough to give the Pens power play chances.

I still believe Pens offense is too strong, the powerplay, skill and a still underestimated Fluery is too much for the Flyers.

Pittsburgh in six.

EXTRA:

I'll predict more in the next round. But if it were to continue this way.

1. BOS vs 7. NYR - Boston in six, too much depth and hard work from Boston.

3. NJ vs 4. PIT - New Jersey in seven, if the Devils can get past the first round, Brodeur will really start to shine, and then nothing will be able to get past him, not even the likes of Malkin, Crosby, or Gonchar.

1. BOS vs 3. NJ - Boston in six, this is where Thomas will show you what he can do, he'll steal a game, with a few athletic (or as I like to call it Wacky) saves.