However, we have decided to revive our blog with a report from none other than the Atlanta Thrasher’s Casino Night. The night is always a great event, for a great cause. While many teams have charity events, I must say the Thrashers always put on a night to remember.

The event was held at the Opera House on a record chilly Atlanta night, yet it took no time to warm up as the festivities began. Goddess Kaatiya had brought a game program for our friend Tatiana whom we are going to visit in Moscow next week, with the intent of getting the Russians plus a few others to sign.

As much as I wanted to stop by Toby Enstrom’s table (in fact it took a while for it to fill up) tradition dictated that we stop by Slava Kozlov’s table first. Plus, I wanted to save the best for last in Toby. Slava remembered me as the crazy woman who was learning Russian, and we actually got to exchange a couple of phrases. Last year, he let the assistant deal but was determined this year to do it himself. As always, he was incredibly kind, signed a personalized message to Tatiana and gave me a yellow chip! After chatting with an apparent Russian friend of his at the table for a few minutes, I moved on to find my goal for the year – Maxim Afinogenov.

The ever serious Slava Kozlov © 2010, Geneen Pipher and HockeyGoddesses.com. All Rights Reserved.

You have to understand, as a speed skater of many, many years, I love Max and his speed. He’s so amazing to watch, and I’ve admired him for a long time. He is an incredibly sweet, genuinely friendly man, and had a smile on his face the entire night. He truly enjoyed himself and you can tell he’s having he time of his life playing for Atlanta. When I told him we were leaving for Moscow next weekend to see some KHL games, he got excited and told me I had to go see Moscow Dynamo because “They’re my team!” He was more than happy to sign the program, and humored me by listening to me make no sense in Russian. He played until they closed his table, keeping both men and women alike entertained.

The lovely Maxim Afinogenov. © 2010, Geneen Pipher and HockeyGoddesses.com. All Rights Reserved.

Next stop was Nik Antropov. Of course, his table was fully of young females batting their eyes at him, yet he gladly wrote a personalized message to Tatiana.

We stopped to chat just a bit with John Anderson, Evander Kane and get a pic with Boris “healthy scratch” Valabik and Johan Hedberg, who seemed much more relaxed this year.

Finally, we got to Toby’s table. You have understand, Toby is my favorite Thrashers player because a) I love Swedes, b) I love Sweden, c) I’m a fellow defenseman and d) He’s so damn adorable.

Unfortunately, as last year, we got to his table very late in the game. The goddesses had consumed much vodka and the tables were close to closing. Still, he was very sweet and I told him I may be making it to Stockholm or Gothenburg to coach hockey next summer so we talked a bit about Sweden. Next year, Toby, I promise to start with your table!

Toby Enstrom and Goddess Sasha. © 2010, Geneen Pipher and HockeyGoddesses.com. All Rights Reserved.

At that point, time was running out. Ilya Kovalchuk had long closed his table and like the wonderful husband he is had gone upstairs to be with his wife whom is 7 months pregnant. They left a bit early, but I was able to snag him and get his to sign for Tatiana. I refrained from begging him to stay in Atlanta – we had already made half a dozen signs doing that exact thing for the game against the Caps the night before.

As the night came to a close, I ran into Anssi Salmela. I told him I liked his hair and he got very excited, telling me he dyed it and that it was naturally lighter. The ensuing conversation was … interesting. And we’ll leave it at that. I did get a nice picture of us though.

Goddess Sasha and Anssi Salmela. © 2010, Goddess Sasha and HockeyGoddesses.com. All Rights Reserved.

I must say, the mood wasn’t as jovial as last year. With Kovalchuk’s contract still far from being signed the future of the team is tenuous. It also may very well be Slava Kozlov’s last year in the league, which is also left us feeling a bit melancholy.

Regardless, I’ll be back next year. The Avalanche don’t have a casino night (one of the few teams in the league that doesn’t) and really, the Thrasher’s event is top notch.

On a side note, I had considered handing out my business cards in case any of the guys were interested in a trainer, but I managed to only give out one and that was just to use the back to write on. It seemed like it might not be an appropriate venue to push my services.

Next week, Moscow! Yep, Goddess Sasha and Goddess Kaatiya are going to Moscow to catch some KHL games. Look for live Tweets from the games, as well as blogging.

До свидания!

Photos: Slava Kozlov, Maxim Afinogenov and Tobias Enstrom by Goddess Kaatiya. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. Anssi Salmela by Goddess Sasha. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Not that getting to the event was without issue. Apparently, the ticket coordinator for the event took a three-week vacation a month before the event and fans that called the number advertised for the event had to leave voice mail. But I digress.

Traditionally, each NHL team has held an annual charity event that allows fans to come interact with their favorite players. However, the term “interact” is used loosely. The amount of access one has to these players varies by team. Some teams charge an arm and a leg and while the notion of the proceeds going to charity is certainly commendable (and having a chance to write off the event on ones tax return), one can’t help but wonder if the high price is intended to keep the event just out of reach of your average fan. Not-so-coincidentally, these are also the organizations that give you 10 seconds twice in the event (if you’re lucky) to give your table’s designated “player waiter” to suffice as player “interaction.”

Living in Colorado, I have never been tempted to spend $250 for the charity brunch the Avalanche organization holds each year. From speaking with former attendees, I have gleaned that your meal is served by a less popular player and are lucky if he has time to say more than “hello” and sign a program. Big name players are explicitly shielded from the (cough) average fan, merely speaking to the audience from the stage.  Oh yeah, there is that fashion show (and if you don’t have Sean Avery on your team, how exciting can it be?)

Not at the Atlanta Thrashers Casino Night. No, for $200 you get 3 + hours of full access to all the players whom are held prisoner by their respective poker tables, an open bar, and delightful appetizers and pastries (that is, if you’re not too busy ingratiating yourself with the players and actually have time to eat). And really, if you’re a diehard fan of that team, it’s the least the organization can do.

Young puckbunny looking to chat up the new guy? This is your gig. Cougar who just wants to sit and stare at Bryan Little all night while your wealthy husband chums around with Garnet Exelby? You’ve come to the right place! Fellow hockey player who wants to gab with her (new) favorite defenseman, Tobias Enstrom? Much obliged. Long-time fan wanting a picture with his man-crush Ilya Kovalchuk? The new captain will be more than happy to indulge you. Best of all, if Slava Kozlov is your hero, butter him up with a bit of Russian and a pinch of fawning and the usually reserved legend will give you a big smile.  And let’s not forget — it’s all for a great cause!

Yes, this fabulous event was enjoyed by all and has made this goddess into a new Thrashers fan. The only negative comment I can offer is that it could have been better attended with a bit better coordination by the organization, which is seemingly lacking in the marketing department. But, that topic is reserved for another post, coming in the near future.

Congratulations, Thrashers. You now have a new fan in Colorado!

You know you’ve f-ed up when you cause Johan Hedberg to lose his cool and break his goalie stick over the net. Thank you Boris Valabik for scoring an own-goal tonight. And thank you Thrashers for helping me learn just how much pain one person can take.

Thank you Bruins for just crushing my spirit.

And, while we’re not on the subject, $200 for Casino Night tickets. The Thrashers are lucky I love them enough. That’s me … a sucker.

At least Slava had a beautiful goal tonight. Almost made up for everything else. Almost.