Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sports

In need of some hockey love

The Buzz: What's movin' and shakin' in the world of sports

Alex O.
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Falcons and Yellow Jackets are on the road, and the Bulldogs are taking time off before receiving next week’s annual cocktail-soaked butt-kicking from the Gators. But those birds nesting at Philips Arena—the Thrashers and Hawks—are in town, to the delight of at least a few. Nineteen days after their season-opening win over Tampa Bay, the Thrashers finally return to Blue Land Thursday to face Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals in the first of three straight home games. Ovechkin has helped make hockey relevant in our nation’s capital—something fellow Russian countryman Ilya Kovalchuk can’t say about his time here, as the Thrashers have never finished in the top 20 in league attendance. No one’s blaming the team’s superstar captain, but make no mistake: The Atlanta Spirit’s many owners could use a season of packed houses for their hockey and basketball teams. Not that anyone’s counting on that.

SKI BUMS UNITE

The Atlanta Ski Club has been around since 1964 and is now one of the most successful ski clubs in the world, boasting more than 1,500 members. Some of those kings of the mountain will be getting together Tuesday evening at Sweetwater Brewing Company for a screening of the cinematic skiing classic, “Hot Dog … The Movie.” Well, no, actually it’s the Teton Gravity Research sports action film “RE:Session,” which documents “the true wealth of the mountain experience,” from Italy to Colorado to Alaska. The event promises food, beer, music and, of course, a 24-foot HD outdoor screen featuring lots of carving, powder and air. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. Visit www.tetongravity.com/tour for more information.