We didn't need tickets

Even though we didn't have tickets for Saturday's game between the Atlanta and Tampa Bay, it didn't stop us from making the trip to Tampa to hound the Thrashers. And, after adding another 54 autographs to the collection, it looks like it was a pretty smart call.

And, yes, it was a family affair. Colin had his favorite -- team sheets (at left) -- and got 17 players, including Johan Hedberg, Marian Hossa and Slava Kozlov, to sign for him. Lisa was on her game, too, getting 28 cards signed, including four each from Pascal Dupuis, Johan Hedberg, Mark Popovic, Jim Slater, Todd White and Alexei Zhitnik.

Me? Well, I just cherry-picked, identifying players while focusing on pucks (I got seven out of eight, missing only Garnet Exelby), a University of New Hampshire jersey and the Young Guns stick.

Unfortunately, but somewhat expected, Ilya Kovalchuk and Bobby Holik played hard to get. Thankfully, though, Atlanta will be back in town two more times. Still, you won't hear any complaints from us.

Pucks, shown above, are Johan Hedberg, Pittsburgh Penguins; Bryan Little, Atlanta Thrashers; and Alexei Zhitnik, Atlanta Thrashers.

Cards, shown below, are, from left, Slava Kozlov, Johan Hedberg, Jim Slater and Alexei Zhitnik.