OGA Road Trip III: Atlanta Day One - by Big Tex

As I type this, it's a chilly Sunday night in Atlanta. I'm still trying to get my thoughts together regarding OGA's Atlanta Experience, but I wanted to share a few initial thoughts before I have to get a few hours' sleep and catch a plane back to Dallas. By Tuesday morning, I'll have the rest posted. So, without further delay:

1. Philips Arena is unique among NHL barns, in that all luxury boxes are located on one side of the arena. The suites begin just above the lower bowl and extend almost to the ceiling. Not only does it look cool (reminds me of an opera house), but the design actually puts all upper bowl seats closer to the ice, which means the roof is lower, which makes crowd noise more of a factor in the game...big plus.

2. Thrashers' bloggers are very knowledgeable, passionate, a mix of northern transplants and natives, male and female, and an all-around good bunch of people. They are an asset to the Thrashers' organization.

3. The fact that Saturday was Atlanta's third Blogger Day speaks well of the organization. Not every NHL club reaches out to bloggers, despite the obvious decline of the print media. Atlanta is ahead of the curve in this regard, and will only benefit long-term from this program.

I do have much more to say, but my pillow and a plane ride are calling. More tomorrow.

To be continued...