Columbus loses first game, to Thrashers, 2-1

Atlanta is mourning the loss of Daniel Snyder at today's funeral.
ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Thrashers got a season-opening victory in honor of Dan Snyder, then boarded a plane to travel to his funeral.
The emotional strain of the past several days wasn't over yet.
"It's been one of the toughest weeks of our lives," coach Bob Hartley said. "There still will be days when we'll feel sad and we'll have to pull some strength from somewhere."
Chris Tamer scored with 2 minutes, 24 seconds remaining on a pass from Shawn McEachern, as the Thrashers capped a night of tributes to Snyder with a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night -- just four days after Snyder's death.
"It was the toughest game I ever played," Tamer said. "That was one of the biggest goals I've ever scored."
Car wreck victim
Snyder died Sunday night from injuries sustained in a car wreck with All-Star teammate Dany Heatley, who was charged with vehicular homicide. The Thrashers -- Heatley included -- left right after the game to attend Snyder's funeral in Elmira, Ontario, today.
Heatley broke his jaw and tore two ligaments in his knee, which were repaired by team physician Dr. Scott Gillogly on Tuesday. He's out indefinitely, but Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said he expects Heatley to return to the ice this season -- if his legal troubles allow it.
"He's feeling good about the surgery," Waddell said. "That's all he's feeling good about."
Tamer, one of only three players left from Atlanta's inaugural season, took a shot that beat Marc Denis, who didn't appear to see the puck. The Blue Jackets pulled Denis from the goal in the final seconds but never got a clear shot at the tie.
Tributes
The night began with video clips of Snyder's career, a moving tribute that lasted about two minutes while the starters from both teams stood on the ice. The final shot showed a smiling Snyder smoking a cigar and holding the Calder Cup after Atlanta's minor league affiliate won the AHL championship in 2002.
"We feel honored to be a part of that tribute," Blue Jackets captain Luke Richardson said.
When it was over, several Thrashers players wiped away tears before putting on their helmets.
Snyder's skates and helmet still hung in his locker, and his No. 37 was painted along the corner of the boards. The number also was stitched to each player's sweater.
"I remember Dan's smile when he raised that Calder Cup," said Atlanta goaltender Pasi Nurminen, who was on that team. "He was the first guy carrying it around. That's what I remember."
The Thrashers started strong, with Ilya Kovalchuk giving them a 1-0 lead late in the first period with a power-play goal.
Columbus tied it in the second period on a goal by Andrej Nedorost, who took advantage of a defensive lapse to beat Nurminen from right in front of the net.