Thrashers' Kovalchuk makes NY flight after all

Nov 12, 2009 - 4:10 AM ATLANTA(AP) -- Atlanta Thrashers star Ilya Kovalchuk will be with the team for Thursday night's game at the New York Rangers after all.

Hours after team spokesman Rob Koch said Kovalchuk did not accompany the Thrashers to New York on Wednesday, Koch said late Wednesday night a weather delay before the flight changed the plan.

Koch said Kovalchuk, given more time to consider how he felt, made the trip and will see if he feels well enough to play against the Rangers.

Kovalchuk, the Thrashers' captain, was expected to miss three to five weeks after suffering a broken bone in his right foot on Oct. 24. He was tied for second in the league with nine goals when he was struck on the foot by a puck against the San Jose Sharks.