Thanks for this opportunity. It was fun. It was hard work. It is really tough to put yourself out there like this but I do believe it helps sell the game and offers people insights into what owners feel about playoff hockey. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. Go Caps!
Ted's Take
Fan since team’s inception. One of the best seasons since the 1980s (and 1998 team). The future is bright indeed and the team should be proud of themselves.
Thanks for a great run! I became hooked on the Caps the day Sergei Fedorov was acquired and enjoyed every minute of watching this exciting team (except for that very last minute). I have one request: Please find a way to keep Feds! He brings so much to this team and he sure seemed to enjoy playing for the Caps.
I am almost speechless at this point. What a wild season. The great thing is, because of your plan, this is only the beginning. I purchased season tickets for next season because although I can only make it to about half of the games due to my family’s own youth hockey commitments, I knew it would be harder to get individual game tickets with this Caps team. I enjoyed 4 home games that took me through every emotion possible. Thanks Ted! Please do all you can to retain any youngsters that are due to sign or roll. Also, the 3 trade deadline acquistions, Huet, Cooke, and Federov, seemed more like great fits than hole fillers. Hopefully we can retain them as well. Good luck with negotiations. Oh, how could I forget, lock Gabbie in for a few years too!
Here is the relevant section of rule 56.2
“A minor penalty shall be imposed on an attacking player who deliberately checks a defensive player, including the goalkeeper, WHO IS NOT IN POSSESSION OF THE PUCK.” (Emphasis mine)
This belies any statement by the NHL that it was a legal body check.
Ted,
From a Red Wings and huge NHL fan living in Los Angeles, the story of the Caps was inspirational to us all. I applaud your accesibility and found myself glued to the TV to see the environment of the Verizon Center. Ovechkin’s skills are unbelievable and you have a lot to look forward to.
Thanks for a great season!
I am glad to see you got Boudreau tied up for a “long time”
I can’t wait for next season! Go Caps!
Thank you so much for a great season Ted. We all believe in what you’re doing, and we all appreciate it. Even all the way in Ohio I’ve followed the team’s every move, and I’m sad that it’s over. What a ride I can’t wait for next year; Go Caps!
By the way, if you wath the replay of the last tripping call, Poti is right you can see him getting the puck. Funny because there were more blatent calls earlier that weren’t made.
Also even if the refs have tough jobs the interference was obvious, even if it wasn’t goalie interference it was still interference on the actual hit.
Thanks for your efforts. I just have one more request for you this season. Please protest as formally as possible the inconsistent officiating last night, especially the non-call that created the empty net goal. I have had problems with officiating all year and it has gone both for and against us, though down the stretch it was more often against us. Please communicate to the league that it is because of things like Tuesday’s officiating that I only watch the Caps and don’t even follow the playoffs when the Caps are not involved. They can look forward to my return as a fan when the Caps resume play next year and no sooner.