Monthly Archives: February 2009

And Another

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OK, here is another article and another analysis on the ice at Verizon Center.

I am glad we are discussing the laying down of new ice surfaces and scheduling issues within.

I am also glad that we do talk about our home record and the amount of goals that Alex has scored at home vs. on the road too. I am sure next time I think about it, I will expect to be undefeated at home when the ice is at very, very high standards of quality. :-)

I think we now have generated more words and pixels regarding the ice surface in the history of the NHL. I also admire fans that tell me “It had to be 80 degrees in the building on Saturday, which is why the ice was terrible.” When, in fact, the temperature in the third period hit 62 degrees, 2 more degrees than prescribed. And that is a big issue for us all.

It isn’t a sensitive topic. It is a basic deliverable for us and all teams in the NHL. I don’t want the ice to become a distraction and it has. We are all focused on it so thank you all for the airing out of the issues and for us all to be focused on positive solutions and outcomes.

Fair

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This is a very straightforward article about the issues we face, as do all multi-use buildings, in keeping up the ice surfaces at NHL hockey games.

We at the Washington Capitals and the Verizon Center and the NHL care about these issues. We are focused on these issues. We do not want our fans and our players complaining about these issues. We want the quality of the ice to be good to great for every game. That is a pretty basic deliverable we have as an organization, high quality ice surfaces.

We care for the safety of our players. We care about the quality of play.

I don’t ever want to reprimand a player for statements that they make. I do think it is fair for them to speak their mind. I do wish they didn’t make blanket statements that, at times, aren’t based on technical facts and are uttered in the heat of the moment to the press without speaking internally first. That is usually the right forum for working through issues. At times, our ice isn’t at the acceptable levels. When that is the case, we are all concerned and work hard to get to the remedies prescribed. We listen to our players and our staff. We are all over the issues as they arise. We all want the ice to be at high standards. We are in it together. We aren’t working at cross purposes.

We will try to stay focused on “perfect storm” scheduling issues so that tear down and build out is better timed to make better ice. That is a big issue for us all.

We try to keep the building colder and at the right temperature and humidity. The NHL is involved in all building matters. The Verizon Center staff is focused on the matter. We at the Caps are very focused on the matter and our coaching staff and players all have input too.

We are all doing our best.

We will try to do better. I promise. 

When the going gets tough..

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This has been a very tough year for the Washington Wizards: A year of injuries; a coaching staff released; and a team that is playing young athletes that are all new to the NBA. The team is struggling and is into a rebuild in that, at times this season, it plays 2 of its starting 5 players compared to last season.

But in basketball, a rebuild can happen quickly. Next season, a Gilbert Arenas and Brendon Haywood can come back refreshed. A high draft pick can come in and make a statement and play big minutes. A trade can be made to add a starter. Suddenly a new five man unit is comprised; a new set of back ups is more seasoned and has young legs; and the team is easily transformed.

Last night reminded us all of the excellence in our core. Caron Butler, who has missed some games, came back and hit the buzzer beater. And for a moment, we were reminded of how well this team can play. Stars can hit big shots and we can win close games.

The Wizards will fight on this season but my bet is that the turnaround will happen fast, as soon as next season. We are all pulling for the franchise. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.