We are very proud of how our Hershey Bears are playing in the playoffs. Ironically, they are playing the Penguins’ AHL franchise as well in the second round. The Bears won last night 3 to 1.
John Carlson, a number 1 draft pick by us who played in junior hockey for Dale Hunter’s team, was moved to Hershey to play in the playoffs. He scored his first professional goal last night on a rush to the net. Congrats John! Click here for a video update from YouTube. My bet is that we will see a lot of John in the coming years at Verizon Center. We drafted John with a pick from the Flyers in exchange for Steve Emminger.
The Big O also scored last night, Oskar Osala, and dependable, gritty and professional Graham Mink did as well.
Oh yeah, our goaltender who is 21 years old and playing in Hershey, he is pretty good, too. 
As I have noted before, we have a backlog of very good young players. We should only get better as time progresses. The plan is working everywhere so have faith. Go Bears!
Hi Ted
I think the Caps have a great future, especially on D. Morrison, Jurcina, Schultz and Green are all under 26. Alzner will play next season. Carlsson is a year off. That being said, I would like to see the Caps get someone to play with Green. The gap is too big from Green to the next guy. I would like to keep all these guys. Poti and Pothier could be packaged for one guy like Markov, Ovie’s close friend.
You need a solid 2nd line center as well.
Hi Ted, are you gonna push the league to suspend Kunitz for that nasty cross check on Varly’s throat on last night’s game? He should be suspended! I strongly urge you to have a word with the NHL. Thank you.
Having attended a couple of Hershey games in early March I can say without a doubt they are my second favorite team across all sports. I’d love to see a Bears/Capitals double header in DC. Could be a nice treat to let the guys know where they could be playing someday.
Can’t wait to catch a game soon in Hershey!
P.S.,
Your wife is a beauty.
Ted, it is imperative that the Capitals send a tape of Kunitz’s brutal cross check to the head of Varlamov at the end of today’s game that resulted in Pittsburgh’s 3rd goal. It was completely missed by the referees, but was an absolutely blatant attempt to injure our brilliant young netminder who had an amazing game once again. If the NHL is serious about protecting players from shots to the head and protecting goalies Kunitz should be suspended. Varly is incredibly lucky not to have been seriously hurt. Kunitz deserves multiple game suspension for what was an unbelievably low and dirty play.
Hi Mr Ted,
Up late watching the Caps game on TV, wish I was there in DC to root on my team. I saw you on TV and just wanted to say what a great game it was- so exciting, hat tricks! Great job ! Will be watching all the way to the cup.
I hope all is well with you and your family, I am doing well, still no cancer and am working very hard in school and the non profit that I started (www.nickelbyproject.org ) if you want to see photos. Off to bed.
Good Night,
Nick Marriam
Ted –
Great work with the franchise. Please send Colin Campbell a tape of the final Penguins goal tonight, where Kunitz crosschecked the goaltender in the neck.
It’s one thing to argue that they missed the call in real-time, but if the league lets that go after a second look, might as well take the helmets off and just let them whack each other without a puck.
Teddy It’s no secret I love my rebound goals. Good Hustle John Carlson!! Back to My Caps. It feels good to be one up. I am humble but hungry. I have my Red Caps Hat and my pot & pans let game 2 begin! Lets Go Caps!!!!!!!!!
Interestingly, it looks like the Caps are very deep at defense and goal among their young prospects, but center looks to be the weak spot. You can’t figure on Fedorov for more than one year, if that, and Nylander just never seems to have fit in with this team. It doesn’t look like the next second-line center is in Hersey at this point, and Gus2 is two to three years off, even if he pans out eventually.
Best part of that video is the fantastic goal calls by John Walton, the Bears play-by-play guy. Beninati and Kolbe and Laughlin are great, but the world being the way it is one day the Caps may need another TV or radio guy — I hope they consider Walton. He’s fantastic. Click my name to get to his weekly podcast.
I have no relationship to Walton or the Bears — I just love his work. Go Bears!