Less Hoopla – More Hockey

I am glad the first two games are behind us now.

We have garnered 4 points in convincing fashion even though we had to weather the hoopla that surrounds the season openers on the road and at home. We have to read our press clippings and deal with distractions.

Now we can settle in. And just in time as we now face Philly and Detroit on the road and the New York Rangers and San Jose at home. That is a pretty tough six game stretch to open the season and it doesn’t get any easier with the New Jersey Devils right around the corner, too.

It is good to get tested early and to focus on where we need to improve. We have lots of areas to work on as a team and as a franchise.

The hype is getting to be over the top which isn’t helpful.

The season is long and hard and we have 80 games left to play. Let us never forget that we once started 3 and 0 and then lost our next 14 games. Never take anything for granted. We have to earn everything we achieve and every point we garner.

Thanks for the support. Now let’s play some hockey. Go Caps!

0 thoughts on “Less Hoopla – More Hockey”

Teddy, My husband and I watched the home game opener while we were down in Norfolk Virginia. WOW, what a game. Knuble is already on the board. Life should be full of moments of happiness. And “The Caps” delivered! Rock the Red. Lets Go Caps!!

Hi Ted,

Not sure where to put this, so I’ll leave it here.

I’ve noticed that the ushers at Verizon Center have begun to carry little stop signs to help discourage our less experienced fellow hockey fans from walking to and from their seats during play. I’m a huge supporter of this, as nothing takes you out of the moment more than making way for the poor guy that just got back from the can and doesn’t know any better.

In the same vein, I also noticed at the home opener an audio message read by our great in-rink announcer that encourages fans to sit back in their seats. This is great! I know it can be difficult to control at a hockey game, but being literally on the edge of your seat does indeed create a domino effect of view-blockage that carries up for rows and rows. It is one of the only problems I find with the seating arrangement at Verizon Center, in the upper level at least.

While I appreciate the audio message discouraging these leaners, I wonder if you think it would be possible (or worth it) to create a “please sit back” video to play once or twice during stoppages or intermissions? Nearly everyone I mention the “leaners” to agrees it is a growing problem. What say you?

Thanks for all your hard work, and Go Caps!

As a season ticket holder, I was at the Verizon Center on Saturday and the place was electric. The team, the fans… everyuthing was first class, except one thing continues to bother me…. The stupid cartoons of the Caps players. Are they really neccessary?

it’s nice the days of the “slow start” and contract hold-outs are not front and center at the start of the season. This was always the case a few years back.

I think this team has most the tools, it does require maturity and discipline though, as evidenced by the 3rd period of the home opener. Hopefully, guys like Knuble will provide some honest input in that area.

Ted,

One comment. Last night’s opening ceremony was just the right tone – not overdone like last year’s banner raising, just a short highlight clip, unfurling the banner and getting on with the game. As a fan, it sends the right message – the Southeast Division Championship is no longer the goal of the organization. It was nice to get there after a few down years last year, but you’re sending the message of bigger goals and that’s what we want to hear.

By the way, I’m confused…at last night’s game, so many people were wearing red jerseys, but you’ve never given away red jerseys for people to wear. If the folks in Pittsburgh can’t get a white-out without giving away t-shirts (and, really, who doesn’t have a white t-shirt), how can we have a red out consisting largely of expensive team jerseys? I thought they were the better fan base.

Carol from Brooklyn on October 5, 2009 at 11:56 PM said:

Teddy, My husband and I watched the home game opener while we were down in Norfolk Virginia. WOW, what a game. Knuble is already on the board. Life should be full of moments of happiness. And “The Caps” delivered! Rock the Red. Lets Go Caps!!
Jordan on October 5, 2009 at 4:08 PM said:

Hi Ted,

Not sure where to put this, so I’ll leave it here.

I’ve noticed that the ushers at Verizon Center have begun to carry little stop signs to help discourage our less experienced fellow hockey fans from walking to and from their seats during play. I’m a huge supporter of this, as nothing takes you out of the moment more than making way for the poor guy that just got back from the can and doesn’t know any better.

In the same vein, I also noticed at the home opener an audio message read by our great in-rink announcer that encourages fans to sit back in their seats. This is great! I know it can be difficult to control at a hockey game, but being literally on the edge of your seat does indeed create a domino effect of view-blockage that carries up for rows and rows. It is one of the only problems I find with the seating arrangement at Verizon Center, in the upper level at least.

While I appreciate the audio message discouraging these leaners, I wonder if you think it would be possible (or worth it) to create a “please sit back” video to play once or twice during stoppages or intermissions? Nearly everyone I mention the “leaners” to agrees it is a growing problem. What say you?

Thanks for all your hard work, and Go Caps!
caps fan forever on October 5, 2009 at 11:15 AM said:

As a season ticket holder, I was at the Verizon Center on Saturday and the place was electric. The team, the fans… everyuthing was first class, except one thing continues to bother me…. The stupid cartoons of the Caps players. Are they really neccessary?
Jonas on October 5, 2009 at 10:14 AM said:

it’s nice the days of the “slow start” and contract hold-outs are not front and center at the start of the season. This was always the case a few years back.

I think this team has most the tools, it does require maturity and discipline though, as evidenced by the 3rd period of the home opener. Hopefully, guys like Knuble will provide some honest input in that area.
Michael on October 4, 2009 at 5:13 PM said:

Ted,

One comment. Last night’s opening ceremony was just the right tone – not overdone like last year’s banner raising, just a short highlight clip, unfurling the banner and getting on with the game. As a fan, it sends the right message – the Southeast Division Championship is no longer the goal of the organization. It was nice to get there after a few down years last year, but you’re sending the message of bigger goals and that’s what we want to hear.

By the way, I’m confused…at last night’s game, so many people were wearing red jerseys, but you’ve never given away red jerseys for people to wear. If the folks in Pittsburgh can’t get a white-out without giving away t-shirts (and, really, who doesn’t have a white t-shirt), how can we have a red out consisting largely of expensive team jerseys? I thought they were the better fan base.