Our coach gives the fans and their reaction to “Unleash the Fury” played in the second period credit for the win. He gives our head of game day presentation a primary assist.
My son gives Mark Rivera, my childhood friend who played the National Anthem on sax, credit because as he said, “Have you ever heard our fans sing the national anthem before at a game? That was amazing dad.” I do agree that hearing our fans sing was a wonderful moment. Do you think we could sing at every game? That is such a great and nice and authentic touch for our nations’ capital.
Mark Rivera is a cool guy. He is Ringo Starr’s musical director and has played with him on tour. He has played with John Lennon and Paul McCartney. He has been in the Billy Joel band for more than 20 years. More importantly, he is 3-0 playing the National Anthem at Caps games. He and I grew up together in Brooklyn.
The announcers give Mike Green credit for the win and credit for keeping the game interesting. Some give Alexander Semin credit for his sublime play and some say Nicklas Backstrom won the game with his playmaking.
Our beat reporter says our goaltender was “unremarkable” but he gets the win. Others credit astronaut man for the win.
Whatever it takes, we got the win. And two points. And we remain in first place in the NHL in terms of points and goals scored.
We can and will play better. We now seem to be almost healthy as a team. Thanks Caps fans. I give you the game puck. You were awesome last night! Go Caps!
Please don’t ever, ever, ever stop playing the “Unleash the Fury” cheer. I think it is the best thing ever. And if it’s in the marketing budget, I’d love to see Tom Green lead it in person for the playoffs.
Yeah was at the game and BIG props to Unleash the Fury. I was just thinking how quiet it was at the VC then came Fury and a few minutes later the Caps scored and all of a sudden the place was totally different. Big time props for the timing of that on Friday.
The National Anthem was great. It was nice to hear the crowd ing it. I would love to get back the the games after 9/11 where EVERYONE would sing it and they would NOT yell out RED or OH during it.
I know that Ted has written about the National Anthem antics before. There is lots of disrespect and it needs to stop.
You don’t hear the disrespectful yelling during the anthem in other sports during the National Anthem including NHL hockey at other arenas.
Ted,
I love the Caps and hockey in general and I have no disrespect for the Wizards, but who is in charge at Comcast? Why are the Wizards always on the Comcast HD channel and the Caps on the crappy, fuzzy channel. I have a beautiful plasma television and the wife’s General Hospital is a million times clearer than the Capitals games on CSN. It’s just not fair.
Thanks,
Miles
Ted,
It has taken me a while to get used to the increased somewhat bandwagon fan base. However, I am it over it now. It was fantastic to see the fans create the atmosphere they did last night with “Unleash the Fury”. Sam and Goat can’t always do it all. Our section (416) was thinking we needed it again in the third and were actually wondering what effect it might have playing a second time. Caps fans have it all over the rest of the league and the sea of red leaves me awestruck some nights. It was the players however that won the game. They are amazing, ALL of them. Ovie gets so much publicity but I love the rest of the generally unsung heroes.
I am sorry to have missed the National Anthem. The Advisory Board was running long as we always seem to do. What a great group of folks and the gentlemen sharing time with us last night were enlightening and it was once again, time well spent.
Thanks again for everything you have done to give us this gift in Washington!
The organization has so much to look forward to.
Best Wishes for your Holidays,
Tadd Newman
Ted,
Are the Caps on Cox cable tonight? I can’t find them listed anywhere? Or are we totally blacked out due to basketball and Hockey Night in Canada?
Eric
Exactly right, Ted. We got the two points. People can save the nuances of play for 2+ months from now, which is when how we are playing starts to take on more significance.
This team is still a team that is growing and learning. What we have learned over the past few weeks is that the guys can survive quite well thank you without A.O. in the lineup. Now I think that a key to further development is if the players who stepped up in Ovechkin’s absence realize that the team can create a new performance level for itself if they continue to bring out their skills so that Ovechkin is part of the mix rather than laying back, as they do sometimes, waiting for Ovechkin to do his thing.
We are seeing exactly that starting to happen, with the goals by Fleischmann and Green last night being good examples. On the game winner, Backstrom passed out of the end boards, everyone surrounded Ovie, and he let the puck go through to Green all alone in the slot rather than trying to beat a whole team by himself. Ovie will be even more dangerous down the line if others force the opponent to pay more attention to them and he has more room to operate.
HI Ted.
I was at the game last night and I would have to agree.
It is always enjoyable to come to a game — but something about last night, be it the holiday spirit that was there or just the love of the caps at that given time and moment — we the fans rose to the occasion!
Had a great time at VC last night
Thanks!
The “Unleash the Fury” video that the Caps have put together, has to be the best hockey video ever made. It gets me so pumped every time I watch it, keep up the amazing work.
Of course the reason could be putting Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Semin on the same line but I have to say that the team seemed to play with a lot more energy after they “unleashed the fury” during the second period.
But then, hearing 18K people yell “unleash the fury” at the top of their lungs and then blow the roof off the Phone Booth can’t help but inspire a team. It sure as heck inspires me! Go Caps!
Yeah, gonna have to go with the astronaut. Caps are now undefeated with astronauts in attendance.
Good teams find ways to win and bad teams manage to find ways to lose ( sorry Redskins fans ). I think this is just the beginning of a magical year for the CAPS!
It was a great evening Ted! I have to admit I got pretty fired up during the “Unleash the Fury” segment; the feeling in the arena was palpable.
As always, thanks for continuing to make Verizon Center and Caps games such a great venue!