Comments on: Mass Hysteria!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:28:55 +0000

Well, the NOAA announcement a few minutes ago about “life threatening” conditions kinda’ got my attention. A lot of us would appreciate some sort of announcement from the Verizon Center: go/no go, so that we can at least decide for ourselves whether to get out of Dodge alive, or, stick around for the fun. Thanks much.

By: Sunsy

Sunsy — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:54:46 +0000

Ted, you have long said that owning a team is a Public Trust.

Playing this game in weather that is outright dangerous is a violation of that trust.

The weather service is now saying that even *walking* in the weather we are going to have after sunset is dangerous and to avoid doing it.

If the game is played, I hope and pray that nobody (players, officials, or fans) is injured or harmed trying to get back home afterwards.

By: Durham

Durham — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:33:38 +0000

I’m not afraid of snow–I grew up in Iowa. But because I grew up in Iowa, I also know when a storm is something to defy, and when you need to yield. I won’t be risking my life and limbs–not to mention my car–getting home just because I want to see, and paid for, a hockey game. You better use the money I spent on my ticket wisely, Mr. Leonsis. I worked very hard for that.

By: Korbin Pollix

Korbin Pollix — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:08:28 +0000

Ted – I generally approve of your actions as owner, but you’re way off here. Mocking fans for worrying about making a trip downtown during a blizzard is hardly the level of maturity you’d expect from a man in your position. Metro has already said they will suspend service when total accumulation reaches 8 inches, which will probably happen right around puck drop. That leaves all your fans stranded in the streets of DC during this storm. Do the right thing here, talk to whoever you need to talk to, don’t make us risk our lives because we don’t want to eat the cost of an already overpriced ticket.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:34:02 +0000

Isn’t the primary objective of playing the game to benefit the fans? If the fans can’t get to the game, what’s the point of playing it?

By: Tommie B

Tommie B — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:57:29 +0000

Metro closes about ground stations during snow? Well, that changes things. I live 30 minutes from Shady Grove. I drive to Shady Grove and take Metro. The first three or four stops are all above ground and there are a few others (I think) along the way that are above ground. How in god’s name do I get from the Woodley Park Zoo to Shady Grove. That’s a damn long walk.

I was given the tickets tonights game as a (very expensive) gift from my mother in law (who lives on a very tight budget but becuase of the year she had wanted to do something extra nice for me). My wife is already guilting me into going becuase of what was spent, so come hell or high water (snow) I will be there with my two sons. Just hope we can manage the walk.

I am very disapointed in the attitude by Ted. I have no problem driving in snow and anything less than 14 or 15 inches can be comical (I am a New Englader who also lived in Chicago,Detroit and spent a few winters in MN). But this is D.C.where they can’t even operate metro on sunny days and people around here wreck just when they hear the word sonw. Toss in a sprinke of snow and this area is a disaster.

I want to see the Caps play, will be my first game in a few years. And I have no choice but to go. I just hope the experince is better than Ted’s attitude and I can get home from tonights game in time to see Sunday’s on T.V.

By: Tzj

Tzj — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:44:19 +0000

I get that the snow could be “hype”, but I have to say I am a bit offended by Mr. L’s seemingly cavalier take on the impact the snow could have.

“This is hockey weather. If we can play, we will”

If I was being picked up at my house and driven by someone else in a car / bus that was safe and could leave 4 hours before game time, like Ted or his team and was getting paid to do it, I wouldn’t care about the snow either.

But the reality is I have to work, get home, count on Metro to get me there, three hours later have to count on metro to get me home and from metro drive home. If there is only a few innches of snow, who cares. But if the visability is only 1/4 of a mile as being called for, if there is the foot or more snow that could be on the ground by 10 or 11, it’s a whole new ball game.

Tell you what Ted, why don’t you and your team rent cars from Hertz, stay at a hotel in Germantown, leave at 5:00 PM, drive to the Shady Grove metro and take metro to the game. When the game is over reverse the trip (each player has to drive their own car).

All you needed to say was something as simple as:
“The snow could certainly have an impact on our fans ability to get to the game. Our fans safety is a concern, but if there is any way we can play tonight, we will. We will monitor the snow situation and provide updates as the day progresses”.

“It’s hockey weather”? The season starts in early fall and ends almost in summer. What isn’t hockey weather?

By: Dwight French

Dwight French — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:28:41 +0000

Ted’s right. If the teams and officials can get there, I presume that the game tonight will be played. If the fans can’t get there, that’s just too bad I guess. Now if the snow is as bad as forecast, Sunday’s game may be more problematic, as VA suggested, because the Pens may not be able to get here. But I’m sure that the NHL is going to want to get tonight’s game in, because they don’t want to have to reschedule two games.

But Ted: We aren’t freaking out – we’re simply assessing the reality of what’s staring us in the face. I’m one of the season ticket holders who needs Metro, including the above-ground portion, to get to and from the game. I figure I can probably get along on the roads OK if the snow doesn’t start too early. But Metro is what it is, and if they shut down the above-ground section before the game is over because the snow piles up too much too soon, I’ve got issues.

So we are very likely to stay home tonight, which would be disappointing if only because the team deserves a thunderous welcome back home. But what is, is. That’s what TV is for, I guess.

By: LJO

LJO — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:57 +0000

I am not afraid of myself on the road — it’s the other wackadoodle drivers that worry me.

Anyway, I will enjoy watching both games in the comfort of my own home in beautiful HD.

By: Rick alprrt

Rick alprrt — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:03:20 +0000

Ted
think about the safety of your fans. Listen to the local news. This isn’t suppose to be a 3 inch snow. Fans travel from great distances to support your team.