0 thoughts on “NHL Made the Right Call”

1. I say great decision to play the game. The Pens made it to town so at that point no need to cancel the game, the teams are there, gotta play. There were options to get down there, I walked from Silver Spring to Fort Totten where I could catch a train at an underground station. 3.5 miles through the snow, totally worth it. The lines for food were a little long, I almost missed OV’s first goal, but considering the conditions I think they did a great job getting the game in. When the super bowl rolled around that afternoon I was so burnt out from the Caps game I couldn’t get that excited!

2. I would have loved to attend the game, but we couldn’t get out of our neighborhood. I think it should have been postponed for the safety of the fans and for those of us who paid a lot for tickets but couldn’t attend due to circumstances out of our control.
   Can I get a refund?
   Replacement tix to another game?
   I thought not.
   That said, it was a great game and a wonderful comeback. But it would have been more special to attend in person as it was one of the best comebacks by the Caps ever.
   Let’s Go Caps!

3. Mr. Leonsis,

   I was born and raised in Northern Virginia and began following the Capitals with their very first game over the radio. As a 13 year old boy, this was my first introduction to the game of hockey. It was not easy to learn the game through the newspaper and the radio (I didn’t know a red line from a face off circle) and the teams woeful early years were tough to deal with. Yet, I never gave up.

   The military took me away from the D.C. area in my early 20′s and my adult life since service has been spent in Florida. For many years during the hockey season I was stuck with catching box scores from the previous night’s game, and the occasional highlight on tv. Now, I am back to listening to the games over the radio via the magic of the web on the Caps radio broadcast. Once again, I am back where I started with the team. The only difference is WHAT A TEAM IT HAS BECOME!

   My hat is off to the vision that you Mr. McPhee and the rest of the Capitals organization has used to shape this team. The future is bright with this organization for years to come.

   I have always been proud to call myself a Capitals fan, and have accepted the jokes and criticism from other NHL fans along the way. The funny thing now is, what used to be snide remarks about the Caps being bottom feeders is now more like jealous remarks about how much we score or the like. I sort of get it, but I keep myself in check and try to remember that for all we have accomplished in the recent past. We still have a long way to go.

   Slowly, we are beginning to carve a notch into the ranks of the Flyers, Red Wings, Oliers, Islanders, Canadians ect.
   Remember Capitals fans, remember what our team’s history is and keep yourself humble as this fantastic and magical season unfolds. Remember that for all that this season has been so far, our work as a team and as fans is not nearly complete. The Stanley Cup is the prize…and not just this season, but for every season THAT is what we must strive for.

   This team has come a long way from it’s expansion days. Finally, we a achieving success and gaining recognition among the elite teams in the league.

   It is through your vision, dedication and professionalism Mr. Leonsis, and those that are in your charge have have crafted something that we fans can have a passion for. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

4. Ted – It’s a little off the subject, but I just wanted to thank you for doing such a great job with the franchise and being fan friendly. I have fond memories of going to Caps games in the 70s as a kid with my step father. I still have a puck that made it into the stands from a game against the Canadians. Great times even though the team rarely won. I’m looking forward to a Stanley Cup parade down Constitution Ave. Go Caps!!

5. I was thrilled to make the game, though a bit disappointed that I missed the first minute. It was a beautiful day, so for those of us who walked some distance and took Metro it was very pleasant. I think the “risking life and limb” comments are off the charts, as I haven’t heard of anyone getting hurt. The game was scheduled, most fans made it, and it was utterly fantastic. Sorry for folks who were unable to get there, but that’ll happen.

   Thanks, Ted, for everything. Enjoy the streak, but keep the eyes on the big prize!

6. To those of you who are bemoaning Ted’s take on this and the decision to play the game, shame on you. We all have choices in life, ie, have a car, don’t drive because of the road conditions, etc. I am glad that I had the choice to attend the game, a game that was well attended. Had I decided not to attend, I would have been grateful to watch the game on TV, something that not that long ago, was not an option. I remember having to listen to the Caps on the radio for game 7 against the Islanders, losing in 4 ot’s because there was no tv coverage.

7. Aloha Ted,

   It was crazy game on Sunday. I was fortunate enough to have a snow thrower to clear out my street so I could get my 4×4 truck out and on to an underground station so I could go to the game. The roads for the most part were awful. Snow and 2″ sheets of ice on the road…I am glad that the players, staff and most of the fans were still able to make the game. My wife and I were emotionally spent after that game.

   We will continue whole heartedly in cheering for the Caps on game at a time all the way to the Caps hoisting the Cup (hopefully this June). Keep Rockin’ the Red and LETS GO CAPS!!!

8. From SportsMediaWatch: Looks like the country is glad the game was televised as well.

   Another Decent Overnight For NHL on NBC

   It may not be a ratings hit, but the NHL has been drawing solid numbers on NBC this season.

   Sunday’s Penguins/Capitals game drew a 1.3 overnight rating on NBC, up 8% from a 1.2 for Red Wings/Penguins last week. NBC did not air an NHL telecast on Super Bowl Sunday last year.

   Compared to NBC’s fifth NHL telecast of last season (Penguins/Capitals, 2/22/09), Sunday’s telecast was up 18% from a 1.1 overnight.

   This is the third-straight NHL telecast on NBC to draw at least a 1.2 overnight rating. To put that in perspective, the network had not drawn an overnight higher than 1.1 for any regular season NHL telecast during the previous two seasons (excluding the Winter Classic).

9. @Lew and others:
   Take some personal responsibility. If you felt safe going to the game, go. If you didn’t, don’t. If you don’t have a car and rely on metro, then you could have taken a cab. These are the risks you take if you don’t have a car. Come on people. Since when is the NHL and Capital’s management responsible for your choice to attend a game?! The weather wasn’t their doing. If someone got hurt trying to attend, I’m sure they would regret it. But to be responsible? Please…. Go cry somewhere else.

10. We had an exceptionally long drive( from Washington County.) 270 was completely packed snow. Stopped to pick up another seson ticket holder couple. Got there before game time. Stood in line for food for a while but everyone was in good spirits from the start-much better by the end of the game. Bottom line, really needed to get out of the house and found the pefect reason. One of the best games I’ve seen.
    It’s not having “a relaxed attitude” it’s dealing with the situation and focusing on the positives. Was it all about money maybe, but, the Capitals, the NHL and NBC aren’t the only ones who have played games in tough weather situations. They won’t be the last.
    Many gas station attendants, fast food resturant workers and grocery store employees -my husband- had to work Saturday and Sunday and they did because they had to.
    Time to move forward and relish the sweet victory. Let’s move on to more exciting discussions like Orpik,s snotty comments or Milbury’s less than professional behavior.

11. In Canada that would be a normal game day. Hockey is a winter sport, filled with all the elelments that come with it.

12. Lew, Jim, Amy – seriously, people, get a grip on reality. First of all, I’d wager it is safer to drive in the snow conditions with 1000 other cars on the road vs driving in good conditions with 100,000 cars on the road. How many accidents happen every day? You’d probably blame Ted if you got into an accident on the way to a game on a sunny day.

13. Obviously a great game. Well worth my 5 mile commute by bicycle. Friday was a much more fun ride though. So who’s in … RED Bicycle gang? CAP CITY BIKE GANG?

14. I was unable to go to the game but am not bitter. I have an optimistic nature and got my camera out and took a lot of great photos of my neighborhood. That made me very happy (as well as the Caps win!).

    Anyway, been watching the Caps for 30+ years since I moved to Virginia in 1978. I was appalled that the NHL made the Penguins take a 5-hour bus ride on icy roads and freezing temps. I understand that is common in the minor leagues and this was mentioned numerous times. But this is the NHL, not the minor leagues. I know our beloved NHL doesn’t have a huge TV contract like the other major sports therefore it was imperative to go ahead and play this game. Crosby and the Pens are one of the most exciting teams in the league and I’m looking forward to playing them for the next 10 years. It’s the league’s responsibility to ensure that this rivalry continues. The league should not put their assets in dangerous situations. This is just my opinion. See you at the next game.

15. I usually don’t like replying to whiners but this is getting ridiculous.

    First, I agree it’s certainly a shame when you pay good (hard-earned) money to see a playoff-caliber game (and of course, potential game of the year) like yesterday was and you are unable to attend due to hazardous travel conditions. I too would have been dismayed but that’s life. Many people were willing to go to the game so dumping your tickets should not have been THAT much of a problem (the internet is your friend) and you won’t really lose anything.

    Second, we were hit by a similar storm only a few weeks ago (this storm was obviously harsher) so you should have had enough insight to predict whether or not you were going to be able to attend the game Sunday (ie. I knew my road wasn’t getting plowed a week before the storm hit, and it probably won’t be plowed for another 2 days, thanks PGC). If you don’t have a 4WD vehicle or don’t like driving the snow, sell the ticket and be done with it.

    Third, the Caps didn’t FORCE you to go or buy tickets. People in this area expect everything, including the entire world, to shutdown for a week because of the snow we received. I’ll admit, the roads weren’t perfect or pristine when traveling to the game around 10am from MD. Getting to the game, a 4WD vehicle handled well, and the road conditions only improved as the day went on. By the time the game was over, most of the DC and MD roads were cleared. If we didn’t own a large truck, I too would have avoided this game. Ted isn’t forcing you to risk your life to attend one game – this isn’t Soviet Russia (though with all these amazing Russians people may think so).

    While enjoying my beer in the lobby pre-game, I spoke with several people who all said the same thing as I – we all spent the majority of Saturday digging our cars out of the snow just so we could make it to the Caps game. If you didn’t think that was necessary then so be it – that’s YOUR decision, not mine or the 15,000 other fans who attended.

    What it comes down to is that people like you guys never cease to complain about SOMETHING, ANYTHING you can. You can’t be pleased, so why try? Take a step back and look at what you are doing – you are criticizing the owner of our beloved team who didn’t even make the decision. Get a life, seriously.

    Some people really need to learn how to enjoy this moment – enjoy a local team that wins (14 straight) and plays hard every damn game. It doesn’t come often and won’t last forever (see Redskins).

    Be thankful. You could be in Haiti cleaning up the remains of your house, your neighborhood, and your loved-ones. Sorry for a long post.

16. hi ted,

    i live in north arlington… .managed to dig out, pick up some other fans, and make it to ballston commons where we took a very crowded metro train to and from the game. . .not sure i agree or disagree with whether the game should have been played or not since both teams and 15,000 fans managed to make it. . .my group was certainly happy we did. . .its a bit of a stretch to see verizon center was “staffed” . . .we sit in the 400s and there was certainly not enough concessions open to serve that many fans, nor did i see a single usher anywhere . . .fortunately the fans were pretty good at “self policing” themselves. . .

    yes, its a winter sport, and you have to adapt to the conditions surrounding it, and the fans that were there were certainly happy. . .and i agree that rescheduling would have been very difficult. . .but i sure hope no one got hurt coming or going. . .this certainly was beyond the normal winter conditions. . .

17. I was one of the fans who couldn’t make it to yesterday’s game, because of some of the reasons cited by others above. But I’m OK with that. I’m in my 60′s, have had back issues for 40 years, live in Colesville area of SS where the snow accumulations were greatest, have a 300 foot driveway, and our street wasn’t plowed. I wasn’t going to try to be a hero and injure myself trying to make it.

    But I don’t have a problem with a league going ahead and playing and saying to fans “decide for yourself whether or not you can get to the game.” It doesn’t hurt us as adults, in extraordinary circumstances like these, to be called upon to use our best judgment as to what is best for us, rather than depending on our social institutions to do all our thinking for us.

18. The decision to play the game was for NBC and NBC only. If you are going to play, they should have backed the game up a few hours for the players and fans.

    That being said, as a Pens fan, it was a great but infuriating game. Thankfully it is only February and the real games will happen in late May. Yesterday just added fuel to the May fire.

19. Great hockey game, unfortunate weather.

20. The Caps had to battle snow and shoveling their own digs, the Penguins, the NHL officials (mystery slash and no call on hit from behind on Ovi or trips and hooks when the Pens were already on the PP several times), and the NBC callups who are closet anti-Capitals announcers and contributors from TSN and other pro-Crosby outlets (Pinhead McGuire and Muck Milbury). These two probably eat dinner and plan how they’re going to trash Ovi in what they deem to be an intelligent way. Talk about all the “positive energy” you want Pierre … Ovi packs the buildings, not Crosby.

    NBC stunk – they used this head to head matchup all week between Crosby and Ovi to promote their telecast and the second Knuble’s goal was in they did no post-game to build the fan interest (for the non-traditional hockey fans), they just cut to golf. Yes … to GOLF!!!! LAME!!!!

    Who’s Crosby’s Daddy now, Mike? Putting your foot in it again when trying to degrade Ovi. Will you ever learn? He’s gonna get his cup too Dude!

    Nothing would be better in the near term than tying Pittsburgh’s all time winning streak in our final three road games before the break then breaking their winning streak record coming back after the Olympics. That’s what we can do right now. Varly looks good in Chocolatetown, Neuvy and Theo are coming up big down here right now, and we’re getting contribution from everyone. Poti is finally healthy – after what – 2.5 years? Go Caps!!

21. Mr. Leonsis,
    I hope my note reaches you. You shouldn’t be thanking us, we should be thanking YOU! I grew up in a small town north of Chicago where hockey was king. I was a big hockey player and a big Blackhawks fan. I was broken hearted when Bobby Hull signed with Winnipeg. Soon after that, our family moved to the DC area with no NHL hockey. Then we heard that Abe Pollin was starting a NHL franchise. FANTASTIC! Mr. Pollin immediately got the fans involved with a “name the team” program. My brother and I got busy coming up with several names and actually drew logos and uniforms and submitted them. I wanted the Knights, and my brother wanted the Jaguars. We both submitted several names and drawings. My Dad submitted one name, the Capitals. Mr. Pollin sent an autographed stick to everyone who picked the “Capitals”. It was signed by Abe Pollin, Mike Marson, Greg Joly and some others. We still have the stick somewhere. My point is I’m a huge Caps fan from the start, and have been a season ticket holder for many years in the past and a 10-game plan holder now. I’ve suffered through the years and have been there for all the multi-overtime heartbreaks and seventh game heartbreaks. Those days are gone. You are to thank for that. I know we are on the threshold of multi Stanley Cups. The team you’ve put together from the front office to the players is world class. We don’t need this or need that, we have it all and with extreme talent in the wings. I know the first Washington Capitals Stanley Cup will be the best day of my life (except for my daughter being born). I want to thank you in advance for that. Caps fans from around the world thank YOU!
    Mark Olson

22. Thanks, Ted, I’m not too surprised by those who whine about the safety or, my favorite, “greed” (puhleeze. . .move to Cuba!), but they’re the same kind of people who think we are too stupid to make our own rational decisions about whether to attend a game after a snowstorm (or about their own health care, for that matter). The NHL schedule is called a “schedule” for a reason, and given the compressed season we’re in, thanks to the Olympics, the game must go on (we are talking about ice hockey, a winter sport played on ponds in harsher environs than any Washingtonian experienced yesterday. As for this Phildelphia resident, I am 1) thrilled the game happened (at the same time my son was playing in his own travel hockey game); 2) still mad about the horrid NBC coverage (please say something to them, Ted) and 3) believe it was a better game to watch than that Other Sport later in the day. Kudos to you, the organization and our fabulous team.

23. I’m glad I was able to make it to the game yesterday — oddly enough, I made it because my Subaru WRX was “snowed out” of my neighborhood since I went to the game on Friday night and stayed overnight in DC. It turned out to be an excellent battle between the two teams. I’m also glad the Caps won, because the trials and tribulations of getting to and from the game were, in a word, unacceptable.

    My brother came from Hagerstown in his own Subaru. I-270 was, in his words, “a disaster.” He had to drive all the way to Bethesda to the closest Metro station, Medical Center, where he then waited 30 minutes because he’d *just* missed the departing train. Metro neglected to post anything about only running trains every 30 minutes on their website, otherwise, he would have just tried to drive into DC and park in a garage. It took him nearly three hours to arrive. Meanwhile, because I had his tickets in my hand, I, too, missed the entire first period because I waited in the Green Turtle for him.

    While all of “your” employees may have shown up for the game, not all of the Verizon Center staff was present. That much was clear when I entered during the opening minutes of the second period, even if I hadn’t already received a text message telling me that the concession lines were ridiculously line because more than half of the stands were not open. My brother and I sprinted to our seats, and respectfully waited for a stop in play to enter the actual seating area despite no usher being present (not sure if the usher was taking a quick break or if they, too, couldn’t make it due to the weather). One of the season ticket holders next to me missed the *entire* second period waiting in the concession lines. There may have been enough staff present to “run” Verizon Center, but it was very obvious to anyone there that not “all” of the arena staff was present.

    I understand the need to hold the game, Mr. Leonsis, and if both teams were there and the officials were there, I would have been sorely disappointed to not be able to see it. What does disappoint me is that part of the justification for hold it (from a previous blog entry) was that the NBC crew was there, and then telling people who were there that the ends (the win and a majority of seats being filled) justified the means (Pittsburgh’s players on busses for 5+ hours in conditions that were, at best, treacherous; thousands of people — including “super fans” such as Sam “The Horn Guy” and the announcer Wes Johnson — making borderline insane trips to get to the arena). Please don’t tell us things that we could see with our own eyes weren’t true either (that “all employees” were there). You may not have had a vastly different game experience than you usually do, but many of the rest of us definitely did. To belittle our journeys and our experiences by dismissing them out of hand is insulting to those of us (Caps and Pens fans both) who went to, literally, fanatical lengths to see this team play.

    For the record, my brother sent me a text at 8:14PM last night. We’d departed the Irish Channel after a late lunch at 4:15PM. Four hours for him to get home, and he said that I-270 was even worse going northbound. But, as a true, diehard Caps fan, he said it was all worth it.

24. The Capitals beat the Penguins in the 94 playoff’s We lost to the Rangers in the second round. NY went on to win the Cup. I still have the 94 first round win recorded on VHS. The best is when they show Jaromir Jagr on the bench crying

25. I was one of those fans who could not make because our street was not plowed until this morning. I was not mad at caps or nhl for playing the game. It was bad luck that my street was down on the plowing list. My gripe was watching the game on the Penquin network and had to listen to the Penquin announcers.

26. Ted,
    I strongly second the decision to go ahead with the game. Like you, I experienced a very easy commute from northern va (where we plow our streets in a timely fashion). The roads were in good condition between alexandria and dc and we were in a front wheel drive vehicle.

    I am not a season ticket holder nor do I want to pay the price that scalpers would have extracted if the streets had been clear. Since many people chose not to venture out people like me were able to fill up the phone booth and enjoy a great game. Thanks!

27. Ted,

    While we respectfully disagree on whether or not the game should’ve been canceled. I believe it is really belitteling to those of us that have yet to be plowed or had a chance to attend do to metro closing that it was an “easy commute”.

    I know of several people that went that had to get their cars unstuck a couple of times even to make it and even more that had to eat the cost of their tickets because it was not feasible or safe to make it to the game.

28. I think the decision to play the game was irresponsible. I am surprised by your position that the end result justified the decision. How would you feel if someone got hurt or into an accident on the treacherous roads? Tsk tsk.

29. Ted, what you say is factually true about the Penguins’ travel woes, but you don’t have to apologize for anything, and I’m tired of Pens fans griping about the situation. Looking at the bigger picture, before that travel issue the Pens had 4 DAYS OFF! Meanwhile, the Caps were playing their 4th game in 6 days yesterday. Who REALLY had the rest advantage yesterday??

    In this last 9-game stretch before the Olympic break, by my reckoning the Caps, with a very intensive schedule lately, have been or will be at a rest disadvantage in 7 of them relative to the team they are playing (and yes, I counted the Pens game as one where the Caps were at a disadvantage.) People need to factor in the relative rest situation when judging the team on it’s play, especially with the compressed schedule this year. Before this stretch started I thought that the Caps would be doing fabulously if they won 6 or more. Well, we’ve won the first 6, so as far as I’m concerned we’re playing totally with house money this week.

30. The decision was made for money only. It discounted the safety of the fans and the players. I made it to the game due to finding someone on the internet who had a 4-wheel drive and was going to the game. There were many fans who had to sell their tickets at the last moment or tried and were not able to make it to the game. Yes it was a great game, but it also show the NHL does not care about their fan.

    The decision to play this game showed the greed of the NHL and NBC.

31. 1994 we qualified for the playoffs with 88 point, only to be knocked out by… Pittsburgh.

32. Quote: ‘Although to be honest it turned out to be a beautiful day with no traffic and it became an easy commute to and from the game.’

    …’easy commute’? What about those of us whose Metrorail ride into town requires use of at least one of the above-ground stations which were closed (and which, at this writing, still are)? For those of us who commute from Pentagon and points south on the Blue and Yellow lines, there was no way to get in since both routes into DC require passage above ground.

    Careful with those blanket assumptions!

33. Ted,

    While I appreciate what a great game took place yesterday, as a season ticket holder since before the lock out who was unable to get to the game yesterday, I must take issue with your causal discounting of many fans inability to make it to the arena. As a resident of Silver Spring who does not have a car I had zero options to get to the game yesterday and rather was subjected to NBC’s horrible broadcast.

    I know that politics dictated that this game happen as scheduled, but I shudder to think of how everyone would have felt if a fan or player was killed or seriously injured attempting to get to the game due to dangerous road conditions.

    A great game does not and should not make the situation surrounding the playing of this game “OK”.

    Let’s go CAPS!

34. What a thriller! Ovie is the clutchest clutch player we could possibly ask for. The game was controversial, tough, full of star players making star plays, and had a great finish. The Caps organization is to be congratulated for putting the game on under those conditions, and the fans responded in kind.

    So, tell us, Mike Millbury… who is whose Daddy now?????

35. Look, you can crow about the quality of the game and the win. Both were great. But I find it highly irresponsible to say the NHL made the right call when it forced YOUR team’s fans to go out in dangerous conditions when police and government’s were saying stay off the roads. It was irresponsible Friday and it was irresponsible yesterday. But $$$ rules, huh?

36. I’m glad I went. I missed the game Friday night. Sunday I moved more snow that I ever thought I would to get out of my neighborhood in order to make the game. Although there were only 15,000+ fans there it sounded like there were 30,000! Definitely felt like the playoffs.

37. I think I sprained my ankle in all the excitement.

    I am thankful to Dave and Cheryl Nichols for getting me to Verizon Center to witness this epic game.