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.

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

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!!!

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).