The Flyers and the Caps are playing like they are two of the very best teams in the NHL and two of the highest scoring teams in the NHL, too. The game last night was a true heavyweight fight and frankly it was a shame that the officials were noticed a lot during the game. And I mean calling penalties on both teams – 9 on us and 7 on them. With 16 penalties, more than half the game was played 5 on 4 or 5 on 3. It really is disruptive to flow; line up adjustments; and getting players minutes. And to watching great hockey.
The game becomes a special team’s highlight film so it was also sensible I guess that the game ended in a shoot out, another skills kind of competition that isn’t focused on 5 on 5 play.
Even with the randomness of the night, the fans were treated to a great game. We get one point and the Flyers get two points. We remain in first place in the NHL with 30 points.
If you look at the standings, the teams that are most impressive right now are Boston and Montreal. Check out their goals against, a true carry over from last year’s playoff runs for both teams. Quite impressive and daunting.
I am proud of our fortitude. We kept battling back from deficits.
I am proud that the team is hanging together through the loss of key players to injuries.
I am proud that the team is playing productively while some of our best players are in a bit of a funk. That shows depth and maturity and that we are not a one player team or a one line team.
I saw two odd incidents last night at the game. The first one: I was standing in the event level of the arena with George McPhee and a bunch of hockey players from our community were walking to the little training rooms where the players store their equipment for playing games after the NHL game as part of our community involvement. Many of the parents of the kids were wearing Caps jerseys but one dad was wearing a Flyers jersey. I said as they walked by, “Hi guys. Have fun tonight. I thought this space was reserved just for Caps fans. Are you a Caps fan?” 
The dad turns at me and sneers, “No. I am a fan of the only team here that went to the Stanley Cup Finals last year. Come on son.”
Nice. Let no good deed go unpunished.
Then as I was leaving the arena, there were about 100 Caps fans walking by the Mall near Chinatown just minding their business, walking home after the game, and eight Flyers fans literally came running up to them – beers in hand – and start chanting “Let’s go Flyers!” One young tattooed lady literally tripped on the curb in running; fell; and as she lay on the ground laughing started to scream “Lets Go Flyers!” I am proud to say the Caps fans laughed and just walked away. As I waited at the red light, all I could think of was how well behaved our fans were and how I was grateful that a fight of some sort didn’t break out right then and there. Thanks Caps fans. I am proud of you.
It always amazes me how thin skinned the owner of the Capitals comes off on here. I frankly cannot imagine that is the case – any business owner with the slightest acumen has a tough exterior to some extent. I mean really, you felt disprespected because the fan of an opposing team talked some trash back to you after you started?
You’ve arrived. Savor it.
Fans of all teams can be both a positive or negative influence. It’s not as if the fans of one team are magically different than fans of other franchises.
As for the Flyers’ fan who mouthed off to Ted, I am not exactly sure what the big deal is there. Sounds as if both parties were talking a bit of smack.
I must admit I enjoy watching the Flyers play. They are a talented team with a lot of heart and guts. That being said, as a season ticket holder I have not been to a regular season Flyers game in over 4 years, because I find their fans down right annoying. In 4 words or less, “I Cannot Stand Them.”
I guess the only thing that could possibly be done is to have plenty of security when they are in town and to have a thick skin.
Let’s go Caps.
Cindy
In 30 years of going to games, and as recently as this year, I’ve seen plenty of folks at Caps games that could be “from Philly”. Also with the number of transplants in DC, you’ll see plenty of folks in and around Verizon center that are fans of other teams. My own sons team has quite a mix of NHL jerseys, but he’s a Caps fan….its great that you let folks on the ice there, but for the $$, folks should be able to wear a Crosby mask ;^)
Pretty typical Philly behavior. I enjoyed the stories, yet not surprised in the least. Go caps.
We really were treated to a great game last night! I love going to Caps games and have loved going since I was a kid.
One thing I have noticed this season is the presence of beer men and women selling in the aisles. While this generally doesn’t concern me as they try their best to stay out of the way while the puck is in play. There is one thing that does concern me. During a stoppage in play they do sometimes come barreling down the aisle in their haste to get to the bottom and begin selling. As a season ticket holder in section 101, I have seen this happen a number of times during the games. My fear is that someone could get hurt were a fan to get up from their seat at the same time the beer seller was barreling down. Hopefully, this never happens.
Thanks for putting such a great product on the ice! The Caps are an extremely entertaining team to watch and their talent and depth just keeps growing!
Philly fans….
That’s why a criminal like Michael Vick fits right in!
Wait–weirdly hostile Philly fans? That barely seems possible.
I too have been shocked by the behavior of other team fans in our home. To listen to Sabre fans chantting during the game was crazy. I was pround to be a Caps fan on the Metro ride home as I watched fans laugh with those in blue jerseys and wish them a good night as they got off the train. I hope that Caps fans at away games are not as obnoxious as visitors at Verizon have been. Guess I will find out when I join thee Roadcrew for my first away game.
Ted,
I would appreciate if you could shed some light on something that I’ve noticed this season which I think could be a bad harbinger for the playoffs. I do not understand why Bruce Boudreau did not dress D.J. King for either of the games this weeekend. You are playing Atlanta and Philadelphia, both teams which like to mix it up against their opponents. Especially against Atlanta, King might’ve been able to go onto the ice and change the momentum after the poor start to the game. Last night the Flyers did not seem to have any fear when taking liberties after the whistle. I realize that guys like Erskine, Bradley, Hendricks, etc. are willing and able to drop the gloves when necessary, but it does not hurt to have someone like King on the bench to make sure the other team knows if they get out of line that there’s someone on the Caps who will seek retribution. Over the course of an 82-game season I think it’s important that the Caps have such a person to not only protect their star players, but also to go out and forecheck hard and take the energy out of the opposing defenseman so that the Caps stars have more time and space on their shifts. When a defenseman is picking himself up off the ice shift after shift, then Ovi and others can get that extra half-second they need to make something happen.
Welcome your thoughts on this as it was a talking point in my section last night among fellow season ticketholders. Thanks very much. Go Caps
Ovechkin isn’t in a funk. His funk is usually 6-10 games. I think I can only recall 3 games this year where hes been dominate. Hes not playing with that passion we as fans love to see. Most productive thing hes done all season is float around in the defensive zone. If hes injured, please sit him. Its very difficult for me to watch Ovechkin play like he doesn’t care. On the bright side, I’ve been really enjoying what I’ve seen from MJ90 this year. What makes that kid a special player is if he can’t cut it as a top 6 forward he will make himself useful in a bottom 6 roll. Players like that are difficult to find. Congrats on finding a nice gem.
Let’s continue to take the high road and be known for both quality hockey and quality people in DC…Let’s Go Caps!
Thanks Ted for being the best sports team owner. It is reflected in the teams work ethic, fan base, and fan behavior.
It is amazing how your observations matched what we’ve seen this past week. First having suffered humiliation first-hand at FedEx Field on a rainy Monday only to be continously taunted by Eagles fans who seemed to be really drunk and nasty. Then to watch immature behavior at Verizon Center in which was those similar fans seemed to have only changed from Eagle jerseys to Flyer sweaters. I don’t know why the behavior is so prevalent, but it seeems to span both gender and age. I’m proud to be a Caps fan and hope that we remain on the high road when it comes to interaction with the competition.