Monthly Archives: January 2011

Well, That’s Hockey

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I had the opportunity to read this article last night on a train coming back from NYC. It is really well thought out and well written. And it is just spot on.

Hockey is hockey.

Anything can happen and it almost always will.

Bob McKenzie is a wise man and this article shows empathy and grace and gives credit to the team and to all of the competitors.

Sometimes we always look at why did one team lose instead of why did another team win?

But we also have to remember the state of the game. It is played on ice at a high speed by world class athletes. The puck is there for the taking. Inches separate success and failure. Luck and bounces play such a pivotal role in success. Momentum swings are breath-taking in their implementation. Effort matters. The goaltender has the toughest job in sports.

And sometimes stuff happens that you can’t explain.

Last week, Caps play Tampa. We lose 1 to 0 in OT. We pick up a point. Both teams look like they will never surrender a goal against. Neither team looks like it can score a goal. Neither team can score on its power play.

Tampa plays Pittsburgh next night. They lose to Pens 8 to 1. We just beat the Pens 3 to 1 in Winter Classic. What does it all mean? Hockey is hockey. It doesn’t mean anything.

Caps lose games this season 7-0. Hello New York Rangers.

We win games 6-0. Tampa.

Atlanta lost last night 9-3. They are one of the best teams in the league getting scary good. Go figure.

Hockey is hockey.

Play each game. Each period. Each shift matters.

Best, most exciting game in the world.

Don’t leave your seats. No lead is safe.

Never quit. You are never out of a game.

But the sun always comes up next day. The world won’t end. There is always the next game.

Well, that’s hockey.

I was also pleased to read that some folks consider us a winner at this tournament because of the number of fine young prospects that played for us. Two fine young players for Russia and two for Canada. I am proud of our scouts and look forward to an ongoing cycle of improvement by us adding young dynamic players to our roster in the out years.

We are still loaded with talent to come into the lineup. We have upside still.

Rebuilding is Hard and Honest Work

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I find nothing in this story that surprises me.

We are rebuilding our team. It isn’t like we are suddenly not a productive squad. We were a lottery team the last two years. The team has not been ultra competitive for many years. It is why I try to remind us that the team was once championship caliber and it has won the ultimate prize. See article here.

We are now really eyeing some key deliverables for the rest of the season – craft an identity as a team; be tough to play against; be a coachable and well run team; integrate young players into a rotation alongside veterans; and get some more wins to gain confidence in the system and each other.

Our main setbacks have come from injuries and uncertainty.

We essentially have our team now for this season. We are almost all healthy.

I agree. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

We are 30 plus games into a long season and an even longer rebuild. We will see progress along with setbacks. That is the nature of these rebuild projects. Two steps forward, one step back. No short cuts. We have to have belief in what we are doing and stay with the program. I believe in it. Thank you.

An Interesting Read

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I thought the same thing myself last night after watching in wonder as a 3-0 late game lead evaporated and ended in a 5 to 3 loss.

On top of last year’s upset by the American team led by John Carlson. Captain America.

Somehow someone will take an editorial jab at us for this, won’t they?