“Sun Came Up Today”

That was a line from a friend who is a huge Caps fan who sent me an email today to remind himself that we are down 3 – 2 now in the series with a home game left to play on Wednesday. The world didn’t end. The sun came up; we have games left to play.

 

We have been a resilient team. We are accustomed to playing under great pressure – the last few weeks of the season – just to qualify for the playoffs – and now we have played 12 games in the playoff – with 11 of them decided by one goal and we have also played in seven OT games.

 

Last night’s game was a disappointment – we had a very emotional ending – a really tough 91 seconds where the Rangers scored two goals on the power play. The Rangers tied the game on a 6 on 4 power play, with 6 seconds remaining in the game. What an emotional swing. We win as a team – we lose as a team. We move forward as a team.

 

We must now put that game behind us. Gain perspective and move forward; we have a game on Wednesday that is just as important as the last game; even more so now as we try to stave off elimination.

 

We shall focus on the task at hand. We are in this together with our fans; we shall see you all on Wednesday night – we need your energy and passion and positive vibes.

 

Here are a bunch of links to stories about the game and the series. Go Caps! Thanks for caring so much.

Last Monday at MSG

True story.

 

I arrived at Madison Square Garden early last Monday night, at about 6:15 pm – and asked a security guard – who was quite literate in all things MSG – to give me a tour of the building, post some of the renovations. We had a nice walk about and talk.

 

As the tour was ending; the building was starting to fill up – and I decided to go to the suite where our Monumental Sports partners were all situated. As I was walking to the elevator – two junior exec types – dressed in suits, made eye contract with me. I smiled and was trying to think; “Do I know these folks?”

 

They walked right up to me, stopped, and one of the fans then reached out to my lapel; and said – with his finger thrust near my face (expletives deleted) “F you Ted Leonsis and F your F-ing team too!”

 

I laughed out loud – and another Rangers fan who saw it all walked up to me – slapped me five and said “Hey pal; welcome to New Yawk.”

 

There is nothing like playoff hockey. Wish us well tonight at MSG. Go Caps! Read this blog for lots of details about the tilt.

MSG on Monday

We go back to NYC on Monday – tied in the series 2 – 2.

 

I thought the game on Saturday afternoon went to script – another 1 goal game. We have played 11 playoff games and 10 of them this season have been decided by one goal; we have also played in 6 OT games.

 

Both teams are playing great and to their capabilities. Mistakes lead to the few goals to be had; cutting down on mistakes is the key to victory. And when we score on a power play – we usually win said game.

 

I thank our fans for being so loud and proud – and I also think the building looks so fantastic and a sea of red on national TV; you make me so proud and grateful. Thank you.

 

Onward – read this blog for the latest and greatest. Go Caps!

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and Goodnight

A good read here on the new voice of the Washington Capitals. John Boy. John Walton.

 

Thanks again Washington Post for this series of articles on employees at the Washington Capitals franchise. These stories humanize an institution.

 

John’s description of game 7 in Boston and the OT game winner by Joel Ward was an immediate classic. Listen here if you haven’t heard it. Go Caps!

We are Family

A good story on the personal side of a locker room.  People who work hard, are authentic, dependable, honest, hardworking and special to us. And to all of our franchise. Here’s to you, Woody, your moment of national fame.  Enjoy it – you earned it with your loyalty and commitment to excellence.
Thank you Mike Wise for this article – shining the light on some of the people who make the team what it is and how it can keep its small family feel. Woody has seen it all;  he is a vital part of our team. See you all tomorrow at 12:30 at Verizon Center. Go Caps!