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Posts Tagged ‘Washington Capitals’

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Take the Point–Be Somewhat Grateful

Friday, March 19th, 2010

We lost in OT in Carolina last night. The final score 4 to 3, it was a fun game. A game where Joe Corvo contributed in a big way to our team and where Eric Fehr scored a goal with 9 seconds left to tie the game and get us a standings point. This is Eric’s first 20 goal season. We are all happy for him as he has battled back from lots of injuries. He will be a big time goal scorer in the NHL for a long time. We now have seven 20 goal scorers in our lineup.

The team clearly struggles for whatever reason with 4 on 4 so our coaching staff has work to do.

Carolina plays tough. We have a true divisional rivalry with them. They are a much better team than their record suggests this year. I have much respect for them. They battle and play hard every single game.

By gaining a point in the standings we have a 15 point lead on Pittsburgh in the standings for the East and an 8 point lead for the best record in the NHL over Chicago although, Chicago has played a few less games that we have. There are 11 games left to play for us, 22 standings point in total to be gained.

Alex Ovechkin rejoins the line up on Saturday in Tampa (” this too shall pass”). We play Saturday night then come back to DC, take a day off and have a few days of real good practice time to work on systems and line ups. Then we play the Penguins at home on Wednesday night. Go Caps.

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Posted in Hockey | 1 Comment »

It is An Honor to Just Be Nominated

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Thank you…We blush.

We are honored.

Read this release as we have become a finalist in Sports Business Journal’s annual “Professional Sports Team Of The Year” award ceremony and competition.

Wow!!! We have come a long way with our franchise and it is all because we have such great and committed fans. Thanks to all… Go Caps.

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Posted in Hockey | 9 Comments »

Little Push… That Little Push

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Just saying…Angst and comment away.

“I think they will want a mulligan on that one”

Ironic. Click here to see what I mean…

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Posted in Hockey | No Comments »

Oh Yee of Little Faith

Monday, March 15th, 2010

My time to vent.

So that was a big win. A great two points! I personally never got down on the team even after Alex Ovechkin was tossed out of the game. We went down 3 to 0 and the announcers were telling the nation we “had no push “which is code for we have no “heart”. I have faith. I am always confident in our team and our Coach.

We have plenty of heart and grit and “stick-with-it-ness”. We are NOT a one man team and we scored 4 goals by 3 different players NOT named Ovechkin. We stunned Chicago and its fans and the NBC crew. Nicklas Backstroms play at both ends on the winning goal in OT was sublime, and awesome. Toews and Backstrom, now that was a pretty good draft huh?

When Ovechkin was tossed for basically pushing a Blackhawk player I received a bunch of emails. Some from our fans, some from Pens fans, and some from fans in Chicago. Suffice to say the opinions about the play ranged all over the map. I don’t think Alex should have received a game misconduct for that play. I don’t think he should miss our next game either. Matt Cooke didn’t get suspended or a penalty called on his hit last week, but Alex Ovechkin the league’s MVP did on that play? I don’t get it. But it is what it is. We will move on, play hard and we won’t “explain or complain”.

And what was up with NBC and its audio issues and the “Russian D men” segment, no I mean “The rushing D men ” segment. Nice job guys. Comcast has its hands full now. We have now come back twice from big deficits on NBC against both the Penguins and the Blackhawks… So give us a little bit of credit.

When the second period ended and we were down 3 to 0 several fans sent me emails heavy on the angst, complaining, and pointing out flaws. If you would like to email me again after we came back and scored 4 goals and won that would be classy of you and nice of you :-). Human nature I guess. I hear from you on bad news but don’t hear on good news. By the way-some of these people were the same folks bombarding me with emails when we went down 4 to 0 against the NY Rangers last year and then we went on to win 5 to 4. “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.We now have 101 points. There are 13 games left to play. ‘Nuff said. A big win and I am proud of the team. I hope you are too, even those of you who sent me nasty emails during the game again. Here is what I have to say” won’t you ever learn?” Try to be happy. You can do it. Maybe not?

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Posted in General Interests | 55 Comments »

A Loss at Home

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

A rare occurrence this year. Tampa out worked us and outplayed us. They are in the playoff race and they deserved the win. Even with all of that, we lost 3 to 2 on a goal that was reviewed and ” iffy”. But a loss is a loss. It should serve as motivation for us.

We are still playing lots of players in lots of different lineups. We now go on the road for four straight games which is good for the team. We can bond on the road as players and staff and focus on nothing but systems and hockey.

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Posted in Hockey | 4 Comments »

This is a Remarkable Example

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

The Internet can be a powerful tool: A blogger creates a fun site asking our President to come to a Caps game. The White House Press Secretary takes a question on it during a press briefing the very next day. You can’t make this stuff up.

I am sure at some point that our President and his family will come “Barack the Red” at a Caps game.

Our Q scores and popularity is probably a bit higher than his right now in DC if you can believe that. So when he and his family and staff are ready to have some fun the open invitation still stands. Go Caps! Thank you for considering the invite Mr. President.

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Posted in Hockey | 4 Comments »

Excellence is good in the NHL and in AHL

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Here is a terrific article about the Washington Capitals and the Hershey Bears.

This systemic excellence was part of our plan and commitment to our fans and was a fundamental plank in our rebuild.

We clinched the SE Division last night. Some of you already have already mocked us for that for which I will never understand your rationale. We understand we have higher goals in mind but winning a division championship is an important first step.

We have won the division now 3 times in a row. It was also a promise to build a consistently great team that can compete for a championship year after year in both the NHL and the AHL. We have been delivering on our promises to you and to our players.

We are grateful for such a great relationship with our friends in Hershey.

We celebrate our win of the division with 15 games left to play.

Go Caps. Go Bears. Thank you fans.

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Posted in Hockey | 4 Comments »

Season Ticket Renewals–Heads Up

Friday, March 12th, 2010

I am hopeful that our great fan base that have season tickets will all renew by end of day today.

We have been broadcasting and informing everyone of the deadline.

We are now close to 90 percent renewal sign ups. Thank you. That is an amazing stat.

We have a waiting list for season tickets. If our folks with seats don’t renew we will then move into our waiting list and sell the tickets for playoffs and next season.

I am posting this on my blog because I know what will happen. Some folks won’t renew on time for whatever reason, even after countless touch points with us. We will then sell the tickets to the next in line and then the original fan season ticket holder will get mad and email or call me to complain and demand “their ” seats back.

So I am being sincere. Please do not get upset with us. We have done our best to communicate with all of you about our deadlines. We have worked very hard to generate this great base of interest in our team. Please renew by the deadline and if we do sell your seats for non renewal please don’t get upset with us or with me. Fair is fair. Thank you…Go Caps.

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Posted in Hockey | 4 Comments »

An Amazing Ride

Friday, March 12th, 2010

There is a lot of hockey still left to be played (15 games–30 points at stake) and we can clinch a playoff spot and the division title within the next few days.

We have 99 points. See this NHL release on some facts that may be of interest. We are 33 points up on the second place team in our division and our lead in the East is 15 points. We are up a mere 6 points for the lead in points for all of the NHL. But San Jose has two games in hand.

I know we haven’t accomplished much yet. I know so many of you discount any regular season stats and constantly remind us of that fact and without winning a Stanley Cup, none of this matters. I also do not want to anger the hockey gods.

However, the team and its entire people have worked very hard to get to this point. We need to let them bask for at least a moment in a small sense of accomplishment…Ok Wait for it… Basking is done. Back to work. Go Caps.

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Posted in Hockey | 3 Comments »

Washington Capitals Amateur Hockey Overview

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Amateur hockey has been a focus of the Washington Capitals since the team’s inception in 1974. Times and needs change, but the Capitals continue to be an active initiator and participant in the youth hockey community. The team’s involvement encompasses education, participation, recognition, awareness and fundraising.

Here is a snapshot of a few of our more popular and current initiatives:

Street Hockey is a great, low-cost introduction into the sport. The Capitals NHL Street program is free for participants and offered to all community centers and rinks in the area. So far we have donated equipment to more than 16 community centers and ice rinks around the area reaching more than 600 kids. Each of those centers also receives a one-hour clinic where kids are taught how to pass and shoot.

Rink Partnership Program includes eight local rinks (D.C., Maryland and Virginia) and 25 or so regional rinks. The Capitals provide jerseys for initiation and learn-to-play programs in a grass-roots effort to expand the game. Caps players visit local rinks and join in practice sessions for hands-on clinics and instruction. Each year through this partnership we connect with approximately 2,400 youth players, and each rink also will have multiple visits from Slapshot, the team mascot.

Mites on Ice is an intermission favorite at Verizon Center. I remember when we would host mites during several games a year. It became so popular and fun that we expanded it to nearly every game. In the course of a season about 1,400 kids enjoy the opportunity to skate on the NHL ice and in front of a cheering crowd.

(more…)

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Posted in General Interests | 3 Comments »

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