Washington area sports were dealt a couple of blows over the last couple of days. Redskins' Joe Gibbs called it quits after his second stint as head coach for Washington. While Gibbs didn't move the team to a Super Bowl appearance in his second go around, he is considered going out on top. Considering the type of season the Skins had this season, Gibbs was responsible for turning a team around and getting them into the playoffs when it seemed the Redskins were done. Anyone who follows Washington sports or football in general knows what kind of titan Joe Gibbs has been as a head coach.
While one blow was a resignation the other is a snuff of one of the best players in the NHL. Alex Ovechkin will have to sit the first 40 some seconds of the NHL All Star game. Ovie finished 5th in Eastern Conference voting besides being on pace for a career season and tied for second in scoring in the league. The NHL fans let Ovechkin down. What's even more disturbing is what some people are saying about it.
Bruce Boudreau talked about it on Washington Post Live, saying if Ovechkin was playing for a Canadian team, Ovie would have topped the voting. It's sort of a jab at Capital's fans. But I also think it's a League problem. Their efforts to jam Sidney "the Kid" Crosby down the throats of hockey fans every where have made the kid probably one of the most overrated players in the League. Mind you, I think Crosby is a great player. But I also think Ovie is better.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Caps Perfect In Canada
Capitals 5, Canadians 4 OT
Scoresheet - Wash Post
Mike Green didn't look so hot after being deked out of his gear by Andrei Kostitsyn and the Canadians took a 2-0 lead. But Green made amends for his momentary lapse of defensive savvy by using some offense. Just 1:27 into overtime Green just got enough of a Micheal Nylander pass to beat rookie sensation Carey Price. And all is right with the world again.
What looked like a defensive challenge much like the Bruin game from two nights ago changed with Alex Ovechkin's first goal at Bell Centre. Ovie played one of the most physical games I have witnessed yet and worthy of the game's first star. His first goal was a quick goal from the face off, the second was a screened slot shot after Ovie sprang from the penalty box for his 31st and 32nd goals of the season. Also scoring for the Caps were Nick Backstrom (who has been mounting points of late), Boyd Gordon and Green's overtime tally.
The Caps and Habs exchanged power play goals but for the most part the Caps were able to snuff the NHL's best power play team. The Caps were able to solve their scoring quandary they experienced in Boston to come back from two goals down.
The Caps were also hurting with Tom Poti, Brian Potheir, Alex Semin and Chris Clark out of the line up. Steven Eminger got his 3rd start of the season and he looked a little rusty. With injuries mounting, the Caps face a tougher challenge to gain points to move up the leader board.
Viktor Kozlov, who normally plays well against the Canadians, was a -2 in this game. He was the only player with a -2 rating for either team. In fact Kozlov hasn't been living up to his billing. He is having a hard time of replicating his 51 point performance from a season ago. While he has 20 assists, he is no where near being a 25 goal scorer for the Capitals with only 4 goals in the first half of the season.
The Caps come back home for a 5 game homestand. It's an opportunity for the Capitals to pick up some standing points. It won't be easy though as the Capitals will face the Avalanche next, Philly, Ottawa, Edmonton and Florida. The Capitals, with their win and 39 points, have pulled to within two points of both Atlanta and Florida who both have 41 points. The Caps have an opportunity to not only leap frog two teams ahead of them but also put Division-leading Carolina within range. If the Caps can pick up 8 points through their 5 games at the phone booth, the Capitals are right back in the hunt.
Scoresheet - Wash Post
Mike Green didn't look so hot after being deked out of his gear by Andrei Kostitsyn and the Canadians took a 2-0 lead. But Green made amends for his momentary lapse of defensive savvy by using some offense. Just 1:27 into overtime Green just got enough of a Micheal Nylander pass to beat rookie sensation Carey Price. And all is right with the world again.
What looked like a defensive challenge much like the Bruin game from two nights ago changed with Alex Ovechkin's first goal at Bell Centre. Ovie played one of the most physical games I have witnessed yet and worthy of the game's first star. His first goal was a quick goal from the face off, the second was a screened slot shot after Ovie sprang from the penalty box for his 31st and 32nd goals of the season. Also scoring for the Caps were Nick Backstrom (who has been mounting points of late), Boyd Gordon and Green's overtime tally.
The Caps and Habs exchanged power play goals but for the most part the Caps were able to snuff the NHL's best power play team. The Caps were able to solve their scoring quandary they experienced in Boston to come back from two goals down.
The Caps were also hurting with Tom Poti, Brian Potheir, Alex Semin and Chris Clark out of the line up. Steven Eminger got his 3rd start of the season and he looked a little rusty. With injuries mounting, the Caps face a tougher challenge to gain points to move up the leader board.
Viktor Kozlov, who normally plays well against the Canadians, was a -2 in this game. He was the only player with a -2 rating for either team. In fact Kozlov hasn't been living up to his billing. He is having a hard time of replicating his 51 point performance from a season ago. While he has 20 assists, he is no where near being a 25 goal scorer for the Capitals with only 4 goals in the first half of the season.
The Caps come back home for a 5 game homestand. It's an opportunity for the Capitals to pick up some standing points. It won't be easy though as the Capitals will face the Avalanche next, Philly, Ottawa, Edmonton and Florida. The Capitals, with their win and 39 points, have pulled to within two points of both Atlanta and Florida who both have 41 points. The Caps have an opportunity to not only leap frog two teams ahead of them but also put Division-leading Carolina within range. If the Caps can pick up 8 points through their 5 games at the phone booth, the Capitals are right back in the hunt.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Shut Out
Capitals 0, Bruins 2
Scoresheet - Wash Post
What is it about the Boston Bruins that has the Capitals so screwed in their heads? The Caps came off two big wins against one of NHL's elite teams only to be blanked by a somewhat struggling Bruin squad who had lost six of their last seven coming into this contest. The Bruins seemed to have the same mental edge over the Capitals as the Caps do over the Senators.
The Caps end their first half of the season with a loss, a disappointing one at that. When it seemed all the offensive angst the team had been fighting seemed to be lifted, the Caps once again find it hard to score. The Caps had a glorious opportunity to make some head way in the Southeast Division, but couldn't manage a single goal against the Boston squad.
While the Caps floundered, Olie Kolzig was spectacular. Besides being left to dry on the two goals scored against him, Olie played one of his best games of the season. Too bad the rest of his teammates seemed to be in slow motion. Alex Ovechkin's point streak comes to an end at 7 games. Nick Backstrom, who earlier was named rookie of the month, had more shots on net then Ovie but was held pointless after going three straight games with a point. Jeff Schultz also played one of the worst games I have seen him play, he knocked over Kolzig for the second goal, and the Boston forwards seemed to have their way with him. Schultz didn't impress me too much in this game.
Let's hope the effort in Montreal is a shade better than that of this game against Boston. The Caps must continue to scrap for points. They are now four points behind Florida who is ahead of them in the Southeast. That is two games they have to make up and they have to do by beating teams like Boston and Montreal. Teams that are not the elite squads, but are solid performers in the Eastern Conference. With the Southeast easy for the picking, the Caps have to earn points every night they play. 41 down, 41 to go. Get 'er done.
Brian Potheir left the game injured and did not return for the third period. He is listed day-to-day. Add him to the list of key injured players Chris Clark, Alex Semin, Tom Poti and Brent Johnson. As much as Steve Eminger was hot to play, he hasn't seen a game since Nov. 26th.
Scoresheet - Wash Post
What is it about the Boston Bruins that has the Capitals so screwed in their heads? The Caps came off two big wins against one of NHL's elite teams only to be blanked by a somewhat struggling Bruin squad who had lost six of their last seven coming into this contest. The Bruins seemed to have the same mental edge over the Capitals as the Caps do over the Senators.
The Caps end their first half of the season with a loss, a disappointing one at that. When it seemed all the offensive angst the team had been fighting seemed to be lifted, the Caps once again find it hard to score. The Caps had a glorious opportunity to make some head way in the Southeast Division, but couldn't manage a single goal against the Boston squad.
While the Caps floundered, Olie Kolzig was spectacular. Besides being left to dry on the two goals scored against him, Olie played one of his best games of the season. Too bad the rest of his teammates seemed to be in slow motion. Alex Ovechkin's point streak comes to an end at 7 games. Nick Backstrom, who earlier was named rookie of the month, had more shots on net then Ovie but was held pointless after going three straight games with a point. Jeff Schultz also played one of the worst games I have seen him play, he knocked over Kolzig for the second goal, and the Boston forwards seemed to have their way with him. Schultz didn't impress me too much in this game.
Let's hope the effort in Montreal is a shade better than that of this game against Boston. The Caps must continue to scrap for points. They are now four points behind Florida who is ahead of them in the Southeast. That is two games they have to make up and they have to do by beating teams like Boston and Montreal. Teams that are not the elite squads, but are solid performers in the Eastern Conference. With the Southeast easy for the picking, the Caps have to earn points every night they play. 41 down, 41 to go. Get 'er done.
Brian Potheir left the game injured and did not return for the third period. He is listed day-to-day. Add him to the list of key injured players Chris Clark, Alex Semin, Tom Poti and Brent Johnson. As much as Steve Eminger was hot to play, he hasn't seen a game since Nov. 26th.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
No Anthem
I didn't notice it at first, but thanks to some awfully observant folks (my wife included), the U.S. National Anthem was not sung at the Winter Classic. I know, I just saw the replay on Universal HD.
Instead of the 3 and a half minute anthem, the League instead decided for the one minute 30 second "God Bless America" sung by an Irish Tenor (if you can figure that one out, you deserve a medal). But looking back, the Irish Tenor spent a good minute to two minutes saluting the troops. With out the banter, the League could have fit the Star Spangled Banner in after all.
I also found it weird that the League normally doesn't do the Canadian Anthem when two American teams are playing, which last time I checked Buffalo and Pittsburgh were both still below the Northern border. I thought it was classy that the League did do the Canadian National Anthem. But, then to stiff the U.S.?
Hmmmm....
Instead of the 3 and a half minute anthem, the League instead decided for the one minute 30 second "God Bless America" sung by an Irish Tenor (if you can figure that one out, you deserve a medal). But looking back, the Irish Tenor spent a good minute to two minutes saluting the troops. With out the banter, the League could have fit the Star Spangled Banner in after all.
I also found it weird that the League normally doesn't do the Canadian Anthem when two American teams are playing, which last time I checked Buffalo and Pittsburgh were both still below the Northern border. I thought it was classy that the League did do the Canadian National Anthem. But, then to stiff the U.S.?
Hmmmm....
A Great Day of Hockey
I came from a football family. New Year's Day was always about the bowl games around my house growing up as a kid. But this past holiday was a day of hockey bliss. Sure we still forced ourselves to get up and watch the Rose Bowl Parade from Pasadena, but then it was all NHL for 2008.
We staggered out of bed around 10 in the morning to catch some of the flower laden floats from California slowly creep across the screen. Besides those who wanted to turn it into a large protest, it has always been good tradition on New Year's Day. Then it was make some quick breakfast and flip the channel to NBC to catch the Winter Classic.
Even my wife, who normally rolls her eyes if I turn on any hockey game besides the Capitals, bought in to the novelty of the outdoor game. What the NHL did at the WC was impressive. Besides the game being a bore in the second and third periods, the NHL put on a good product and I lost myself in the excitment of the moment. 70,000+ fans cheering and then these guys:
Please don't tell me this is going to be the new standard of dress seen at hockey games.
The scene was unbelievable to watch, the falling snow, the skill of the NHL players, the condition of the ice all added to the drama and fun of watching this game between Buffalo and Pittsburgh. No idea what the ratings were for the outdoor match against college football, but the event was a success by the teams' fans, those who participated and by hockey fans in general.
The Winter Classic dragged on almost as long as some of the rival football games that played in the same slot. And then it was time to flip the channel once again when 4 o'clock turned around. The Caps were playing their second game in a home and home with the best team in the Eastern Conference. The Sens came out strong, but the Capitals endured and swept the home at home.
By the start of the second period I had lost my wife to the bedroom where she elected to watch the "Modelthon" on VH1. The Caps sealed the deal against Ottawa and we had to make a quick trip to Target and returned just in time to catch the second period of the Leafs/Lightning game on the NHL Network. It was a day that saw football take a back seat to hockey, at least in my household.
I didn't watch a single bowl game, didn't even turn the channel to ESPN for any highlights. I supported my sport of hockey on a day normally reserved for football. My dad was disgusted with me when he found out that I had watched hockey all day and my wife vowed we were going to do something else next New Year's Day. But for one day, it was a great day of hockey.
We staggered out of bed around 10 in the morning to catch some of the flower laden floats from California slowly creep across the screen. Besides those who wanted to turn it into a large protest, it has always been good tradition on New Year's Day. Then it was make some quick breakfast and flip the channel to NBC to catch the Winter Classic.
Even my wife, who normally rolls her eyes if I turn on any hockey game besides the Capitals, bought in to the novelty of the outdoor game. What the NHL did at the WC was impressive. Besides the game being a bore in the second and third periods, the NHL put on a good product and I lost myself in the excitment of the moment. 70,000+ fans cheering and then these guys:
Please don't tell me this is going to be the new standard of dress seen at hockey games.
The scene was unbelievable to watch, the falling snow, the skill of the NHL players, the condition of the ice all added to the drama and fun of watching this game between Buffalo and Pittsburgh. No idea what the ratings were for the outdoor match against college football, but the event was a success by the teams' fans, those who participated and by hockey fans in general.
The Winter Classic dragged on almost as long as some of the rival football games that played in the same slot. And then it was time to flip the channel once again when 4 o'clock turned around. The Caps were playing their second game in a home and home with the best team in the Eastern Conference. The Sens came out strong, but the Capitals endured and swept the home at home.
By the start of the second period I had lost my wife to the bedroom where she elected to watch the "Modelthon" on VH1. The Caps sealed the deal against Ottawa and we had to make a quick trip to Target and returned just in time to catch the second period of the Leafs/Lightning game on the NHL Network. It was a day that saw football take a back seat to hockey, at least in my household.
I didn't watch a single bowl game, didn't even turn the channel to ESPN for any highlights. I supported my sport of hockey on a day normally reserved for football. My dad was disgusted with me when he found out that I had watched hockey all day and my wife vowed we were going to do something else next New Year's Day. But for one day, it was a great day of hockey.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Bad Start, Better Finish
Capitals 6, Senators 3
Scoresheet - Wash Post
There was a lot of talk on the side of the Ottawa Senators who knew they couldn't be shown up again by a weaker Washington Capitals team. After the Caps handed the Senators a loss at Scotiabank Place, the Caps looked as if they had awoken the sleeping giant at the phone booth. The Senators shot out with a 2 goal lead in the first 5 minutes of the first period, but the Caps struck back with 5 unanswered goals for an eventual 6 - 3 win and won their season series against the Ottawa Senators, the best team in the Eastern Conference. In the end, the Senators were just only talk.
The Senators have been the elite team of the east easily running over other teams in both conferences. But the Washington Capitals seemed the only team to figure the Sens out, beating them in three straight contests. Since the Caps play the Senators 4 times this season, they solidified a season series win against Ottawa. A team that has an outstanding road record as well as a good overall record.
What makes this win somewhat more of an accomplishment over the wild 14 goal game from a few days ago is that Alex Ovechkin did not score a goal in this contest. Viktor Kozlov, Brooks Laich, Micheal Nylander and Boyd Gordon all scored for the Caps. Mike Green scored twice and the Caps finally get a tally on a 5 on 3 power play. Ovie finished with two assists to keep his points streak alive.
It looked early as if the Senators were going to lay the hammer on the Capitals in their building, exacting revenge on the Caps from the previous two games. But the Caps responded after being two down. Nick Backstrom threw a blind pass to Kozlov who scored his first goal at home. Then Nylander slammed home a rebound and Green placed a pretty wrist shot up over Martin Gerber and the Caps never looked back.
The Caps were effectively able to shut down Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. All three top line Senators finished with a -2. Shaone Morrisonn and Mike Green both finished with a +3 for the Capitals. Morrisonn played one of his best defensive games I have seen thus far in the season. The pair were effective against the Senator's best even with Tom Poti injured and pulled from the lineup leaving the Caps' defensive core short manned. The Caps also lost Alex Semin early to injury.
Olaf Kolzig looked a little shaky after the first period blitz by the Senators, but the settled in and actually played phenominal at times to keep the Senators frustrated. Kolzig's confidence is starting to grow a bit, but he still is good for a soft goal or two. The Senator's will was hard to deny for the first to goals, but Kolzig settled into a grove and made some pretty big saves.
The Capitals' special teams did their job as well. The Senators had no shots on their power play, while the Capitals were able to capitalize on their 5 on 3 chance. The Senators never took another penalty after that tally. The Caps did their best to stay out of the sin bin as well, not taking a penalty in the third period. They also capitalized the open ice on the 4 on 4, getting the tying and lead goals with each team down a player.
The Boston Bruins are on the schedule next, the game on Thursday night. The Capitals have started the New Year off on the right foot, but now have to continue to play well to accumulate points through this stretch. Thanks to a weak division showing in the Southeast, the Caps are still in this. But they have to avoid complacency. A big part of Bruce Boudreau's mantra over the last couple of days, keeping the Capitals focused on the job at hand.
Scoresheet - Wash Post
There was a lot of talk on the side of the Ottawa Senators who knew they couldn't be shown up again by a weaker Washington Capitals team. After the Caps handed the Senators a loss at Scotiabank Place, the Caps looked as if they had awoken the sleeping giant at the phone booth. The Senators shot out with a 2 goal lead in the first 5 minutes of the first period, but the Caps struck back with 5 unanswered goals for an eventual 6 - 3 win and won their season series against the Ottawa Senators, the best team in the Eastern Conference. In the end, the Senators were just only talk.
The Senators have been the elite team of the east easily running over other teams in both conferences. But the Washington Capitals seemed the only team to figure the Sens out, beating them in three straight contests. Since the Caps play the Senators 4 times this season, they solidified a season series win against Ottawa. A team that has an outstanding road record as well as a good overall record.
What makes this win somewhat more of an accomplishment over the wild 14 goal game from a few days ago is that Alex Ovechkin did not score a goal in this contest. Viktor Kozlov, Brooks Laich, Micheal Nylander and Boyd Gordon all scored for the Caps. Mike Green scored twice and the Caps finally get a tally on a 5 on 3 power play. Ovie finished with two assists to keep his points streak alive.
It looked early as if the Senators were going to lay the hammer on the Capitals in their building, exacting revenge on the Caps from the previous two games. But the Caps responded after being two down. Nick Backstrom threw a blind pass to Kozlov who scored his first goal at home. Then Nylander slammed home a rebound and Green placed a pretty wrist shot up over Martin Gerber and the Caps never looked back.
The Caps were effectively able to shut down Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. All three top line Senators finished with a -2. Shaone Morrisonn and Mike Green both finished with a +3 for the Capitals. Morrisonn played one of his best defensive games I have seen thus far in the season. The pair were effective against the Senator's best even with Tom Poti injured and pulled from the lineup leaving the Caps' defensive core short manned. The Caps also lost Alex Semin early to injury.
Olaf Kolzig looked a little shaky after the first period blitz by the Senators, but the settled in and actually played phenominal at times to keep the Senators frustrated. Kolzig's confidence is starting to grow a bit, but he still is good for a soft goal or two. The Senator's will was hard to deny for the first to goals, but Kolzig settled into a grove and made some pretty big saves.
The Capitals' special teams did their job as well. The Senators had no shots on their power play, while the Capitals were able to capitalize on their 5 on 3 chance. The Senators never took another penalty after that tally. The Caps did their best to stay out of the sin bin as well, not taking a penalty in the third period. They also capitalized the open ice on the 4 on 4, getting the tying and lead goals with each team down a player.
The Boston Bruins are on the schedule next, the game on Thursday night. The Capitals have started the New Year off on the right foot, but now have to continue to play well to accumulate points through this stretch. Thanks to a weak division showing in the Southeast, the Caps are still in this. But they have to avoid complacency. A big part of Bruce Boudreau's mantra over the last couple of days, keeping the Capitals focused on the job at hand.
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