Happy-Go-Lucky No More
by Stephen Pepper on Oct 1, 2009 2:00 PM EDT
72 comments
With the inaugural Convention love-in come and gone, and the local community fully embracing the team, leading our Next Great One to proclaim, in reference to the D.C. metro environs, "It's like Canada," it's time to get down to business.
Of course, for the team, but for the fans as well. Last season's opening was the most anticipated opening in Washington Capitals history, and now the excitement over this season's opener easily supplants that one. Anticipation, it is often said, may be among the purest forms of happiness. And so, as we count down the few remaining hours to puck drop on this 35th Caps season, ensuring that our refrigerators and wine racks are properly stocked for the occasion, we should all be on the verge of delirium.
Still, what was an unprecedented measure of hope last season has distilled and matured that delirium into more of an expectation. We're so close to the summit. And we're going to overflow the building with Red on a nightly basis in 2009-10. But it's a different feeling entirely now, where there is no more waiting for definitive missing pieces, waiting for something wonderful yet wholly unexpected to unfold. From Dan Rosen of NHL.com:
[The Caps] have enough playoff experience (and heartache) that they are no longer the happy-go-lucky team out of the Southeast Division that puts a smile on everyone's face.
And while there is an adjustment period for a fan base unaccustomed to their team being in the spotlight, unaccustomed to great expectations, it is time now to take the next step, to expect and demand greatness. We were happy-go-lucky, but now we thirst, we long more than ever to drink from the Chalice. So close to the oasis, let it not be a mirage. It's not going to be enough to see dazzling individual efforts or anything else but Captain Clark hoisting the Cup aloft in June.
Let our hearty cheers at the Centre Verizón this season become more guttural. Let our passions at the rink trend more toward intimidating opponents than simply enjoying our heroes' exploits. And let us burst forth with emotion organically, without being prompted by a jumbotron or a spirit squad or any other annoying entreaty to make some noise. Let us break down the psyches of opposing fans with unassailable facts and, failing that, well, exercise your imagination to its fullest capabilities.
There was a time when I was satisfied with a single victory against a tough opponent, seeing one of our guys on top of the stat leaderboard, a playoff berth, a well-played seven game series. An unlikely Cup final berth in 1998. Content to congratulate opponents and their supporters for a contest well-played. No more.
Today, prior to Game One, I shut down my left brain and entertain only thoughts that the salary cap makes every team flawed, even the Caps' peer contenders, and let take root the belief that it is Our Time, and we must win the Cup. Now, let's go out there and take it. It's a long and perilous journey. Tonight, we ride.
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2 recs.
Seriously, J.P., fly up to Boston tonight and recite this before the boys hit the ice. We will destroy then.
UNLEASH THE FURY!
"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Khashayar
… but also save some fury for April, May and June! : ) Please don’t let them embarass us tonight up there (wrings hands despite the hilarious 4-yr-old)
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
On a semi-off topic note, I went at looked at Eruzione’s goal from that game. It seriously looks like the Ovie-wrister template.
by red army line on Oct 1, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Even younger:
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 1, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
(Note: Pepper wrote it… but I’d be happy to deliver the monologue.)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Nice one, Pepper
It should be a run ride this year. The playoffs will decide whether it was a good year or not. SCF or bust!
huh??
I am told that at this time next year we plan to be defending Lord Stanley’s Cup. I propose we begin defending it now. There is no time or place for further handwringing.
Look around, gentlemen. You’re going to battle with the army you have. The loss of Chris Bourque puts the period and the exclamation point on your roster. Like Cortez and his burned boats, there is no turning back. Look to the future, look to each other, and fight on, you magnificent beasts.
The Caps have gone to Boston intending to prevail – to impose their will on the Bruins, and then on the rest of the League. And so they shall.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by EmilyB on Oct 1, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Khashayar
by Steck It Out on Oct 1, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Yes! This is exactly what I was thinking of when I read this article.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 1, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
At least they won’t have to go very far to get to the Arby’s.
by DrinkingPartner on Oct 1, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
You just put Ken Beatrice’s voice in my head.
by Stephen Pepper on Oct 1, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
More the 300 part, less the Arby’s part.
“I’m so hungry I could eat at Arby’s”
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 1, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
well done, SP.
very much on topic, IMO, this pic is the current cover of ESPN.com, tagline “anything is possible.”
let’s take this.
I know I’ll be doing my best to make sure your dreams get crushed again. Gametime can’t come fast enough!
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Oct 1, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions
Carpe diem puers!
Let our hearty cheers at the Centre Verizón this season become more guttural. Let our passions at the rink trend more toward intimidating opponents than simply enjoying our heroes’ exploits. And let us burst forth with emotion organically, without being prompted by a jumbotron or a spirit squad or any other annoying entreaty to make some noise. Let us break down the psyches of opposing fans with unassailable facts and, failing that, well, exercise your imagination to its fullest capabilities.
Great writing Pepper. This team faces the highest expectations for a Caps team in a long time. I hope they live up to all of the hype that they are literally wearing on their backs.
I would love another season of only having to watch them lose a few times at home and see them go to the SCF. It’s something that they are all entirely capable of achieving when working as a cohesive unit.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
I’m moved. Now all I have left to do is watch the cup raise commercial and listen to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, and my preparation for hockey season is complete.
"My face is my mask."
I’m sorry.
Is there a game tonight?
All I get is this lousy channel on my TV:
by marks4java on Oct 1, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Rec’d. Except for the bottom right corner.
(Atdhe)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 1, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
“unfair and outrageous demands.”? I dare to wonder what sorts of unfair and outrageous demands are being place upon them. What, where a coat outside or they’ll catch a cold? DirecTV makes it sound like they’re being waterboarded over this issue… please. If someone can make a case for why DirecTV should be running the Martyr Channel instead of this thing, by all means…
Luckily I am not suffering from this, but I feel for anyone that’s denied their sports viewing rights being a Nationals fan under the Vader Death Grip of Peter Angelos for a while.
Another, since I’m on a roll and woefully undertasked at work today. DC is an unusual market in that we are constantly screwed out of NFL double-headers that people in NYC aren’t even subjected to. Does this town really need a full hour of Redskins-Lions debacle recap every friggin’ week? Would it kill Fox to show us another game at 4:15 (which, by the way, might draw better ratings and discourage the thumb-sucking that these poor fans have been reduced to by D. Snyder). I suppose there’s an extra buck or three to be made by this course of action, I just fail to see it.
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
I believe Fox and CBS go back and forth on who airs on game and who airs two in a given week.
by David M. Getz on Oct 1, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps its the pocket of NoVA that I’m in, but most weeks we get one game only from each network. The guys on the radio last night brought this up, and its something that I’ve been annoyed with for years (but not annoyed enough to lose Comcast and CSN/MASN which I enjoy far more than 16 weeks per year).
Thank you though for sharing your takes on this (DMG, CP2Devil and G.O.D.). It’s odd that Comcast thinks highly enough of the NHL to think that its a “wedge issue” to pry football fans away from their Sunday Ticket DirecTV market. I think they’re over-estimating their chances here.
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
Strange as I believe that can’t be possible given my understanding and experience with NFL rules. Only way you wouldn’t get 3 games on a Sunday is if your local team’s game is blacked out.
What’s NFL?
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 1, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
But there will never be another game against the ‘skins, so some weeks we don’t get the 3 games, we only get 2.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 1, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
If someone can make a case for why DirecTV should be running the Martyr Channel instead of this thing, by all means…
Versus is a pissant little channel, but Comcast is demanding a significant increase in carriage fees.
They kept running a stat in the stories like that Versus is 65th out of 72 national channels carried by DirecTV (I may have the numbers wrong, and the numbers made no sense to me since DirecTV obviously has more than ~70 channels). One way or another, Versus doesn’t bring a lot of eyeballs to DirecTV on a regular basis, but they’re demanding a big raise.
The economy’s in the shitter, there has been no inflation for a long time — how does Versus justify raising its prices? If Versus was an independent network, no way they could afford to lose 25 Million potential viewers. But since Versus is Comcast (another reason to hate the Flyers!), this instead becomes a way for Comcast to attempt to pry away some DirecTV customers.
(All that said, the screenshot is a bit silly)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 1, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Where DirectTV erred in this dispute was the PR part. They worded their press releases and the various stuff they put up on channel 603 horribly. Spokepeople and corporate folks comments were just awful. Usually they are good with PR, I’m not sure why this time they’ve gone off the deep end. Maybe they’d all been stuck in a room with Ed Snider or Brian Roberts all day.
Today they have added some new wording on the channel. Obvious they are finally starting to realize they’ve come off poorly to NHL fans. For once Comcast actually has shown some PR acumen. Their adds and wording while slightly harsh at times are sending the message they want sent.
NHL is siding with Versus essentially because of the carriage issue. Of course had they not gone to bed with a 3rd rate company they wouldn’t be in this position. “Penny wise pound foolish” is not a concept understood in the NY/Toronto offices at times. Coming out of the lockout they lost even more fans because there were no games to watch for most people. Heck still Versus is not anywhere near being a basic or even extended tier channel in most systems. I know people in various parts of the country who have only seen a couple of hockey games in the last 3-4 years and those were on NBC. These are former NHL season ticket holders! As I always say some days I think this league survives in spite of itself.
by CP2Devil on Oct 1, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
NHL continues to pay a price for their lockout (good, don’t reward idiotic behavior)… are you listening, NFL? Nope. They’re bulletproof at this point (and so was baseball way back in the day).
I’ve gotta Rec this part above…
“As I always say some days I think this league survives in spite of itself.”
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
NHL continues to pay a price for their lockout (good, don’t reward idiotic behavior)
I have to disagree with the ‘idiotic behavior’ part. Without the lockout, the financial structure of the league doesn’t get re-worked as drastically as it needed to and the league’s long-term future is in trouble.
by David M. Getz on Oct 1, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree that idiotic behavior" is not the terminology I would use either. Lockout brought cost certainty for sure. However it certainly didn’t changes things as drastically as the owners assumed it would.
The lockout was the ONLY way that this could get resolved? They couldn’t have sat down and hashed everything out before they threw away a decade+ of progress? I find that hard to believe. The King of Work Stoppages (MLB) even managed to avoid this fate the last time out.
Yes, the results of the lockout were better cost certainty (to a certain extent), but to just assume that it couldn’t have happened without shit-canning an entire season is, to me, preposterous. It’s been avoided before by more inept league managers than Bettman and the consequences were clear yet they ran the train off the cliff anyway.
Seems pretty idiotic to me. To knowingly cost your league an entire season… what pile of money are they rolling around on top of where this is an acceptable strategy?
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
Seems pretty idiotic to me. To knowingly cost your league an entire season… what pile of money are they rolling around on top of where this is an acceptable strategy?
To knowingly cost your league one season is a better alternative than going forward indefinitely with an unsustainable financial structure and the smartest decision is inherently the best one – even if it’s still not desirable.
by David M. Getz on Oct 1, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
It took two to tango. NHLPA had more than their fair to do with the situation. Say what you want about Bettman, but his leadership looks downright brilliant when compared to the players association. I’m convinced the players could have had gotten the same deal early in the lockout if not before it.
League and the owners felt that locking them out was the only way to get what they wanted. I’m not saying the situation couldn’t have been handled better. Quite frankly both sides should have toned things down going into negotiations. Personalities involved seemed to lead to lack of constructive dialogue at times. Not the first or last time that will happen in a dispute.
That was a bit over the top. Someone started drinking early!
by Hunky Dory on Oct 1, 2009 3:35 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Opening up a six-pack of whoopass.
by Stephen Pepper on Oct 1, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
A good chaser for double-shot of fuck yeah.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 1, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I prefer America brand fuck yeah.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 1, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL. Where the fuck do you find these things, GOD? Priceless…
OK, I am officially edgy. 3 hours to game time and the clock is practically in fricking reverse here.
huh??
google images is my friend
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 1, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Jackson Browne? You need some Van Halen or some Boston or some ZZ Top on there if you’re looking to get stoked up…
huh??
Foos. Great Caps opening video or best Caps opening video?
by Scott in Shaw on Oct 1, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
This reads like an NFL Films narrator would sound.
+1.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
Not enough hyperbole.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
It’s a long and perilous journey. Tonight, we ride.
Anticipation, it is often said, may be among the purest forms of happiness.
Let our hearty cheers at the Centre Verizón this season become more guttural. Let our passions at the rink trend more toward intimidating opponents than simply enjoying our heroes’ exploits. And let us burst forth with emotion organically…
I think these are exactly the kind of lines you deliver while Sam Spence music is booming in the background.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
. . . And then at the ensuing face-off, the frothing crowd in Boston, fueled by stiffness of drink, rise as one to will their team to victory. But with a piercing clink of frozen rubber against an iron pipe, its ringing sound echoing through the hallowed, bank-sponsored home rink of the Bruins, Alex Semin’s rising shot deflects down off the crossbar and into the net, stunning Tim Thomas and the partisan crowd assembled, in overtime, once again . . .
by Stephen Pepper on Oct 1, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
… on most nights he was an enigmatic skater from the small town of Krasnoyarsk, but on this evening in The Hub, he was a god…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 121 |
|
Atlanta
|
82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 83 |
|
Carolina
|
82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 80 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 80 |
|
Florida
|
82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 77 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
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