Red Is Blooming At the Garden
by Stephen Pepper on Nov 18, 2009 1:30 PM EST
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PrintWhen anyone asks me what I miss most about my hometown having moved north to Gotham over nine years ago, three things immediately come to mind: the Black Cat; the C&O Canal; and the potential to attend every home Capitals game. It is, however, a small consolation that living here affords me the opportunity (sadly now just twice in a regular season) to hop on a subway and, in mere minutes, arrive at the entrance to the Garden and watch Les Capitals.
Yesterday, pulling over a home red Boyd Gordon gamer, I bounded out into the early evening darkness, consumed with thoughts of Alex Ovechkin's continued dominance at the "World's Most Famous Arena." While gentlemen and ladies in business suits dashed in every direction, obsessed with something else far less compelling, I strode through to the E train platform, just as the magic train to hockey paradise arrived.
Expecting to see a handful of Blueshirted straphangers, perhaps muttering something about Henrik Lundqvist deserving no special reverence unless he, as Mike Richter well before him, delivers another championship to Gotham, I spent my underground ride wholly unmolested. In fact, not a single passenger on the train was wearing Rangers accoutrement. Now, I understand that this is a big town, and that there are a myriad of transportation options to get a hockey fan to the arena. But it was not until I was nearly at the enemy gates that I observed event goers defiling themselves with Rangers jerseys.
As I stood before the gaping maw of the Garden swallowing the hordes of blue-clad patrons climbing the staircase beside the great marquee, waiting for my arena companion (himself a suburban Rangers fan), I made every effort to greet every red rocker in sight. This goodwill led to some mockery by Rangers fans, some of which clearly could not comprehend the genuine brother- and sisterhood that we have as citizens of Caps Nation. 'Tis a pity, that their game experience is so lacking.
Now while this multi-purpose arena has a palpable hockey history (Eddie Giacomin himself was in attendance and a nice tribute to him graced the jumbotron), I had forgotten the most annoying aspect of the experience of watching hockey at MSG: the open concourse. Ridiculous numbers of attendees (I won't call them fans) ambled by while the game progressed, mid-period, at a furious pace below. Cotton candy towers bobbed in front of my view. A two-on-one break was completely obscured by a soda vendor. And, oh yeah, when I think about hockey at the arena, I always crave a lemon ice. Shameful.
Several other attendees, in the lower bowl, rose and remained standing to carry on a conversation while the game proceeded. Apparently no true Ranger fan sits in a section lower than the 300 level, and the "I Am A Ranger" in-game promo revealed as much.
Last season I observed that Caps country was annexing some territory up here along the Northeast Corridor. That trend continued last night, as the arena on 34th Street was peppered (I couldn't resist) with Capitals faithful dressed in red. But I will say one thing about the Ranger fan at MSG: when things begin to turn well for the home team, the noise level organically rises to a level that instills a real fear that the floodgates will open at any moment. I could have perceived the Caps down several goals early, and Semyon Varlamov chased, solely by the force of will of the local supporters. Fortunately, it ended in dramatically different fashion, and the visitors went home happy.
How did the Ranger fan respond when I virtually lept into the air and shouted after Matt Bradley's roof job? With despondency, that's how. The men's room banter did elicit a pointed query: "Who the [Franceschetti] is Gordon?" To which I replied: "Is that a rhetorical question, or do you really want to know?" The intoxicated Ranger fan mind was incapable of fashioning an appropriate response.
During an intermission I shook hands with fellow Caps fans like a politician on the campaign trial, stopping to chat with one of them. My buddy asked if I knew the guy. In a way, yes. I knew all that I needed to know.
After the game, I hi-fived a handful of other Caps fans outside, including one fetching blonde not quite as hot as my wife. To which my buddy replied, jealous of the experience:
"If I was single, I'd be wearing a Caps jersey."
On my way home, waiting for the subway, I stood near a mother and young son, both festooned with Ranger blue. Mom asked her son: "Did you have a nice time?" The boy's response was inaudible, and I couldn't help noticing that he glanced upward at my red jersey with a certain wistfulness.
I remember the feeling, kid. Whether you're part of the red tide on 7th and F or invading the hockey infidels' cathedrals, it sure is fun these days to be a Caps fan.
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Great post Pepper. I didn’t make it last night but when I went to Game 6 at MSG last year, it was probably the best hockey experience I’ve ever had (slightly eclipsing the Game 2 OT win vs. Buffalo in the 98 ECF). One of the big reasons why was the Caps road support. Our numbers weren’t massive, but we were there, audible, conspicuously red, and joyous. Lots of random high-fives with fellow strangers rocking the rouge.
I was reminded of that feeling when watching the ill-fated Devils game this past weekend. I could hear, loud and clear on my TV, chants of “Let’s go Caps!” followed by booing from the home fans. It was a little surreal, given what visiting fans have done in our building before. Success has its advantages, I suppose.
Agreed. I was at game 6 last year with the CFC and it was an awesome AND intense experience due to the Rangers fans in the upper bowl.
I was there last night as well sporting my backie jersey and my buddy borrowing my steckel one. I made the trip and ended up in the same hotel as the Caps which was really cool.
One thing that I always notice about MSG is the language :). I’ve been in 17 of the 30 arenas and you won’t hear more colorful language probably anywhere. At the end of the game I was even challenged to a fight which hasn’t really happened surprisingly. The amount of homophobic slurs said last night alone in section 133 alone was pretty overwhelming.
A lot of the " suits " were standing during the game and the actual fans in jerseys def. let them have it. And yes the cotton candy and popcorn guys were a constant annoyance.
Leaving the game I got a lot of " how many cups have you won?". Fair enough. But as I told them " I bet we could win a cup in a forty-year span too"
" 60 percent of the time...it works everytime"
" I bet we could win a cup in a forty-year span too"
Zing. Will have to remember that.
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
They still get mad if you mention 1954 to them.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 18, 2009 10:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
1954?
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
by Scotty Hockey on Nov 18, 2009 10:48 PM EST up reply actions
1940, after inflation
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2009 11:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
54 years, 1940, I get ’em confused.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 19, 2009 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
You guys are at 35 years, better hurry up.
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
by Scotty Hockey on Nov 18, 2009 10:49 PM EST up reply actions
So we get another 19 before your taunts hold legitimacy?
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Nov 18, 2009 11:01 PM EST up reply actions
Awesome. I had a really good seat in the first 4 rows of the club level on the penalty box side, around the home team’s blue line (thanks, Amex!). My buddy and I actually ended up sitting next to two Caps STHs who made the trip up, so there were 4 of us together (even though we didn’t know each other). It was awesome, especially watching the Rags fans suffer at the hands of Poti, of all people.
I didn’t hear anything leaving the game. I think the Rags fans thought they were done for as soon as the Caps went up big. Not that Game 7 wasn’t as close as can be.
And yeah, the homophobic stuff is pretty bad at MSG. I mean, after all, they do have an unofficial mascot dubbed “homo Larry” and chant his name when they show him on the jumbotron. Overall I think their fans were pretty respectful/civil though, under the circumstances. Probably no worse than you’d get wearing a Rags jersey to VC.
Just from a fan perspective
I have season tickets and I go to every game I can (with school it’s about 20 a year) and most people take the LIRR, which is (as you probably know) right under MSG. So it doesn’t surprise me that you didn’t see many fans until you were right outside the Garden. I have always been surprised by the ammount of fans taking the LIRR, it’s especially noticable after games.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
I come in from Long Island, and yesterday, like every other Rangers game I’ve been to, the LIRR was filled with Rangers jerseys to and from the game.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
You nailed it…awesome post…
Can someone from New York explain why people wont sit the “#####” down during the play?
The Pens fans make fun of Caps fans not knowing hockey, but in my opinion….Caps fans let you know if your blocking the view, and wont accept it…Thats what fans do…they watch every second of the game…because it matters.
They will sit down, you just have to threaten them first.
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
by Scotty Hockey on Nov 18, 2009 10:51 PM EST up reply actions
From this post’s title, I thought you were referring to Matt Bradley’s frequent Red Cross donations at the Garden.
It was a deliberate choice of photo, in that respect.
by Stephen Pepper on Nov 18, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
Badass
You may not have seen Voros up close and personal in the box after Bradley and he went at it, but Voros’ hand made him look like Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York.
by S h a g g y on Nov 18, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec’d for the reference (and its all-around topical applicability).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
definitely a fan. i had an english teacher that used to rail against fenimore cooper’s crimes against the english language. somewhere around the same time i began reading all his books..
by Natty Bumppo on Nov 18, 2009 8:40 PM EST up reply actions
I love that movie. It’s easily in my top 10 as well.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I remember the feeling, kid. Whether you’re part of the red tide on 7th and F or invading the hockey infidels’ cathedrals, it sure is fun these days to be a Caps fan.
I loved this line. A lot of us are critical of the Caps because we know what they’re capable of, but it’s always nice to step back and appreciate where they are as a franchise.
It’s awesome to have seven or eight guys who can all be counted on to bury scoring chances as opposed to three or four. It’s great to know your team will probably beat evey team that isn’t great on any given night. Best of times indeed.
You handled the situation with more class than I did when I lived in LA.
I transplanted myself to LA for three years and only made it to one Kings game where the Caps were the visitors back in the 05/06 season. We won. I think OV even scored the game winner close to the end after we were down most of the night. There were VERY FEW caps fans there though.
Note to everyone. When you’re the rocker of caps apparel in a sea of purple and black and the punk in the row in front of you is in your face all night yelling at you “Caps suck”… don’t respond with “so does your mom”. It almost ended with me looking like Brads after the last game.
The “so does your mom” response to a “you suck shout” heckle better left to karaoke night when you’re the one with the microphone so 500 people can hear you.
Interesting. I recently got back from LA and attended my first Kings game (against my Western Conference team the Canucks) and had an all around good time…granted I sat with a gaggle of Canucks fans, but the Kings fans I interacted with were amicable, had some hockey knowledge and seemed to enjoy talking Caps with me.
It used to be very unsafe to visit MSG wearing opposing colors/jerseys (like when I was growing up and rooting for the Atlanta Flames… don’t ask, it’s in the “Introduce Yourself” thread somewhere).
Hopefully the crowd will be more civil to opposing fans than the 1970s/1980s. I’ve never felt afraid to root for the opponent in MSG, that’s only happenned in Philly….
Let's go Caps!
Philly was rough, no doubt about it. I want to go there again, though given the Caps’ record in games that I’ve attended in other arenas (1-5) I’m not sure I should.
Pitt – hahahaha. I walked into a white-out in Pitt wearing a red jersey and oh the boos – that was fun. Losing wasn’t fun, tho.
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
Great, great post. And for anyone who hasn’t done it, I strongly recommend seeing a Caps game on enemy turf ice. My only experience so far: Game 3, Pittsburgh playoff series last year. I’ve never had more fun taking a leak . . .
I have taken many a leak in Mellon Arena, and many nights that was not fun , what with the overall suckiness of The Caps record in Pittsburgh over the years. But rocking an Ovechkin jersey in the Igloo makes up for years of pain at the hands of Mario and friends.
Twenty years of torture = Caps fan living in Pittsburgh.
You're doing it wrong.
You’re supposed to be born in Pittsburgh and move here.
Void Boyd! Go with Perreault!
I’ve been to 2 playoff games in Pittsburgh, the Caps record in those games is 0-2….
Seen the Caps lose twice in Carolina, win in Philly, win at Continental arena (NJ) and win in Uniondale, Long Island…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
I went to the Islanders game on Veteran’s Day. During the second intermission I found myself looking at a large illuminated picture of the arena interior at a Caps game at the Phonebooth from days gone by. It showed a respectable-size crowd, but although the players were wearing the red Reeboks, it was clearly prior to the Rock The Red campaign, and the fans wore essentially whatever.
The funny part was the visiting team – the New York Islanders.
Then I went back to my seat to join the rest of scarlet-clad CapsNation.
SO FЯIENDS, IS BATTLE NOW.
I had a very similar experience last night. Living in NY almost every Caps game I see is in enemy territory, and last night I received less heckling than ever at MSG. I don’t know if it was the greater number of Caps fans or that the Caps are a good team now (or some combination) but the only time I heard anything was a few quiet “sit down moron” when I stood to cheer the Caps goals. Didn’t get any of the passing comments in the concourse or the “asshole” chants that were so common in years past.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
You break a team’s heart in the playoffs, and this is what happens. When your team has won the bigger games recently and is the better team, you become a harder target.
I got razzed plenty pre-game at Game 6 last year. After the final horn, nobody said a word except fellow celebrating Caps fans.
Well a lopsided recent history of success doesn’t stop them from acting like jerks towards Devils fans, but the Caps are certainly different from a rivalry standpoint.
I’ve also noticed that a lot of Rangers fans seem to genuinely respect and like Ovechkin (despite the booing last night). I wore my Ovechkin jersey last night and most of the Rangers fans who said anything to me pregame were asking if he was playing and commenting on how they really liked him/the jersey even though they are Rangers fans.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve gotten the same wearing my red #8 (and plenty of people yelling “Ovechkin sucks!,” which always makes me laugh). The Ranger fans I’ve talked to for any reasonable amount of time all seem to respect Ovechkin and just wish he played for their team. It’s not hard to see why – he usually is a terror on MSG’s ice. A partner I’ve worked for who is a big Rags fan marveled at his ability to get shots off and play physically.
As for Devils fans, NYC sports fans tend to reserve the most animosity for other teams in the area. Not so much for football, but definitely for baseball and hockey. They still chant “Potvin sucks” at MSG, after all.
The one that made me laugh at the Rock was the “Rangers suck! Flyers blow!” chant every time the out-of-town scoreboard popped up.
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
I don’t get the whole “sit down moron” thing – you have the right to cheer for your team when they score. Don’t make a huge production of it, but you can stand up and cheer when your team scores.
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
Yeah, I stood and cheered but remained respectful so outside of a few bitter comments no one really seemed to have a problem with me.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions
Has nothing to do with the number of Cap fans or your quality of play. It has everything to do with Dolan pricing a lot of the hardcore fans out of the building. Sorry.
But still, we do respect Ovie, no denying that.
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
by Scotty Hockey on Nov 18, 2009 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
Summer of 2021…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2009 11:40 PM EST up reply actions
(and he’ll only be 35)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2009 11:40 PM EST up reply actions
Has he really jacked up the prices that much recently? Even last season the crowd was way more hostile towards me. My good friend has had season tickets for a while now and the prices haven’t gone up that much. Still, I wouldn’t put it past Dolan, guy is a royal douche.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 19, 2009 12:09 AM EST up reply actions
Games in Philly
I want to take my girlfriend to an away game. Carolina probably isn’t going to work this season.. is going to a game in Philly really terrifying?
Void Boyd! Go with Perreault!
it can be. BUT…….its much easier to get to Philly than Carolina, and you can make a good weekend trip out of Philly. Lots more to do there and Raleigh.
Yeah
That’s mainly why we are considering Philly. We’ve both been a few times (me for hockey tournaments) and all we’ve seen there is the bigass mall in King of Prussia.
Void Boyd! Go with Perreault!
Best mall ever.
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Emo Bunny Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Nov 18, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
I say go. It’s real nice to see Caps fans represent at MSG, but I think Philly is the real litmus test.
by Stephen Pepper on Nov 18, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions
It can be a little nasty, yes. Bring your sense of humor and asbestos underwear, and hope the Caps don’t get stomped 7-1 like the last time I went to Philly. Honestly, I liked Philly better than Pitt.
Too bad I think we’re done in the Rock for the season, because Prudential Center was a pretty cool place. Whoever says Newark is a dump is so right, but the center was nice.
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
Gordo
It’s nice to know there’s a fellow Gordo fan here. I ordered a red Gordo jersey back before the 2007-2008 season through Kettler, when they were receiving them in waves back by player numbers. There must’ve been nearly no takers for #15 jerseys, since I got mine in after the regular season had started!
At that year’s Season Ticket Holder Party, one of the autograph tables was Badley/Gordon/Semin. When I asked Gordo to sign my jersey, Bradley piped in “Wow, you must be the only Boyd Gordon jersey!”
No bullshit
I saw Gordo buy an Ovie jersey at Kettler a couple months ago.
Void Boyd! Go with Perreault!
My dad and I both came to the same conclusion: Probably a gift for somebody.
Still, it was hilarious.
Void Boyd! Go with Perreault!
Awesome post. This is the beauty of traveling to a road game, doesn’t matter the sport but going to support your team – you have an instant camaraderie when you see your team colors in an away venue.
I was once in LA for work (Ovi’s rookie year) and randomly met a Caps fan and 2 lovely young ladies that were also Caps fans all within the Staples center- it was a game I’ll never forget. Caps won and we were getting heckled (who knew LA had fans that care) but we could care less cause we won.
I love a good road trip.
you have an instant camaraderie when you see your team colors in an away venue.
That is why I love away games in any sport. Home games are great, but away games are the best. The shared looks of appreciation on the plane/train/subway, the conversations struck up just by the fact that you are wearing the same colors, and the feeling of being in a small select group in enemy territory. Only thing better than a road game is a road win. The silence is truly golden.
Living in a city where I only root for one of the teams I get in lots of “road games” in town. While I love rooting for the Caps, nothing here beats being the fan of a road team at a Suns game.
A man gotta have a code
Bucket List
Away games are indeed tons of fun, even if the Caps are 1-5 in away games that I’ve attended. I have thus far been to:
- Prudential Center (Devils)
- Scotiabank Place (Senators)
- Nassau Coliseum (Isles)
- RBC Center (Canes)
- Wachovia Center (Flyers)
- The Igloo / Mellon Arena (Pens)
Seeing a Caps game in all 30 arenas in the NHL is on my bucket list.
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
It’s an interesting arena. If you are acrophobic, get lower-level, because it’s damn near vertical in the arena itself. Great sightlines, though. The concourse looks like hewn rock – I’m serious, it looks like you’re walking around in a cave. Great food.
The people were pretty cool. There were very few Caps fans there, and I got into some smack talk with the ushers, who had a great sense of humor. “I don’t know if I can let you in here wearing that…” “What, are you afraid of it?” and so forth.
I recommend going. There was great chow not far from the rink, although Scotiabank Place is out in the middle of nowhere, not in the middle of downtown like you see on the East Coast.
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
If you can, go take the free tour of Canada’s Parliament. It is a spectacular building, especially the Library.
And if I get back there in the wintertime, I am definitely going skating on the Rideau Canal.
SO FЯIENDS, IS BATTLE NOW.
I think this year’s winter tour might just be Toronto. I absolutely adore southern Ontario wine country.
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
Head over to Blueshirt Banter, Jim just went to Ottawa and reported back. I went there a few years back. Enjoyable experience.
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
by Scotty Hockey on Nov 18, 2009 10:55 PM EST up reply actions
That’s something I’m going to do as well but I really haven’t made it a priority yet.
Depending on how I feel next season I’m thinking about going to all 82 games. It would make for a cool blog too.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
No, I’m not hiring, no I do web stuff pretty well.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
Freelance editor for hire…
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Nov 18, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions
Wait…there are vendors that walk around DURING GAMEPLAY at MSG for Rangers games?!!!!!?
While watching last night, at one point I noticed a guy (who must have had great seats) walking down the aisle while the puck was in play…and it wasn’t as if the puck had just dropped off a faceoff either. I was just like, “who is this guy?!? SIT DOWN! — THE GAME IS IN PROGRESS!!!”
Guess that’s standard practice there(?)
by PaintDrinkingPete on Nov 18, 2009 4:29 PM EST reply actions
New Yorkers. You do the math.
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
In the lower bowl (which obscures the view of everyone above, of course), yes, apparently standard practice.
by Stephen Pepper on Nov 18, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
Attending a Les Capitals game in my hometown of Montreal was pretty enjoyable. Although not many people were rocking the red, or not the right one at least. My GR8 Jersey did get me a date with a female habs fan / Ovie admirer, though so I can`t complain.
Habs fan told me tales on how bad it was when they went to cheer on Les Habitants at Wachowia during the playoffs… Somehow getting beer poured on me by over-zealous fans does not seem like such a good time.
That’s mainly the kind of crap I’m worried about. If anybody did anything like that to me or my girlfriend, I wouldn’t be able to not retaliate.
Void Boyd! Go with Perreault!
did you know that Veteran Stadium had a jail underneath it with a magistrate and all?!? I found out first hand. Think about the kind of place that would find it necessary to have something like this in this venue!
I’ve always thought that the best possible reaction to having beer poured on you is to light up like a Christmas tree in a big smile, say “THANK YOU!” and give them a great big wet hug.
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
i wore an AO jersey through a montreal hotel during his rookie season, and the bell boy said something to me along the lines of: “your city doesn’t deserve a great player like ovechkin.”
something i try to remember whenever we play the habs.
by Natty Bumppo on Nov 18, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
At the time he may have had a point…
by PaintDrinkingPete on Nov 18, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
except that he was talking to the guy WEARING THE JERSEY. i think i sheepishly said something along the lines of “hey don’t blame me, i go to games!” wish i could’ve latched on to a more pointed comeback.
by Natty Bumppo on Nov 18, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
“You take the blonde, I’ll take the one in the turban”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions
I was in Vancouver in January of ’07. One night, when the Canucks were playing the Oilers, we went to a local bar where (of course) everyone was getting into the game. There were almost as many Oiler fans as ’Nucks fans, so it was quite lively. Most of my American friends I was with were not into hockey at all, but of course I knew I had to wear my Caps shirt out to the bar that night.
I got into a pretty good conversation with the bartender about “hockey fandom” in America, and specifically DC, and he also seemed to feel that it was a “shame” that a talent such as Ovi was playing in front of less than packed houses on his home ice, and that folks here didn’t fully appreciate what it means to have a guy like him to watch on a regular basis. He wasn’t trying to be insulting, and he recognized me as an actual fan—and I really couldn’t argue against his points. I did, however, say that “mark my words—within 2 years Washington will be hockey crazy…or Ovechkin will be long gone”. I couldn’t be happier that the former came true!!!
by PaintDrinkingPete on Nov 18, 2009 9:15 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously. Easy response is, “We all get things we don’t deserve, sometimes. For example, I’m still going to give you a tip after that comment.”
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
by gotsparkly on Nov 18, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
ahhh, see that would have been well played.
oh well. the giddiness that comes with wearing the rookie ovechkin sweater still hasn’t worn off.
by Natty Bumppo on Nov 18, 2009 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
I went to a Caps game at the Forum in fall of 93. They won, 5-3, I believe Pivonka had a pair. Went with my friend and wore my Langway jersey. Amazing experience – that place was electric – never experienced anything like it before, or again until the 08 playoffs here at Verizon. Didn’t get any crap from Habs fans – we sat way up, but everyone was good-natured.
Ive been to Caps games in Florida and Colorado, both pre-Ovechkin and pre-lockout. In Florida it was so quiet, I was sitting in the lower bowl and I yelled to Olie and I know he heard me cause he raised his stick to me. In Colorado I will never forget, it was Bruce Cassidys last game as coach and we threw out possibly the worst performance Ive ever seen from the team. Thankfully, the Colorado fans are respectful, or I wouldve gotten it from them big time.
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
53 | 28 | 21 | 4 | 60 |
|
Florida
|
52 | 24 | 17 | 11 | 59 |
|
Winnipeg
|
55 | 25 | 24 | 6 | 56 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
52 | 23 | 24 | 5 | 51 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.9.2012 at 9:25 AM EST)
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