Recap: Caps 6, Panthers 2
by David Getz on Dec 3, 2009 10:26 PM EST
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When you're talking about the NHL it can be awfully dangerous to start expecting a win. If you're a fan you run the risk of setting yourself up for disappointment and, depending just how confident you were and how adamant you were about it, setting yourself up to be embarrassed. If you're a player or a coach you run the risk of underpreparing for the game, expecting to cruise only to find yourself fighting for a point in the closing minutes. Still, with that said, there are some games you can't help but expect a team to win because there's simply no excuse for them to lose. Tonight's game, with the Caps facing a mediocre Florida team coming off an overtime game and travel, and playing without it's best forward and starting goaltender was one of those games, and the Caps delivered.
Alexander Semin, Brendan Morrison, and Semyon Varlamov are the guys who are going to stand out on the stat sheet and in the highlights, but the win really was a team effort. For the most part the goals wouldn't have happened without guys will to do the small, less glamorous jobs: winning pucks along the wall, forechecking, keeping their legs moving to draw penalties, and cycling the puck patiently and unselfishly. In a game the boys could have written off and coasted through, they came out and played the game the way it ought to be played and got the result their talent should have ensured. It's hard to ask for much more.
Ten more notes on last night's game:
- I think I speak on behalf of all Caps fans when I express my outrage at Mike Duco jumping a defenseless Alexandre Giroux. I mean, that's our job, and then only figuratively.
- Speaking of Duco: the Caps and Panthers meet again on January 13th. I'd sure love to be writing something to the effect of "Mr. Duco, meet Mr. Sugden" after that game.
- One last thought on the topic - good on the the referees for calling an aggressor penalty on that play. You don't see that called much now that the instigator's in effect, but it's an important distinction to make.
- If he never scores another point in a Washington Capitals uniform, Mike Knuble will have been worth the money just for the influence he's had on Eric Fehr.
- Every time Matt Bradley scores a goal, an angel gets its wings. For all the unheralded stuff he does for the team, is there anything better than seeing The Professor pot a goal? And isn't it somehow sweeter when it's one like tonight's where it seems like it's because of all the good karma he's built up.
- Just how dominant was Washington? In the 7:56 they were playing 4-on-5, the Caps outscored the Panthers 1-0 and were only outshot 8-5.
- Sometimes a goaltending change is a way to wake up the team; sometimes it's a punishment for the goalie. Last night's decision to yank Scott Clemmensen might have been a little of both, but it was probably more the latter. The Tomas Fleischmann goal was one that you expect your goalie to stop (even if it wasn't a bad shot).
- For a while last season John Erskine looked like he'd turned himself in to a serviceable NHL defensemen. This season, for the most part, he's just looked overmatched.
- Also from the "Just How Dominant Were the Caps?" file: Jeff Schultz had 3:18 of powerplay time.
- If you've ever bought an Ameritel copier because of the ads they run during Caps games, I'm pretty sure I hate you.
On a final note, thank you to everyone who participated in The "Free Alex" Movement. It was great to see those signs show up on CSN. It's even better to know there are so many Caps diehards frequenting the site.
Game highlights:
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I love me a 4 point Sasha night. Bless you, good Semin for bringing it.
I could have been equipment manager, but nooooo!
I don’t get it. Every time he has a good game we have people saying something to the effect of, “See what he can do? Trading him would be a bad idea.” But the reality is that he hasn’t done anything different from what he’s done before, or anything anyone denied he had the talent to do and would probably do again. Once he starts having these kinds of games without the regular mental errors and the bad penalties, he’ll start changing opinions. But as of today, he is who we thought he was.
Plus, trades are first and foremost about asset management.
by David Getz on Dec 4, 2009 7:36 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Of course this is 100% correct. Related: I wish CapsFan75 was in my fantasy hockey league – seems like the sell low/buy high type.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 4, 2009 8:45 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Is "DMG" really "Dennis Green"?
he is who we thought he was.
(classic rant here — anyone ready to crown Semin’s ass?)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 4, 2009 8:54 AM EST up reply actions
For now, the funniest thing I've ever seen/heard?
Frasier’s palpable anger at the Cats during that third period. I though he was going to start beating Campbell when he called that slash. I honestly felt bad for them at that point. A thing of beauty I say.
Fraiser is so damn overly dramatic when announcing the calls. But overly dramatic and pissed off? priceless.
My wife is kinda new to hockey, so I was telling her all about Fraser’s hair and how majestic it was and how its kinda his trademark before the game began. Sure enough, right after I get finished telling her that, here come the refs onto the ice, Fraser skating without his helmet on. She was impressed.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 4, 2009 7:35 AM EST up reply actions
Final 5 minutes
Who else here is pretty pissed the way the Caps played in the final five of the 3, cause man I was really rooting for a shutout for Varly
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 10:40 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I think everyone was getting bored, which led to laziness. I guess that’ll happen when you’re up 6-0 with five left. It shouldn’t happen, but it does.
You think they would have been tryin extra hard for the shutout though
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 10:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
The 1st goal Varley let in was on him. He left a juicey rebound right in the slot. Yea he could’ve used some help but still a bad rebound. Gotta send that to the corner. The 2nd was a tip. Hard to fault him there. All in all he had a great game. ! bad goal when we score 6, i’ll take it!
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
Yea still though
I’m a HUGE varly fan btw
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 10:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
At least the Caps played 55 minutes of hockey. Yes, there was a letdown at the end but a 6 goal lead was a great cushion. And Varley still saved over 90%, even with those two late goals.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Honestly – they’re up 6-0. I can’t complain too much about a leetdown – and after the second goal they picked right back up, IMO.
FЯEE ALEX
Everyone can blame it on the guy that jinxed it in the GDT. I’m having a hard time being pissed at the team after dominating so hard. They didn’t even quit coming out in the third like against TOR.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
I totally blame him. Blog posters can affect the outcome of the game and he was probably the only person in the world who said “shutout.” I’m kidding about the second sentence.
Great team game for the Caps, sucky for Varly (who looked pretty great again).
Repeat offender
three seats down from me. He did it to Theo last year and at the five (!) minute mark tonight. Stooge.
Nice job by the refs of making those calls in the third period to protect the caps from that stupidity.
If they aren’t going to have an enforcer serve that role, its good the refs will.
I think I speak on behalf of all Caps fans when I express my outrage at Mike Duco jumping a defenseless Alexandre Giroux. I mean, that’s our job, and then only figuratively.
Awesome.
Truth. I yelled some Giroux expletives during the game.
I could have been equipment manager, but nooooo!
Still bad, but at least he was (kinda) defending his goalie. This was more of the simple “stupid” variety.
Especially considering Gir-poo took it easy on him. AO would have had Kulikov 3 rows in the stands.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
seriously, it was a clean, effective check, Kulikov just randomly grabbed his head after, anyone else see that?
Did anyone do a double take when realizing it was Giroux who laid that hit?
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
My last Giroux bashing comment of the night. I’m also not a big fan of a guy who turtles when he’s getting the crap beat out of him.
I don’t know what he could have done differently there. He got jumped from behind and was on the ice just trying to protect himself.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
Pretty much. No way he fights him off and turns that into a real fight, but I didn’t see exactly how it started.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
Since they didn’t capture the beginning, all we got to see on CSN was Duco with a handful of the back of Groo’s jersey. I don’t think you can do anything but turtle when they’re holding the scruff of your neck.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 3, 2009 11:59 PM EST up reply actions
Comcast never showed a replay of him getting jumped. Anyone know of a video with a camera angle of the whole incident?
they showed a bit more on Florida feed
he basically jumped right off the bench and attacked him. At that point Giroux was already basically directly in front of FLA’s bench, so it was like a mugging.
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 3, 2009 11:59 PM EST up reply actions
Ha. This isn’t 1982. Turtling is normal, especially for a guy who is definitely not a fighter against a guy who is just out there to punch people. Sorry to say, but 75-85% of the Caps team turtles right there.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
The home feed didn’t show the start of it. Is it fair to say he got jumped from behind? If so, no fault in turtling there.
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
He got straight up jumped. He had no clue what was happening. A complete bamboozlement.
TWO GAMES ЯEMAINING NOW
Honestly, I’m fine with it, all the more so since it was called properly.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 3, 2009 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
That was the right call I think. Fighting would have just given the Cats some momentum, and it’s not like he did anything that actually warranted a fight (it wasn’t a borderline or particularly big hit, there was nothing cheap, etc.)
It’s not glamorous, but better to turtle and let Duco implode. If Giroux fights, Duco has won already.
Duco: 27 minutes, Giroux: 0.
I’ll take that score ten times out of ten.
If you've read this far...seek help.
That’s some damn fine turtling Lou Giroux.
TWO GAMES ЯEMAINING NOW
by zephyr on Dec 4, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Ovechkin served the first of a two-game ban levied by the NHL following his ejection Monday for a knee-to-knee hit on the Hurricanes’ Tim Gleason. Some fans in the sellout crowd of 18,277 held signs reading “Free Alex.”
by iced on Dec 3, 2009 10:42 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
This may have been a sell out, but there weren’t 18,277 fans there. The girl in front of me had 4 tickets but she was the only one that showed.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
I know, but its always funny to see it written like there was 18000+ fans in the place.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
Anyone heard of the Ovechkin song by pummeler it’s pretty cool but also very explicit though
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 10:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Way Salak played, shoulda been “Free Clem”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 3, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
Gould, this is off-topic, but I’m the guy who wears the 1986 white Gould jersey at every game. If you ever see me at VC, say hi. (I only post about twice a year.)
Will do, but I live in Sausalito and haven’t been to a home game in 2 or 3 years. Hoping to break that streak soon…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 3, 2009 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
Can do. I’ll probably try to set up a Japer’s gathering, since I haven’t had the chance to meet anyone in person.
By the way, I’ll be at Caps-at-Sharks, December 30, if anyone else will be there.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 4, 2009 12:04 AM EST up reply actions
I feel bad for Giroux getting jumped but I lost a lot of respect for the AHL as a professional league tonight. AG is absolutely awful, and he’s dominant at the AHL level? How can a guy be that good in AAA and be this overmatched in the NHL? Please send him down.
Things move a lot slower in the AHL – guys have more time to wind up shots, to get into position, etc. Giroux’s game, style and speed are all perfect for that level, but he’s never found that higher gear that will let him compete with the faster guys in the NHL.
by Becca H on Dec 3, 2009 10:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Look man, the AHL is still at worst the second best developmental league in the world. And it’s probably the best. There is still a huge jump from the AHL to the NHL. Giroux is still able to get chances in the NHL, that’s part of what infuriates us. He finds the open spots and has a decent enough shot to beat AHL goalies and AHL D. In the NHL he’s not fast enough to get the same quantity or quality of chances, and as J.P. pointed out the last game his decisionmaking at the NHL level is slow as molasses. It’s not an indictment of the AHL, there are just guys like that in every sport.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
Hmm wouldn't mind seeing him in th ECHL
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 10:54 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
If it makes you feel any better, the guy who decked him is obviously an AHL callup. This was his second game of the season.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Well done, DMG. You get a rec, but I don’t know if it’s for this line:
I think I speak on behalf of all Caps fans when I express my outrage at Mike Duco jumping a defenseless Alexandre Giroux. I mean, that’s our job, and then only figuratively.
Or this line:
If you’ve ever bought an Ameritel copier because of the ads the run during Caps games, I’m pretty sure I hate you.
MP looked good on that PP time, not that today is a great example. But I liked his ability out in space and his puck distribution. Not exactly shocking but I thought I’d point it out.
You guys must feel great seeing the TV presence the Rink had today. You all deserve it for becoming the pre-eminent Caps blog. You develop top notch content above the line and a vibrant and intelligent community below the line. If you’re a Caps fan, you either read Japers’ Rink or you have horrible internet searching skills.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
by Rob Parker on Dec 3, 2009 10:45 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Not only Caps blog, but hockey blog. Looking around at many of the other available team blogs, we Caps fans are very, very lucky. Not to mention the awesome tweets — keeps me laughing all day.
Yea I’m kind of a lurker here but I love this place!!!
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 10:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Lurking is cool. Nobody comes here for the Rink Rats. As long as you’re reading the content the blog fathers create then you’ve found the right spot.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
Ha
Thanks for not casting me as a outcast then
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 10:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Its a good thing this was a win, otherwise F&B wouldn’t have been so genteel…
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
Haha. No, you don’t have to be all up in these comments to be a Caps fan. But if you look for Caps info and analysis on the internet, and you don’t come here, what the hell are you doing with your time?
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
Yea exactly
Anytime I have any free time and Internet I always come here to check out all the lastest things
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No argument here my friend. Also, great work on the Pickup game.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
Thanks. And when the puck goes in the corner you’re going to meet your maker for all these wise ass remarks.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
Bring it. I only dish it to those who can take it and give some back.
Oh and I’m 6’4" 230.
What league are you in by the way? I thought I remembered readying you played on Tuesday at KCI?
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
I play Sunday and Tuesday. And I’m more in BMo’s weight class than Juice’s.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
Nice. I’d love to see him be another former Canuck turned Cap. Love his game.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
You make me feel almost a little guilty for picking BMo, but how can I feel bad about picking him?
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
I came extremely close to being able to justify a trip to Vancouver for the Caps this year…but hotel prices are already at near-Olympic levels.
Go to (and sign up to get alerts from) Travelzoo. I got a close to free airplane ticket and a 1/2 off second night for the Montreal trip over the weekend this way.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 3, 2009 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
Ah, I’m going to that game. I’m a student in Seattle and I’m taking the bus up. This will be the first time I’ve been in the building with the Caps since Ovechkin’s The Goal in Phoenix — wish I still lived in DC so I could get to more games but I had to do this one.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 3, 2009 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
Do you play B?
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
Who for? For all I know we’re teammates.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
The white team. We won 5-3 last night IIRC. We were the late game.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
We’ll i’m sure that we’ve crossed pathes at some point. I play for Cobra Kai (green)! We tied on Tuesday night.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
Ha. You’re actually the only team I haven’t played. Every time we were scheduled to play you I was out with my back. I’ve played the Red team like 5-6 of my 7-8 games and the blue team twice. Ridiculous scheduling.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
Tiz a small world at KCI. Introduce yourself next time out. I think I’m #19.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
Haha wait that's close to erskine though
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not true. I, for one, come for the Rink Rats, too. Many of the extended discussions in the comments have been as informative (and funny) as the posts by JP and the gang.
by TJA on Dec 4, 2009 9:52 AM EST up reply actions
JP’s tweets alone are worth getting on Twitter if you’re not there already, kids. High comedy. Mine are nowhere near as entertaining.
Excellent – and yes, my comment above was a shameless ploy to get people to follow me and tell me I’m funny.
Its working already… well played Becca.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
I’ll bite…I’ve been following you for awhile and find you quite humorous. I got my twibbon from your tweets, too. Thanks for that BTW
No prob! Aww, my little Twibbon…I changed avatars on Twitter and if I tried to re-add it you wouldn’t be able to see it. I should remedy that somehow.
That’s why I was brought on board, actually – JP emailed me and said the Rink #needsmoreLaichpictures. Happy to comply!
Thank you from every female Rink Rat. The Rink definitely #needsmoreLaichpictures. I’d also say it #needsmoreSteckelpictures too.
I follow you, and you are pretty funny. Even if it took you a minute to get the Orpik quote I sent you. :P
Orpik (or should I say Orprick) is one to talk about Ovi being a dirty player. This is the guy who injured Semin in the last year’s playoffs. Multiple times.
Rocking the Red since 1975
this place is getting lots and lots of traffic too, I do not know whether it is cuz the Caps are a just a popular team, or what but as far as SB Nation blogs, this place is jumping compared to other team’s blogs.
MP looked good on that PP time
I was surprised that 33 got so much PP time over Perrault.
On a different topic, I am never giving up my seats…the view is great, but the people are better. I was in a different section tonight due to hormones and I spent the better part of the third period arguing with a guy who not only heckled Schultz the entire game, but after the hit on 33, was explaining to the rest of the section how it was a
“great hockey play”to
“change the momentum”after it was 4-0. To top it all off he was wearing a #2 jersey with “Fonz” on it and a C on the front because he’s the
“Captain”of the section. Douche.
/rant over.
//overalll a great game
Wow, Yosh. That sounds awesome. How’d you let yourself get sucked in?
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
I sat there for the majority of the game being the perfect gentleman…but after the hit, I couldn’t hold back any longer….it got to the point where I was just laughing at him. The icing on the cake for me was in the middle of our “debate” regarding the hit he had the audacity to say “I’m guessing you never played hockey, because if you did you’d understand”.
Well he sounds like he loves cliches and people who love cliches are more likely to love the prototype defenseman who hits hard – regardless at how effective he is at keeping the puck out of the net.
Schultz for Norris!
Face it:
Except for ‘keeping the other team from scoring’, 55 is useless. I saw him pinching in tonight; next come the locusts, right?
My perfectly nice neighbor at the booth dislikes Alzner, who is “just boring back there”. But she waved her FREE ALEX with some vigor; maybe she’ll learn.
Hey, Karl did take a penalty tonight so clearly, he’s fitting in with the team.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 3, 2009 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
Alzner penalty for the season – check.
If he gets another one, then he’ll really be fitting in with the team.
by mercurialwinger on Dec 3, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions
and a high stick at that!
We all remember his vicious delay of game last year. Still surprised he didn’t get five that time…
But it’s Alzner, our good boy, we’re talking about. (If that had been Ovi, they would have called 5 minutes.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
yea. dont forget the misconduct for that notoriously dirty…delay of game?
by twistedlogic on Dec 4, 2009 12:35 AM EST up reply actions
Boudreau referred to ShaMo as “arguably the team’s best defensive defenseman” in the post-game presser. I…yeah. Huh.
How could they not be? It was kind of embarrassing. I’m not trying to be a jerk either, I just felt bad for their fans. Take out the Duco thing and it’s merely a horrific loss. The elbow on Laich was also totally bush.
The Duco thing makes it even more embarrassing.
One of the more random acts of goonery I’ve seen in hockey.
What do you expect from a guy named "Duco"?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 3, 2009 11:47 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Every time Matt Bradley scores a goal, an angel gets its wings. For all the unheralded stuff he does for the team, is there anything better than seeing The Professor pot a goal? And isn’t it somehow sweeter when it’s one like tonight’s where it seems like it’s because of all the good karma he’s built up.
Everyone’s rec’ing for their favorite bullets… this is mine. Every game #needsmorebradley
by mercurialwinger on Dec 3, 2009 11:03 PM EST reply actions
His move in the third was a beauty, he should have had two tonight but the damn VC ice got the puck rolling on him.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
Yea man
I love brads me and my brother each have Matt Bradley autographed sticks that he gave to us
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I tried drawing him a pic thanking him too
It was up in his locker for a while I actually have a pic on my phone of the professers locker with the pic in it
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That is beyond cool.
(also I apparently can’t form a sentence after re-reading my above comment. Yikes!)
Oh yea
Just to let you all know I’m like 14 and my bro’s 9 so that contributed to the fact of the two sticks
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think we can all say that you are officially the youngest Rink Rat. You can be our eyes and ears as to what is “hip” since we’re all old. lol
Hey I'm really not that hip
Just a jock and huge caps fan along with being a cough… Skins fan cough…
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Let me just say for being 14, you present yourself better online than some people we’ve seen visiting these parts of the woods.
Sorry cant tell is that a good thing or bad
Or did I just loose creditability with that comment
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That’s very good. haha I never would have thought you were 14.
No credibility lost, either. At least not with me.
K
As I said though I’m a HUGE caps fan I’ve actually probably been lurking on the site for A while too
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’m 18, well actually 19 today whoo. But I remember back when I was even younger and in forums. If people can’t tell you’re young, you’re doing it right ;)
Yes! I think you take that title from me…. and Chowdah who hasnt been on in a while
Fehr is fair, but I like Laich
Oh damn, missed her while at the game. Bummer. Well, I think im 3rd youngest Rat right now…. Movin’ on up!
Fehr is fair, but I like Laich
Lucky would of loved to gone to the game
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Wait, as an older, responsible Rink Rat….don’t you have school tomorrow? Shouldn’t you be in bed?
/momspeak
I dont know about WF29, but Im a Senior who has senioritis right now, just waiting for those acceptance letters. I couldnt care less about school right now. But as a fellow teenager, go to bed! You’ll thank us in the morning
Fehr is fair, but I like Laich
Go home already! Unless you’re working a night shift, in which case, good luck.
by mercurialwinger on Dec 3, 2009 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
Would love to stay but got to go
And try to have a chance at waking up at 5:30 this morning
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I still might be the youngest; I’m also 14.
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
a Matt Bradley goal always puts a smile on my face.
A Matt Bradley short-handed goal makes me deliriously happy. So awesome.
Yea
Last yr first round game 5 was it brads and his two goals on the fake king (Alzner is the real king)
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yea I was going crazy at my house
by washfan29 on Dec 3, 2009 11:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I was in the process of purchasing my dollar dogs (and really, I should know better) when the Caps went shorthanded. To myself I said “Good day for a shorty,” and proceeded on to condiments. There was a murmur from the arena that grew to a roar and a glorious goal horn.
Best goal I’ve listened to all season.
FЯEE ALEX
I could sit here and extol the virtues of the great Brooks Laich, but…I do that enough. He was awesome tonight, though.
I have to say, is there anything prettier than watching this team pass the puck and cycle it around? They did that a lot tonight – it’s such an underrated skill but it’s murder on the other team’s defense and is simply a joy to watch. It’s something I used to be in awe of when the Wings were at their peak, and it’s easy to forget how lucky we are to have such amazing passers on this team.
/gush
Also: FREE ALEX on my apartment door
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Dec 3, 2009 11:10 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
On a final note, thank you to everyone who participated in The “Free Alex” Movement. It was great to see those signs show up on CSN. It’s even better to know there are so many Caps diehards frequenting the site.
Heartily rec’d.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
50 in 420/421 thanks to YNC, and a lot more distributed from what I hear!
P.S. Nice to meet so many of you tonight – we should do it more often! :)
"No Brooks Laich, no win. Know Brooks Laich, know win."
So the sign for the Carolina game should say “Freed Alex”?
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 3, 2009 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
I’ll leave it for larger heads to figure out; I’ve got 17 minutes of profanity to work out for Messrs. Wallin, Gleason, et al for next Friday.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 3, 2009 11:34 PM EST up reply actions
17 huh. Are you just trying to get it out while they’re on the ice?
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
Right. And any lulls when they’re defending the east(?) goal in the 2nd.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 3, 2009 11:35 PM EST up reply actions
Either that or:
GLEASON BETTEЯ ЯUN
FЯEE ALEX
by gotsparkly on Dec 3, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I figured out from your brother in the GDT that you sit behind me! lol My parents were in my seats tonight, and I made sure they took signs with them.
someone down in 118ish handed signs out to like half the section. It was awesome to see. As far as I know, I was the lone person in 432 with a sign. But it made me very popular.
That may have been me. I started holding mine up and someone behind me said “hey, that’s cool,” so I gave them the stack and it was anarchy rules. Tried to get it on the jumbotron as much as possible.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 3, 2009 11:27 PM EST up reply actions
oh, it was awesome. We loved it.
Here I am rep’ing the Free Alex movement in the Sherpa Seats:
(yes, very happy about a 6-2 win)
Every one of you did great.
It was awsome to see all the FREE ALEX signs everywhere.
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
pretty easy when we all have sweet ameritel copiers. its called inspiration.
by twistedlogic on Dec 4, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
I passed mine out in 429 and parts of 428 (I handed a stack to friends in 428). Then I passed the last of them out in the dollar dog line, where they didn’t last long. Generally they were well received. Thanks guys.
I was not on television, although IRockTheRed was. A sprained ankle limited my mobility, so I did not go down to the glass for that.
FЯEE ALEX
What happened to the Modells meet up? I was down there after the 1st and couldn’t find anybody! Kind of disappointed. Saw signs all over though, so good work JP
Fehr is fair, but I like Laich
No way! Damn, mustve missed each other somehow. I guess we are going to have to do it again.
Fehr is fair, but I like Laich
few things..
1) watched the CSN Florida feed and both guys were lauding Duco (excessively) for standing up for his rookie teammate. Goes to show you how differently supporters of opposite teams can view the same play. (That said, I know they’ve been criticized here, but I don’t mind Goldstein and Lindsay. In fact they were praising the Caps most of the night)
1a) Giroux wasn’t awful tonight…faint praise maybe, but he was throwing the body out there. At least it’s something.
2) Varly made some important saves in the opening five minutes or so that were big in keeping FLA off the board. So often we’ve seen—and not to call out Theo, it’s happened to Varly, too—some cheapie goals get let in early and undermine any of our momentum. Varly made the few saves he needed too and that got us going.
3) A major sticking point from the FLA broadcast is the grueling schedule the Panthers have had in recent months due to the Olympic break. Every team is facing similar struggles but it really wasn’t an NHL-caliber performance out there, and the point was made that tired players are more likely to get injured. The FLA asst. coach said between periods (I didn’t verify this) that they’ve had to play four games in a week for the past six weeks, which seems pretty brutal. Again, every team is facing this, but when you’re especially hard-hit with injuries and your talent pool is shallow, you get no-shows like tonight. I mean, FLA was so bad that, watching from home, it felt like the Verizon Center was even getting a little listless.
4) Laich’s head must have a target on it b/c the game after Cole went after him with an elbow, Brooksy got elbowed again (and it connected) in the 3rd. Pretty vicious hit in slow-mo.
5) Finally…so happy that Semin’s back. For all his faults, he’s still an awesome player to watch. For you soccer fans, my analogy would be that he’s a pure striker like a Torres or a Drogba…he can literally score goals out of nothing, basically on his own, with a moment of brilliance. There aren’t many players like that on this team, much less the league. Sure he’s a bit one-dimensional and easy to hate for some of his foibles, but when he has the puck, he’s always a threat to score, always.
Much as I’d like to give you grief for not having an avatar, I’m buzzing on arena beer (and moving onto nightcaps), and you listed Torres before Drogba, so consider this special dispensation on two counts.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 3, 2009 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
Pity he’ll break down playing for that crap Reds team (fanboy sigh).
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 3, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed, grandparents were British expats living outside Valencia.
They’re a great squad, but I figured he’s going to get a bum quad/ankle/etc. at some point in the spring that would affect his play, but they should be fun to watch next year. At least I can use one of my two stubs tonight for wings and a draft while watching the draw.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 3, 2009 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
Studied in Seville. Visited Valencia once for a night or two. Just an awesome country, I could go back any time. Who plays tomorrow?
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
Well if you believe pundits/mock draws, it seems to lean a little easier than last time. Crossing everything and hoping for the best.
On that note, good night.
"Eloquence, brought to you by a peanut butter, egg and dice sandwich."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 4, 2009 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
Spent a few days in Seville on both sides of a deployment back in ’03. Moron Air Base is a good stopover point between the East coast and the Middle East.
Awesome city! I don’t think there is one ugly person in Spain. I’ll have to look back at old pictures, I’m trying to remember some of our hangouts. What immediately comes to mind is the Irish bar near the castle….where’d you hang at?
Moron Air Base isn’t the technical name is it?
Seville is amazing. When I was there it had the highest concentration of bars per capita in Europe, but I don’t know if that’s true anymore. Calle Betis is right on the river and has a ton of bars. My host family was like 10 blocks away so I was there a lot. Also hung out in the center of the city frequently as well. The school was a couple blocks north of the plaza where the government buildings were and there was a ton of stuff around there. You probably mean the Cathedral, not castle, correct? If so I know exactly what bar you’re talking about, just can’t place the name. That’s where the Americans went to watch the NFL playoff games (I was there January – April and a little bit in May).
There are not many ugly young people. Their diet does leave them prone to blowing up in their older age. Lots of bread and potatoes will do that, I guess.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
It really is called Moron Air Base, pronounced with an accent over the second “o”, and sounds like “Mo-rone”.
Yep, you’re right. The Irish place was near a cathedral, not a castle. Spent a few days there in January on the way to OIF, and a few more in May coming home. Ah, good times, good times.
1) don’t know those guys but that’s just silly. Very clean hit by Giroux and not even particularly hard. Fail.
1a) Sorry, beg to differ. The play that sticks out to me was a fairly early PP when he skating around, ultimately losing control of the puck out of the zone.
2) Amen.
3) Can’t argue with that.
4) Was a bad elbow. It’ll be nice once the GMs get around to doing more about headshots.
5) Definitely Drogba, though even he’s a worse head case than Semin.
In reference to 3), it was pretty funny to hear them throwing a fit about how twice this year they had to play us in our building the day after playing in their building, as if the fact that the first time was the second game of a home and home with us didn’t matter.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 3, 2009 11:52 PM EST up reply actions
I see how this works. Caps lose painfully, or we end the night thinking Ovechkin is out for the rest of the year, and Becca has to write the recap. But if the Caps put 6 on the board and blow ‘em out, it’s a DMG game…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
Yeeaaah…I should start telling you guys which games I’m recapping in advance, let you put some money on them or something. Sigh.
Actually, we might be in for a little winning streak – my sister’s expecting the newest little Caps fan any day now, so I’m on baby-watch and may have to rush out in the middle of a game. (Although if the kid’s truly the Caps fan he/she is destined to be, it’ll at least wait until a stoppage in play.)
Shot of Backstrom's goal
Backstrom from Semin and Morrison, I believe. Watching half the game through a camera lens pays off once in a while!
by mercurialwinger on Dec 3, 2009 11:47 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
Nice pic!
"Oh, the usual. I bowl. Drive around. The occasional acid flashback."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Dec 3, 2009 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
Oh man, that is sweet
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 3, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions
Great shot on a sick feed from Semin — you can see just how wide open the net was because it happened so fast.
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Emo Bunny Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Dec 4, 2009 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks! Yeah – the goalie’s full extension to the opposite side of the net is pretty awesome. Well done boys.
(wow guys, getting that rec’d til it turned green has totally made my day. I’m a dork. Thanks!)
by mercurialwinger on Dec 4, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
TEB is drinking the snark juice tonight
Mike Duco couldn’t get Alexandre Giroux to engage him in a fight. But I bet he got the NHL’s attention with his antics following Giroux’s clean hit on Dmitry Kulikov. (Coach Bruce Boudreau had a pretty good comment in my gamer on the troubling trend of players senselessly retaliating for clean hits).
“He took a couple of runs out there and I acted suddenly and probably shouldn’t have,” said Duco, a minor league call-up skating in his second game. “But that’s part of the game. If he wants to take liberties on our younger guys, people have to stick up for them.”
Giroux? Take liberties?
I think Duco confused “Alexandre” with “Alexander” and was trying to make a name for himself. Giroux’s hit was cleaner than Laich’s teeth before a night out in Old Towne.
Corey must have had a sip too:
Here’s Duco’s rationale for the incident:
“[Giroux] took a couple runs out there [EDITOR’S NOTE: These “runs” are known to most people in the hockey community as “legal hits along the boards”] and I acted suddenly and probably shouldn’t have but that’s part of the game," Duco said.
Jesus. And he had some PK time. Ridiculous. His legs were moving tonight, though. Good for him.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
he played 26:25 total. 10:47 was even strength (and 2:06 shortie). I’m actually having a little bit of a hard time squaring that. I was there, I was all the power plays, but still! Who gets more PP time than ES time? Nuts.
Agreed. Could hardly keep track of the 2-min penalties, let alone that 7-min-plus-2-min 5-on-3 monster.
by mercurialwinger on Dec 4, 2009 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
Veteran leadership the Cap’n way:
If there’s a long power play (more than 2 minutes)…
1) Commit a penalty yourself, making it a 4-on-4
2) Your team tires out the other team for 2 minutes
3) Hop out of the box, and join the play
4) While they’re not paying attention to you yet, get the puck
5) When someone finally rotates over to you, pass to the open guy, who scores
6) Profit!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 4, 2009 12:08 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
I’m sure this is just silly, but I had the thought that maybe he took the penalty on purpose to call off the dogs a little because it was so obvious. I’m sure not but it crossed my mind.
You almost never see Bruce pull such a gloriously dick move as he did tonight. “We’re up 4-0, but what you did was so fucking bush league, I’m gonna send my lethal power play out there and tell them ‘kick ’em when they’re down, boys!” I loved it.
by RedBirdie on Dec 4, 2009 12:19 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
he also looked like he wanted to murder Duco
lucky (for him) that Duco got the gate b/c Clarkie was gonna teach him an NHL lesson
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 4, 2009 12:16 AM EST up reply actions
I was going to be really, really ticked if Duco didn’t get shown the gate – and from the comments, it sounds like it was best for his safety that he was, because he’d’ve gotten the snot beaten out of him for the rest of the game anyway.
If I’m the Panthers, even if he is not suspended, I send him down immediately as a message.
FЯEE ALEX
Kulikov isn’t long for this league if he needs some cockmongling minor leaguer to bail him out every time he gets bumped by a sissy-nanny like Giroux.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Dec 4, 2009 12:11 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
cockmongling! LOLz
in Kulikov’s defense, i’m sure he didn’t expect Duco to jump Giroux like that. Duco was trying to make a name for himself. He seemed contrite afterwards
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 4, 2009 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
Give Kulikov a break! I believe he’s only 19 years old. Most guys his age are in junior hockey or college hockey.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Carlson would take a number and catch him clean later. Like a mature, responsible, professional player should.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I hope he tapes it every night, then.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 4, 2009 12:58 AM EST up reply actions
Given that his wrist was hurt. Oh did you see a picture of his taped wrist or something? I can’t tell underneath the gloves.
Rocking the Red since 1975
From the Post’s game story:
“A guy that shoots as hard as I do,” Bradley joked about his fifth goal, scored on a long, ordinary-looking shot. “The goalie has no chance.”
There’s just no way to not smile when you read quotes from the Professor. Every article #needsmoreBradley. (That hasn’t gotten old yet, right?)
He said at CapsCon he was shooting for 10 this year. Seems like he just might pass it. :}
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
Oh no, not old yet. Everything’s better with a little Bradley. And soon, a little baby Bradley.
by mercurialwinger on Dec 4, 2009 12:59 AM EST up reply actions
just throwing it out there re: DUCO
but i do remember reading on this board some posters bemoaning the fact that whenever Green gets run (for the sake of argument we’ll say cleanly, or at least semi-cleanly) that we never have anyone on our side retaliate, and that exposes our overall lack of toughness as a team. Now I’m sure nobody here’s calling for a Duco mugging in those situations, but it is still a tacit endorsement of retaliation of some form.
Hearing and watching Boudreau’s comments tonight, and his condemnation of Duco and the way some players react to clean hits these days, I think we should be happy that we don’t take retaliatory “message” penalties, even when our star players are hit. I think that may be ingrained in them from the HC.
I can speak for only myself but my issues were on borderline and dirty hits only. Of course, I’m fine if a guy wants to hit our guys cleanly. It’s when its cheap stuff or hits from behind that I really take issue with. I’ve seen way too many cross checks near the boards this year. Then again that is a league wide issue. Glad the one that happened to MP Monday night got called. All too often they aren’t.
I agree that the HC is a large reason for the lack of response, because he believes Caps will get screwed in the end penalty wise. He’s probably right. I’d just like for everyone once in awhile for the application of judicious force when its entirely appropriate.
A man gotta have a code
Observations from my Sofa
It would be from Section 421, but I have a bad infection in my right leg, so I can’t go to the games right now. Maybe the 11th…
1) Looks like the injury really affected Semin’s level of play. I mean, come on….how do you miss on that break away with 15 second left??? Just kidding of course, it was good to see him back and great to see him play that well.
2) And Alzner? A penalty. Man, it’s one thing to take a penalty, but to double your career PIMs in one game??? Again, joking, he played well and looked steady as ever. ShaMo and/or Poti are healthy, it’s going to be tough to send him back to Hershey
3) The Caps gave a consistent effort from start to end… so did the Panthers, but it was the wrong kind of consistency.
4) Sometimes a goalie change helps, sometimes it hurts, and it didn’t help that De Boer had a quick hook tonight. Sure the goal by Flash was probably one he gets most of the time, the shot by Semin was not one any goalie would get. If it was to rouse the troops, it failed because they were on their 3rd game in 4 nights, and had to travel from Miami to DC (a 2 1/2 hour flight) to get there. I doubt the Cats got to their hotel in DC before 3 AM.
5) Scary thought. If Ovechkin weren’t suspended and was healthy and in this game, the Caps could have gone for double figures…
A great win, and the Caps hit 40 points in early December and have the fewest regulation losses in the league. Very nice.
Let's go Caps!
If you’ve ever bought an Ameritel copier because of the ads they run during Caps games, I’m pretty sure I hate you.
BWAHAHAHAHA.
Let’s not forget about those who’ve bought Mercedes from the dealership where Boudreau goes to hang out and make things uncomfortable for the salesmen.
Some notes from 414.
Loved Fraser getting horse near the end of the game. Loved even more the complete contrast between Frasier’s calls and McCauley’s. Frasier was auditioning for a radio gig or something, and McCauley would just skate up there… “2” and do the High Sticking sign.
Wes should do all the calls from now on.
Speaking of Wes’. Where the hell was our Wes, and for that matter, even Keyboardist Bruce? Admittedly, I hadn’t been to a game since early November, but not having Wes announcing was quite a shock.
Got to keep my eyes squarely peeled on 33 all night. Guy’s a sloth. I really wanted the Caps to try to get him a goal on the 7 min penalty he dew. He got his chances and still couldn’t finish. He did draw 29 min of penalties, 9 served, on the night though.
I complained about my trip to Boston, about the fans leaving with 7 min left (and the game still in doubt). Not sure if I can do that now with people acting like it’s a Skins game and going to take them 5 hours to get home. I’ve got a fan-post brewing about something else related, so I’ll save it for then.
The Mike Green hatred near section 414 is unbelievable.
I learned something new last night. Thought the refs screwed up when, on the 5-on-3 goal during the major, that the instigator minor should have come off before the other guy who got his high sticking foul. Turns out Majors are served first, and the longest-served minor is the first to come off. Since he was still serving his major, the longest served minor just happened to be the most recent minor in that case. I thought it was the oldest minor would come off first, not the longest served. Boo on me.
Interesting to note that on the Florida feed (watch the highlights here on YouTube) at one point they sound like “Jurcina trolling in”
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 3:26 AM EST)
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