"I am Happy to Be Here as the Team was Built."

Me too Alex. Me too. :-) I am happy you are here too. You are being genuine, authentic, joyous and honest in all that you do.

Much is being made of the talk at the game.

I think it is all overblown.

That was a tough and intense game.

Players talk all of the time.

I thought we should have been talking more to the officials as I saw several non calls during the game. And I am pleased there has been no whining from us. We play Pittsburgh one more time in a few weeks but we have a bunch of games in the interim that are just as important starting on Tuesday against the Flyers. Time to calm down and refocus on the next task at hand.

From Ted's take.  For those of you who sat through my griping about the officiating yesterday, this is everything I wanted --  no more and no less. 

I think there's a double standard brewing where the Caps lately are being called much tighter than other teams.  I think our size, speed, and aggressiveness has a lot to do with it.  But it is time for the organization to work the officials a bit and even the playing field. 

I think Ted hits the perfect tone here.  I don't think he ought to get fined for what he says here.  But it is enough to raise the question and maybe generate a few news stories.  And I love that it comes from the very top.  Let's hope it has some effect.  Because part of me just wants to see fewer minor penalties overall in hockey (see my screen name), but the important thing everyone can agree on is that the officials should call the game the same way for both teams.