Cyclone Ovechkin
by Stephen Pepper on Apr 27, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
51 comments
For the island nations of the southwest Indian Ocean, the cyclone season nears its conclusion. As you likely know (certainly from recent tragedy suffered in this nation on account of Mother Nature's wrath), storms are named in alphabetical order, using names submitted in advance of the season's commencement. This cyclone season hasn't, and probably won't, make it to "O," but Cyclone Ovechkin made landfall in Chinatown on Friday night with torrent of red rain, a sound and fury that raised the spirits of Caps Nation and battered the Ranger fleet. The emotion displayed, the intensity of being in the eye of the maelstrom amidst the delirious fans at Centre Verizón forged memories I will cherish for a good long while.
For sure, it was not just Alex Ovechkin who shone on that night, and set the stage for what we blissfully observed yesterday afternoon. But he unquestionably remains the driving, growing force of Les Capitals, who these days act as if they will not be denied victory by anyone. By any means necessary.
Game 5 was a poignant reminder of why we go to the games. Travel, spend perhaps hundreds on tickets and overpriced concessions. Innovations in HDTV coverage for sure make for a greater home viewing experience by several orders of magnitude. And your living room sofa is comfy, I presume. But the feeling of being in such a unified, ridiculously charged crowd, is indescribable. As Ovie dismantled the Blueshirts defense and willed himself to score that fourth goal, we fans willed our team to victory, en masse, every man, woman, and child (save for the perilously few infidels wearing blue) united, with our full throats, hearts, souls. We would not be denied.
In response to questioning about the John Tortorella meltdown that night, the Rangers head coach allowing his apparently tissue-paper thin defenses, his composure, to be broken down in the face of verbal taunting, The Great Eight said:
Good job by our fans. Our fans are one more player for us. They do what they have to do for us.
As a reward, we stood, awe-struck, when Alex forced the puck through Henrik Lundqvist for what was essentially that game-clinching tally. As if we were one of the Wright brothers transported through time to witness first-hand a Concorde exploding off of the Tarmac.
Of course, what really set the house on fire was watching Matt Bradley roof a backhand past Lundqvist, who at that point still seemed otherworldly. A guy like Ovechkin is off the charts, but we can dare to imagine ourselves, in our boyhood fantasies, in Bradley's skates. The unsung hero, performing a miracle, the unthinkable. I can't remember him ever scoring on a backhand, not to mention earning the first star in a playoff game to save the team from extinction. Keep livin' the Canadian Dream, Brads.
While being in the thicket of crimson (and scarlet), such a multitude expending such reckless energy, it was far from a place of anxiety or danger. It was a potent mixture of unbridled joy, pride, and defiance stirring in a bubbling cauldron. But this was not the chaotic, tumultuous, claustrophobia-inducing crowds of, say, the streets of Bombay. The combination of new fans excited by the brilliance of our Big Four and long time, long-suffering, fans starving and parched, desperate for glory, makes for a fine live viewing environment. This was a place where strangers screamed with glee together, high-fived and hugged.
It is written, alright.
Forget the supposed electricity of MSG, a "real hockey arena." One where vendors roam the concourse to sell Dr. Seuss-style hats and sticks of cotton candy that tower over the heads of the assembled, obstructing the views of even prime ticket holders. Where "fans" rise, leave or return to their seats at a whim, without regard to what transpires on the ice below. Where those same "fans" discuss their portfolios or, worse, baseball, while attending a riveting hockey game. The cyclone that is Caps Nation right now, the vibe at 7th and F Street, simply cannot be beat.
Tomorrow, let that storm crash down all over again, and wash away the Rangers for good.
5 recs |
51 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Damn, Pepper, you just keep outdoing yourself.
by katzistan on Apr 27, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice title... because "Hurricane Oveckin" would have made us all sick
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Apr 27, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I’m gonna flag that as inappropriate…
by snowburnt on Apr 27, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Isn’t Dale Jr’s number retired in Carolina?
by Sct112 on Apr 27, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Matt Cullen currently wears the "8" for the Canes
He’s from Virginia, which has a strong NASCAR tradition, so maybe he wears it as an homage?
by Wisper on Apr 27, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Matt Cullen is from Virgina… Minnesota.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Apr 27, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What’s up with cities named after states? You’ve got California, Maryland; Indiana, Pennsylvania; Wyoming, Ohio…makes you wonder if someone was just trying to play with the USPS!
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Apr 27, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh.. well damn
And here I thought I’d found an American Southerner in the NHL. But yeah, I agree with you about the name thing..
However, if it makes our Russian players feel any better, there is a Moscow, Maryland (but its Waaaay out in Western Maryland near Deep Creek.)
by Wisper on Apr 27, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Technically I think Patrick OSullivan grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
by sincitycapsfan on Apr 27, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jeff Halpern is sorta close…Maryland is still below the Mason Dixon line right?
by Yoshietree on Apr 27, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got one for you:
Brian Leetch
Position: D
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-0 Weight: 185 lbs.
Born: March 3, 1968 in Corpus Christi, Texas
by Sct112 on Apr 27, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Grew up in New England though. Regher was born in Brazil, Owen Nolan was born in Ireland, Kolzig was born in South Africa. Where your born is not dispositive. Leetch is not a Texan.
by Fehr and Balanced on Apr 27, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lack of creativity?
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Apr 27, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Virgina?
I’ve never been there, but it sounds like fun.
/family blog and all…
by Scott in Shaw on Apr 27, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
plenty of canes fans who just saw this either might have gotten aroused or thrown up.
by Chimaera on Apr 27, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ugh.... if this was any sappier I'd pour it over pancakes.
And if you think fans only “rise leave or return” at whim at MSG, try sitting in section 121 of the Verizon Center.
If these people ran our for overpriced crappy food with any more frequency, the VZ Concession Staff could start selling Meal Plan tickets like they do in college. Of course we also have a lot of corporate seats so its nice to see those people show up 4 minutes into the 3rd period and then have a client meeting in the aisle at every tv timeout. That’s some mad fan-love right there.
We have rabid fans, I know. But stop with the “No One Else is Like Us” self-stroking. Did you see the Carolina crowd last night? Did you see the Montreal fans in game 3? Did you see the Anaheim stands in Game 4? And don’t even get me started on Chicago.
Hockey breeds fanaticism. That’s we all love it. That’s why I have about 3 weeks of beard growth on my face right now. That’s why the VZ center is SELLING OUT.
Its cool to see DC on board with the true spirit of Playoff Hockey… FINALLY. We are up there with the best. We are becoming a Hockey Town.
But seriously… the eulogy style purple-prosed homage after every win is a bit much.
What do we get if we move on to Round Two? Plutarchian sonnets or iambic pentameter?
by Wisper on Apr 27, 2009 12:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dude, if you don’t like it, don’t read it – the internet’s a big place. No reason to trash someone who spent time putting his thoughts and feelings into pixels just because it doesn’t tickle your pickle.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Apr 27, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
s'cool
I just remember when this stuff got left on OFB. But you’re right…different strokes ’n whatnot.
Just to be helpful: Remember, Pentarchian sonnets are structuered as an Octet and a Sextet where the Octet presents a problem or expresses a desire and the sextet is the Volta wherein the problem is solved or the desire fulfilled. (Rhyme Scheme should be abbaabba/cddcdd but YMMV). ;-)
And for the record, I hope this really is a sign that DC really will be a hockey town. I remember being ashamed when we were in the finals against Detroit and the sales team was leaning on us in the law firms to buy up the remaining tickets because the NHL was upset that we couldn’t sell out a championship game and it might have invoked black-out rules according to the broadcasting agreement.
My firm bought 4 tickets to games 3 and 4 to help out, but I bet that had cities like Detroit and Toronto just shaking their heads in disbelief.
I’m hoping that the Ovechkin Era can lay down enough of a foundation of fan support (especially new younger fans) that we never see that again… or should I say “That the noble exploits of this ice-carving gladiator, this Philosopher-King of Point Production can reforge not only the spirit of the people but can rebuild the very Capital of our great nation and the banks of the Potomac will soon surround the pride-buttressed walls of a true and undeniable HockeyTown!!!!!!”
Damn, I forgot the whole abbaabba thing…..
by Wisper on Apr 27, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Detroit doesn’t sell out.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
by Chemmy on Apr 27, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, this year with the economy
even Detroit is having problems. However, it should be noted that this year’s home opener non-sell out snapped a 396 game streak of consecutive regular season sellouts going back to December 10th 1996.
The financial situation of Detroit right now is comparable to some scene out of Dante somewhere around the 5th or 6th circle of the Inferno.
Like I said… it is AWESOME that we have the fan base we do. I am a season ticket holder so believe me… I’m 100% on-board and didn’t miss a single game this year except when I was either away for the Holidays (missed two at T-giving) or the one Sunday game I sold because my wife and I traveled to Boston to watch them play that Saturday (Semin’s OT winner!).
But I remember when the economy was booming in 1999 and we were in the FINALS and couldn’t get enough hockey fans in the seats.
Leonsis has always been committed to building a hockey fan base here and I think that made it much easier for him to open his wallet in order to lock Ovechkin into a Caps jersey for his whole career. We need a sustained exciting team and a bunch of younger fans that are just now opening their eyes to this amazing sport. It may very well be happening right now and to me that is far more important then winning the cup one year (see: Tampa Bay, Florida).
by Wisper on Apr 27, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The financial situation of Detroit right now is comparable to some scene out of Dante somewhere around the 5th or 6th circle of the Inferno.
Between the wrathful and the heretics? Sounds about right….
by David M. Getz on Apr 27, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m pretty surprised that seats were still available for the Finals games in 1998. I remember passing by an army of people offering well over $500 per ticket anywhere in the house for Game 4.
The arena was jam-packed and rocking for all of the playoff games that year that I can remember. The reason why it didn’t bring any sustained success was that the Caps got swept and then flopped the next season just as people were starting to pay attention.
Dare I say, this is a big reason why tomorrow night’s game is enormous for the future of the team.
by grapejoos on Apr 27, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, that was unnecessary. Pepper writes poetically about what it’s like to be a Caps fan, and you go and bash it? That make you feel better?
by katzistan on Apr 27, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here’s an idea: If you don’t like it go read OFB. I think they’re covering the Bears. You’ll love it.
by TylerG on Apr 27, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why cut our own feet out from under us at the moment that we have finally arrived? Why not celebrate what we have accomplished? This is not the time to be humble.
by Stephen Pepper on Apr 27, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw the Habs fans getting pretty quiet in Game 3 ;)
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Apr 27, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really enjoy reading these posts, Pepper does a great job with them. They are pretty epic, so maybe a Petrarchian sonnet is warranted.
by Ovechwin on Apr 28, 2009 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On a more serious note, I don’t condone Brash’s hit on Betts. If Mo bit a Ranger, well, he shouldn’t have. And I don’t like the idea of fans getting into it with coaches.
All that said, I’ve got to be honest – I love the fact that the Caps are getting tougher to play against (and not just from a cardio/aerobic standpoint) and that the VC is a hard environment to come into to win a game. It’s about time it was that way.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Apr 27, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
After years of having the barn half-filled with Pens, Rangers, or Wings fans, I can’t agree more.
Let’s hope the Caps come out playing hard…
by fat_daddyo on Apr 27, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True.. on all counts
I hope Boudreau does the classy thing and apologize in person to Torts about the Brash Goonery. I mean, the guy takes personal offense because Ovechkin pretends his stick was too hot but Brash gets hit on the boards and the guy who hit him steps off the ice so he head-hunts the nearest blue shirt he can find and sends the guy out of the game and Bruce comes out post-game with “It looked like more of a shoulder”.
Does it really matter what part of the body Brash used to just punitively BREAK a guy that wasn’t even looking or moving the puck? If someone, ANYONE, took a shot like that at Ovechkin or Green we’d be howling at the moon.
Thuggery is Thuggery….. it shouldn’t matter if it wears red.
I hope Brash sits.
by Wisper on Apr 27, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why should Boudreau apologize? He didn’t do anything wrong.
There’s only one guy in this series who should be apologizing for anything, and he ain’t doing it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Apr 27, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He didn't try to showoff on the ice in Tampa Bay either
but he recognized unacceptable behavior the minute he saw it and took steps to personally address it by going to talk to Tocchet.
I like Brash and I like physical play. But head-hunting a guy that wasn’t even in on the (clean) hit you received on the boards is some kind of bullshit Flyers move that belongs in the past. I mean, if Brash wanted to try and start a fight I would have cheered it on if the Rag Player had the balls to drop the glvoes. But a blindside headshot on a nearby 3rd guy is the kind of bully play that would make scum like Bertuzzi proud.
Yes, Torts should apologize. I agree. He is even more in the wrong. How much of a clear non-negotiable discipline line can there be beyond “DO NOT FIGHT WITH FANS”. Leonsis apologized for grabbing a fan by the neck and throwing him to the ground. It is just unacceptable on so many levels. Torts is lucky he only got one game. If this was regular season, I suspect it would have been longer.
And I’m not buying the ShaMo biting thing either… I watched that replay and I don’t see any kind of reaction by Dubinsky when it happened. But if it did… ShaMo should be suspended as well. Just like Ruutu.
by Wisper on Apr 27, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is what pisses me off the most.
This guy can’t admit his actions were out of line, as they obviously were
by Ovechwin on Apr 27, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the other hand, he gives Larry Brooks so much shit it’s awesome.
by David M. Getz on Apr 27, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Makes me actually admire ol’ Larry’s spirit for once. Good for him.
by Stephen Pepper on Apr 27, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess he’s pretty good at deflection and trying to get the media to focus on him instead of his fading team, but I’m not sure he lasts in NY at this rate.
by Chimaera on Apr 27, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A coach typically backs his players until official judgment is passed
Until there is an official NHL ruling, a coach should always take the high road by either not commenting or backing his player. In this specific instance, when Boudreau was interfviewed and quoted, the NHL had not passed official judgment. I could envision a very private, one-on-one setting whereby Coach BB and Coach Torts would discuss the series and wish each other well and their respective teams “good luck” or “good golfing”.
For the record, I was not thrilled with the Brashear hit, but let me say that Avery had at least 3 “incidents” which did not appear classy either. In the skill sense of the games, the Caps are clearly better with no Brashear and the Rangers are diminished without Betts in their lineup.
by Dougeb on Apr 27, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FWIW, it doesn’t appear that Morrisonn is being investigated, though I could be wrong.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 27, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Where those same “fans” discuss their portfolios or, worse, baseball, while attending a riveting hockey game.
Somewhat related:
During the 1st intermission of game 5, I stopped at the men’s room which, naturally, was filled with enthusiastic Caps fans. There was the typical “We’re taking this back to NY,” “Rangers suck,” etc. talk going on.
Suddenly, the only non-Capital-clad individual, a Mr. Clean lookalike wearing a Yankees C.C. Sabbathia t-shirt, chimes in “How ’bout those Redskins?”
Those of around him informed him that he was, in fact, attending a hockey game (a sport which the Redskins do not play) and he was wearing the shirt of the Yankees (who, in case he missed it, play baseball).
Now, I’m not one to try to stir things up with visiting fans, but this situation was so bizarre that I couldn’t help but have a little fun. As soon as this gentleman was one spot away from the urinal, I offered him my concerns for his general health and remarked “I hope your bladder has better control than Sabbathia,” much to the delight and general amusement of those around me. His bald head turned beet red and he offered up was was perhaps the most demonstrative and unassailable comeback ever: “If you want to fight I’ll be outside,” which predictably incited even more laughter at the expense of this “typical New York tough guy.”
I wonder if he’s still wondering why the game ended after only 3 innings and the Rags couldn’t even get a crack in at the Caps’ bullpen…
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Apr 27, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
At least thats better than the Rangers fans “swimming” down the stands in 404 to fight someone who does not think kindly of their mother. So far its happened twice in the playoffs and once in the regular season.
Those with Giants jerseys on…100%
by MetalCap on Apr 27, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think in the Marlins @ Nationals series, they were broadcasting Game 2 on their high-def screen, instead of the baseball game.
by red army line on Apr 27, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whiny Rags
In the immortal words of Hank Hill from King of the Hill…“Baby want a bottle? A big DIRT bottle!”
by The Leaver on Apr 27, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That’s kinda the point, I think…
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 27, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did anyone notice that there was a Cylcone “DONGO” this year? I’d hate to be that kid. The teasing would be endless.
by MetalCap on Apr 27, 2009 3:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The feeling of being a part of the red crowd was described well, exactly how I felt at Game 1. Good thing you got to witness a better game though.
by Bonzai on Apr 27, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.21.2009 at 12:53 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
