Feels Good To Be A Cap

All of the new Caps since the trade deadline (excluding injured Milan Jurcina and including Carlson called up from Hershey) have scored at least their first goals as Caps. I've already linked some of these previously, but regardless, I present a video collection of these proud moments.

• Scott Walker, 3/4/10, Tampa Bay, 1st game as a Cap, makes it 4-2 Caps and then scores the winning goal in the same game.
• Eric Belanger, 3/6/10, Rangers, makes it 2-0 Caps. (I cannot get over how cute Brooksy is, and also able. Pay attention to him too in this vid)
• Joe Corvo, 3/18/10, Canes, makes it 1-0 Caps and then scores again in the same game to make it 2-1 Caps. Interesting fact, when Ottawa traded Corvo to the Canes, he had a hat trick in their first game against.
• Johnny Carlson, 3/25/10, Canes, makes it 2-2, first NHL goal.

Keep it up boys!

Mandu

Korean food tonight. I hope this place ends up being amazing because it's 2 blocks from my apt and because the anticipation has been building since Em and I decided to buy the Groupon almost 4 months ago. Can it survive the pressure? Will report back.

No Longer Lost About Richard

RICARDO

Amazing episode. Favorite lostpedia theory (read, filtered, and relayed by Em) was that Richard has Jesus like qualities...chills.

Carlson, Caps Cherub

Carlson had his first NHL goal last night, rookie that. On your way back to my good side Carly, good job.

Varly was looking real good last night, my confidence is on the ups.

The Canes are 27th out of 30 teams in the league. The Caps are 1st with a 38 point lead on the Canes after last night. Yet we're 3-3 in the season series against them and lost the last 2. Right now, they're 13th in the conference, 7 points behind current 8th place, Boston. I'm almost rooting for them to claw their way into the playoffs because 1) I think it would be an exciting series and 2) My beloved Potheir

Vogel did a really interesting piece on #16, Eric Fehr. He is 1 of 88 NHL players with 20+ goals this season. Amongst those 88 he's 74th in games played, 80th in power play goals, and 88th in ice time, 2.5 min behind Downie, who is 87th. I hope Boudreau takes a look at those stats, Fehr has been Mr. Reliable, along with Knubs, these last few games. Most notably giving us our only lead against Pittsburgh on Wed in the third until Knubs scored the game winning goal in the shootout.

Around the NHL, Stamkos scored his 45th last night, tying him with Ovie and Crosby for the most goals scored this season.

And this is old, but Don Cherry spoke of Brodeur when he meant Boudreau. Idiot.

Robo Monster

I think when Brooksy comes back (I hope on Sunday! But maybe not...) he's going to look like some kind of robo monster. Which, honestly, kind of excites me. Dick once said to me he was suspiciously good looking for a hockey player. He's just earning his stripes now.

A Google image search of 'robo monster' revealed the above movie poster. Brooksy is the moon monster, I'm the girl in the green dress. Or the dinosaur looking thing on the right. Not sure...

When we lost in the shoot out last night (Greeny? Really Boudreau? If nothing else we apparantly need Brooksy back to fill that 4th shoot out position) I flopped so violently in despair and disgust that I hate my face on the arm rest of my couch. I have a bruise near my left eye today. KC thinks it's a sympathy injury. Maybe...maybe."

If The Caps Win Tonight

• and the Devils lose, the Caps will clinch the top spot in the Eastern Conference before any other team even clinches a playoff spot.
• they will break the club record of 108 points in a season. They will accomplish this with an overtime loss as well. (We've gone to OT with the Canes 3 out of 5 games this season so far)
• they will match the club record of 50 wins in one season.
• they will beat the club record of 22 wins on the road.

And there are 8 games left after tonight.

Additional notes and thoughts:

• Brooksy is most likely still out on Sun for his third missed game due to injury and I really think the Caps are lying about Walker's injury. But why?
• Knubs had his first shoot out goal in his 14 year NHL career. Previously, he had been 0-4 in shoot out goals. I like to think that he did it for Brooksy who is usually our #4 shooter. I think he deserved the chance to win that game, he's had at least 1 goal in every game. against the Pens this season.
• Pothier's goal against the Pens a few weeks ago, his first as a Cane. It's relevant because we're playing the Canes tonight, I'm excited any time the Pens lose, and because I miss him.

Dear Steve

Public Airing of Grievances:

Steve kindly recorded the Caps vs Pens game for me last night because I had class. Being of poor judgment, Steve is a Pens fan. So I expected some trash talk. I expected some delusions about how the Pens were going to beat the Caps. What I did not expect was what actually transpired below...

Beginning of the third period, score is 2-1 Pens, we're on about an hour delay due to the magic of DVR technology

Mihlf checks his phone

Mihlf- O. I wish I hadn't checked that text

Me- What's wrong

Mihlf- This game is going to a shoot out

Me- speechless

For ruining the last period, the most exciting period for any Caps fan, Steve, I cannot forgive you. For taking away the thrill of a sudden death overtime, Steve, I cannot forgive you. Some might say a round 4 comeback for the Caps from a 2-0 shootout might have been vengeance enough. I, however, do not say that. I will have my revenge. I will be lurking. When the opportunity arises...spoilers galore...beware my friend. Beware.

No Brooks vs Brooks Tonight

I'm indulging myself with a gratuitous, women's magazine photo of Brooksy for this post because lord knows what he's going to look like on the other side of his injury.

After the formal end of practice on Tuesday, the guys were shooting some pucks and one of Carlson's shots hit the crossbar and then Brooksy's immaculate face. Damn rookies. Boudreau joked that Carlson would be back to playing for Hershey.

As far as I know, he had stitches just below his eyes and xrays because he was struck in the head. Maybe he'll start wearing a visor now! He'll be out for at least 2 games, including tonight against the Pens and tomorrow against the Canes. Brooksy hasn't missed a game in his 3 NHL seasons. That's 257 games. I feel so badly for him, I know he must be so disappointed to be missing these games, they're big ones. Especially, obviously, tonight. Orpik will have to wait for game 4 to get his talking to.

Scott Walker is out tonight as well, they're calling it a knee injury, but he's still sporting a huge bruise from his fight with Zenon Konopka on Saturday against Tampa Bay, after which he didn't return to the game. Boyd Gordon is still out with back troubles and the Pens will be missing Evgeni Malkin for the 4th game out of the last 5. Should be an interesting game, especially with Corvo and Belanger getting their first taste of this rivalry. I hope they're fired up!

The Caps are 2-0-0 so far against the Pens this season. Theo in goal tonight, in his last 18 games he's gone 16-0-2. We are 16 points up on the Pens and the Devils in the East and 7 points up on the Blackhawks in the league. Let's go Caps!

The Keys To Success

Essentials to my weight loss regiman. O yeah. This is going to work.

Picture Perfect Memories

I give up, I'm giving in to this song.

The Resemblance Is Uncanny

I tweeted this to Aziz. He never responded.

Portrait Gallery

As part of our ongoing quest to find portraits of us, Nikita and I present to you, Alpacas

(She would want me to ask, "GUESS WHICH ONE IS ME?!")

Caps Gaffes

And by Caps, I mostly mean Semin.

• Stars Shootout
• Boyish Joy

Hmm...I was hoping to find video of Semin falling into the Blackhawks net on March 14 and Semin falling after he scored against the Canes on March 10, but I can't find anything...so this post is somewhat of a fail...

In scouring the interwebs for those videos though I rediscovered that Avery punched Varly in the playoffs last year. Jackass. This was seriously kind of funny though...as was this (Thanks Katie)...in reference to this.

Moose on the Loose

Moose lives in my neighborhood. Moose is adorable. Moose's owner told me he's still a puppy. Moose has more growing to do. I love Moose.

See more of Moose here (my special favorites are the snow bunny and the asleep looking outside videos)

7-2-1

Our record this season without Ovi. Not bad. I don't know what else to say. Tough loss tonight, Caps losses are almost always tough, we don't go down easy. Huge props to Fehr, that game tying goal with less than 10 seconds left was INSANE. With 2 goals and 1 assist in the Panthers game on Tuesday, Brooksy reached his career high in goals and points. Varly had what I thought was his first quality game since his injury. I chose him for the pic for this post because I just want to see him smile again.

You've Got Some 'Splainin To Do

I haven't addressed the Ovie issue yet here because I'm too disgusted with it. I've been thinking

about how I wanted to express myself and I decided to provide you all, wonderful readers, with a resource guide, if you will, of controversial hits and disciplinary action from this season. This is def not a comprehensive list, if you want to see any others let me know!

(I also need to add AMAZING job Caps, crazy come back, I was in the BEST mood all day which really helped with the long commute from NY to Gburg to DC!)

Wisniewski (Anaheim Ducks) on Seabrook (Chicago Blackhawks)

2 minute minor and 8 game suspension

Ovechkin (Caps) on Brian Campbell (Chicago Blackhawks)

5 min major, boarding; game misconduct; 2 game suspension

Cooke (Pittsburgh Penguins) on Savard (Boston Bruins)

No penalty and no suspension

Retaliation (I particularly like the Ron Borges link)

Adams (Pittsburgh Penguins) on Ovechkin (Caps)

5 minute major, fighting

10 minute misconduct, 5 minute major, and 2 minute minor for the valiant Knuble

A post Blackhawks look back on the Adams on Ovie hit

Downie (Tampa Bay Lightning) on Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)

2 minute minor, roughing and $1000 fine

Lapierre (Montreal Canadiens) on Nichols (San Jose Sharks)

No penalty, 4 game suspension

Goofy Cash

me: what if you put googly eyes on your robo shield
Dick: googly eyes. i went after this dude for his googly eyes. to enforce a geico trademark
me: STOP IT. omg STOP IT DICK. are you SERIOUS
Dick: this is his redesign
me: i LOVE GOOGLY EYES
Dick: http://www.goofycash.com/. he added a third eye.

I almost had a stroke I was so amused and bewildered by this site. Please take note of the "New Gift Box". Also please take note that Dick actually bought one. It only came with 2 eyes.

TC in DC

Top Chef Season 7 is going to be in DC. LOVE IT. (Thanks for the info Ayse)

Speaking of reality television, American Idol, what are you doing to me. The only person who should have gone home last week who did was Toddrick. Alex Lambert and Katelyn Epperly were both among my favorites. I'm angry. I'm also falling behind in my pool. All I can say is you better make this up to me soon, American Idol. If you know what is good for you. Thanks.

Chicken Pox vs Beanie Babies

Reasons the second week of March was awesome:

• I changed the objects in my kaleidoscope from potpourri to marbles.
• I went to all 3 of the Caps home games.
• I finally visited with Nalini and saw her place!
• Alice and Sarah both turned a year older (Post illustrations dedicated to you 2 natural wonders).
• The 2 guys sitting next to me at the Canes game were the "human pucks" in the intermission obstacle course. One of them won.
• Saw Alice in Wonderland in 3D with some neat people and a rare speciman.
• Overheard amazing CVS convo.
• H&M treated me so good.
• Saw Stansbury for the first time in years! And dined on rotating sushi for the first time as well.
• Brooksy scored for the first time since his hat trick back before the break.
• Jen helped me pack.
• SHEETZ.
• Birthday shots shots shots and dance party for Sarah.
• I spent the night as a Caps solider, kind of like Sade.
• And #1 best, obvi, Caps beat the Blackhawks with a comeback from 0-3 in the 3rd period , Brooksy starting it off by ending the shut out.

We Belong To The Music

Current song in my brainfruits

Southeast Division Champs

Caps won their division last night when Atlanta lost to Columbus. This is their third straight division title and they are the first team in the league to clinch a playoff spot. Let's go Caps!

To celebrate, here are some fun links:

• Skate Like a Robot
• NHL Road Trip
• Lady's Man
• Caps Cribs- Brooksy
• Tough Guy
• Intro
• Classic Golf Cart
• Father Material
  

Scottie Walker, Red Label

New trade acquisition Scott Walker is quickly endearing himself to me, first with the 2 goals against Tampa Bay last week, including the game winner (see Walker, Verizon Ranger).

Now he is delighting me with his metro fascination. He took the metro to the Caps v Stars game on Monday night. I kid you not. See for yourself. The car seems to be back in Raleigh with his wife and kids (I really think the Walker and Pothier families should host each of the players, sort of like a Trading Spouses situation?)

As a follow up to his initial tickled report of public transportation, he had some further comments on his nerves at using our rail system and how jealous his family is now that they didn't take advantage of this service. WMATA might want to keep the Walkers in mind for marketing purposes... He is just so darn loveable!!

I'm glad to see our new Caps are adjusting so quickly and easily to our fine city. The obvious excitement from our new players kind of seems like insult to injury for our boy Pothier though (see Trades And Tears).

Trades And Tears

Brian Pothier. Your plight is hurting my emotions :(

The poor guy is living in a Residence Inn in Raleigh after being traded as part of a package for Joe Corvo. He had been with the Caps for 4 years, and his wife and kids are still living in their DC home and going to their DC school. I don't even like Corvo. Yet...

I already felt awful for the guy, but then I saw this post video from the Caps v Hurricanes game. I was half afraid he was going to cry. Or go searching for George McPhee's blood. I also never realized how good looking he is...

I was really hoping that we could surprise him with a rousing cheer after he told Dan Steinberg he wasn't expecting much a welcome from the home team on Wed night. There was a Twitter movement that I retweeted and I practically ran to the stadium to get there in time for the opposition's starting line up announcement. Disappointingly, I'd say the welcome was lukewarm. But a smattering of applause and cheers is much better than boos and jeers right?

In some happier news, the Canes beat the Penguins last night, which I love. And what I love more is Pothier scored the winning goal in overtime. You can tell he's trying to make the best of the situation, and could lead the Canes to a huge comeback into the playoffs. I hope the trade doesn't come back to haunt the Caps! Miss you #2!

You Shoulda Made Some Plans With Me, You Knew That I Was Free

New GaGa is off the hook (pun absolutely intended)

How Many Gallons Is Your Hat?

Reasons the first week of March has been awesome:

• Daph turned 25 (this entry's pic is dedicated to you my beautiful flower)
• Boss has been OOF (Out Of Office)
• Took 96 to Jen and Em's instead of metro and made delicious spontaneous dinner
• Caps beat the Sabres (Baby Miller)
• Caps beat Tampa Bay and I was there for free (Backstrom and Walker FTW)
• Ayse sent Slappy to my section during the Tampa Bay game (BEST!!!!!!!!)
• I'm in second place in my AI pool
• I flipped some cup
• Sarah wuz here
• Caps beat the Rangers (Theo's shut out FTW)
• I participated in jump starting the stripping career of a young lad from CT
• AJ (Asian Jane) and Mongolian pizza delivery man or party guest, still unsure
• Checked out the new Mad Hatter location for hh, Tabaq for brunch, and Founding Famers for dinner and drinks. All were mainly delightful
• Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs was SO lovely (spray on shoes FTW)
• Pulled off birthday surprise for Alice with my parents, while simultaneously pulling ahead of her in a game of Scrabble where her first move was a 78 point word :)
• Another free pair of tix to Caps v Stars where I saw my first live shoot out. The bitter disappointment of losing was somewhat masked by the fellows next to me asking the Stars fan sitting in front of us how many gallons his hat was. The side where the Caps DON'T shoot twice is a strange and wild place...Did I like it? Decision pending...
  

What Noise Does a Dinosaur Make?

I want this ASAP

Walker, Verizon Ranger

My day started with a phone call offering two free tickets to the Tampa Bay game tonight. After careful consideration, I said yes.

When I arrived at work, I was handed a very unexpected reimbursement check. Apparently my raise was retroactively applied to my salary all the way back to October. Perfect.

I sat down at my desk at about 9:30am. Super late. Why so calm? Boss on vacay. :)

Filled out my ranking spreadsheet for the American Idol pool I'm doing this year. NERVE WRACKING. I'm really in it to win it.

I read this article on expected Medicare cuts. I had a few reactions. Disbelief. Confusion. Really glad to see it on CNN though, I think it's a great awareness/education piece.

It was a sun shiny day. Registered and oriented to Greater DC Cares, it's important to pay it forward, right?

Left at 5 on the dot to meet up for drinks at Mad Hatter's new location on Connecticut. I liked the space a lot, they did really well with the decor. And they played "Time of the Season" by the Zombies so...doesn't get much better. Split delicious bruschetta with Daph.

Off to the game. GREAT game. First time I had seen Varly in real life, in goal. New blood on the ice with the trade deadline yesterday. Tied 1-1 after the first period with a goal from Fehr. Ovie also almost took someone out with his slapshot.

Knubs had two goals in the second, the first with a beautiful assist from Brooksy. Then weird things started happening. Greeny got called for unsportsmanlike conduct. They reviewed the play, I saw NOTHING wrong, he didn't even react to the hooking from the Tampa Bay player. The call wasn't overturned, 4 on 4. The crowd was PISSED. 6 seconds later, Brooksy got 2 min for high stick. 3 on 4. Crowd is getting angrier. 54 seconds later, Poti was called on high sticking, mostly because one of the Tampa Bay players had a delayed acting reaction and fell to the ice in the most disgustingly dramatized move I've ever seen in hockey. He must be taking his cues from Crosby. Crowd has now had enough. REF YOU SUCK. REF YOU SUCK. Then Backstrom's stick broke during the penalty kill. He made two SICK body saves followed by a third save from Varly, earning a crazy standing ovation. Ultimately, all three penalties were killed, good D boys.

We went into the third 3-2, and fresh off the joys and delights of an intermission kiss cam session and a visit from Slappy. Newly acquired Scott Walker scored his first goal as a Cap, which was just awesome to see. This guy was pumped to be coming to Washington. Tampa Bay was able to tie the game up 4-4, but Walker scored his second of the game, second as a Cap, and only fifth of the season, to make the final score 5-4. It was his first multi goal game in 3 seasons and it earned him the hard hat tonight after his first game with the team, how cool! Welcome to Washington, Mr. Walker. Welcome.

The neat trinket this game was a Let's Go Caps! sign. It's in my window now. Next trip to the phone booth for me is next Friday to see Tampa Bay again. I hope it's as eventful as this one!

I have been filling my youtube playlist with Phoenix, in preparation. I like what I'm hearing very much.

Tonight Alice and I were discussing the rising incidence of myopia from both a genetic and environmental health point of view. Her conclusion?

Alice: Yes exactly. We're caught in a bad romance.

When questioned her meaning/usage of this phrase?

Alice: I don't know. What does GaGa mean when she says it?

Great question young one. Great question.

Councilmember Catania is as big of a P-I-M-P as Jim Vance.

Two Things I Can't Stop Thinking About

NWHS Signature Program Breeds Winners

me: i bought a head of broccoli

Alice: mustard relative

me: what? tell me more

Alice: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/images/evo/mustardselection.jpg

INTRIGUED?! Me too. Craving more? Follow my sister's blog.

National Broadcast Canada

I've been wanting to post about the Olympic men's ice hockey gold medal game, but I also wanted to give myself some time to cool off a little bit to avoid an empassioned tirade. Let's begin...

First off, great game. Well fought by both teams. The US came back from a 2-0 deficit with goals from Kesler in the middle of the second and Parise with 24 seconds left in the game. The celebration from the members of my viewing party, myself included, was exuberantly ecstatic. Screaming and chanting, I'm surprised buffalo (nod to Miller?) chicken dip didn't go flying everywhere. Canada got it in overtime and to add insult to injury, it was Crosby's goal. Miller's reaction was heartbreaking, the entire scenario was heartbreaking. For more on the game specifics and player reactions, here's ESPN's summary.

Here's where I think NBC went wrong. This American team was able to unite the country over hockey in a way that hadn't happened since 1980. People who don't follow the NHL were excited for this game. When we lost, the NBC commentators focused primarily on the win. I think it was gracious and proper to recognize the fairy tale that game was for Canada and the magnitude of what the gold medal meant for that country. However, I think it also would have been gracious and proper for NBC to recognize the unbelieveable hockey game we had all just been fortunate enough to watch. I think they should have seized that opportunity to continue the electric spark that many people in this country had felt for hockey because of Team USA's success. They could have taken a moment to focus on the home team's own Cinderella story that had blossomed during the 2010 Olympic tournament. They could have taken a moment to focus on Ryan Miller's incredible showing and tournament MVP. They could have taken a moment to promote the NHL and the opportunity to see our boys in their day jobs. Instead, I think American fans walked away from the game with very bitter taste of disappointment and completely deflated enthusiasm. I really think NBC botched the call on this game, and signing off with the words "We hoped you loved hockey, we hoped you loved Canada. We sure did," was like driving the nails into the coffin of the growth of hockey. It gave a distinct and discouraging feeling that hockey belonged to Canada.

Some miscellaneous notes:

In the post interview with Crosby he said "It was a lot closer than we might have expected..." This was one of the most appalling statements and despicable displays of a lack in grace, humility, and conceit I have ever witnessed. His face envokes rage in my heart. What world is he even living in? The US had just beat Canada 5-3 the week before. I have to end this topic because I can feel the epinephrine firing, fight or flight is beginning...

From the New York Times:
To the Sports Editor:
I watched this gold medal game today. As a Canadian, I cannot find words right now to describe how incredible this hockey was. Only the USA and Canada could play a game of hockey like this. This was a game for the history books. Remember to heap praise on this American hockey team. Thank these boys for playing hockey the way it's supposed to be played: fast and rough and without table manners. Remember to tell these American hockey players that you are proud of them. They played North American-style hockey, the hockey we Canadians play on the beaver ponds and flooded fields and outdoor rinks up here, not the wimpy, whiny, cry-to-the-ref European style, which doesn't even deserve to be played on North American rinks. This was the best game of hockey I have ever watched. And I've seen a lot of them. This is beyond Stanley Cup hockey. This is as good as it gets. Thank you, United States Olympic hockey team, for being exactly half the reason this game was so exciting. And although you didn't win the gold, you are quite worthy of that medal, believe me. Hold your heads high, lads.
-Michael Devolin, Tweed, Ontario

Brooks Orpik said "If we were going to lose I'm glad Sid is the guy who got the goal." Just when I was maybe changing my mind on you Brooks 2...although I do really like this article/video about Pittsburgh fans, and that may be the first and last time I ever utter those words.

On Saturday night I was watching the end of the Slovakia v Canada game at Blackfinn. For about 5 minutes it looked like Slovakia might make a comeback to tie it up and then hopefully eliminate Canada. I forgot I wasn't in my living room and acted like some kind of hockey clown. When I reminded myself to relax, I thought hey maybe someone here will be impressed with my hockey enthusiasm. Of course. OF COURSE. I met a girl. Our exchange went something like this:
Girl- Are you rooting for Slovakia?
Me- Yeah
Girl- I'm rooting against Canada, which is why I'm rooting for Slovakia
Me- ME TOO
Girl- Why are you rooting against Canada?
Me- I HATE Crosby
Girl- Are you a Caps fan?
Me- Yup!
Girl- Me too
High Five
She looked good too.

On Monday my coworker had left me a card she had made for me. "Better luck next time, eh?"