Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (#8), Alexander Semin (#28) and Nicklas Backstrom (#19) celebrate Semin’s first of three goals against the Tampa Bay Lightning during their NHL ice hockey game at Verizon Center.

In a game where the referees appeared to think the Tampa Bay Lightning could do no wrong, the Washington Capitals beat the Lightning last night 6-3 on the strength of another Alex Semin hat trick. The lopsided score hides just how close the game was until late. The Lightning took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, the Capitals were ahead 2-1 at the second intermission and it was tied 3-3 for a little while in the third.  Semin looked hungry all night and he eventually feasted with three more goals to bring his total on the year to 12, trailing the Lightning’s Steven Stamkos, who also potted one, by 2 for the NHL lead.

Matt Bradley had an odd fight. He laid a clean hit and was jumped shortly after.  He won the fight and didn’t appear to bleed at all. Cool.

My recaps are pretty awful, aren’t they?  Read some good ones in the regular places like Russian Machine Never Breaks and Japer’s Rink.  While you’re here, look at my photos below or see them on flickr.