The Washington Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers last night and gave the fans something to cheer about in their 3-2 victory. I thought this photo captured it kind of nicely. Ted Leonsis thought the crowd was loud and pointed everyone to Japers’ Rink to read all about it in the clips. That’s cool because that’s where I would point you to if you wanted to see 42 more of my photos from the game. (They’re also on flickr if you’re into that.)
Years from now, when I talk to my daughter about last night’s game, we won’t remember that it was a critical Washington Capitals victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. We won’t remember the near epic collapse that had some striking similarity to the time when the Capitals gave up a 4-1 lead to the Toronto Maple Leafs little more than a year ago.
I’m not sure what we will remember….
It could be Karl Azlner’s first fight in the NHL. Or maybe it will be Troy Brouwer’s first hat trick in the NHL. There is an outside chance that we will remember that we sat next two friends of mine by pure happenstance for one period. But, if I really had to guess, it will probably be that she dropped her iPod, a gift from her grandparents, down a flight of concrete stairs in Verizon Center. And that it didn’t break, crack, or suffer any other meaningful damage. Instead, it suffered just a tiny dent in a corner that may have already been there for some time.
Anyway, read about the game at Russian Machine, Japer’s Rink, Ed Frankovic, and District Sport Page. Look at my photos here and on flickr. Thanks!
It was brutal, it was punchy, it was smily, it was like old times. But, was it really like old times, or was it more like new times where the Washington Capitals show their fans glimpses of the good old days of late last decade before falling back into all the bad habits again? I don’t know, but I’m sure you can guess which one I’d like to think it is.
What I do know is that I didn’t a single half decent photo of the Jason Chimera’s fight with Mike Weber and the photos I got of Troy Brouwer’s fight with Christian Ehrhoff were not the greatest either.
I also know I got some nice photos of the Caps showing something they haven’t been showing much of in Verizon Center for a long time…joy. From Alex Ovechkin’s nearly classic post goal posing with huge smiles to Troy Brouwer skating back to the bench with an ear to ear grin after his fight, the Capitals looked like they were having fun on the ice last night against the Buffalo Sabres. It was good to see. It’s always more fun taking photos of that kind of stuff.
Bet you can guess what I’m gong to say next…yup. For more details on the game instead of mindless babble, read the write ups at Russian Machine, Ed Frankovic, Japer’s Rink and District Sports Page. Look at my photos below or on flickr.
My seven year old daughter’s favorite Washington Capital is DJ King. I’m not sure why and neither is my wife, but that’s okay. We don’t care why. Before every game, she asks, “Is DJ King playing tonight?” In pre-game warm ups, she’ll sometimes spot him and start jumping up and down yelling, “I see DJ King! I see DJ King.” It’s just really cute.
Why does it matter? The Capitals annual season ticket holder party was at Six Flags America tonight. As she was waiting in line with me to get John Carlson’s autograph, King walked by to his autograph station (shared with Troy Brouwer). I pointed him out to my daughter and she just watched him walk by with that look that little kids get. I asked if she wanted his autograph…and she went off with my wife to get his autograph. It really made her day more than words can really say. I think it was a bigger deal to her than when Alex Ovechkin asked her “Do you feel pain?” when he signed her cast at the Caps Convention last year. It was cool. I’m happy for her and wanted to say thanks to DJ King on her behalf.
