January 31, 2013

Capitals Vs Senators January 29, 2013
Game Review

Senators' Anderson makes save on Capitals' Backstrom - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada January 29, 2013.
Photo © Sean Kilpatrick / AP Photo / The Canadian Press.

Washington Capitals 2 Vs Ottawa Senators 3 = Road Game Loss

Tuesday night's game sent the Washington Capitals back to the losing column, when they were beaten by the Ottawa Senators, after finally winning one in the previous game. Well that didn't take long, did it?

The aggressive style of play from the last time they skated on the ice carried over, at least for the first half or so. The good forecheckjng, hustle, driving to the net, territorial control, it was all still there. But, by the time of second intermission, those things went away.

This was one of those games full of questionable officiating. Several of the penalty calls left fans and players bewildered. Most of those bad calls seemed to go against the Capitals during the first period, yet that's when they scored their two goals. So, can't use that as an excuse then, can they?

Things looked good for the Caps, after Troy Brouwer (RW) and Matt Hendricks (F) put them ahead 2 - 0 in the first period. Both goals were scored on Sens goalie Craig Anderson from down low, at the edge of the crease. Wojtek Wolski (LW) and Nicklas Backstrom (C) assisted on Brouwer's goal, while John Erskine (D) and Jay Beagle (F) supplied the helpers for Hendricks.

In the second period, both teams battled more evenly. After Washington leading 15 - 9 in shots for the first frame, the gap then narrowed in both directions. Eventually, the Senators gained some moxie and Jim O'Brien (C) drove to the net, launching a wrister that made it's way past Caps netminder Michal Neuvirth. This seemed to dampen the spirits of the Capitals, setting up a change in command for the third period.

The last 20 minutes belonged to Ottawa. Washington wilted, and just laid back. Two minutes elapsed before the Capitals presented them with a gift. Backstrom essentially won a draw in the Caps end, but our guys were off in a daze. While the Caps were puck watching, Sens' Milan Michalek (LW) grabbed the biscuit and swatted it on through, to tie things up. Late in the game, after a follow-through was wrongly called high-sticking, offensive defenseman Sergei Gonchar (D) sent a long range slap shot past everybody for a power-play goal, finishing off the Caps.

Michal Neuvirth's 30 save effort completely went to waste. He now has a 1 - 2 - 1 record on the -2012--2013 NHL Hockey season (his other stats took a hit too), though Michal performed well enough to win all four.

I'm sure none of the players, staff or owners feel satisfied at this moment. With 12 1/2% of the season gone, we fans are starting to feel a bit upset as well.


Caps Postgame Locker Room 01/29/13: Caps players Joel Ward, Troy Brouwer, Alex Ovechkin, Matt Hendricks, Michal Neuvirth and Mike Ribeiro address the media after a 3-2 loss against the Senators.


Adam Oates Postgame 01/29/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 3-2 loss against the Ottawa Senators.

January 29, 2013

Sabres Vs Capitals January 27, 2013
Game Review

Washington Capitals celebrate first win of season - Washington, DC January 27, 2013.
Photo © Nick Wass / AP Photo.

Buffalo Sabres 2 Vs Washington Capitals 3 = Home Game Win!

The Washington Capitals finally won themselves a game on Sunday - January 27, 2013, after having lost their first four (first time since 1993-1994), to start the -2012--2013 NHL Hockey season. Washington's victory came at home, and at the expense of the Buffalo Sabres, giving Adam Oates his first win as an NHL head coach.

Goaltender Michal Neuvirth had played very well in the two previous hockey games for the Capitals, earning the confidence of coach Oates, and a third consecutive start in net. He was, once again, his consistently brilliant self.

Most of the Caps players have shown improvement from game to game, and particularly in the third period of the last game, when they gained an overtime point against the New Jersey Devils. There are some who were ready before the first puck drop.

Yet a few, like defenseman John Carlson seem to be annual "slow-starters". Marcus Johansson was one of the healthy scratches for this game. I don't remember either of the previous head coaches ever sitting Johansson out. Perhaps this is a hint to the young forward, as he hasn't shown the urgency that he should be showing on the ice.

As usual with Washington so far this saeson, the other team scored first. Halfway through the first period, after a turnover by Carlson, Buffalo's Tyler Ennis sent a backhand shot into the net. However, the next three goals were all by Washington Capitals. The first of those came at 16:02, when right-winger Joel Ward scored his third goal of the season, on a play that started when Sabres goalie Ryan Miller turned over the puck with a bad clearing pass. Miller didn't get awarded with an assist, but Capitals forwards Jason Chimera and Mike Ribeiro did.

Both Ward and Chimera gained assists about three minutes into the second period, when Caps defenseman John Erskine eluded Drew Stafford (RW) at the point, and scored his first goal since 2011.

For the first time this season, Washington did not get into a high penalty count. There were only five penalties in the entire game, and the Capitals only received two of those. They did capitalize in a big way on one of Buffalo's three called infractions.

The Caps had to feel pretty good, actually leading (by one goal) in a game. Then, about five minutes into the third period, they added a power-play goal. The goal, which was the first of the season for Alex Ovechkin (LW / RW), turned out to be the game winner. He picked a good time to get his goal scoring started. Marcus Foligno (LW) added another for the Sabres in the middle of the final period, punching in his own rebound, amongst some serious crease area traffic.

This game was a joy to watch, after having to endure the four previous loses, and the lesser quality of play in those disappointments. It was great to finally see a truly good game. Both sides played hard, and there were still few mistakes. Everybody played with high energy all the way through the whole 60 minutes. These were professional NHL hockey players, and they were all playing to win.


Caps Postgame Locker Room 01/27/13: Caps players Troy Brouwer, John Erskine, Mike Ribeiro and Joel Ward address the media after a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.


Alex Ovechkin Postgame 01/27/13: Caps captain Alex Ovechkin addresses the media after scoring the game-winning PPG in today's 3-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres.


Adam Oates Postgame 01/27/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

January 27, 2013

Capitals Vs Devils January 25, 2013
Game Review

Caps goalie Michal Neuvirth run over in second period, stayed sharp - Newark, NJ January 25, 2013.
Photo © Mel Evans / AP Photo.

Washington Capitals 2 Vs New Jersey Devils 3 = Road Game OT Loss

Friday night - January 25, 2013, the Washington Capitals were on the road, visiting the New Jersey Devils. It was the fourth game of the season, and the Washington was still looking for their first point. With an overtime loss, that's all they brought back home.

The road trip was the second of the season for the Capitals. It was the first return to New Jersey for former Devils assistant coach, and now current Capitals head coach, Adam Oates.

Michal Neuvirth started his second game in net for the Caps. While he was sharp in his first game, he was magnificent in this one. Though all the guys played better this time, Neuvirth was the player that kept them in the game most of all. His positioning was solid, and he moved very quickly, when he needed to. With Washington's current propensity for committing penalties, his performance would turn out to be very important.

After striking first in period one, New Jersey scored their only power-play goal late in the second. That Patrik Elias (LW) PPG came during a five-on-three situation, something the Capitals have had a lot of trouble with so far this season.

Washington scored twice in the third period. The first time was a power-play goal by Mike Ribeiro (C), with Joel Ward (RW) and Mike Green (D) assisting. The second, came unassisted from Mike Green (D), with both teams at full strength. It also tied the game, sending it into overtime.

It was great, because we finally had a few minutes were it looked like the Caps actually had a chance at winning a game. However, with less than thirty seconds left, Ilya Kovalchuk (RW) sent a wrister into the net.

What changes will we see in the Capitals' next game? The lines will probably be shaken up even more than we've seen so far. Is the Alex Ovechkin on right-wing experiment over? He always ended up drifting back over to the left side anyway.

The worst part about the Capitals having a bad start in this short season, is that they don't have much time to turn things around. The good part is that it will make the season seem much longer, if they keep doing so poorly.


Caps Postgame Locker Room 01/25/13: Caps players Mike Ribeiro, Michal Neuvirth and Karl Alzner address the media after a 3-2 OT/loss against the New Jersey Devils.


Adam Oates Postgame 01/25/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 3-2 OT/loss against the New Jersey Devils.

Canadiens Vs Capitals January 24, 2013
Game Review

Capitals looking on, (and up at clock) from bench - Washington, DC January 24, 2013.
Photo © Rob Carr / Getty Images.

Montréal Canadiens 4 Vs Washington Capitals 1 = Home Game Loss

Michal Neuvirth got his first chance in net for the Washington Capitals, against the Montréal Canadiens on January 24, 2013, after goaltender Braden Holtby wasn't able to secure a win in either game one or game two of this -2012--2013 NHL Hockey season. Neuvirth proved to be ready for the assignment, but his teammates proved they weren't quite ready to back him up with the proper support needed to win.

Both teams showed they had some pep in the first period, but neither team dented the twine. With only two penalties doled out (one apiece), the opening frame went by rather quickly. That was to change, in a big way, at the start of the second.

Four infractions were called in period number two. The Canadiens capitalized on two of three Capitals' misdeeds, within the first five minutes, via power-play goals by Tomas Plekanec (C) and Andrei Markov (D). Brian Gionta (RW) scored an even-strength goal before the halfway mark, and then Josh Gorges (D) added another shortly before the horn sounded, to make it four to nothing.

Finally, with less than three minutes left in the third period (and the game), Joey Crabb (RW) scored his first goal as a Cap. Assisting on Crabb's goal, were forwards Jason Chimera and Jay Beagle.

While the Capitals were playing this game, there was a noticeable increase in energy, except for a bit of a lull in the second period. They were just skating around, fairly out of sync, like they just hadn't quite gotten used to new systems. A little more practice and game time could perhaps lead to better and more stable line chemistry, hopefully. One thing that's for sure, is the bad fans booing in the stands need to shut up!


01/24/13 Caps Postgame Locker Room: Caps players Troy Brouwer, Michal Neuvirth, Joey Crabb and Karl Alzner address the media after a 4-1 loss against the Montreal Canadiens.


01/24/13 Adam Oates Postgame: Adam Oates speaks with the media following the 4-1 loss to the Canadiens.

January 25, 2013

Jets Vs Capitals January 22, 2013
Game Review

Good Caps fans said they missed team, bad fans booed them - Washington, DC January 22, 2013.
Photo © Alex Brandon / AP Photo.

Winnipeg Jets 4 Vs Washington Capitals 2 = Home Game Loss

The Washington Capitals weren't very good in the season opening game, this past Saturday. Like the score shows, they weren't much better in the home opener on Tuesday night (January 22, 2003), when they lost to the Winnipeg Jets.

The Capitals looked just like what they were, a team undergoing change in the early days of a lockout shortened -2012--2013 NHL Hockey season. Although they had the advantage (?) of a couple days off, it was the Caps that looked like the tired bunch. They were not as sloppy as in game one, but several players just didn't put in the effort.

Discipline was out the window in this game too. Washington outdid Winnipeg in penalties, eight to six. The Jets outdid the Caps on the power-play, two to one. It wasn't until 18:44 into the third period, before right-wing Troy Brouwer (1 Goal) scored Washington's lone PPG. Forward Matt Hendricks (1 Goal, 2 Fights) got their first goal ten minutes into the game, at even-strength.

Other relevant statistics: Nicklas Backstrom (C) earned two assists, while Alex Ovechkin (LW/RW) and Mike Ribeiro (C) were credited with one each. Ondrej Pavelec earned the win for the 'Peg, while Caps goaltender, Braden Holtby, certainly partially guilty in earning the loss.


01-22-13 Caps Postgame Locker Room: Caps players Matt Hendricks, Braden Holtby, Troy Brouwer, Mike Ribeiro and Karl Alzner address the media after a 4-2 loss against Winnipeg.


01-22-13 Adam Oates Postgame: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 4-2 loss against Winnipeg.

January 24, 2013

2013 WRC Rally Monte Carlo Review

Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elana in 2013 Rally Monte Carlo January 17, 2013.
Photo © Unknown - From Motorsport.com .

The 2013 World Rally Championship season started with Rally Monte Carlo, for the second straight year. The principality of Monaco was the start and finish ceremonies host, but base camp was located a few hundred miles north, in Valence, France. Sixteen lengthy asphalt stages made up this extra-long rally (originally 465 km / 289 mi over 18 stages), which was run in the eastern border regions of Rhône-Alpes and Alpes-Côte d'Azur from January 15 through January 19, 2013, during increasingly severe winter weather. Stages 17 and 18 were cancelled for safety reasons.

The top three drivers to complete the rally were: 2012 WRC champion, Sébastien Loeb (France) of Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT was the first winner of this season; in second was Sébastien Ogier (France) from Volkswagen Motorsport, and finishing third, Dani Sordo (Spain). Sordo has returned to Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT for 2013.

Since I didn't do a season preview for 2013, here are a couple links that provide information on most of the very major (and disappointing) changes for this year. With the lack of manufacturer support from Ford and Mini, there has been some serious rearranging, in the form of team changes and driver changes.

Former WRC champion (2003) driver, Petter Solberg (Norway), will not be participating this year. He drove for factory Ford World Rally Team last year, but they decided not to fund anybody in 2013. Solberg (always one of the top drivers) has said he came close to making a deal with Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team in December 2012, but they didn't quite come to terms.

In the end though, we haven't lost any car brands. In fact, there has been expansion. It's a matter of changes in sponsorship, teams taking on third cars and a few sattilite teams, and Volkswagen entering as a manufacturer team.

This 2013 season opening event review includes (in chronological order) links to WRC.com recap posts and highlights videos.




Loeb claims seventh Monte-Carlo victory
Posted at WRC.com on January 19, 2013

A dramatic final evening of Rallye Monte-Carlo ended with the cancellation of the last two stages to enable Sebastien Loeb to claim his seventh victory in the opening round of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship...


Citroen boss hails Monte winners
Posted at WRC.com on January 20, 2013

Yves Matton, the boss of Citroen Racing, has paid tribute to his drivers for winning this week's Rallye Monte-Carlo and putting four of the firm's DS3 world rally cars in the top five...



January 20, 2013

Capitals Vs Lightning January 19, 2013
Game Review

New Caps coach Adam Oates signals from bench during first game - Tampa, Fla. January 19, 2013.
Photo © Brian Blanco / AP Photo.

Washington Capitals 3 Vs Tampa Bay Lightning 6 = Road Game Loss

One of the 13 games played on opening day of the lockout shortened -2012--2013 NHL Hockey season was the Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning game. Like other games around the league, it sure looked like the first game of the season.

I'm not knocking these guys, these professional hockey players, but it did seem kind of weird watching "early season" sloppiness in mid January. Well that is to be expected, and hey, I was still very much entertained. I wasn't happy with the end result (My team lost.), but yeah, entertained. It will take a few games for their play to get into shape.

It will also take a few games for the on-ice officials to get into shape, as well. They seemed to be making a point straight away, that they were going to be strict this season. Referees were calling penalties on the cheap side, within the first few minutes, of many of the opening day's games. It was penalties, most of them deserved, that ultimately cost the Capitals the game.

Goal scoring went back and forth, for the first two periods, with both teams netting three. As a matter of fact, there were three goals scored in each of the three periods. Unfortunately for Caps fans, the last three were all Bolts'.

Right-winger Joel Ward put two in for Washington, a power-play goal in the first, and one at even-strength in the second period. New teammate, left-wing Wojtek Wolski, got the Caps' last goal at 18:15 of period two. Superstar Martin StLouis (RW) potted the game winner about five minutes into the third period, a PPG. It was his second of the night. Centerman Vincent Lecavalier managed one at full-strength during the first, but like all the Caps' goals, the rest of the Bolts' goals came from secondary type guys.

The Tampa Bay's young goaltender Anders Lindback (24) got the win over Washington's slightly younger Braden Holtby (23), who might not have been at his best on this particular evening. I'm sure Holtby will be fine next game. He will readjust to NHL speed quickly, as will the defense in front of him.

No one was happier than I, to see defenseman Tom Poti return from long-term injury reserve. He looked great, and even picked up an assist on Joel Ward's first goal. He will make DC's defense so much better, if he holds up well.

I was also glad to see the new guys Wojtek Wolski (1 Goal, 1 Assist) and center Mike Ribeiro (1 Assist) get in on the scoring. They should generate a good bit of offense this season. Jason Chimera (F), John Carlson (D) and Roman Hamrlik (D) also got in one assist each.

Don't worry Caps fans, this was just the first game. We've got a long way to go, although nowhere near as long as usual, in this shortened season (48 games instead of 82), Just as the team does, forget about it, and start looking forward to the next game. Certainly, it will take several games to even begin to gauge how good a coach Adam Oates will be.


01-19-13 Caps Postgame Locker Room: Caps players Mike Green, Braden Holtby, Alex Ovechkin, Tom Poti, Joel Ward, Wojtek Wolski and Mike Ribeiro address the media after a 6-3 loss against Tampa Bay.


01-19-13 Adam Oates Postgame: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 6-3 loss against Tampa Bay.

January 18, 2013

Washington Capitals 2012-2013
NHL Season Preview - Part 2

Happiness returns, when the puck finally drops on Saturday - January 19, 2013.
Photo via a tweet from Capitals' Twitter -> @washcaps .

The hollow existence, the seemingly eternal void of so-called life without NHL hockey, it's finally over. We get just over half a season of our beloved sport, but at least we don't have to wait any longer.

For those team owners and players thinking the negative connotations should go away, now that -2012--2013 is under way, it's not going to happen. If you didn't want any reminders included in conversations about this season, you should have gotten the deal done last summer.

In Part 1 of my season preview, I summarized the challenges of the shortened preseason situation. Links to important and informative blog posts from local independent new media legends and mainstream media outlets were also included.

In Part 2 of my season preview, I'll concentrate on the offerings from the talented media members within the Washington Capitals organization itself.

Caps senior writer and media host Mike Vogel, along with radio voice John Walton, watched camp and conducted lots of interviews. Tons of videos (Thanks to James Heuser and Chris Liotta) have been posted at the Washington Capitals website since training camp started (video) last Sunday morning - January 13, 2013. Those conversations and observations are well documented in video, blog and twitter posts. Here is a small sampling.


01-13-13 Adam Oates: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after the first day of training camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.


01-13-13 George McPhee: Caps vice president and general manager George McPhee addresses the media after the first day of training camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.


01-13-13 Rinkside Update: John Walton and Mike Vogel with the Sunday Rinkside Update after the first day of Caps training camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.


Of Curves And Lies
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

There were many attributes that made Adam Oates an attractive hire as the Capitals’ next head coach last summer. During a 19-year Hall of Fame career as a player, Oates was known as a cerebral player who made his linemates better. He was a top-notch offensive player throughout his career, but he also became a noted defensive specialist, penalty-killer and face-off man during his latter years. Oates’ broad based knowledge of the game and experience in it as well as his thinking man’s approach enabled him to stand out among other candidates...


01-15-13 Rinkside Update: John Walton and Mike Vogel with the Tuesday Rinkside Update after the Caps scrimmaged against the Reading Royals on the third day of training camp at KCI.


01-16-13 Capitals Report: Check out this week's Capitals Report with John Walton and Mike Vogel answering your fan questions.


01-18-13 Rinkside Update: Mike Vogel with the Friday Rinkside Update after the Caps final day of training camp before opening up the 2012-13 season tomorrow in Tampa Bay.


Well, I think that will do it, for now. There is so much more that could be added, but I suggest you go to the Capitals web site and the blogs linked above for more. Otherwise, catch me on Twitter, where I may add a couple more links.

Washington Capitals 2012-2013
NHL Season Preview - Part 1

Alex Ovechkin and other Capitals players at training camp on January 15, 2013.
Photo by Kevin Lamarque / Reuters via The Washington Post.

After enduring months of anxiety, frustration, anger and unfairness, relief is on it's way for hockey fans. The 2012-2013 NHL Season is finally about to start, well after it's originally scheduled premier date of October 11, 2012.

Due to a lengthy CBA negotiation period, which included a lockout that wiped the entire 2012 part, we get just over half a season of our beloved sport. With a new agreement in place, it will be several years before we worry about that situation happening again.

Happiness returns when the puck finally drops on Saturday - January 19, 2013. It's hard to say what a 48 game season will bring. Teams organized incredibly short training camps, for players of widely varied readiness. Some played in other leagues, and some skated in informal practices, while a few others might be far less prepared.

For a large portion of their shortened season, many players will be learning new systems, possibly from new coaches. The Washington Capitals will be one of the teams dealing with these challenges. Former Caps superstar center Adam Oates was hired as the new head coach in the off-season, and he selected new assistant coaches Calle Johansson and Tim Hunter. They got some practice helping to guide the AHL affiliate Hershey Bears for the first several games of their season, but now they have to quickly force-feed new systems and new plays into the minds and bodies of all the Capitals players.

Thankfully, we have some elite writers and media talent covering the Washington, DC based Capitals. These people have stacked up a bunch of detailed previews and overviews to send us into the season well informed.

The Peerless, at The Peerless Prognosticator, broke things down on goalies, defensemen, and a few forwards in this past September. In October, he continued on with the balance of forwards. If you're pressed for time, he has posted updated summaries over the past couple weeks. Check out Just Get In...It's Not Just a Tag Line This Year, Questions, Questions...Then and Now: The Forwards, and Questions, Questions... Then and Now: The Defense and Goaltenders.

The folks at Japers' Rink published their third annual preseason look at individual expectations and job security assesments for players and management, Capitals On the Hot Seat: 2012-13 Edition, in September. More recently, with Caps Questions: Does the Short Season Hurt or Help?, they pondered whether or not the abbreviated season could be beneficial to the Caps.

Locally, online mainstream media coverage has been thorough as well. Katie Carrera has kept on top of things at Capitals Insider, for The Washington Post. Chuck Gormley, of CSN Washington (DC), has been amazingly relentless in his online output.

It's a shame CSN didn't give the team, or even the lockout situation, more than a comparatively (vs football, basketball off-season and stoppages) inadequate few seconds of occasional TV time before this week. After all, they are the game carrier for the Capitals.

In the upcoming Part 2 of my season preview, I'll concentrate on the offerings from the media members within the Washington Capitals organization itself.

January 6, 2013

Downton Abbey Series Three Preview

Downton Abbey Series 3 Image via Maryland Public Television

PBS will start showing the third season of Downton Abbey, in the United States tonight - January 6, 2013. Series 3 premiered on ITV in the United Kingdom back on September 16, 2012. The British-American period (early 1900s) based drama follows the aristocratic lives of the Crawley family, as well as their servants. It is mostly filmed in an actual huge and luxurious manor home - Highclere Castle.

As a regular viewer of public television myself, I started watching this show when Series 1 first aired here in the US, a couple years ago. Series 2 brought some serious changes last season, and Series 3 promises to be even more surprising.

Joining the great British actors such as regulars Dame Maggie Smith ('Gosford Park', 'Harry Potter'), Hugh Bonneville ('Notting Hill', The Robinsons, Doctor Who) and Phyllis Logan (Lovejoy, probably appeared every mystery/crime show produced in the UK since 1986), is American veteran actress Shirley MacLaine ('The Apartment', 'Terms of Endearment', 'Guarding Tess').

Here are a few video clips of trailers for the third season.



Downton Abbey Series 3 Preview Clip 1



Downton Abbey Series 3 Preview Clip 2



Downton Abbey Series 3 Preview Clip 3


Hello Again, And Happy New Year!


Hello again, and happy New Year! I haven't been around for a while, but I plan on changing that trend, right now.

The year of 2012 wasn't very good for a lot of people, and I have to admit that I was one of those people. Instead of boring you with a long sob story, or desperately trying to catch you up on everything, I'm choosing to start fresh.

We may be looking back a bit, but a lot of the things I was holding on to will be let go. Hopefully, 2013 will be better for us all. It's good to be back.

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