Junior's Reading And Viewing List: March 3 - 5, 2010

Last Update - March 6, 2010 at 8:52 PM EST

Lots of good stuff to get into during the second half of the week. So much so, that some will be left out of this basic 'Reading And Viewing List' for March 3 through March 5, 2010. Hopefully I have it in me to include those other items in their own separate posts.


March 5, 2010

No SuperRally return for Raikkonen
Posted at WRC.com

Citroen Junior team driver Kimi Raikkonen will not restart Rally Mexico on Saturday after an inspection revealed his car was too badly damaged in a multiple roll on SS7...

Petter Solberg leads Rally Mexico after day one
Posted at WRC.com

Citroen privateer driver Petter Solberg holds a 15 second lead of Rally Mexico this evening after a sensational performance through the opening day of the competition.

The 2003 World Rally Champion made the most of an advantageous start position of eighth on the road, and a racing line swept of loose gravel, to go fastest in his C4 World Rally Car on five of the day's nine stages...

Raikkonen out!
Posted at WRC.com

Citroen Junior Team driver Kimi Raikkonen rolled his Citroen C4 World Rally Car out of Friday's competition almost within sight of the end of SS7 - the repeated El Cubilete stage...

SS7: No tactics - Solberg keeps his lead
Posted at WRC.com


With a low position in the start order likely to be a huge help on Saturday's ultra slippery roads, drivers were faced with a choice on the decisive SS7 - either keep their positions on the leaderboard, or drop time deliberately in order to get a better place in the day two running order...


Can Versus Take on SportsCenter?
By Eric McErlain at Off Wing Opinion

In my latest appearance at The TV News, I talk about Versus and their latest foray into originally produced programming. They've calling it The Daily Line, and it's going to debut on April 5 at 6:00 p.m. opposite SportsCenter...

SS4: Solberg out in front at Friday's halfway point
Posted at WRC.com

As crews returned to Leon for Friday's midpoint service, Petter Solberg holds a commanding lead of Rally Mexico, with a 17.1sec advantage over the man in second place, Sebastien Ogier.

As expected, road positions on this morning's dry and dusty stages proved critical to success, with Solberg and Ogier capitalising on their respective positions of fifth and eighth and befitting from a racing line swept of loose gravel by the cars ahead...

SS2: Solberg fastest again while Raikkonen hits problems
Posted at WRC.com

Citroen privateer Petter Solberg extended his lead of Rally Mexico on Friday's second stage, increasing his advantage over second placed Sebastien Ogier to 14.4sec.

Measuring 23.83 kilometres, Friday's second stage, Ortega, is the longest of the day and the highest of the rally - reaching an altitude of 2,737 metres above sea level...

SS1: Petter storms into an early lead
Posted at WRC.com

After setting the fastest time on Thursday's pre-event shakedown, Citroen privateer Petter Solberg was the pace-setter once again on the opening stage of the rally proper - capitalising on an advantageous road position to open up a 9.8sec rally lead after SS1...

Maiden Name New Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

The new Iron Maiden album has a title – although not yet a release date.

The band’s latest release is to be titled The Final Frontier...

March 4, 2010

Postgame Notebook: Capitals 5, Lightning 4
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Dirty Dozen – Tonight’s 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning won’t earn the Washington Capitals any style points, but the Caps will happily pocket the pair of standings points they earned and move on. The win was Washington’s 12th straight on home ice, extending a franchise record...

Coach Boudreau Talked To Media After Home Win
Over Tampa Bay Lightning
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Washington Capitals Players After Home Win
Over Tampa Bay Lightning
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals Game Highlights
Posted at Comcast SportsNet - Washington, DC

Right click on video to choose full screen option.

Rally Mexico - Friday's stage guide
Posted at WRC.com

After Thursday evening's ceremonial start in the historic city of Guanajuato, the proper competitive action of Corona Rally Mexico kicks off on Friday, when crews face 137.24 competitive kilometres arranged over nine special stages...

Ford team members go the extra mile
Posted at WRC.com

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team drivers, co-drivers and team members swapped horsepower for footpower today as they ran one of Rally Mexico's stages to raise money for the British-based Sport Relief charity...

Outdoor Practice Fun in Hershey
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

...Each season the Milton Hershey School invites the Bears onto its sprawling and majestic campus for a morning practice skate at the school’s beautiful roof-covered sheet. Conditions today were ideal for it. Bears’ players dressed over at Giant Center and then drove about 10 minutes over to the rink, slinging their gear bags over their shoulders, sticks in one hand, smiling, shuffling toward dressing rooms in various-colored crocs.

What a terrific excuse to excuse myself from a day of work in the office and shiver a bit around the sheet with my friends in Chocolatetown. And snap a few pics...
*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Includes several great pictures.

Rally organisers cancel SS20
Posted at WRC.com

The organisers of Rally Mexico have cancelled one of Sunday's four stages on safety grounds...

Petter fastest at Rally Mexico Shakedown
Posted at WRC.com

After a frustrating time on the opening round of the World Rally Championship in Sweden, Citroen privateer Petter Solberg is the early pace-setter in Mexico, setting the fastest time at today's pre-rally Shakedown in his C4 WRC.

But while Solberg was all smiles at the end of the session, a number of other WRC competitors were left with damaged cars as a result of an extremely steep water splash...

I'm ready to go first on the road to help Mikko, says Latvala
Posted at WRC.com

BP Ford Abu Dhabi Team driver Jari-Matti Latvala is prepared to sacrifice his own chances of winning Rally Mexico in order to give his team-leader Mikko Hirvonen a better chance...

Raikkonen's recce notes
Posted at WRC.com

The Corona Rally Mexico will be an entirely new experience for Citroen Junior Team driver Kimi Raikkonen. But despite the unfamiliar surroundings, the Finn thinks some of the event's gravel stages remind [him] of his home round in Finland.

The Finn, who before this weekend had never been to Mexico, has now completed the recce of the 22 stages that make up the rally...

Karun Chandhok to race for HRT
Posted at Formula1.com

Photo of Karun Chandhok from IBNLive.com

The newly-rebadged HRT team have confirmed that Karun Chandhok will race for them this season. Chandhok, who has previously tested for Red Bull, will be the second Indian driver in the history of the world championship.

The announcement was made during an official presentation in the Spanish city of Murcia on Thursday. During the event the team also unveiled their car for the 2010 season...

The Day After Christmas
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

Well, the smoke has cleared, the dust has settled, and another “Trading Day” is over. For the Caps, it was one of those days that might make a few fans do a facepalm. We didn't get all the presents we might have wanted, but from this chair, it was a day of subtle reengineering that could be more important to getting a Stanley Cup than getting the flashy name. Why? It’s a matter of need...

‘Deep Depth’ Will Armor the Caps’ Postseason
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

Think back to the glaring vulnerabilities the Washington Capitals tried to hide against the Pittsburgh Penguins last May. Mike Green was pretty beat up, really a shell of his dynamic, record-setting norm, and the Caps played him as if he were healthy. They had to — they had no plan B on the blueline for rushing the puck and QBing the power play. Additionally, they had no real, imposing, physical power forward to create havoc in front of Marc-Andre Fleury, and Pittsburgh’s defenders were able to keep the Capitals’ attack largely on the perimeter...

New-Look Caps Come Home to Host Bolts
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Some 24 days after their last home game, the Capitals return to Verizon Center to host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. The game marks the start of a five-game homestand for the Capitals, a run that opens and closes with visits from the Bolts...

March 3, 2010

Postgame Notebook: Capitals 3, Sabres 1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Back In The Saddle – Both the Capitals and the Sabres (who played and lost in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night) looked a little rusty and out of synch in the early going of Wednesday’s game, Washington’s first after the conclusion of the Olympic break. The Caps took a pair of early penalties before buttoning down nicely the rest of the way and skating off with a 3-1 victory in Buffalo. The win ended a three-game Washington skid (0-1-2)...

Caps Trade Deadline Moves And a Quick & Dirty On Tonights Game Against The Sabres In Buffalo
By Usually Frustrated Caps Fan at Mark's Musings

First, Caps GM George McPhee GMGM made some moves today and from what I can tell it sure looks like he did so in a manner that a) didn't cost the Capitals all that much and b) won't in any way upset the chemistry on the team already here. McPhee acquired 4 players and he did so in moves that only affected/moved 1 person who is really on the existing Capitals roster...

Washington Capitals Players After Road Win Over Buffalo Sabres
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Coach Boudreau Spoke To Media After Road Win
Over Buffalo Sabres
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres Game Highlights
Posted at Comcast SportsNet - Washington, DC

Right click on video to choose full screen option.

Capitals GM George McPhee Spoke To Media About Deadline Trades
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Marvel's 'Amazing Spider-Man' Editor On Peter Parker's New Foe:
Unemployment
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

First, he lost his marriage. Now, Peter Parker will lose his job.

"Amazing Spider-Man" #623 hits shelves today amid with a mainstream media blitz, featuring a story by Mark Waid that has longtime photojournalist Peter Parker losing his day job and getting drummed out of the industry by his cigar-chomping "Daily Bugle" boss, J. Jonah Jameson. Rather than play spoiler ourselves, here's Spider-Man group editor Stephen Wacker explaining what leads up to Parker's dismissal and why unemployment could be the toughest villain the hero has ever faced...

First Draft Of 'Avengers' Script Completed
By Blair Marnell at MTV's Splash Page

With rampant speculation about the casting of "Captain America", the continuing reports from the set of "Thor" and the pending release of "Iron Man 2" dominating the comic book movie news cycle, updates about "The Avengers" movie have appeared infrequently during the past few months. However, Marvel's editor-in-chief reports that he received a draft of the "Avengers" script yesterday...

For the Master Poker Player, the Biggest and Toughest Hand Arrives
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

To deal or not to deal, that is the question.

Ninety points, a gaping, cavernous lead in the division, and a healthy margin as well for first overall in the conference, and this morning for the Washington Capitals management must confront what is perhaps the most interesting and challenging personnel decision(s) since embarking on a massive deconstruction of the team in 2004.

Hold ‘em . . . or draw another card? Dance with the gal you brought to prom or go flirty eyes with the curvy blonde at the punch bowl — knowing the ride home could be . . . bumpy!...

The Runaways: Full Movie Soundtrack Details
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock
The Stooges, David Bowie and The Sex Pistols are all featured on the soundtrack album for the upcoming biopic The Runaways.

Due out at the end of this month, the full track listing is:...

Methods Of Mayhem: The People’s Album!
By mdome at Classic Rock


Methods Of Mayhem, featuring Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, are to release their new album in May – and it’s unusual, to say the least.

The record’s called A Public Disservice Announcement and includes online collaborations with fans from across the world. The way Lee worked it, he and his team wrote and recorded a batch of songs. They then uploaded these,and invited people to add in anything they wanted...


Miller gets louder cheer than Crosby in Pittsburgh
Posted by tj at Alex Ovetjkin

AP:
PITTSBURGH -- Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller received a standing ovation in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night for leading the United States to an Olympic silver medal -- cheers louder than those given the Penguins' own Sidney Crosby...

Back to Business in Buffalo
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

After a 17-day Olympic break, the Washington Capitals are back in action on Wednesday night against the Sabres in Buffalo. The Caps start the final quarter of the 2009-10 season with their fourth straight road game...
*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Preview actually posted March 2nd.

Capitals Vs Hurricanes 11/12/2008 Review

Nicklas Backstrom scores his first goal of the season.
November 12, 2008 Photo by Karl B. DeBlaker / AP

Capitals 5 - Hurricanes 1

The Washington Capitals won their fourth straight hockey game, downing the Carolina Hurricanes in convincing fashion in Wednesday night's NHL action. All of Washington's goals came while their top line was on the ice, with Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin and defenseman Mike Green all putting in a multiple point effort.

About five minutes into the fast paced game, Alexander Semin picked off a pass from Carolina's Tim Gleason near the blue line in Washington's end. Semin took the puck into the Hurricanes end before dishing it to Alex Ovechkin. Netminder Michael Leighton met him at the top of the goal crease, but Ovechkin put the puck in the net behind him. Just after the midpoint of the first period, Semin got his 12th goal of the season. Nicklas Backstrom won the offensive zone faceoff, sending the puck to Mike Green. Green's slapshot hit the end wall and the puck went right to Semin, who sent it in far side top shelf. At 11:51, Scott Walker scored Carolina's only goal of the game in the same way, on a power play. Then, less than three minutes later, Washington answered back with a PP goal of their own on a slapshot courtesy of Mike Green. Semin and Backstrom were the helpers on that one. Unfortunately, while Brent Johnson was putting in another solid game, he ended up with a hip injury while making save midway through the first period, which was aggravated or worsened later when he made a sprawling save on an over anxious Ryan Bayda just before the end of the first period. He played out the time remaining on the clock, but was replaced by Jose Theodore for the final 40 minutes.

Semin scored again in the second period, and Backstrom got his first goal of the season in the third. Ovechkin got the primary assist on both. Backstrom also helped on Semin's second goal, while Semin got an assist for the Backstrom goal. The game was out of reach of the hard working but mistake prone Hurricanes, who were no doubt embarrassed after being outplayed so badly.

As of today, Alexander Semin was the current league leader in goals (13) and points (27). He's also taking care of his defensive duties on the ice, giving him the +/- rating lead (+17). Semin earned a career high 5 points in this game. Backstrom collected 4 points, while Ovechkin and Green each managed 2 points. With Theodore playing so well in the second and third periods, the only bad part of the story is losing Johnson to injury. He's had such a great run to start off this season. It would be a big shame if he is out for very long. The next two games are a home and home against the New Jersey Devils.

Hurricanes Vs Capitals 11/06/2008 Review

Alexander Semin tries to gain control of the puck.
November 6, 2008 Photo by Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP

Hurricanes 2 - Capitals 3

It was the Carolina Hurricanes's turn to be disappointed last night. Until the final few minutes of the game, it looked like they might eek out a victory over the Washington Capitals. Thankfully for Caps fans, Alexander Semin and his mates had a couple surprises in store for the Canes.

Things were looking good for Carolina after Scott Walker tipped in the first goal, on the very first shot of the game. First shot goals have now happened to the Capitals in four of their first 12 starts. After that though, Washington relied on another solid performance by goalie Brent Johnson, and their recently recovered forechecking skills to get them safely through the first period.

The goaltending of Cam Ward had been giving the Caps fits through the first, but at 3:05 in the second period, Sergei Fedorov's wrist shot found the back of the net. Even though Washington seemed to have lost their edge somewhat, it took until 12:13 for Tuomo Ruutu to score and put Carolina back ahead. Some respect was definitely earned by forward Brooks Laich in the second. He blocked a hard shot with a leg at one point, which took him down to the ice for a minute. After a couple attempts, he was able to get up and slowly make his way to the bench. Along the way, he blocked a Carolina defender's pass. Brooks spent a few minutes in the dressing room, before returning to play.

The Capitals' regained their edge, and came out full of energy in the third period. At 17:17, Alexander Semin tied the game. Alex Ovechkin passed the puck to Semin, who brought it around to the front of the net and sent it in through a good bit of traffic. It started looking like we were headed to overtime. Then Ovechkin skated the puck up the ice. He probably should have shot the puck, but he elected to pass it to Semin instead. Semin barely got a hold of it, and with about 11 seconds left on the clock, snapped in the game winner. Caps fans, including yours truly, shot up from their seats and cheered their fannies off. No matter what you might have thought about the rest of the game, that was a great way to end it.

No power play goals yet again. However, the penalty killing keeps on rolling. Brent Johnson was great in net. Alexander Semin had another multiple goal game, and Alex Ovechkin had the primary assist on all three Washington goals scored.

I experienced this game from high up in section 406, along with my hockey buddy and daughter, Chelsea. We also brought a friend of hers, who didn't know anything about hockey. She thought the pounding that Donald Brashear handed out to Wade Brookbank was "hilarious". Even though you can see everything from up in the 400 level, as you would expect, it's just not quite as good an experience as our normal 100 level seats. I usually opt for the good seats because we don't make it down from Harford County, MD very often. One of the worst things about the evening was the sound system. We couldn't make out what was being announced most of the time. But, we still enjoyed the game. Since I got the tickets for free, I guess I shouldn't complain very much. We hope to make it back again, real soon.