Capitals Vs Flyers February 27, 2013 Game Review

Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals were overstretched in Philadelphia, PA on Feb. 27, 2013.
Photo © Tom Mihalek / AP Photo.

Washington Capitals 1 Vs Philadelphia Flyers 4 = Road Game Loss

Things did not go well for the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night - February 27, 2013. While trying to build on their two game win streak, Washington's fortunes took a downward turn, and they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Twenty-three seconds into the game, Philadelphia right-winger Claude Giroux got first strike, when his wrist shot sent the puck by Capitals starting goaltender Braden Holtby. Holtby was looking sharp at this point in the game, but he wasn't getting the best efforts from some of his teammates, in front of him.

Washington's special teams didn't show up for this game. They failed to kill off two of their five penalties, with right wing Wayne Simmonds scoring on the man-advantage in the first period, and left wing Simon Gagné about four minutes into the second. The Capitals were also unable to find success on any of their five power-plays.

Braden Holtby had lost his effectiveness by the midpoint of the game, if not by the time Gagné scored the third Flyers goal. He would later be replaced by 21 year old AHL call-up goaltender Philipp Grubauer, right after Holtby let in a fourth goal. That one came from center Maxime Talbot, about five minutes before the end of period two.

Thankfully, Philadelphia got nothing through Grubauer in his just over twenty-five minutes between the pipes. He stopped fourteen shots, while playing solidly in his first NHL hockey game. However, Washington didn't mount much of a comeback.

The Capitals wrecked any chance of a shutout for Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, when they finally got one in on late in the third period. Centerman Joel Ward was the lone Caps goal scorer, on the night. Ward, whose line had more energy than any other Washington trio, was aided by defenseman Tom Poti and the always hard working forward Jay Beagle.

It sure would help the Capitals, if they could be a little more consistent. Perhaps, they were tired. They didn't seem to have very much edge or grit during this game. What happened to their checking? What happened to their power-play and penalty-killing? Washington has to bring these elements every game, to be consistent, and to win.

Game Highlights: Washington Capitals At Philadelphia Flyers On Feb. 27, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 02/27/13: Caps players Alex Ovechkin, Philipp Grubauer, Joel Ward and Karl Alzner address the media after a 4-1 loss against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Adam Oates Postgame 02/27/13 Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 4-1 loss against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Capitals Vs Rangers February 17, 2013 Game Review

Rangers block Capitals path to fourth consecutive win in New York, NY on February 17, 2013.
Photo © Kathy Willens / AP Photo.

Washington Capitals 1 Vs New York Rangers 2 = Road Game Loss

On Sunday - February 17, 2013, the Washington Capitals ended a three game winning streak, when they lost their game versus the New York Rangers. In what some may describe as a flat performance by both hockey teams, the goaltenders for both teams might be the only players deserving any praise.

Just over a minute into the game, Washington defenseman John Carlson scored the lone Capitals goal. New York had trouble clearing the puck from their end of the ice. Eventually, it ended up on the stick of winger Eric Fehr, who sent a pass out to Mike Rebeiro (C) from below the goal line. Rebeiro slid the puck over to Carlson at the point, who collected it, and then fired a slap shot into the back of the net. When your team scores that early in a game, it sometimes gives you false hope.

The Rangers scored one goal in each of the other two periods. Carl Hagelin (LW) just barely eluded defenseman Tom Poti, and deflected a shot in during the second period. Then, in the third, John Carlson totally missed his defensive assignment during a penalty kill. Center Derek Stepan was left sitting by the goal cage during the Rangers power-play, all by himself. The puck eventually came to him, while Braden Holtby (G) was protecting the opposite end of the goal mouth, and he easily deposited the puck.

Holtby might have been a tiny bit slow to react, but he was nearly perfect the rest of the game. Meanwhile, Henrik Lundqvist (G) wasn't making life easy for Washington at the other end of the ice. The Capitals, on the other hand, didn't make things as difficult for Lundqvist as the the Rangers were doing to Holtby.

Washington managed a few good scoring chances after their one goal, but couldn't finish, and were outshot 40 to 28. At the same time, their recently mildly powerful power-play was powerless. Meanwhile, some of the guys who have been producing offense for the Caps, spent some time in the penalty box instead. When you're a man down, it's hard to gain zone time and make shots.

Washington had better get back into another winning streak, and make that a real habit, real soon. They have the least amount of points in their conference, and the second least in the entire league. Other teams that had started off poorly, like the Capitals, are now staying ahead in the standings.

Game Highlights: Washington Capitals At New York Rangers February 17, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 02/17/13: Caps players Joel Ward, Troy Brouwer, John Carlson, Braden Holtby, Nicklas Backstrom and Wojtek Wolski address the media after a 2-1 loss against the New York Rangers.

Adam Oates Postgame 02/17/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 2-1 loss against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Maple Leafs Vs Capitals February 5, 2013 Game Review

Johansson scores in period one, but Caps drop game to Leafs - Washington, DC February 5, 2013.
Photo © Alex Brandon / AP Photo.

Toronto Maple Leafs 3 Vs Washington Capitals 2 = Home Game Loss

It was the same old song and dance for the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night - February 5, 2013, when they lost 3 - 2 at home. This time, Washington lost to a probably fairly tired Toronto Maple Leafs, who had been beaten up the night before.

Michal Neuvirth, was back between the pipes for for the Capitals, whom head coach Adam Oates seems to have the most confidence in, and rightfully so. Neuvirth has been performing consistently well, although with the help of other players, that doesn't show up in his personal statistics or team stats.

Ten minutes into the first period however, Neuvirth had a moment of indecision, and / or miscommunication with defenseman Tom Poti. Neither one of them really took charge of the puck, behind the net during a breakout, and Toronto's James Van Riemsdyk made them pay. Van Riemsdyk scooped up the puck and quickly made his way to the front of the net for the stuff. It looked bad for Michal and the Washington two-and-a-half minutes later, when Van Riemsdyk managed to score a second time. He had plenty of time and a couple whacks at the puck, while hanging out by the goal crease, and no one from Washington there to impede him.

The Capitals did answer back, while on a power-play three minutes before the end of the opening period, when forward Marcus Johansson finally scored his first goal of the season. Nicklas Backstrom (C) gained control of the puck behind the Leafs' net, and passed it out to defenseman Tomas Kundratek, who relayed it to Johansson. Similar to Van Riemsdyk's second goal, Marcus lifted the puck over goalie Ben Scrivens unopposed.

Unfortunately for Washington, a goal by Korbinian Holzer (D) put the Leafs back to two ahead during the second period, while the teams were at even-strength. This turned out to be the game winner, for Toronto.

Mike Ribeiro (C) scored the Caps' only other goal, which came in the third period. It was another PPG, with assists by forwards Troy Brouwer and Alex Ovechkin. They produced a few scoring chances as the clock wound down, but did not convert.

I was glad to see Johansson get his first goal. Maybe, that will spur him on to get it going. He certainly has had more energy and effort, since being a healthy scratch. Players will respond in different ways, but it seems like it's worked on him.

The power-play is starting to click for Washington, and that is a real good sign. They keep their legs moving, and maintaining a fair amount of puck possession, they will draw more penalties. The Capitals are doing a lot of things well at times. If they string enough good habits together, at the same time, the goals and the wins will come. With 21% of this short season already gone, it needs to happen now.

Game Highlights: Toronto Maple Leafs At Washington Capitals February 5, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 02/05/13: Caps players Nicklas Backstrom, Marcus Johansson, Tomas Kundratrek, Michal Neuvirth and Tom Poti address the media after a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Adam Oates Postgame 02/03/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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.

Capitals-Lightning highlights 1-19-13

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.

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: July 11 - 21, 2011

Last Update - August 11, 2011 at 3:26 AM EDT

Junior's July 11 through July 21, 2011 'Reading And Viewing List' presents title links, with article snippets, from items published during the middle of July 2011.

Film adaptions of super hero comics, Washington Capitals hockey, music, Formula One racing and WRC rally news are among the things covered here.


July 21, 2011

FIA Thursday press conference - Germany
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers: Timo Glock (Virgin), Nick Heidfeld (Renault), Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes), Adrian Sutil (Force India) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)...


The Poti Predicament
By Fehr and Balanced at Japers' Rink

It's no secret that George McPhee has had an incredibly successful off-season to date. Thus far he's assembled (on paper, at least) the best roster Bruce Boudreau has ever had to work with, and one of the best Capitals rosters ever, regardless of era. The most talented forward corps the franchise has ever had, hopefully bolstered by newfound checking depth that Caps fans have been used to relying on. Defense to rival the ‘80s. Goaltending to rival the ‘90s. What's not to like?...


Hirvonen tries rallycross for size
Posted at WRC.com

Mikko Hirvonen has followed in the footsteps of his former factory Ford team-mate Marcus Gronholm by taking part in a fully-fledged rallycross event...


Meeke and Sordo set for more MINI magic
Posted at WRC.com

MINI WRC Team stars Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo say they are ready and waiting to return to world championship duty on Neste Oil Rally Finland next week...


Germany preview - home heroes out to halt Ferrari
Posted at Formula1.com

A whole slew of intermixing factors will ensure that this weekend's German round, the Formula 1 Grosser Preis Santander von Deutschland 2011, will be a gripping affair as the race returns to the Nurburgring...


July 20, 2011

Keeping Development in Perspective
By Becca H at Japers' Rink

...The 2011 Development Camp has come and gone, the prospects returned to their various hometowns, but the impressions remain relatively fresh - of a late-round draftee from last month's draft, or a veteran of three camps who knows he still has some work to do, or a Russian defenseman looking to get his first season of North American hockey underway...


'Amazing Spider-Man' Trailer Swings Into Action
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

Spider-Man bootleg no more! It's the real deal — the actual "Amazing Spider-Man" trailer has been caught in the web!...

McLaren confident of reclaiming advantage from Ferrari
Posted at Formula1.com

While six wins from nine races for Red Bull may look dull on paper, the reality of the 2011 season to date has been far more exciting. Not least because we've had the entertaining spectacle of seeing two of the sport's stalwarts - McLaren and Ferrari - battling it out for the honour of leading the vanguard against the 'upstarts' from Milton Keynes...


Gronholm reveals key to Finland success
Posted at WRC.com

Seven-time Neste Oil Rally Finland winner Marcus Gronholm reckons courage and brains are key to success on the world championship qualifier, which takes place in Jyvaskyla in the centre of the country from 28-30 July...


Rees: Petter will fight on in WRC
Posted at WRC.com

Petter Solberg World Rally Team head Ken Rees has vowed to remain positive despite his driver's unequal struggle for WRC glory...


July 19, 2011

Queen's Roger Taylor re-releases anti-Murdoch song - video
Posted at NME.com

...The song, entitled 'Dear Mr Murdoch', was first written in 1994 and was included on the musician's album, 'Happiness'. It is being re-released with the lyrics slightly tweaked...

Patti Smith To Release New Compilation
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Titled Outside Society, it will span her career from 1975’s Horses to 2007’s Twelve. The full track listing is:...


Ford reveals food-themed designs for Finland
Posted at WRC.com

The individual food-themed roof designs that will feature on the trio of Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team Fiesta RS WRCs on Neste Oil Rally Finland later this month have been revealed...


Stage Collapses During Cheap Trick Set
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Just 20 minutes into their set on the main stage at the Ottawa Bluesfest, the area was hit by a huge thunderstorm, causing the stage to collapse...


July 18, 2011

'Dark Knight Rises' Trailer: Batman Must Return
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

Batman rises one last time next July, but you won't have to wait a full year before catching a glimpse at the final round of "Dark Knight" mania...

Matt Hendricks talks about Washington Capitals’
offseason changes
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

With the flurry of changes to the Capitals’ lineup this offseason, Matt Hendricks is one forward who already knows he’ll have to adjust to new linemates when the 2011-12 regular season kicks off...


Jim Simpson's Photographs at Sandwell Museums
Posted at Home Of Metal

Sandwell Museums are hosting an exhibition of long buried photographs of music promotor and former Black Sabbath manager, Jim Simpson. From the late 1950s Jim worked as a musician and a photographer before moving into managmenent and music promotion...


Foo Fighters Stream iTunes Gig
By mdome at Classic Rock

...The gig happened on Tuesday, July 12 at The Roundhouse in London, when the band were joined onstage by Lemmy for the Probot song Shake Your Blood. Brian May and Roger Taylor got up for the Queen classic Tie Your Mother Down, with Taylor Hawkins on vocals.

Get the stream here.

July 17, 2011

40 Years Stoner Rock
Posted at Home Of Metal

Summer 1971 saw the release of Black Sabbath’s third album Master of Reality. A 10ft x 10ft reproduction of the album artwork features in the 40 Years of Heavy Metal and its Unique Birth Place exhibition now on at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Tony likes it and we hope you will do too...


July 16, 2011

7-16-11 George McPhee
Video posted at Caps365 media player via WashingtonCaps.com

Capitals GM George Mcphee addresses the media on the final day of development camp.

July 15, 2011

TNT cancels 'Men of a Certain Age'
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching?

TNT has canceled "Men of a Certain Age", the low-rated critical darling starring Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula as the three titular men...


Sky Arts Documentary on Home of Metal
Posted at Home Of Metal

We are delighted that not only will there be a 10 minute documentary screened on Sky Arts throughout the summer, (tonight will be the first airing at 7.50pm!!) but there will also be an extended version of a 30 mins documentary being broadcast on Sky One on the 31st August!

You can watch the trailer here...

Classic Rock’s New Releases Round-Up
By mdome at Classic Rock

This week, we’ve prog legends with a new singer, the teaming of Lemmy and Slim Jim Phantom, a mega expanded anniversary reissue of a thrash classic and a bunch of muthatrucking New Yorkers live on DVD...


Germany preview quotes - Lotus, Pirelli, HRT & more
Posted at Formula1.com

Hot on the heels of one legendary track - Silverstone - comes another, and this time it is the turn of the tight and challenging Nurburgring circuit to welcome the Formula One paddock. As the 'home' race for world champion Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Nick Heidfeld, Timo Glock and Adrian Sutil, the event has special significance for many on the grid. Here the drivers and senior team personnel explain why they can't wait to head for the mountains...


Formula One teams gear up for Russian invasion
Posted at Formula1.com

It may be three years before the country expects to stage its first Grand Prix, but this Sunday Russian fans will have the chance to enjoy the spectacle of Formula One at two separate demonstration events - one in the capital, Moscow, the other in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, which is set to host the F1 calendar's inaugural Russian round in 2014...


July 14, 2011

'MTV First: Captain America' Starts Right Now!
By MTV News Team at MTV's Splash Team

...Welcome to MTV First: Captain America, a 30-minute conversation between our very own Josh Horowitz and Mr. Steve Rogers himself, actor Chris Evans, featuring everything you could possibly want to know about "The First Avenger" and his first Marvel Studios adventure. In addition to the interview, we're also debuting an exclusive clip from next week's big superhero release, so make sure to tune in and enjoy the show!...


Second Clip and Featurette for 'Cowboys And Aliens'
Posted at Super Hero Hype

A second clip and featurette for Jon Favreau's Cowboys & Aliens are now up and can be watched using the player below!...

Hirvonen: Finland will be close
Posted at WRC.com

Home hero Mikko Hirvonen reckons this year's Neste Oil Rally Finland will be one of the closest yet - and expects several privateers from Finland to spring a surprise on the world championship qualifier...


Lemmy Readies New Solo Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Among the guests on the album are Dave Grohl, Joan Jett, Reverend Horton Heat and The Damned...


Idiocracy
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

...We're on a downward spiral, culturally-speaking, and I see it only getting worse. Lately, intelligence has become a thing of ridicule; a moniker like a big fat scarlet letter emblazoned upon your post-high school, matriculated forehead. For some reason an education makes you an "elitist," and over the past twenty years we've embraced the worst pop culture as our unique American offering to the rest of the world. TV has taught other countries that America's GDP is stupidity and somehow it's wholly chic to be unintelligent...


July 13, 2011

First 'Cowboys & Aliens' Clip: Daniel Craig Owes Harrison Ford
By Kara Warner at MTV's Splash Page

...There's a new "Cowboys & Aliens" clip out today, entitled "You Owe Me", that features a nice little scene between our heroes Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford) and Lonergan (Craig)...

Washington Capitals sign Mathieu Perreault
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

The Capitals announced Wednesday that they’ve signed center Mathieu Perreault to a one-year, two-way deal...


Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi on the Birthplace
of Heavy Metal - Video
Posted at Home Of Metal

Guitar legend Tony Iommi talks to Stuart Jeffries at the Home of Metal exhibitions in Wolverhampton and Birmingham, celebrating the origins of heavy metal and grindcore in Birmingham and the Black Country, the crucible of the industrial revolution.

The Guardian: Home of Metal - A history of the heavy
in seven objects
Posted at Home Of Metal

To salute home of metal's new series of exhibitions across the west midlands, justin quirk offers a history of the music in 7 objects.

To see the full article and all seven wonderful items:
--> Click here <--

Solberg takes to the skies
Posted at WRC.com

World Rally Championship star Petter Solberg took to the skies last week when he joined the Breitling Jet Team during a promotional event in Switzerland...


July 12, 2011

Leslie West Prepares Album, Tour
By mdome at Classic Rock

Leslie West intends to carry on with the release of his new album and a subsequent tour, despite having the bottom half of his right leg amputated...


50 Things I Don't Want to See, Hear, or Think About Next Season
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

Because it's July, it's hot outside, and there is enough going on with development camp to keep bloggers busy, we thought we would offer up 50 things we do not want to see, hear, or think about when the next season of hockey rolls around...


Queen Plan Sheer Heart Attack Video
By gbarton at Classic Rock

Queen are giving independent film makers the chance to create a video for the classic 1977 song Sheer Heart Attack...


Acropolis chiefs set to repeat night stage
Posted at WRC.com

Acropolis Rally bosses are planning to repeat the Nea Politia night stage when the world championship returns to Greece next season...


July 11, 2011

Olie Kolzig: 'I’m glad that I’m back' with Washington Capitals
By Lindsay Applebaum at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

Former longtime Capitals goalie Olie Kolzig sat high up in the stands at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Monday, watching prospects and chatting with goaltender coach Dave Prior and other team officials as development camp got underway...

Washington Capitals prospect Cody Eakin: 'I am coming to camp
to make the team'
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

For this particular development camp, Cody Eakin will be one of the most watched and scrutinized prospects in attendance. The 20-year-old center is set to turn pro in the fall and the question that looms is where will he do so? Washington or Hershey?...


'Spider-Man' Writer Swings For Realistic Reboot
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

In one year from now, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is swinging back into theaters — and when he does, he'll bring a whole lot of reality with him...


Dear TNT: Please save 'Men of a Certain Age'
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching?

Last Wednesday night, I published my review of the season finale of "Men of a Certain Age", which was as much about the idea that it could be the last episode of the show ever as it was about the episode itself. Ultimately, I struck what I felt was a happy but resigned note. You gave us two seasons of this marvelous show, after all - a show whose charms are incredibly subtle (so subtle that I'm not always able to properly describe them, and I love the show) in an era where only the noisiest and/or most high-concept shows seem to be breaking through, a show built around three men who were aging out of the infamous 18-49 year-old demographic even as the series began...


Van Halen Mixing New Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Producer Ross Hogarth has revealed that the record’s in the mixing stages, and everything’s prepared for a release later in the year...


Gymkhana tour a hit for Block in Vienna
Posted at WRC.com

Ken Block has said he was thrilled after more than 25,000 fans attended the first stop of his Gymkhana World Tour in Vienna, Austria on Sunday...

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: May 8 - 14, 2010

Last Update - May 16, 2010 at 3:33 AM EDT

Take a look at this 'Reading And Viewing List' of interesting items I found on the web, from May 8 through May 14, 2010.

These title linked items include articles on the Washington Capitals hockey team, music, Formula One racing and the current World Rally Championship, among other things. The most informative 2010 F1 Monaco Grand Prix Preview posts that I came across are included in this list.


May 14, 2010

'Doctor Who' Stars Talk Time Travel And Story Ideas In New Season
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

A new episode of "Doctor Who" airs this weekend on BBC America, and that means I'm rolling out another brief segment today from my interview with the series' stars, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.

This time around, the new "Doctor Who" duo discuss the dynamic between themselves and the series' executive producer and lead writer, Steven Moffat, and why there's a little bit of magic in every episode this season...

Ovechkin's chat with Russian fans:
Posted by tj at Alex Ovetjkin

What do you think about the video, which appeared on the Internet? On that video our hockey players are smoking! What is your attitude towards the paparazzi?
I don't like when we they film you from the bushes or behind the light poles. And then they post it on the Internet and poke the finger, "These are the bad guys." Yes, the Russian national team players are public people. But each of us is also a person like anybody else, just like you. Everyone has his own head on his shoulders. And he knows what to do and how to spend free time. If you want, you can smoke and drink. This is a personal matter. When you start making bad plays in hockey, it is becoming your problem. You are a professional, and you are responsible for your body...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Tomas Fleischmann
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

Key Stats: For the fourth consecutive season, Fleischmann improved upon his regular season goal and point totals and per-game rates, but has just three goals and two assists in 22 career NHL playoff games.

Interesting Stat: Fleischmann scored eight goals in the ten games Alex Ovechkin missed this season and just 15 in the other 65 games he played, including the playoffs.

The Good: Fleischmann missed the first 11 games of the season while recovering from a blood clot in his leg, but came on strong in his return, totaling 17 goals and 14 assists in his first 46 games (that's a 30-goal/73-point season pace), including points in nine-straight games (second-longest streak on the team for the season) beginning with his second game back...

Practice analysis - all to play for in Monaco
Posted at Formula1.com

The teams spent Thursday in Monaco carrying out their usual evaluation of the prime and option Bridgestone tyres (medium and super soft here), and handling on low and high fuel loads, while acclimatising themselves to the new higher kerbs and road surfacing of the Monte Carlo track. The general feeling is that the option tyre degrades quicker than the prime - and that things will be extremely tight in qualifying, both in terms of traffic and times. We take a team-by-team look at progress...


May 13, 2010

Tom Poti on eye injury: 'I was an idiot for not wearing' a visor
By Lindsay Applebaum at Capitals Insider

Less than three weeks after suffering a gruesome eye injury during Game 6 of the Capitals' short-lived playoff run, veteran defenseman Tom Poti says he's on the road to a full recovery.

Poti, who temporarily lost sight in his right eye after a wayward puck caused significant damage to the delicate surrounding bones, said doctors expect he'll be able to play next season without a problem. But he's still got a ways to go until then...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Eric Fehr
Posted by David M. Getz at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Six, the number of games Fehr missed because of injuries suffered in the 09-10 campaign.

Interesting Stat: 12:07, Fehr's average time on ice, 11th among Capitals forwards.

The Good: 2009-10 was a breakout year for Fehr, as the former first round draft pick broke the 20 goals plateau, set career highs in goals, assists, and points, and enjoyed the healthiest season of his NHL career. But how good was Eric Fehr's 2009-10 season? Consider the following: by scoring 1.50 goals per sixty minutes of 5-on-5 ice time, Fehr scored more often than every NHL forward other than Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Sidney Crosby, and Scottie Upshall...

Ovechkin scores again as Russia stays perfect
By Lindsay Applebaum at Capitals Insider

(Martin Meissner/AP)

Alex Ovechkin scored his third goal at worlds Thursday in Cologne, Germany, leading Russia to a 3-1 victory over Belarus. The Russians won all three of their preliminary-round games and move on to the qualification round...


Thursday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

Two-time Monaco winner Fernando Alonso is no stranger to success in Monte Carlo, and on Thursday he took the top honours in both practice sessions. Alonso, his rivals, and senior team personnel reflect on their early progress in the Principality...

Great White Singer Gets Weird On The Radio
By mdome at Classic Rock

Great White frontman Jack Russell has just done an interview with a Philadelphia radio station – and it gets very odd.

He’s on 94 WYSP to promote the band’s upcoming show in the city on Friday, May 14. Things go along reasonably well for about 10 minutes. And then as DJ Spike gets ready to wrap everything up...

60 years on - the start of the F1 world championship
Posted at Formula1.com

This week marks the 60th anniversary of the very first round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, which was held at Silverstone on May 13, 1950. The British Grand Prix, which also had the title of 'Grand Prix d'Europe' bestowed upon it that year, was the first event in a seven-race season, which also featured rounds in Monaco, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Italy, plus the Indianapolis 500...

Mixed feelings on Monaco traffic issues
Posted at Formula1.com

The majority of drivers are resigned to the fact that getting a clear lap round Monaco, especially during the first qualifying session on Saturday, is going to be like trying to thread a needle at 150 mph now that any talk of splitting Q1 have been set aside because the teams could not agree the best way to accomplish that.

At least six of them - those driving for the three new teams - could be lapping up to six seconds a lap slower, and will thus spend as much time looking in their mirrors for faster cars as they will looking out for the bumps and barriers that lie in wait on a quick lap...

Law and Order: NHL Unit
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories...

Scene: 66 Mario Lemieux Place
Pittsburgh, Hill District...

I Can't Even Feel the Pain No More...
By Kameron at I May Have Been Born Yesterday
But I Stayed Up All Night

In one of his routines, comedian Denis Miller ranted about how difficult it is to find coffee-flavored-coffee since the rise of Starbucks, and what a hassle it is to locate beer-flavored-beer since so many bars now specialize in fruity microbrews.

And Leary had an idea:

"I'm gonna open my own bar, okay? It's going to be the most retro bar in the history of New York. We're going to serve coffee, donuts, cigarettes, beer and whiskey and that's it!...

Radnor makes Rally GB return
Posted at WRC.com

The organisers of Wales Rally GB have confirmed that this year's route will include a mix of the old and the new, with a brand new Super Special in host city Cardiff and the return of a classic forest stage last used 11 years ago.

Wales Rally GB, which will run from 11th - 14th November, is the final round of the 2010 season and will be based for the second successive year in the Welsh capital Cardiff...

Cult Heroes No.14: Atomic Rooster
By mdome at Classic Rock


...The answer is Atomic Rooster. And if that seems an odd way to start this retrospective, there’s a reason. The reality is that, to most people, Atomic Rooster are a mere footnote in rock history, known solely for being the aforementioned answer to the following question: which band did drummer Carl Palmer quit to join ELP?

Yet, the Rooster deserve much more respect; their sound and style was as pioneering as those of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, both of whom were contemporaries of this severely underrated band...


Skid Row Announce New Drummer
By mdome at Classic Rock

Skid Row have a new tub-thumper.

Dave Gara has left for undisclosed reasons, to be replaced by Rob Hammersmith, who’s previously played with Gunfire 76 and Rockets To Ruin...

Scorpions Record Whole Tour
By mdome at Classic Rock

Scorpions are to record every show on their ongoing farewell world tour.

The German legends have teamed up with Simfy Live – and you can find out how this all works right here...

All systems go for Solberg and Mills in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com

Petter Solberg’s co-driver Phil Mills insists it’s a case of “all systems go” for Vodafone Rally de Portugal later this month despite the pair’s dramatic late exit from Rally New Zealand.

Solberg and Mills, the 2003 world rally champions, were heading for a podium finish on the Auckland-based event only to crash out on the very last stage of the world championship qualifier...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens" -- Wingers: Brooks Laich
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...OK, “hero” is a bit much for a 25-goal scorer, but if that day comes when the Caps do win a Stanley Cup, we’re going to bet that Brooks Laich will be right up there among the reasons they do so. On a team with young guns such as Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Mike Green, Laich held his own statistically. He finished fifth on the club in goals, fifth in assists, fifth in points, tied for fifth in power play goals, tied for fifth in takeaways, second in power play goals, second among forwards in blocked shots...


May 12, 2010

Legendary Drummer Carmine Appice To Join Michael Schenker Group's 30th Anniversary US Tour
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock


The complete line-ups for the Michael Schenker Group's 30th Anniversary World Tour - which will continue in Europe and North America - have been revealed below:...


Q&A with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso
Posted at Formula1.com

Fernando Alonso has won the Monaco Grand Prix twice - and had a moment of shock in qualifying 2006 when he found a certain Michael Schumacher blocking his path. But that is all water under the bridge and the two time world champion is simply looking forward to closing the gap to the Red Bulls this weekend - or at least being ready to capitalise should his biggest opponents be struck by misfortune, something that has served him well thus far this season...

FIA Wednesday press conference - Monaco
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers: Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso), Jenson Button (McLaren), Timo Glock (Virgin), Robert Kubica (Renault), Felipe Massa (Ferrari)

Q: A question to you all. Just look back at last weekend and look ahead to this weekend. What do you think of this circuit? What are your chances? Sebastien, perhaps we can start with you.
Sebastien Buemi: Barcelona was a new start to the season with all the new updates. I think we didn’t do too bad considering we are a small team, so I am expecting to have a good car here in Monaco...

Monaco Preview - can Hamilton get back in the hunt?
Posted at Formula1.com

With four different winners in the first five Grands Prix of 2010, and none of them him, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton comes to Monaco determined to get a victory under his belt to push back into the world championship fight. And McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh is adamant that the team will be aiming as high as possible even though Red Bull have to start as favourite on the highest downforce circuit of them all...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: John Erskine
Posted by David M. Getz at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Zero, the number of games John Erskine played in the 2010 postseason.

Interesting Stat: 1.71, Erskine's GAON/60, good for second best among Caps' defensemen in 2009-10.

The Good: If it was a gritty, nasty, unpleasant job, odds are Erskine was pretty good at it. His 2.18 hits per game were more than any Capitals defenseman other than Shaone Morrisonn (who played roughly 9.5% more minutes), his 1.6 blocked shots per game were third on the team (to Tom Poti and Jeff Schultz...

Gulp.
By Ted Leonsis at Ted's Take

Facebook’s gone rogue. So says this article.

When will an open alternative emerge?

Privacy is a consumer’s right...

Colm Feore's Mysterious 'Thor' Role
Required 'Five Hours' of Makeup
By Blair Marnell at MTV's Splash Page

Last September, Colm Feore was cast in director Kenneth Branagh's highly anticipated adaptation of "Thor". And while principal photography appears to be winding down, Feore's role within the film is still shrouded in secrecy.

"Marvel hasn't allowed me to say anything", related Feore during an interview with The Montreal Gazette. "I can tell you makeup took me five hours every day...

Ogier tipped for the top
Posted at WRC.com


Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier - who came tantalisingly close to claiming his debut World Rally Championship victory in New Zealand - has been tipped for a manufacturer seat next year by Sven Smeets: the team manager of Citroen’s factory team.

With Ogier consistently outperforming Citroen’s official number two this year, Dani Sordo, the Frenchman has been linked to a move up to the works squad. But Smeets, formerly co-driver to Freddy Loix, ruled out the possibility of Ogier switching over this year...


Stryper Confirm Covers Album Details
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Stryper are to release a covers album in the autumn – and it’s got the cunning title of The Covering.

The Christian rockers will include the following classics:...

Barcelona to Monaco - a race against the clock
Posted at Formula1.com

When the 2010 race calendar was published last year, the news that the Spanish and Monaco Grands Prix were to be held on consecutive weekends caught the attention of every team manager up and down the pit lane. Back-to-back races are always a challenge, but add Monaco into the mix and the whole business becomes even more complicated...

A Shoe Is Dropping in Winnipeg, and It’s Being Heard
in Washington
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

Two storylines this offseason loom of greatest interest to me: in what manner will general manager George McPhee reshape his playoff-failing roster, and will there be an initial domino to fall in franchise relocation space. The answers to that first storyline are weeks, at least, away. However, the past week had brought significant developments related to the latter plot.

The latest on the dire straits in the Desert arrived from CBC yesterday:

“The NHL schedule makers have created an itinerary for the 2010-11 season that includes a team based out of Winnipeg.”...

Semin and Fedorov: Reunited and it Feels so Good!
Posted by tuvanhillbilly at Japers' Rink

...No sooner had I published the Semin interview below when I notice a tweet from our good buddy Dmitry Chesnokov which alerts me to this interview between Pavel Lysenkov and Alexander Semin which just came out in today's issue of Sovetsky Sport...


May 11, 2010

Alexander Semin Looking for Revenge in Germany
Posted by tuvanhillbilly at Japers' Rink

Continuing the coverage of "our" Russians participating at the World Cup in Cologne, Germany, I present to you a translation of an interview with Alexander Semin by Dinara Kafiskina, which appeared today on the Sportsdaily.ru website...

Thin Lizzy Announces New Lineup, UK Tour To Follow
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock


...24 years have passed, the world has changed, but the amazing body of work that is Thin Lizzy still retains all of its vibrancy and influence. A new lineup has formed to take Lizzy’s music to a whole new generation of music fans. Led by alumni Scott Gorham, Brian Downey and Darren Wharton (all of whom played in Thin Lizzy with Phil Lynott) the stellar lineup is completed by Def Leppard's Viv Campbell (guitar), bassist Marco Mendoza (Whitesnake, Ted Nugent) and The Almighty's’s Ricky Warwick on vocals and guitar...


Ovechkin, Semin score as Russia rolls
By Tarik El-Bashir at Capitals Insider

...Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin each scored to lead Russia to a dominant 4-1 win over Kazakhstan. Russia is now 2-0 as it defends the country's back-to-back world titles...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Joe Corvo
Posted by Stephen Pepper at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Joe Corvo logged only the fifth-most ATOI and ATOI at 5-on-5 amongst Caps' defensemen in the first round series vs. Montreal.

Interesting Stat: He played more than 26 minutes per night in half of the first 26 games to start the season for Carolina before suffering a terrifying injury on November 30, 2009: a slice into his calf by Karl Alzner's skate that required more than 100 stitches.

The Good: Corvo rebounded after suffering that injury enough to parlay his performance into a role with the league's top regular season team. With the Capitals, he showed flashes of the type of offensive skill and smart decision making on the attack that could have served the Caps well during a deep playoff run...

More Playoff Musings and A Few Caps Musings As Well....
By Usually Frustrated Caps Fan at Mark's Musings

...Some's Cap's musings. Last week Homer McFan Boy posed five questions, he believes the Caps must answer this off season/coming season. Here's my answers and thoughts to those five questions.

1) Does Alex Ovechkin need to change? After the Canadiens series, Canadiens defenseman Josh Gorges was quoted as saying Ovechkin has become predictable: "When he's coming in off wing, he'll try to step to the middle and shoot through you, you can bait him into that." Well to a guy who sits in Section 103 for so many home games, that's really not news. Other than agreeing with Homer that Hal Gill's comments in the same interview prove, Gill isn't the fastest guy on his feet in an interview, there's not much...


May 10, 2010

Meet the artist: Rachel Cohen
Posted by tj at Alex Ovetjkin

From www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com, May 10, 2010:

Rachel Cohen is a 19-year old student at the University of Hartford. Lamenting that she is the seemingly only Caps fan on campus, Rachel has focused her efforts as an illustration major into beautifully stylized and somewhat demented graphics of the team’s young guns...

Semyon Varlamov:"When You See a Raging Sea of Red,
Your Adrenaline Goes Off the Charts"
Posted by tuvanhillbilly at Japers' Rink

While most of the team is resting and recuperating, Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Semyon Varlamov have all flown to Cologne, Germany to play for the Glory of the Motherland (aka Team Russia) in the 2010 IIHF World Championship. Semyon Varlamov's participation got off to an inauspicious start when his gear bag with all of his equipment was lost by the airline and he wasn't able to start training immediately. He was soon kitted out in some new gear, however, and Sovetsky Sport's Pavel Lysenkov was able to talk with him yesterday following a morning practice. At the beginning of the article, Pavel noted that head coach Vyacheslav Bykov had told him that Varly would be starting in the Russia-Belarus game...

Twisted Sister Will Never Tour Again
By Allyson B. Crawford at Noisecreep

If you think you'll catch Twisted Sister live the next time they roll through your town, think again. So says guitarist Jay Jay French. "It will never ever happen. I would just assume things would maybe happen, but we will never tour [again]. I look at the mathematics of it every year, the mathematics makes no sense. None. Every year people ask me, every year I revisit the math. Every year it completely makes no sense to tour. It's just an incredibly money-losing proposition. I don't like losing money."...

World Update
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

Caps left wing Alex Ovechkin tallied the game-winning goal for Team Russia in the team’s first game of preliminary action at the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany. The Russians earned a 3-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday...

'Iron Man 2' Review Roundup: Your 140-Character
Reader Reactions!
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Now that the opening weekend for "Iron Man 2" is in the rearview mirror, we've heard from countless critics, comic creators and journalists about the blockbuster follow-up to 2008's "Iron Man" — but what about fans?

This morning, I asked subscribers to the Splash Page Twitter feed to give me their 140-character reviews of "Iron Man 2", and the response was, well... pretty amazing...

R.I.P. Frank Frazetta: Iconic Artist And Visionary
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page


As I reported earlier today on Twitter, veteran artist Frank Frazetta has died at age 82.

The creator responsible for some of the most iconic images from the worlds of swords-and-sorcery and science-fiction, Frazetta died due to a stroke suffered earlier today...


Queen Exits EMI as Investors Vote on Cash for Label
By Kristen Schweizer at Bloomberg's Businessweek.com

Queen, the British rock band that penned “Bohemian Rhapsody,” is said to be leaving EMI Music after almost four decades, as the label’s investors vote on providing more cash to prevent creditors from seizing control.

Queen will switch to Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group next year, when the band’s contract with Guy Hands’s EMI Group Plc expires, two people familiar with the matter said today. Universal Music will handle the band’s recorded music contract outside North America, while publishing rights will remain with EMI, one of the people said, declining to be named because the talks are not public. Hollywood Records, a unit of Walt Disney Co., holds Queen’s U.S. recorded music contract...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Jason Chimera
Posted by David M. Getz at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: 30-6-7, Washington's record in the regular season games once Chimera pulled on the Caps' sweater for the first time.

Interesting Stat: Chimera had 17 points in 39 games for both the Blue Jackets and the Capitals this season.

The Good: Chimera brings an attitude and skill set that no one else on the Capitals does. That in and of itself has value; the fact that his combination of speed and physicality and gritty style of play are perfectly suited to the playoffs is even better. On the physical side of things...

Monaco preview quotes - Bridgestone, Lotus, Virgin & more
Posted at Formula1.com

Of all the races on the Formula One calendar, Monaco can surely claim the most historic and glamorous reputation. Here the drivers and senior team personnel explain what makes the Monte Carlo event so special and reveal how they think they may fare over the coming weekend...

Give Me A Hundred : The Who's Magic Bus For Sale
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

In 2007 Volkswagen celebrated their 60th anniversary by staging a huge event in Hanover, Germany. The celebrations included a concert by The Who, who performed their 1967 hit 'Magic Bus'. Though not originally about a VW, the classic track has become an anthem for VW bus owners and links between The Who and the Volkswagen bus go back as far as 1965...


May 9, 2010

Ovechkin talks to media (video) after the win over Slovakia
By tj at Alex Ovetjkin

Ovechkin scored GWG, got the first star of the game and was presented by the tournament organizers with Swiss watch.

"We didn't start the game well," commented Alexander the Great. "we must score on PP. But God was on our side. In the end, we scored an empty netter and erased all the doubts"...

Ovechkin scores in Russia's win at worlds
By Tarik El-Bashir at Capitals Insider

Alex Ovechkin scored the game winner to help two-time defending champion Russia beat Slovakia, 3-1, in Russia's opener at the world championships in Germany...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens" -- Wingers: Alexander Semin
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator


...There is perhaps no more mysterious player in the NHL than Alexander Semin. A genius with the puck – shooting it or passing it – he is also perhaps the most confounding of Caps. 2009-2010 was Semin’s best year statistically, and it would have seemed to be the springboard to even bigger things, as the ten-game segments suggest...


Ogier backed to claim first WRC win
Posted at WRC.com

Sebastien Ogier’s team manager Benoit Nogier believes it is only a matter of time before his star driver wins his first world championship rally.

Ogier came within three corners of taking his maiden victory in the WRC on Rally New Zealand but a spin and stall dropped him back to second place behind Jari-Matti Latvala, albeit a scant 2.4 seconds adrift of the factory Ford driver...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens" -- Wingers: Alex Ovechkin
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...It is hard to think that a player who registered his fourth 50-goal season, his fourth 100-point season, finished a plus-45 (2nd in the league), finished with seven game-winning goals (tied for 4th), had 13 power play goals (tied for sixth), had 14 multi-goal games, and was 30-4-7 as captain of the club could be said to have an unsatisfying year, but there it is...


May 8, 2010

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens" -- Centers: Boyd Gordon
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...A traditional spiritual song and hockey might not seem to go together, but Boyd Gordon’s back didn’t seem to get along much with hockey this season, either. Gordon missed 41 games in three different stints due to back injuries. It was very unfortunate for Gordon, for not only did he never really get much traction in cementing a place in the lineup, the statistics he did put up put him on a pace for one of, if not his best offensive season...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens" -- Centers: David Steckel
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...When first we saw David Steckel this season we thought that perhaps this was it; this would be the season when he added some offense to his abilities as a defender, penalty killer, and faceoff specialist. When last we saw him, we didn’t. Steckel did not dress for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Montreal Canadiens. In fact, he dressed for only one of the last five games, a victim of numbers and perhaps...

'Doctor Who' Review: Episode 5.04, 'The Time Of Angels'
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Episode Title: "The Time Of Angels"

Written By: Steven Moffat

Story: The Doctor is summoned by River Song, the woman with a mysterious, possibly romantic connection to The Doctor, who was last seen in 2008's "Silence in the Library" adventure. After helping The Doctor regain control of his TARDIS, the trio of River, The Doctor and Amy Pond meet up with a group of soldiers on a barren planet...