Last night, I watched the Caps/Penguins game from a friend's basement while my 4 season tickets were being used by... someone. I sold my ticketson the Caps' Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange site to someone willing to pay for them. Every time I use that site, I worry that my tickets will be going to an opposing team's fans and that they will terrorize my season ticket-holder neighbors (and thus, begin to hate me). It honestly worries me, every time.
This morning, I head on over to one of my favorite blogs, On Frozen Blog, and find a rant against selling tickets to the "devil-enemy". Ok, it was written by the intern, but the words still stung.
The Caps make serious money off the Ticketmaster fees associated with re-selling Season Ticket Holder tickets at a mark-up. The practice is part of the STH sales pitch: based on the face values of the tickets alone, the price of a season ticket package could easliy turn you a profit. How is it my fault if, by using the Caps-endorced site, my tickets end up in the hands of an opposing teams' fan?
Thanks to the birth of my first child, I've given my fair share of tickts this season to friends and family. I love that I can do that. I also love that I can bring my 3 month old to a game and not fear for him. But for certain games, I'm glad I have the option to not subject the little guy to deafening noise levels. Last night's game was one of those games.
One of my fellow STHs is from Pittsburgh and will root for the Penguins if we meet them again in the playoffs. That is his right. He roots for the Caps, loudly and proudly, every other game. At the end of the night, I'll share a beer with him regardless of the score. We both decided to sell last night's tickets to whoever wanted them. It might have been a Caps fan or a Pens fan, or someone douche in a suit who constantly asks who Ovechkin is.
In other cities, home fans invite other teams' fans into the battle. Both sides trade insults, finger points, or friendly banter. But in the end, like the game of hockey, it almost always ends in a handshake or a beer. Caps fans? We taunt, berate, and swear when we're winning. When we're losing, we get bitter, quiet and ref-blamey. We can't take the taunting back. We're offended that these outside fans are in our building. Other teams' fans consider us a bit of a joke. Sometimes, we deserve it. Yes, it's the Penguins. But Caps fans do this stuff at every home game.
Penguins fans will find a way to get tickets. So will Rangers fans and Flyers fans. It's OK. Look around next time instead of staring in anger at the Pens fan in front of you the whole game... the rea of red looks a whole lot bigger when you see how small the pockets of black and sky blue look in comparison. Stop hating other teams more than you love your own.
Until us Caps fans can reach a level of Hockey Fandom that more closely resembles the game of hockey its self, especially among the band-wagon fans, we're just a bunch of complainers.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Harder Than It Looks
After last night's Caps game, several 'media' pundits (blogs, newspaper beat reporters, etc.) called out Semyon Varlamov for not being able to stop the game winning goal. Some even called it a 'dribbler'. Nevermind that Whitney was allowed to skate unopposed into the slot and wind up for a slap shot, the following graphic describes the dificulty in stopping a shot from that distance and with that velocity. So shut up.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
An Example
Several times during last night's Caps/Canes game, I caught myself wondering aloud what in the hell Mike Green was doing. As beautiful as it is to see the game's best offensive defenseman put two goals behind Manny Legace, I couldn't not help but be overwhelmingly pissed off at almost everything else he did during the game.
On what seemed like countless occasions, Green forced passes through opposition-occupied ice, botched simple D-to-D passes behind the net, failed to look up at a wide open wing and instead throwing the puck away, and one-on-oneing way too many forecheckers in his own end to not turn over the puck a half dozen times. It's frustrating because Green is much better than this. It's frustrating because the Caps would be even better if he could only put his ego in check and simplify his game.
It's pretty clear to me that Green will pocket 20+ goals again this season, possibly even flirting with 25+. He has great hands, above average speed and a rocket for a shot. But Mike Green also has an ego bigger than Ovie and Semin combined. There is no other way I can explain his penchant for passing up the easy play to attempt the highlight reel version. Ovie does this all the time. Semin too. But they're wingers and Green is a Defenseman. When Ovie messes up, there is time to get back. When Green messes up, it's a breakaway against.
I don't want Green to change his game from center ice in. Sneaping in on the far side is an art, and Green is great at it. I just want him to CARE when he has the puck in his own end of the ice. Give it up to the wings with simple passes. Back the puck up and restart the breakout. Lift your head up every once in a while. Green is just careless in his own end. His boneheaded pass directly to a Cane last night turned instantly into a goal. That is unacceptable.
If I were the coach of the Washington Capitals, I would sit Mike Green for a game or two. I would let it be known that it wasn't because of him needing rest or nursing an injury. "Mike Green is in the press box this week because he's forgotten what simple, smart hockey looks like. I figured, from up in the press box, he should have a great vantage point to see what it looks like." As much as I love Bruce Boudreau, I think he treats Green with kid gloves. He's said before that he sees Green as a son. Unfortunately, I think that keeps him from openly criticizing Mike.
A Caps Cup will require Mike Green to be an offensive threat and play solid defense while being more careful with the puck and simplifying his game. If that means benching him for a change in perspective, I'm all for it.
On what seemed like countless occasions, Green forced passes through opposition-occupied ice, botched simple D-to-D passes behind the net, failed to look up at a wide open wing and instead throwing the puck away, and one-on-oneing way too many forecheckers in his own end to not turn over the puck a half dozen times. It's frustrating because Green is much better than this. It's frustrating because the Caps would be even better if he could only put his ego in check and simplify his game.
It's pretty clear to me that Green will pocket 20+ goals again this season, possibly even flirting with 25+. He has great hands, above average speed and a rocket for a shot. But Mike Green also has an ego bigger than Ovie and Semin combined. There is no other way I can explain his penchant for passing up the easy play to attempt the highlight reel version. Ovie does this all the time. Semin too. But they're wingers and Green is a Defenseman. When Ovie messes up, there is time to get back. When Green messes up, it's a breakaway against.
I don't want Green to change his game from center ice in. Sneaping in on the far side is an art, and Green is great at it. I just want him to CARE when he has the puck in his own end of the ice. Give it up to the wings with simple passes. Back the puck up and restart the breakout. Lift your head up every once in a while. Green is just careless in his own end. His boneheaded pass directly to a Cane last night turned instantly into a goal. That is unacceptable.
If I were the coach of the Washington Capitals, I would sit Mike Green for a game or two. I would let it be known that it wasn't because of him needing rest or nursing an injury. "Mike Green is in the press box this week because he's forgotten what simple, smart hockey looks like. I figured, from up in the press box, he should have a great vantage point to see what it looks like." As much as I love Bruce Boudreau, I think he treats Green with kid gloves. He's said before that he sees Green as a son. Unfortunately, I think that keeps him from openly criticizing Mike.
A Caps Cup will require Mike Green to be an offensive threat and play solid defense while being more careful with the puck and simplifying his game. If that means benching him for a change in perspective, I'm all for it.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Post-Olympic Look
Odd as it may sound, the NHL is back in action next week. With so many NHLers attending the Olympic Games in Vancouver, there is the potential for some players and their respective teams to take a slide, either towards the end of the regular season or in the playoffs. Any team whose goaltender is also his country's starter will be playing more than those who have the break. I'll skip some teams that don't seem like serious playoff contenders.
BOSTON:
Let’s face it: If Ryan Miller keeps playing this way, Tim Thomas’s time in Vancouver will be as if he was on a beach in Maui. Chara is conditioned well enough that these extra games, even playing the likes of Russia, should be ok. Of all the Bruins players in need of rest, Partice Beregron is at the very top. Unfortunately for him, he’ll be relied on for key minutes in Vancouver. B
BUFFALO:
Let’s face it, Bufflao’s changes at a long playoff run rest squarely on Ryan Miller’s shoulders. Seeing 45 shots from Team Canada will most surely be felt and these extra Vancouver games could rob him of some energy come playoff time. C
CALGARY
Jarome Iginla’s game doesn’t suffer from extra games but MIikka Kiprusoff’s does. The up-and-down goalie will have to somehow conserve something in Vancouver in order to give the Flames a chance to even make the playoffs in a tight Western Conference. As with all teams whose starting goalies are also Olympians, extra games do them no good. C
CHICAGO
Kane, Toews, Keith and Seabrook are getting tons of ice time for their respective teams. One can wonder how having 4 important pieces to a Cup contender a few games older come the second round and beyond will affect their game. The fact that they’re all young helps. B-
DETRIOT
All of the Wings’ Olympians are, to put it bluntly, ageing. Come playoff time, they will be feeling their legs more than young Chicago, Colorado and Vancouver and face an uphill battle to keep up. Of all the Cup Contenders (and being in 10th place in the West, who knows if they even are one anymore), Detroit is hurt the most by these games. D
LOS ANGELES
The only thing worse than having a goalie as an Olympic starter is having physical players as key parts of those teams. Doughty, Brown and Johnson are all integral to LA’s success and each is relied to provide grit and a physical presence to their Country’s team. C
MONTREAL
Halak has been standing on his head for Slovakia but you can’t tell what all those shots will mean come April. Also, Markov’s early season injury would probably have been better suited seeing some rest that playing key minutes for a medal contender. C
NEW YORK RANGERS
Callahan throws his body around, Gaborik’s body has been thrown around, Lundqvist stands on his head and Drury looks better with Tam USA than in the NHL. All signs that you could be hurting come playoff time. C
NEW JERSEY
Team USA’s Langenbrunner and Parise and Russia’s Kovalchuk are being counted on for huge amounts of ice time and Martin Broduer finally starts to show his age. Something tells me NJ might be wishing their players declined Olympic invites come the first round of the playoffs. C-
OTTAWA
Alfredsson is no longer a young man and probably would have benefitted from some R&R and Volchenkov’s shot-blocking style dictates that he’ll be nursing bumps and bruises all season long. B
PHOENIX
Bryzgalov should be a bench warmer, barring some huge change on Team Russia. While it isn’t Pina Coladas on the beach, rest in Vancouver while still practicing with NHLers is a good deal. A-
PITTSBURGH
Sid the Kid, Gonchar, Gino and Brooks are all vital cogs of their nations’ run for gold. They’re logging lots of ice time, drawing other teams’ hardest defenders and seeing a lot of tough hits. Only Malkin gets a rest while playing with Ovechkin and Semin. B-
SAN JOSE
The team with the most Olympians also has the most to lose come NHL playoff time. Mentally, having Heatley, Thornton and Marleau is the easiest in terms of not having to readjust back to the style of your linemates. But having Nabokov starting for Russia will take its toll on the goalie. C
VANCOUVER
All of the Canucks vital players are on various Olympic teams and, with Broduer’s stinker of a game against Team USA, Luongo will most likely be between the pipes for the rest of the tournament. These players should fare well with some extra games, but the lack of travel helps those Olympians even more. A-
WASHINGTON
Alex Ovechkin has come to Vancouver in search of blood. Instead of waiting for defenses to come at him, he’s attacking other teams. Caps fans should be a little concerned that he’s throwing his body around so much, but should also be relieved that any little injuries he may have had seem completely healed. Alex Semin gets to stay out of the thick of the action, dishing to Ovie and Gino. And like Bryzgalov, young Varlamov gets to rest while practicing with NHL talent and is aided even more by getting the opportunity to learn from the great Tretiak. Something tells me this team will have multiple medal winners come back to DC and will be fine, conditioning wise, for a long playoff run. B+
BOSTON:
Let’s face it: If Ryan Miller keeps playing this way, Tim Thomas’s time in Vancouver will be as if he was on a beach in Maui. Chara is conditioned well enough that these extra games, even playing the likes of Russia, should be ok. Of all the Bruins players in need of rest, Partice Beregron is at the very top. Unfortunately for him, he’ll be relied on for key minutes in Vancouver. B
BUFFALO:
Let’s face it, Bufflao’s changes at a long playoff run rest squarely on Ryan Miller’s shoulders. Seeing 45 shots from Team Canada will most surely be felt and these extra Vancouver games could rob him of some energy come playoff time. C
CALGARY
Jarome Iginla’s game doesn’t suffer from extra games but MIikka Kiprusoff’s does. The up-and-down goalie will have to somehow conserve something in Vancouver in order to give the Flames a chance to even make the playoffs in a tight Western Conference. As with all teams whose starting goalies are also Olympians, extra games do them no good. C
CHICAGO
Kane, Toews, Keith and Seabrook are getting tons of ice time for their respective teams. One can wonder how having 4 important pieces to a Cup contender a few games older come the second round and beyond will affect their game. The fact that they’re all young helps. B-
DETRIOT
All of the Wings’ Olympians are, to put it bluntly, ageing. Come playoff time, they will be feeling their legs more than young Chicago, Colorado and Vancouver and face an uphill battle to keep up. Of all the Cup Contenders (and being in 10th place in the West, who knows if they even are one anymore), Detroit is hurt the most by these games. D
LOS ANGELES
The only thing worse than having a goalie as an Olympic starter is having physical players as key parts of those teams. Doughty, Brown and Johnson are all integral to LA’s success and each is relied to provide grit and a physical presence to their Country’s team. C
MONTREAL
Halak has been standing on his head for Slovakia but you can’t tell what all those shots will mean come April. Also, Markov’s early season injury would probably have been better suited seeing some rest that playing key minutes for a medal contender. C
NEW YORK RANGERS
Callahan throws his body around, Gaborik’s body has been thrown around, Lundqvist stands on his head and Drury looks better with Tam USA than in the NHL. All signs that you could be hurting come playoff time. C
NEW JERSEY
Team USA’s Langenbrunner and Parise and Russia’s Kovalchuk are being counted on for huge amounts of ice time and Martin Broduer finally starts to show his age. Something tells me NJ might be wishing their players declined Olympic invites come the first round of the playoffs. C-
OTTAWA
Alfredsson is no longer a young man and probably would have benefitted from some R&R and Volchenkov’s shot-blocking style dictates that he’ll be nursing bumps and bruises all season long. B
PHOENIX
Bryzgalov should be a bench warmer, barring some huge change on Team Russia. While it isn’t Pina Coladas on the beach, rest in Vancouver while still practicing with NHLers is a good deal. A-
PITTSBURGH
Sid the Kid, Gonchar, Gino and Brooks are all vital cogs of their nations’ run for gold. They’re logging lots of ice time, drawing other teams’ hardest defenders and seeing a lot of tough hits. Only Malkin gets a rest while playing with Ovechkin and Semin. B-
SAN JOSE
The team with the most Olympians also has the most to lose come NHL playoff time. Mentally, having Heatley, Thornton and Marleau is the easiest in terms of not having to readjust back to the style of your linemates. But having Nabokov starting for Russia will take its toll on the goalie. C
VANCOUVER
All of the Canucks vital players are on various Olympic teams and, with Broduer’s stinker of a game against Team USA, Luongo will most likely be between the pipes for the rest of the tournament. These players should fare well with some extra games, but the lack of travel helps those Olympians even more. A-
WASHINGTON
Alex Ovechkin has come to Vancouver in search of blood. Instead of waiting for defenses to come at him, he’s attacking other teams. Caps fans should be a little concerned that he’s throwing his body around so much, but should also be relieved that any little injuries he may have had seem completely healed. Alex Semin gets to stay out of the thick of the action, dishing to Ovie and Gino. And like Bryzgalov, young Varlamov gets to rest while practicing with NHL talent and is aided even more by getting the opportunity to learn from the great Tretiak. Something tells me this team will have multiple medal winners come back to DC and will be fine, conditioning wise, for a long playoff run. B+
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
It's All In The Wrists
For my money, Alex Semin possesses the hardest, most deceptive wrist shot in the NHL today. Most of the time he shoots off the wrong foot in such a way that the release point completely fools opposing goalies (and shot blocking defenders). He can release the shot in traffic, circling out of either corner, or while simply standing still. He’s even managed to score with the shot while on his knees!Joe Sakic is renowned for having one of the greatest wrist shots in the game. From his 5’11” frame, he was able to generate immense amounts of torque and snap his wrists in such a way that his wrist shot was as hard as some players’ slap shots. Sakic’s shot was usually a normal, correct foot wrist shot delivered with loads of power.
But in today’s NHL, I honestly can’t find another hockey player to compare Semin’s wrist shot motion to. I had to cross the lines of sport into baseball to find his equal: San Francisco Giants’ pitcher Tim Lincecum. Lincecum has an odd delivery that relies heavily on applying torque to his core and uncoiling to generate arm speed. In an excellent Sports Illustrated piece, his motion is called “an engineering marvel,” a description that fits Semin’s wrist shot perfectly. Lincecum himself says that when he uncoils, “[my arm] is just kind of along for the ride." Like Lincicum, the uncoiling of Semin’s core muscles help generate arm speed for his shot such that Semin’s wrist shot velocity is off the charts without relying heavily on his arm strength. I’ll use Semin’s 2nd goal against Ottawa as an example.
Semin circles out of the right-side corner with his weight on his left skate, striding forward. His upper body, hips and stick blade are already facing the net.
Semin doesn’t move his hands backward as he moves toward the net, tipping off his shot. Rather, he leaves his hands, stick and puck where they were in the previous frame (use the face-off circle as a reference) and skates past them.
Semin completes his stride, with his weight on his right skate, and has begun to push off with his left skate. His hands and hips are still in the same position they were in the previous frame. As a result, his trunk has already begun to torque in a clockwise direction.
Semin’s hands are STILL in the same position as they were two frames ago. He has completed the stride with the left foot and the torque on his upper body is now very noticeable.
Semin’s hands have moved slightly forward but the twist to his upper body has increased. His left leg has kicked back in order to allow for the increased torque and to begin the shot. Semin’s left leg will act as a counter-balance for the shot.
Semin’s hands have begun to move forward as his leg has begun to kick forward. His hips have opened up slightly to the left, applying additional torque to his core. At this point, Semin’s motion closely resembles that of a trebuchet.
Semin now rises up out of the shot, uncorking his upper body in a counterclockwise motion. His hands have moved closer to his body in order to put more weight into flexing his stick. His left leg has kicked out and to the left to simulate the weight transfer that would occur with a normal (correct leg) wrist shot.
Semin’s upper body continues to uncoil, his hands now moving forward to catch up. His right elbow is now bent to provide support for the flexing of his stick, now very apparent. His left leg continues to kick outward.
The shot is released as Semin’s upper body finally catches up to his hips. His hands are now moving forward and into the shot while his left leg has started to return to the ice. He has snapped his wrists to provide some extra pep to the puck. Notice the Ottawa defender leaning to the left for the shot block. A normal wrist shot would pull Semin’s body such that the shot would go off to the left. This wrist shot allows Semin to keep his body open and shoot short-side.
Semin completes his follow-through towards the net. His top (left) hand has kicked in towards his body to act as a fulcrum for the shot. The puck is already half the distance to the net. Notice the goalie has already begun to drop into the butterfly.
Semin is now through with the shot and is
Clearly, Alex Semin’s wrist shot is not his only way to score. His slap shot against Boston’s Tim Thomas from a few years ago, one-foot backhand against Pittsburgh’s Fleury last season and double toe-drag against Philadelphia this season come to mind. But this season, we’ve been witness to a wrist shot that places Semin in a league of his own. Hopefully he's found something with it, as he's used it to score more goals in the last few games before the break. I guess we'll find out in March.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Beginning
So, I'm now a father. It's an interesting thing to say, as I still look in the mirror when I'm clean-shaven and think I could pass for a college freshman. When Kel and I go out with the little guy, I know there are people who look at us and get that 'way too young to have a kid' thought. If only they knew...
But this is a hockey blog, so I'll try to stay on topic. For some reason, almost everyone I know has asked the question "Does he have skates/a stick/a jersey yet?", implying that the little guy will be a hockey player. I'm not sure where these feelings come from. And yes, I'm being serious.
I like to think I'm many things. An engineer, a lover of the arts, a bit of an athlete...a well-rounded guy. Kelly is the same way. I know so many of our friendships revolve around hockey and hockey players/fans and so I generally understand the jump-to-conclusion that he'll play hockey. I'll be the first to admit that he has a set of Torpso gear and some Bauer gloves, the former being a 70% off sale item and the latter being a baby gift. But by no means am I expecting the little guy to play hockey. I know enough people in the game that that gear will be put to good use, no matter what.
My only request of him is 'Do something you love and do it exceptionally well'. If he can do multiple things exceptionally well, that's even better. But if those things include biology, playing the guitar, writing, soccer, acting or anything else under the sun, I'll be a happy and proud father. If those things are science and hockey, that would obviously be ok too. I will never be disappointed if he does something he loves.
You're supposed to want your children to be better than you are. In my case, I think I'm good at a lot of things but I'm not exceptional at any one thing (I'll throw a 'yet' in there, as I'm not done yet). I'm not an NHL player or coach, I can't play any instruments, I've never invented or discovered anything and no one is asking me advise as a brilliant engineer. But I can talk to just about anything with anyone and have a general knowledge of the subject.
Hockey is a big part of my life. I do hope the little dude has an appreciation for the game, as I think it's wonderful. But if all he ever does with the game is cheer on the Caps, that would be ok.
But this is a hockey blog, so I'll try to stay on topic. For some reason, almost everyone I know has asked the question "Does he have skates/a stick/a jersey yet?", implying that the little guy will be a hockey player. I'm not sure where these feelings come from. And yes, I'm being serious.
I like to think I'm many things. An engineer, a lover of the arts, a bit of an athlete...a well-rounded guy. Kelly is the same way. I know so many of our friendships revolve around hockey and hockey players/fans and so I generally understand the jump-to-conclusion that he'll play hockey. I'll be the first to admit that he has a set of Torpso gear and some Bauer gloves, the former being a 70% off sale item and the latter being a baby gift. But by no means am I expecting the little guy to play hockey. I know enough people in the game that that gear will be put to good use, no matter what.
My only request of him is 'Do something you love and do it exceptionally well'. If he can do multiple things exceptionally well, that's even better. But if those things include biology, playing the guitar, writing, soccer, acting or anything else under the sun, I'll be a happy and proud father. If those things are science and hockey, that would obviously be ok too. I will never be disappointed if he does something he loves.
You're supposed to want your children to be better than you are. In my case, I think I'm good at a lot of things but I'm not exceptional at any one thing (I'll throw a 'yet' in there, as I'm not done yet). I'm not an NHL player or coach, I can't play any instruments, I've never invented or discovered anything and no one is asking me advise as a brilliant engineer. But I can talk to just about anything with anyone and have a general knowledge of the subject.
Hockey is a big part of my life. I do hope the little dude has an appreciation for the game, as I think it's wonderful. But if all he ever does with the game is cheer on the Caps, that would be ok.
Friday, December 18, 2009
...Of 2009
People always do 'Best Of' lists to end the year, so I figured I'd add mine.
Favorite Albums of 2009 (in no order):
'Swoon' by Silversun Pickups
'(a)spera' by Mirah
'Glasvegas' by Glasvegas
'Dark Was The Night' by various artists
'Mean Everything To Nothing' by Manchester Orchestra
'Armistice' by MUTEMATH
'It's Blitz!' by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
'The Hazards of Love' by The Decemberists
I listen to these albums over and over again. I'm not saying they're the best, I just love them.
Favorite Songs of 2009:
'My Girls' by Animal Collective
'Help I'm Alive' by Metric
'Hearning Damage' by Thom Yorke
'Percussion Gun' by White Rabbits
'Osaka Loop Line' by Discovery
'Two Weeks' by Grizzly Bear
'Hell' by Tegan and Sara
I specifically went for my favorite songs that werent' on my favorite albums...I could easily add 2-3 songs from each of those albums. Interesting that quite a few of these songs are electronic...seems like everyone went in that direction this year.
Concert of the Year: (Tie) The Decemberists @ Merriweather Post Pavillion (6/8), Sunny Day Real Estate @ 9:30 Club (9/30)
The grand scale of The Decemberists show and the joy of seeing an entire concept album brought to life made for one hell of an evening. Seeing my favorite band of all time reunited after 10 years apart, playing as if they'd never left, would normally win every time. But I'm reasonable, so it's a tie.
NHL Player of 2009: Quintin Laing
Laing played in only 1 game for the Caps last season, was +1, lacerated his spleen and was expected to miss a ton of time. Instead, he came back quickly to help Hershey win a Calder Cup. Then he made the Caps out of camp, already has a career high for goals in a season, caught H1N1 (and only missed a few games), then broke his jaw blocking a shot. Q might not be anywhere near the best player in the league, but his 2009 is the stuff legends are made of.
Beer of 2009: Rogue Captain Sig's Deadliest Ale
Because I figure if I don't come up with something new, I'll keep repeating '(tie) Dogfish Head Alehouse 75, Rogue Dead Guy' every year.
Game of 2009: Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers, Game 7, 4/28
Having random, OBVIOUSLY non-hockey fans asking about that night's game while on the Metro, was surreal. The raw emotion after Sergei Fedorov's 3rd period goal is something I've never seen. 18000+ people screamed at the top of their lungs for the final 5 minutes and errupted at the final horn. 'Unleash The Fury' was the loudest singular moment of my life. The smile lasted for days.
Ok, fine...the real Game of 2009 was the Championship game of the NCAA Frozen 4. BU scores 2 goals in the final minute to tie the game, then scores in OT to win. Seriously!? It's THE BEST HOCKEY GAME I'VE EVER SEEN. I was sitting next to my buddy Greg, a Miami of Ohio alum...it was the first time I've ever witnessed a man's heart break right in front of me. I was worried for his safety after the game. I'm still not sure I'll ever see him smile again. It was that type of comeback game.
Weekend of 2009: May 15-17th
This was the weekend of the Lebatt Blue Adult Hockey Tournament at Laurel. It ended well, as we won all 4 games we played, including the championship game in which I managed to score the game-winner. It was the first tournament championship I'd even been a part of. But the wins paled in comparison to how the weekend started: having my wife deliver lunch to me at work and telling me that I'm going to be a dad. That smile still hasn't gone away.
Favorite Albums of 2009 (in no order):
'Swoon' by Silversun Pickups
'(a)spera' by Mirah
'Glasvegas' by Glasvegas
'Dark Was The Night' by various artists
'Mean Everything To Nothing' by Manchester Orchestra
'Armistice' by MUTEMATH
'It's Blitz!' by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
'The Hazards of Love' by The Decemberists
I listen to these albums over and over again. I'm not saying they're the best, I just love them.
Favorite Songs of 2009:
'My Girls' by Animal Collective
'Help I'm Alive' by Metric
'Hearning Damage' by Thom Yorke
'Percussion Gun' by White Rabbits
'Osaka Loop Line' by Discovery
'Two Weeks' by Grizzly Bear
'Hell' by Tegan and Sara
I specifically went for my favorite songs that werent' on my favorite albums...I could easily add 2-3 songs from each of those albums. Interesting that quite a few of these songs are electronic...seems like everyone went in that direction this year.
Concert of the Year: (Tie) The Decemberists @ Merriweather Post Pavillion (6/8), Sunny Day Real Estate @ 9:30 Club (9/30)
The grand scale of The Decemberists show and the joy of seeing an entire concept album brought to life made for one hell of an evening. Seeing my favorite band of all time reunited after 10 years apart, playing as if they'd never left, would normally win every time. But I'm reasonable, so it's a tie.
NHL Player of 2009: Quintin Laing
Laing played in only 1 game for the Caps last season, was +1, lacerated his spleen and was expected to miss a ton of time. Instead, he came back quickly to help Hershey win a Calder Cup. Then he made the Caps out of camp, already has a career high for goals in a season, caught H1N1 (and only missed a few games), then broke his jaw blocking a shot. Q might not be anywhere near the best player in the league, but his 2009 is the stuff legends are made of.
Beer of 2009: Rogue Captain Sig's Deadliest Ale
Because I figure if I don't come up with something new, I'll keep repeating '(tie) Dogfish Head Alehouse 75, Rogue Dead Guy' every year.
Game of 2009: Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers, Game 7, 4/28
Having random, OBVIOUSLY non-hockey fans asking about that night's game while on the Metro, was surreal. The raw emotion after Sergei Fedorov's 3rd period goal is something I've never seen. 18000+ people screamed at the top of their lungs for the final 5 minutes and errupted at the final horn. 'Unleash The Fury' was the loudest singular moment of my life. The smile lasted for days.
Ok, fine...the real Game of 2009 was the Championship game of the NCAA Frozen 4. BU scores 2 goals in the final minute to tie the game, then scores in OT to win. Seriously!? It's THE BEST HOCKEY GAME I'VE EVER SEEN. I was sitting next to my buddy Greg, a Miami of Ohio alum...it was the first time I've ever witnessed a man's heart break right in front of me. I was worried for his safety after the game. I'm still not sure I'll ever see him smile again. It was that type of comeback game.
Weekend of 2009: May 15-17th
This was the weekend of the Lebatt Blue Adult Hockey Tournament at Laurel. It ended well, as we won all 4 games we played, including the championship game in which I managed to score the game-winner. It was the first tournament championship I'd even been a part of. But the wins paled in comparison to how the weekend started: having my wife deliver lunch to me at work and telling me that I'm going to be a dad. That smile still hasn't gone away.
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