A Winter Classic Tale.

 Let me start off by saying, I was originally not going to attend the Winter Classic here in DC. I had been fully aware that come New Years Day I would be sitting my butt on the couch, my son next to me cheering our home team much like the rest of the Caps faithful. From the comforts of our home, vowing it would still be incredible to watch.  

But I fully admit I really wanted to be there in person.

Still I was okay with it. I was more interested in getting my husband to the game than I going to it. Because I may be a huge fan, he has been one for twice as long. How could I not make sure he went? I mean really.

But then came the text on New Year’s Eve, hours before the ball was going to be announcing the start of a new year. My sister-in-law was sick, did anyone want to take her place? And yes I may have done a little dance around the living room as Anderson looked at me and said, “Well? Do you want to go?” 

Did I want to go? Was the sky blue? Did he really need to ask?

Yes! 

I immediately felt guilty and extremely bad knowing that I was taking the place for someone who was sick. (Let’s face it no one wants to be sick) So much so I didn’t want to post it all over social media. I mean I was ecstatic to go, but this was her ticket to begin with.  But I gladly said yes while doing the hot dog dance around the living room for the remainder of the evening.

That is how I got to go. Talk about starting the New Year off wonderfully.

I will say this, yes it was cold, yes it was packed, and yes expensive.

And it was totally worth it.

It was worth standing in the cold to watch the fly over during the national anthem. You know, I managed not to complain about the fact I couldn’t exactly feel my feet by the end of the game. Way to go me!  It was worth the $9 dollar soda to be there as the military choir recited our national anthem in perfect harmony. The stadium was amazing and the crowd was unbelievable.Yes it may have just been another game in all reality, this was not the Stanley Cup finals by any means, but  you would never know that it was just another game by looking around. It was the Winter Classic. It meant something, if not for the soul purpose of bragging rights for the next year.And yes maybe I did have to stand and sit every time someone needed to get up, but really? Even that was worth it.

And talk about weather? Yes, even the weather was perfect for the game. It was like it was just meant to be.

 It was even worth having a thousand soft-ish seat cushions rain down on me when Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal at the last seconds of the game.

It was worth it and so much more. Truly I will say it was an experience of a lifetime. It was unforgettable. I think I would have been (maybe not as much I admit) happy had we lost, it was just that great of an experience.  Looking back, sure I would have been okay watching it on the couch, and I would have never quite known what I had missed.

But going? Actually being there? Well to quote my son:

“Was totally awesome!”

Nothing like opening night.

Photo: NHL.com

No matter the sport, there is nothing like opening night.  Sure you may have hit up a preseason game, worn your sweater a thousand times over the summer and watched the replays of the past seasons on the networks in the middle of July. But nothing compares to, or even comes close to opening night.

That is right, as I placed my butt into the seats last night, I looked around and thought. I am back. We are back. Among family. Among the others whose faces, if not names were so familiar. The kids behind us who yelled Jooooel Waaaard, and threw popcorn with each goal. The guy in front of us who consumes no less than three rounds of nachos and cheese each game. And the ladies beside us, who barely watch the game but rather choose to stare at their phone all evening and see it as some sort of social hour rather than a professional sports game.

Yes, it felt good to be among them once more.

There is nothing like that first game jitters, the hope that this season will be THE SEASON. Yet knowing despite the outcome someone will slam them and find something wrong in the morning. And catching the opener for the first time is always joy. The smell of beer and hot dogs not as much but it comes with the game and would be odd without. It is seeing the hometown crowd for the first time, I fully admit half of the time I just sat back and watched them, knowing I was apart of it all. It is the first anthem(s)  of the year, the realization that you know all the words to both. And who thought that would ever happen?

It is Caleb Green and Bob McDonald singing them for the first time. it is beautiful.

And while others may disagree, I truly believe the 400s level is a blast. I may have spent years in the lower bowl but up in the 400s, you can see it all. The anticipation, the fears. The nervous glances at the score board knowing time was winding down.

Yes,  Its the crowd, the sweaters and trying to memorize all the new players, their numbers once more.  While I may have been crowd watching for half the game, the other half was watching the guys on the ice, and trying to work out the pronunciations and to figure out who was actually worth it all.

No there is nothing quite like opening night. Even if we lost.

I was home.

It's hockey season once more.

And so it begins. Or it will be by the end of the week that is. If you don't know what I speak of, let me be the first to fill you in. This week marks the beginning of the NHL regular season.

This gal could not be more excited. Yes I have been watching the baseball playoffs, and the occasional football game (when I absolutely have to that is) but neither are the same, and come as poor substitutes to the game my household (and I) love so much. No I am not ashamed to admit this. We all have our sports.

I have been approached by numerous people around the office inquiring what I think about the season. How do you think we will fair? What about the coach? Do I even like this Orpik guy? These are questions I get about the same time every year, so really I am not surprised by any of them. And like usual I try and leave my own thoughts and comments to myself. Especially during the beginning of the season.

And this is why.

Because it is the beginning of the season. And because it is, I try and not pass judgement on the team until I actually see them. How are we going to do? I can not say. The best I can do is, I hope we will well, I think as a fan of any team this is your hope.

As a wife of someone in the organization, if not for me than for my husband. I do not wish for the next nine months of the emotional roller coaster that has often been seen within the last couple of years. And if you do not know what I am talking about, well lets just say I have seen my fair share of brooding and minor meltdowns around the house one day, and pure exhilaration the next. I will admit to having a few of my own no doubt.  I guess it should be expected when your life revolves around the season, your livelihood revolves around the season.

Its a vicious vicious cycle. 

Well then what about certain players? Well doesn't this remain to be seen? Hasn't the past proven itself enough? Especially if your a DC fan of any sport. A number one pick can be incredible, and then he gets hurt. And all of a sudden, well you know the rest. Or that trade nobody wanted? Turns out to be the best thing to happen to them. Tale as old as time (see what I did there)

So I am not going to bash any player, blame any player just yet. I will see how things go.

I will say, as a  fan either way, I am excited for the season ahead. I think some big changes will be put in to place and I am hoping many of them will be for the better. I am excited to get back to that rink, to be among the crowd as we cheer, as we let Goat take us into LETS GO CAPS....right on through April and with any luck, beyond.

I am just ready. Welcome back hockey, welcome back.

The good old hockey game.

Sunday while the rest of the world was celebrating the final showdown of the World Cup against Germany and Argentina I was busy thinking, this is no hockey. I miss hockey.

I mean, really really miss hockey. 

When did I become so in love with the sport? Honestly I do not know. But it seems it has turned into a love affair.  I mean here it is the middle of July; hockey technically ended just a little over a month ago and I am already itching for a good hockey game. For the past twenty four hours I have done little but think-other than my impending vacation that is-is it October yet? Which is kind of sad given the fact I love, and I mean love summer. 

But this whole World Cup stuff, the news about Lebron James, which I still don’t get. And knowing that football will be starting up its preseason in about a month really has me dying for some hockey. Hey I have even thought about hitting a local ice rink just to watch a pick up hockey game. Who cares if I actually know anyone, or if it isn’t pro? It is hockey.

I will take it.

Yep. This is who I have turned into. I believe, whether he wants to admit it or not. I have turned even more obsessed than Anderson, which is hard to say since he actually works for the team. But yet, it is true.

I even roam various hockey blogs and websites to read anything hockey related, including the fact that Sidney Crosby decided not to have surgery on his wrist. And believe me; you know I am desperate when I start reading things on A) Crosby B) the Penguins. But hey one has to do what one has to do right?

Some girls dig football, for others its baseball-confession those guys do look pretty good in uniform. But if you ask this gal, they can have their sports. Give me a hockey fight, some ice and a good old hockey game and I will be more than a happy camper.

85 days. But hey who's counting.

The finals.

Did you know the Stanley Cup finals are happening? Yeah apparently it is. You would think the hockey fan that I am would be glued to my TV. After all I had been for so many weeks.

But here's the things. After some incredible series to get to the finals, I have found the actual finals against the Kings and Rangers to be....

well rather boring.

Granted the first two games of the series were exciting. Who doesn't love overtime hockey in the race. None of this five minute crap or shootouts. No, its full hockey straight on till the end. Its fabulous. But in all honesty, I haven't found the same level of excitement that I usually do.

Perhaps its because I don't care about the teams. If you were to ask me who I would want to win, I will say I could really care less, neither team has won my full support. Though I like St. Louis, I mean how could you not. So if that is any indication then it would be the Rangers.

Or perhaps it is truly because the series is that boring.

Go team go.

Last night the Ducks were eliminated from the playoffs. They were the last team we were rooting for standing in this household of hockey fans. Which means as of this morning, we could probably care less about the playoffs anymore.

OK so that isn't necessarily true.

Rather we have no idea who to root for. Do we even care who wins at this point. I am pretty sure we don't if you ask us. Chicago because they are Chicago and we haven't seen a Stanley Cup repeat in ions, the Kings because, well because they are the Kings? The Rangers have the St. Louis factor this year. My mom loves the guy, as do most people around the league if I am going to be honest. Or the Canadians because of their history, and because my sister's husband is Gionta's cousin which sort of makes him like family. But not really. Or because they beat the Bruins.

Honestly I do not know, nor do I seem to have the answer. Does it even matter that I don't have a specific team I am pulling for. Perhaps I should just wish for some great series. Maybe that is the better option.

Or perhaps I do what has been suggested and find a team to root against. My mind is still not made up on that point. But it is a very possible thought. And perhaps a little tempting.

And because I do not have any certain picks, nor feelings I will just say, go team go...may the best team at the moment win...and good luck.

Playoff time once again.

Tonight the race for the cup officially begins for 16 teams. None of which are the Caps as we all know.

It is a strange strange feeling for sure.

I mean after all for the past seven years by this point I would be totally ramped up for them. I would be decked out in Caps colors, proudly display my bracket-forget about the NCAA bracket, its all about the hockey one here- and count down the very moments until that puck drops. I try to do work, which doesn't usually happen because I have half my office stopping every five minutes to ask me about the game, what do I think the outcome will be, how do I feel about the whole thing. Etc, etc, etc...

This year there has been none of this, no one has stopped other than to ask me to print something, scan something or enter something into a database. The bracket remains empty and the only colors that remotely resemble anything Caps is in the flag that remains up in my cube.

Yes it is strange indeed.

The only consolation in the whole not making playoffs is this: We will not have to endure the next week of speculations of just how long we will make it, how we just barely got in, in the first place and should we not make it past the first round, there will be no talk of what should have been. Believe me, that part of the playoffs I for one will not miss. We are now just left with the wondering of what next year will bring, next coaches? New GM? New players. All of the above, none of the above-which lets face it, something is going to happen.-and the thought that next year will be our year. Because we are Caps fan and what else would we think at this point.

And strange as it is not to see my beloved team in there, I will still be watching the playoffs, after all not only is there nothing like it but my other team (Boston) does happen to be in, so while the Caps are busy perfecting their golf swing, I will have to root for them...after all, it is the cup.

And despite who wins, and as mentioned.
There is nothing like playoff hockey...

Trade deadline.

Today is probably one of my husbands favorite days. Besides Logan's birthday and OK hopefully our anniversary. But today, well today is the NHL trade deadline day. Which may not be our anniversary but to this hockey loving household pretty much ranks right up there with Christmas morning.

But here is the thing, these past few years. Well the day has just been another day. If you are a fan of the Caps, you know that every year we get our hopes up that there will be this huge big trade. For weeks we sit by and watch rumors, and we hear things and we think well maybe, just maybe this is the year that General Manger George McPhee will wake up and actually do something. Of course you still have those that want the trade, but want to keep every player that we have at the same time. And those of us, well those of us that know how things work. Well, we know that isn't exactly how it works. In order to gain someone, you must be willing to lose someone.

This is besides the point.  This morning we woke knowing it was the day, the day that trades were going to be done and made. Finalized before the end of the season. Yep, it was going to be a good day. At least in some people's and some team's eyes that is.

And how did we fare this year? Did GM McPhee actually do something? Yes, to a point. Erat is finally gone, in his place Chris Brown. Penner  from the Ducks, is now a new Caps. And Nuevy is gone to Bufalo, and Halak is now our second goalie.

I will be honest other than Halak, I know very little about these players. So I can not speak much about it. And what do I think about the Halak deal? Not sure to be honest. Do I think it was the best decision, probably not. I think there could have been some better decisions however do I think it was the worst deals we have ever done. No. I will stand by my judgements of last years Erat pick up for that. But whether Halak and the others will be beneficial and the missing pieces to have the final push through the end of the season will remain to be seen....

And time will tell.

Lets go Caps!

Yep....a little under 4 hours til puck drops....

Its a good night in DC my friends.

Welcome home boys, welcome home.

2013 Stanley Cup Champs

I myself, here at From the Puck to the World would like to congratulate the Chicago Blackhawks on their win last night. 

This now means for the 2nd time in four years

Te blackhawaks are

The STANLEY CUP CHAMPS.

CONGRATS BOYS. 

It was an amazing series.

The great collapse.

Right after the Caps were eliminated from the playoffs I turned to my husband said. 'My prediction for the finals is this one.

'Bruins vs. Blackhawks.'

Anderson turned to me and said, nope it was going to be The Pens. But me pulling for them  did not surprise him considering The Bruins are my number two team.

I still stood by my predictions, even if everyone swore it was the Pens year to go all the way. And don't even get me started on commentators like Mike Milbury because we all know how they feel. The only thing we seemed to agree on was either way it would be Boston and Pittsburgh to fight it out. But that is where it ended.

 And while it may not be ultimately who I wanted to win, the only thing I at least hoped for was a good series against the two. I also didn't think Boston would go down quietly.  It would at least go to a 6 game series, if  not a 7.

Andy just shrugged, and my dad who is not much of a hockey fan-or sports to be honest-said there was no way Pens would lose, as they are unbeatable. But wished me luck in my thoughts and wishes.

And then wouldn't you know both the Pens and the Bruins made it through to round 3. And the series was about to start. And still I had to endure the taunts from the Pens fan, one in fact came specifically to my desk with this prediction:

'Pens are going to hold Boston to 24 shots on goal the entire series. And when they do, well we are going to sweep Boston and will win the cup. I hold you to it.'

He also informed me there is no such thing as following or liking another team and that this was not allowed. And that the Caps are screwed come the realignment as we will have to get rid of a lot of players and as for the Pens I asked? Well according to him, the Pens have set themselves up so that they don't have to get rid of people...

umm right......

I tried my best to listen but I think I tuned him out and wished him luck, he informed me he wasn't rooting for the team that was going to need luck...

And here we are, almost a week later, the Pens and Bruins have now played three games. And wouldn't you know, somehow Pens have found themselves down by 3 games....That is right, there may be a sweep but its not the one the guy, nor may predicted. Even I, rooting against them am shocked to see this. I was expecting a lot better from them. Especially not when the first two games-played in Pittsburgh-were as lopsided as they were. A one goal game, yes but not the 6-1 we saw in game 2 of the series.

And yes as a Caps fan, I know exactly how that feels. Believe me. Remember game 7 of the first round? Yeah. Exactly. Its not pretty.

True the Pens are not out of it, after all they are the Pens, they are an incredible team, and talented. They have some of the best players by far on the league.and its not the best of 7 for no reason here. But to come back and win the next four games against the team that has seemed to have risen to the occasion and strained their opponent's every last resource? I find it hard to believe. Perhaps I am not the only one who is beginning to think the Bruins just might make it.

After all, the guy hasn't been back to my desk since....

Playoff time.

 Hello Playoffs!

So somehow in the span of a weekend we went from playing against the Senators to playing against the Islanders to now, officially playing against the Rangers. 

The husband wasn't so thrilled as he wanted and was pushing for us to play Toronto. 

But we got the Rangers, and its Deja Vu all over again as it seems like when it comes to playoffs in the passed years, we are destined to go against them. 

I do not know how I truly feel as in the past there have been teams far better than us that we have beat-Boston. And teams that we were expected to beat that beat us-Tampa. 

So in reality once it gets to this point, when teams are fighting for survival and the cup is that much closer in hand. Well its anyways game. And playoff hockey is a totally different season than regular season hockey. 

Which means come Thursday when that puck drops, well a whole new season begins.

Lets Go Caps.

2013 Southeast Division Champs.

Opps they did it again.

The team that started off so crappy in the beginning of the season secured their place in the
2013 playoffs and won the Southeast Division. 

Let me say, I had my doubts this year, but winning the game, and the division makes me one very proud hockey fan,  CAPS fan. To know that this team came into the season with such high hopes, only to disappoint so many leaving most of us to scratch our heads and debate if we had made a lot of wrong choices prior to the lockout.

Well lookie, lookie. Looks like someone knew what they were doing after all. Sure it may have taken a lot longer than anyone really wanted it to.  And maybe things didn't fall the way we wanted to And for a moment, yeah I was ready for the entire season to just be done and over with. But it sure made it that much sweeter when it finally clicked. I mean the last few weeks, has been some good times, the win streak. The close nail biting games. The comebacks, the way Ovi has quieted the skeptics.The boys have played hard to get where they are. They deserve some credit for fighting back, playing some great hockey and not just willing to give it up as easy as us fans were.

Good times had by all. Well unless your a fan of the rival teams that is.

The only thing I have to complain about the day after is the fact that while they were closing out their clinch of the division I was sitting through class last night. Trying to pay attention to what was going on but really more concerned with the score than what the lecture was about. -for the record it was Violence in the workplace followed by Global Management.-see I was actually paying attention. I hated that I had to whip out my phone and try to cover it the best I could so the professor wouldn't exactly see. Thinking, damn you Caps, why has every freaking big game of the season come on Tuesdays. When you know I am in class and can't not only go to it, but have a hard time even following it.

You knew this.

And I hated how I had to come in this morning while people dropped by my desk to chat about the incredible game-I am only going by what they say-and look at me like I was the crazy one when I couldn't attend. When I told them about school, they told me I was crazy, I should have skipped. This was THE GAME OF THE SEASON..Somehow I don't think my professor would have seen it the same way but whatever... And half of these people cared less about the team a week ago.

Again Typical.

A week from now I am assuming they will go back to doubting we will make it far.

But for the moment, I will take the lead, and the Division championship and just be glad I will get to see hockey for that much longer in the DC area.

Boston Strong.

Sometimes there is more important things than an outcome. Sometimes it doesn't matter what color jersey we were, what team we root for. And who wins. 

Sometimes its more about for a moment, no matter how brief it is.

We are all one.

The chase for No.1

Usually at this point in April the regular season is winding itself down. The playoff picture is set, standings are made final and predictions are beginning to form. Anderson is usually going nuts with requests to update game programs and playoff tickets. This resulting in long hours late nights and a lot of patience on everyone's end of things.

Yes, usually my house is a buzz with excitement. Or at least it has been the past couple of seasons when we were guaranteed to at least make it into the first round.

This year of course is different. The lockout pushed everything back. The regular season is still going on-though don't tell this to Mother Nature, who is assuming its playoff season-We are in fact still two weeks from playoffs. And while the Caps are leading the division, its by slim margins and is not set in stone. Despite our recent push, there is a chance we could be looking at a long off season. I can't remember when the last time, that has happened.

I don't even want to imagine that.

Though I must say I for one am actually surprised by the push. For awhile there-OK more like most of the season to be honest.- I really didn't even think we stood a chance to be talking about playoffs. Nor did we really deserve to be in the hunt for the cup. While I support and follow my team, and am proud to be a fan I am not afraid to admit we weren't great. In fact we down right well-sucked. I figured there was no way in hell we would come back to even be close to making the playoffs. I was ok with this. I accepted this. And in a lot of ways I told myself it was better that way. I did not want to listen to a thousand of the 'hockey expert' commentators slam the team because we were mediocre or that we barely made it into the playoffs. I did not want to hear that we weren't deserving to be in there. The way I saw it, cut our loses early, finish the season and start a fresh long season better next year.

And yes, we knew there was going to be a next year.

Instead of gearing up for post season hockey, we began making plans, and setting aside our summer to do list. We didn't let it bother us. Life went on, much as it has. No there was not the same sort of buzz that came along this time of year, we watched the trade deadline come and go. We questioned things. 

But of course one should never say never.-Did I really just use Justin Bieber reference in a hockey post??- because while I was thinking these very thoughts Alex Ovechkin decided it was time to play some hockey-right about the same time he decided to cut his hair, coincidence?-as did Backstrom. Green came back. Laich did for about a hot minute. And hold up, wait a minute....we are winning and not just the games that didn't matter. But the ones that do-to be fair in a short season, every game matters-with each win, I watched as we took on our division and climbed the rankings and before long we were right there on top.

Maybe playoffs weren't all that far off.

We have had helped no doubt about it, teams we needed to, have fallen a bit in their own right. And for the first time this season I thank the Lord our major losing spell occurred during the beginning of the season, which I would gladly take over the end of the season. I will gladly take the lead in any way or form that I can.

No, there is still no guarantee that we will make it in there. A two point goal is the hardest lead to maintain, I assume the same can be said in regards to standings. Its ahead enough to know that we are in, and secure our spot in the playoffs for the time being, but close enough that Winnipeg knows they are within striking distance.

And you can pretty much guarantee they know there is still plenty of time to take it all away.

Trade Deadline

Today may very well be the biggest day in hockey next to the start of the season. Trade deadline day. Its the day my husband sits behind his computer rearranging rosters and flyers. Programs. And before you ask, no he has no prior knowledge of who is coming or going. Who is safe or not. He may have an idea but mostly its just rumors. And he may now an hour before the deadline or the trade is officially made official/announced, but he does not share any of it. Not even with his wife.

Which means I get to do much like the rest watch sometimes on pins and needles while the ticker goes on, as trades get made. Some leave me shaking my head while others could care less.

There will be no question of rumors. Will Ribeiro go? Will this be the year Luongo leaves Vancouver? What about Miller? Because its rumored he may leave??

And will the Caps actually do anything??

Speaking of which, what would I like for my beloved Caps?? Well I don't expect much, mainly because GM George McPhee has a tendency to do absolutely nothing as he is not willing to give up anything. He wants the results without losing anything. I don't think trades can happen this way. I don't expect to get in any big name player if we aren't willing to let go someone. And no I am not talking about trading Ovi, but I do think you need to move someone. Whomever that may be I do not know. Carlson? Green? Backstrom? None of which I think he would trade but I think if we want to be successful something along those lines are going to need to happen. What I would like to see if a good defensemen, a strong. I don't think we have enough of those on the team, while we may have some good ones, I do not see any of them up to NHL level quite yet.

This of course is just my opinion.

But I am well aware my opinion is just that. GMGM will not take any of into consideration what so ever. Which means for the next several hours I get to watch social media, and websites to see what his opinion exactly is.

Which means if history has proven itself, nothing will happen really.
Nor should we expect anything.