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.

Exciting times, new seasons.

The last full week of September means two things.

The first being this. We are getting closer to round 2 of the search for the next Disney Parks Mom Panelists. Considering I bypassed round 1 (thanks to a Fastpass+ from last year) I have to admit, I am pretty pumped at the knowledge that round 2 will be starting within the next couple of weeks. Just as much as I am pumped and excited to see who will be joining me in to the next round. I mean this when I say I share the nervousness for all those anxiously waiting for word on their own fate. Even if we do not know when the next round is officially going to start, or when those magical congratulation emails are going to be sent out, well the thought that it is getting closer is beyond exciting indeed.

Yes. This gal is a happy camper as I am looking forward to the thrill ride once again.

The second but no less important, at least in my household, is the fact that hockey is back again. Well preseason anyway. But hey, I will gladly take it at this point as watching football just isn't the same. I can’t sit there in front of my TV and yell out as many big girl words as am allowed. Believe me, I have tried. But it doesn't quite have the same effect as it does when yelling them out around the house in the middle of a hockey fight on the ice does. No it does not.

Trust me on this one.

Even if it does take a lot of time away from family and all, I am happy to see my husband back into his happy zone. To him, this is what it is all about:  The start of the madness, the endless possibilities that a new season brings. All of his hard work and preparation really begins to start showing.

I must admit I happen to love, love this time of year. So much to look forward to and so much hope revolves around it. A new beginning to a season, new pixie-dusted hopes and wishes. Both of which I am fully willing to ride and enjoy as long as I can.

With fingers crossed, it will be a great end of the year for this hockey and Disney World loving blogger.

Happy fall my friends, happy fall.

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.

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...

An odd feeling

Lets face it. We knew this was coming. We may have hoped, we may have held on to the little bit of faith that maybe just maybe we could make it into the playoff spot. But ultimately we knew it was going to not be a pretty ending to the season.

Still, it doesn't mean this an easy pill to swallow.  Especially considering for the past six years we have not known this feeling. Yes, we may have been on pins and needles waiting to hear if we made it through, each game meaning a whole lot more than the last. But it has not been this definite. Not in a good long while. I forgot almost what this feeling was like.

It is odd I will admit. I woke up this morning thinking, we have three games still to play. Three games which means little anymore. Come Sunday, the season is over, and we get to wait til October to even begin to think about making it to playoff hockey standards. Three...

I wondered if I even wanted to watch, does it matter at this point? But of course I knew I would.

And like many, I began to wonder and suspect things will change come, as soon as Monday more in likely. I have my predictions. Oates? McPhee? Quite possibly. Both. I am sure you will see a lot of players come and go. I do not expect the same team to be hitting the ice come training camp that we see on the ice at the moment. Perhaps its time. I think something needs to come if we ever want to be a contender. What that may be I am not exactly sure. But it has to.

The time for rebuilding needs to start again.
From scratch.

So who do you root for?

This is not my photo, I do not take credit for it.

This morning my son and I got up early to watch the hockey match between the U.S. and Russia. Even before the start of the games, the match had been well talked about.

Especially in our house. Where we pretty much eat sleep and breath hockey on any given day. Olympics or otherwise. But for obvious reasons, this game has been highly talked about and anticipated by the likes of myself, my husband and little man himself, who is just excited to see hockey.

Even if he doesn't fully get it.

Admittedly at five, he has no idea the significance of the game. He does not know just how important it means to the Russians. Does not get what winning the gold would mean to them. And the only thing he knows about the Miracle on Ice is that its the signed and framed picture that hangs in our hockey themed basement, a picture he isn't allowed to touch of daddy's.

What he does know is this. His favorite hockey player-and self proclaimed best friend-wears yellow skate laces, is missing a tooth and plays for his favorite hockey team in D.C. He also just happens to be Russian.

And thus begins the great debate. The who do you root for one. For Logan it is simple, Russia he yells as the puck dropped. Yet he couldn't understand why I wasn't for Ovi. I did not know how to explain to him, that while I want Ovi to do well and I wish him well. For the moment, and for the next week I just want the .U.S.A to do better than him.  I will say, while I had no problem rooting against him, and them it definitely was odd to hear his name and think of him as the 'enemy.' And it brings up a good point.

Who do you root for? Do you root for an individual player, because I will admit I want Ovi to have a fabulous Olympics. Or do you root for the team? And is there a way to do a little bit of both and still not look like a trader on either end?

To whom it may concern. Another year, another letter.

Dear Caps-

Well here we are again. It pains me to even think about writing another letter. Why you may ask? Because I had sort of hoped we had gotten past this point in our relationship where I needed to sit down and write out everything to you. By now I had hoped you would have maybe heard me, listened and evaluated things. Believe me when I say writing these letters on an annual basis has not been something I particularly enjoy.

Perhaps we should just get this over with than shall we?

Alright if you insist.

You are breaking my heart. I know I say this every year. But this year. Well this year I mean it. Do you know what I did last night for the first time? I walked out on you. Half way through the game. And no I am not ashamed of it. You really left me no other choice in the matter. I hated it of course. How many times have I sat from the comfort of my couch only to watch the score of people do the very same thing? How many times have I sat there and said, you got to be kidding me. No matter how hard and shitty the game may be, as a fan your supposed to love them and support them through the good and the bad?

Yet, last night I became one of those people. I just couldn't watch it. I couldn't stand just sitting there watching the collapse of the team play out in front of me.Even Anderson who swears by them had no issue in walking out. See what your doing? Your not only hurting me but your hurting one of your own. Yes.

I know what your thinking, we all have bad games here and there. True. I do not expect every game to be stellar. But let's be honest here for a minute, and because I have been with you for over a dozen years now I believe I can be. That game was not just a bad game, it was a boring and yet hot mess at the same time. You may not see me sitting up there in the 400s, but I have been there through a lot of bad games. I had put up through the shitty games. The ones where Pittsburgh beats the crap out of us. But there was a difference between last night and then. It just looked so...

Lackluster. That's it.

It was boring, even putting the toddler down the way from me to sleep. My son said it best the other day. They lost because they simply gave up. They didn't try. He is four. And while he was referring to a different game, the words could have been used for this game as well.  It's true. Watching you I could see it. Sure maybe there was hope after they scored the first or even the second goal. But by the time the 'Canes scored their 3rd goal, you guys became the team everyone expects to see out there. The team that doesn't seem to really care.  I don't know what it is, or what it will take but the truth is. You guys simply give up.

No I do not have a solution to this. I am not the one you should seek for how to answer your issues. This is something only you guys need to address.  My only advice is this. Before any solution can be solved you need to find it in you to admit there is something wrong in the first place. It needs to come from the inside. As with most issues, it starts from the inside out.

And until it is admitted, the problem I fear will continue.

Best of luck.

Your faithful fan.
 

Perks.

Perks. They come with every job. Some seem greater than others. And although my own job at the moment leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to the whole perks department, my husbands on the other hand?

Well that's a whole other story.

In the past eight years that he has worked for the Washington Capitals along with the long hours he has worked have come two tickets to every home game. As of late these tickets are more half season, as he gets an allotment of basketball tickets as well. Neither of us are basketball fans.

And of course people now know this. We are happy to share our tickets with people. We do not mind, though it does come with restrictions and understanding. You see while these are perks, Anderson does get taxed and has to pay for them from time to time. His salary is reduced because of it as well. Yes in a lot of ways he does pay for the tickets.

I bring this up because the other day we had someone ask for a couple sets of tickets. And these are not to just any old game but to games that are usually packed and sold out (Andy will dif have it come out) in exchanged we asked for something as well. To which we were informed they did not want to do, but wanted the tickets and something else....

It left us a sour taste in our mouth, the tickets are a good $50 per seat on a standard basis, you do the math if you want four tickets. We did not feel like what we asked for was out of the ordinary.

I do not expect things for free, but don't come asking us for things in return....

Nor do I expect anyone will really read this in understand this post. I just needed to get it out

But you can rest assure we will think twice from now on.

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.

Happy Hockeytober!

I have three words for you.

HOCKEY IS BACK.

Yes October may mean the government officially shutdown, summer is long gone and football season is a quarter of the way through. But aside from all of this remains the thing I have been looking forward to since the end of June.

Hockey. Is back.

And everyone is anew, divisions are different and for at least for the next few hours anyway, everyone is on equal level. There are still 82 games yet to be played. No leader, no last minute rushes to the finish line. No question whether or not we are going to sweat it out the last few games.

At least for a little while.

Yes hockey is back. Fights are back, checking is back and rivalries are back.

Let the season begin!

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.

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.

Mid season

And so we have reached the halfway point of the season. Though the way the season has been going for this Caps fan, the end can't come soon enough. It has just been one of those seasons.

The feelings of jubilee that hockey is back have long gone passed. And while I never really expected much of the season-the new coach, no camps. etc-I didn't really expect this. That the Caps would be that bad. Barely fighting to stay out of not first place, but last place. And not in the division, but the entire league.  Sure we have in recent games at least made a couple of strides, and we are not the sole bottom. But it seems with each stride up, there is also a stride down or two. Or three. And the moment we think that we are climbing out they switch and are once again struggling and questioning everything.

I get a lot of people, coworkers who on a daiy basis stop by my desk and ask me what the hell is going on with the team. They ask me what Anderson can do about it-because apparently he can do a whole lot- and yadda yadda yadda. I don't have any answers of course because really at this point I don't know. Call it a season and better luck next year?

Look I know everyone wants teams to forever be on the top, but realistically I don't think this can happen. There will be years when you suck and years when you are fantastic. But its not always going to be what you want it to be.

Just as much, sometimes I think I don't want them to make it into the playoffs. Why? Because we won't have to hear well they just barely made it in, or the analyst slam us when we lose the first round. Sometimes its just better to call it a season and pack it in....

As much as defeat sucks, getting shut out during the playoffs is that much harder.

A-O lets go.

If you are a fan of the Caps, you already know its been a tough season. First there was the whole lockout thing league wide. For awhile there, I don't think any of us had much hope that there would ever be hockey in the states again. I know I for one had this fear.

But finally after months of waiting, word came that the lockout was over. Hockey would be played, and soon the season would get under way. There however would be no preseason, no all star game and no real warm up like usual.

I didn't really mind the whole no all-star. But the lack of preseason for me was just a little weird.

But thats ok, I mean we were the Caps, things would be ok.

Except, here we are almost a month into the beginning of the season, and well. How the mighty fall. For the first time in years we are not the team we once were. In fact we sort of, suck. And I say this as a fan. But I mean come on, we have one a total of 2. That's it. We are last place in just about everything. I keep telling myself things will get better, that this can't go on forever. Sure we have a new coach, a new system but things will click soon enough and we will be that sort of team once again.  And every game...I sit thinking please please turn this around.

Ah yes, its been that kind of season for the fans. I have often wondered if they even know the season is back on. I sit thinking, well maybe it would be better had the lockout actually continued. Because yeah this past month has not been fun. Not as a fan. Not as a wife of someone in the organization. Not as a mom whose son thinks the guys walk on water and can't understand why everyone is so pissed off at the team. (For the record in four years he will get it) In fact its been pretty miserable. I do not want to write another letter to them. I did this the past couple years. I don't think it really worked.

I have no answer to what is going on. I don't know if its upper management, mental or on the ice. I have no clue. Surely there is only room for improvement, as we speak we just shut out the Panthers. And even if they are just the Panthers...we won 5-0.

And surely this has got to be the start of something.
Right?

Yeah about that.

So the season is just about a week old now. Of course this is news to everyone except the Caps, who have apparently not been notified as of yet that the season is actually on. While I did not fully expect the same season there was last year, I also did not expect to be at a zero and three record. In fact it seems as though, they are playing like its preseason and none of these games matter. NEW FLASH: They do.

I watched tonight from the comfort of a suite-which does not happen often. In fact it has only happened twice. And I wondered what happened to the beloved team. They looked so unraveled. Not in sync, and a lot like they didn't care at all.  And what happened to that drive that was there last year.

I wondered if this is what a lockout does to them, or if is perhaps something else. Sure I didn't and still don't expect much of the season. Despite what others may feel or say, its been a long time since they were out there, and we have need to learn the system. Which is a lot easier said than done, considering we are playing every other day, if not every day leaving very little time in between to actually learn.

I admit the lack of anything from the Caps has already put a damper on things. I haven't brought myself to watch much of anyone else's games, and the few I have seemed to be sort of the same way our season is going thus far. I realize its still relatively early in the season, but when its a short season as it is? If this is the way its going to be, for any team in the league/

Well maybe I will just hope its October before to long.

The Puck Drops

 

There is a feeling of pure bliss at the moment, much like Christmas when the wait is finally over. 

Hockey is back.

And its opening night.

LETS GO CAPS!!!

Bring on the season.