Highlights from the last practice of the season

I got to Kettler a bit after 10am and the place was pretty packed.  It looked like it was an optional skate, as not a lot of skaters were there (if there were, they only stayed on for about 10-15 minutes.

Most of the skate consisted of a 2-on-2 game between David Steckel and Quintin Laing vs. Assistant Coaches Jay Leach and Dean Evason with Brent Johnson in goal.  

Boy am I glad I bought that white jersey: I was able to get a few autographs: Mike Green, Brent Johnson, David Steckel, Quintin Laing, Head Coach Bruce Boudreau.  Alexander Semin got mobbed in front of the pro shop so I was able to get an autograph from him too.  Finally I was able to get an autograph from Matt Cooke, who had walked through the lower concourse here.  I was done after getting Jay Leach’s autograph, who told me that no one else was in the back.

 

Alex Ovechkin peered out of the dressing room door, but didn’t approach us.  

Overall, the mood here’s pretty exciting, especially with Carolina losing last night.  The Caps have a chance to win the Southeast Division with anything but a regulation loss.  I’m really looking forward to tonight’s game.

(UPDATE 2:49PM) Chris Clark entered the elevator in Ballston Common Mall on my way out of the rink.  I asked him how the recovery from his groin injury has been, he suggested that he was getting there.  And to answer your question, I didn’t ask him for his autograph.  I didn’t feel it was polite to ask in an elevator; besides, other people eventually crowded the elevator.  We just waved goodbye to each other and that was it.  In spite of the rising popularity of this team, I’m unsure whether the others in the elevator recognized him as it continued its descent.  I sense that NHL players in general — and the Caps in particular — are delighted to maintain a sense of anonymity.  

 

Random Recap - Caps 4, Lightning 1

Alright, let me start off by saying the following: that was the worst no-goal call I’ve ever seen.

Now, I have to say that the atmosphere in that building was nuts tonight.  I’m so happy I’m here for the last 2 games of the season.  It was great to finally see Ovechkin score, and it was also great to see (finally) a fight break out in person. Saturday night will be fun.

Momentum is clearly on the Caps’ side.

Thank you, Ric Flair.

The first time I saw Ric Flair was the first Clash of Champions on TBS back in 1988.  He and Sting wrestled to a 45-minute draw.  His career started years before I was born; it ended this past Sunday at WrestleMania XXIV.  

I enjoyed everything he did in the ring and on the mic.  The tribute that everyone in WWE paid him this past Monday Night on Raw (even the off-air stuff if you can find it) was the best retirement tribute I’ve witnessed in anything, and absolutely well-deserved.

There will never be another Ric Flair in the sport of professional wrestling (don’t ever tell him it’s fake), nor will anyone come close to match his legacy.  Hogan may have put more asses in seats; Flair would’ve kept them there longer for compelling marathon matches worth the price of admission alone.

Thank you, Ric Flair.  You truly are The Man. 

Random Recap - Caps 4, Canes 1

Team of destiny?  Maybe.  Though, I have to admit I’ve never seen the refs call so many cheap penalties that work in the Caps’ favor.  And it’s about damn time, too.  

• Alexander Semin had a much better game tonight.  He’s better when he’s that feisty.  
• If the Caps do make the playoffs, Sergei Federov will really shine.
• Here’s hoping that Shaone Morrisonn’s injury isn’t that serious.  One wonders how the defensive pairs get shuffled around if he’s out of the lineup. 

I cannot wait to get down there for the last 2 games of the regular season.  This will be a very exciting finish, indeed!

Random Recap - Caps 4, Lightning 3 (OT)

All I can say is “WHEW!”

• Alexander Semin had a pedestrian effort up until the third period.
• Congrats to Brooks Laich for bagging his 20th goal and assisting on the Flash GWG.
• Kudos to the Lightning for blocking shots in front of Karri Rammo, who challenged every shot that got to him aggressively by playing them way out in front of his crease.  I particularly thought that Jeff Halpern and Alexander Picard had great games tonight.

Well, they win, but so do the Bruins.  They keep pace, but they’ll have to keep it up against the Panthers.

WrestleMania XXIV — The Only Preview I need

This is a decent review for a mediocre card.

No better way to put it…

Kudos to Sally Jenkins for this piece in today’s Washington Post.

One would hope that the IOC and this Olympiad’s sponsors deliberate on this consciously.

Perhaps I’m hoping for too much.

Random Recap - Caps 4, Thrashers 3

I only got to watch the third period.  Remember this game if the Caps make the playoffs.

ALRIGHT! I GOT IN!!!

This is wonderful news.  I found out today that I got into my top choice MBA program.  I’m very happy right now. The cabby who drove me to the airport after my admissions interview said he’d try to convert me over to a Pens fan; I told him it would never happen.  

Day One with the new toy

Yes, I purchased my new MacBook yesterday.  This machine replaces my PowerMac G5 which I purchased 3 years ago.

Honestly, it’s wonderful.  I was most delighted with using Migration Assistant to transfer all my data from my G5 to the new machine via FireWire.