Caps defeat the Rangers, 2-1 in OT ~ Caps lead the series 1-0

Mike Green was back in action, as the Washington Capitals took a 1-0 lead in the 1st round playoff series v the New York Rangers.  The Caps goals were scored by Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin.  ****  Matt Gilroy had the goal for the Rangers.  It took overtime, but the Caps were victorious at the Verizon Center.

Incidentally, I watched the game on TV and saw Wheel of Fortune's own, Pat Sajak, at the game.  A Tweep told me that Sajak is from Maryland and might even be a season ticket holder.  That's semi-correct.  I checked his bio, and he was born and raised in Chicago, IL.  He splits time between Maryland and California.  Who knew?

Game 2 of the series is in Washington, DC on Friday at 7:30.


THE WIRK

I spied Alex Ovechkin when I ran out to meet a friend on Sunday

I went out for a little bit on Sunday to meet a friend, and guess who I saw having lunch.  Alex Ovechkin from the Washington Capitals.  I've seen numerous Caps players when I'm out and about, but I've never been that close to Ovie.  He walked by my friends and I.  I said, "What's up, Ovie."  He smiled.  He frequents the same place I go to, because of the close proximity to the Kettler Capitals Iceplex.  Plus, no one really bothers him when he comes in.

Incidentally, he's a hockey player, but I expected him to be bigger.  He's not much taller than me, and I'm 5'7"-5'8".

If you want a picture of the two of us, too bad.  I don't bother people when they're eating, and when he left, he didn't want to take a picture.  

All good though ~ I've seen him play a number of times and at a bunch of basketball games, so I'm sure I'll run into him again, eventually...

I think this is a sign that I need to start keeping up with hockey again... 

Go Caps!

THE WIRK

Magic defeat the Wizards thanks to Dwight Howard's last shot

I came back to the DC area after hanging out with my family for Thanksgiving.  It was an early morning.  I was up at 4AM and slept most of the afternoon away, once I made it back.  I had a feeling my friend, Mandy would call about the Orlando Magic v Washington Wizards game tonight, so I decided to stay in town.  Sure enough a little before 6PM, my phone rang and I hauled my lifeless body to the Verizon Center for the game.

Tip off was at 7PM and I arrived at the arena 10 minutes before the hour.  Mandy had a ticket for me, but I wasn't sure where it'd be.  ****  I'm a bit of a ticket snob.  I expect a good seat when I go to a game, and I'm willing to make sure I have one.  Since I had a few minutes, I decided to scalp a ticket.  The first guy I talked to refused $50 for a ticket in section 120.  That's fine.  The next guy showed me a ticket in section 119, row E.  Face value was $125.  I offered him $50, and next thing you knew, we had a deal.

I texted Mandy that I was good and into the building I went.  Turns out that she and her friends were in section 118.  Perfect.  As I watched the 1st half, it finally hit me late in the 1st quarter that John Wall wasn't playing.  Um, yeah.  Like I said, it's been a long day.  Guess I'll have to go to another game.  ****  Oh, I know ~ I'll go and catch the new look New York Knicks (i.e. with Amare Stoudemire) when they come to town. 

Another thing I noticed was that Gilbert Arenas was playing tonight.  I can't honestly remember the last time I've seen Gilbert in uniform and playing.  He had a great game tonight.  He tallied 31 points.  On one possession Gilbert took a shot and the man on my left told his daughter, "4 years ago, he would have made that shot."  Wow.  What can I say though?  The man spoke the truth.

The game was much closer in the 2nd half, but Mandy et al and I watched the 3rd quarter from The Greene Turtle.  It was our chance to catch up, since I hadn't seen her since I was in Phoenix for the NBA Playoffs.

We went to watch the 4th quarter and the game was definitely tighter.  Incidentally, the line was Washington +7.  I told my friend, I'd take the points if I was him.  Without John Wall, and after the victory over Miami, I figured that the Magic would win, but that the game would be competitive.  Needless to say, I was correct.

After the game, we took our visitor passes and headed to the tunnel to greet the Orlando Magic.  Patrick Ewing walked by, but I've met him numerous times before so I wasn't going to bother him.  He signed a basketball for someone and whoever that person is better realize just how lucky he/she is to have a Ewing autograph.  ****  When I was in college I tried a number of times to get him to sign my Knicks pennant and was always unsuccessful.  However, since I've run into him and talked to him a number of times, I don't feel pressed to make contact again.

I saw J.J. Redick and Chris Duhon and contemplated taking a picture with them, but the more I thought about it ~ I'm "Duke'd" out after all the games I've seen.  I'm actually going to see the Duke v Butler match-up on Saturday (i.e. next week).  My brother is a Duke alumnus...  I'm good.

Alex Ovechkin was at the game sitting courtside. Coincidentally, Vince Carter was also sitting courtside on the Magic's bench, since he's injured (i.e. knee).

The rest of the Orlando Magic eventually trickled out of the locker room, and last but not least, Dwight Howard came out to the tunnel.  Finally, I took a good picture with him and that was all she wrote.

Great night out.  Magic defeated the Wizards with a score of 100-99.  Dwight Howard's put back was the difference, since the Wizards couldn't convert on their final possession.  Dwight Howard finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds.

Not a bad night at all...

THE WIRK

Washington Capitals defeat the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2 in OT

Today the Philadelphia Flyers were in town to take on the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center, and guess who was sitting pretty 2 rows behind the Caps bench...  Yep, this girl.  My friend (i.e. who my brother and I have known since we were maybe 6 years old and moved to the DC area about a year ago), Scott, told me (i.e. and another childhood friend who was in town) at dinner last night, that he had never been to a Caps game before.  I couldn't believe it.  It's been about a year since he moved to the DC area and he hadn't seen the Caps in action?!?!  Well, that's just unacceptable, so I took it upon myself to rectify the situation.

Before the game, I told him that I thought the final score would be 3-2, and that the Caps would win.  YES, I was right.  Don't believe me?  Why would I lie?!?!  I told you I was somewhat psychic...

I decided that for this game, I wanted to sit at center ice near the Capitals bench.  Normally I like to sit towards the side that the Caps shoot twice, but since this was my first game of the season I just wanted to focus on taking some good shots of the players.  Plus, since it was my friend's first time at the game, I wanted to make sure he got a good look at Alexander Ovechkin.  Ovechkin was relatively quiet during the game, but I managed to get some great shots.

Ovechkin up close

 Eric Fehr scord a goal in the 1st period to tie the game at 1.  It was Fehr's third goal for the season. 

Alexander Semin scored in the 2nd period to tie the game at 2. 

 Fehr and Semin sitting on the bench, taking a breather.

Up close, near the action

Sure enough, Mike Green came to the rescue in overtime and scored to give the Caps the win. 

My first hockey game for the season is now "in the books".  The Caps now have a record of 10-4, and continue to lead the Southeast Division.  GO CAPS!!!!

THE WIRK

Flight delayed? Just Tweet and watch the 2010 NBA Draft

****  I know I'm late, with this post.  I was on vacation.  That doesn't mean I don't have something to say.

My travel nightmares over the past few days started on Thursday night...

I was at the gate ready to board my flight, when the gate agent got on the intercom to announce that my flight would be delayed.  It just so happens I was talking on the phone when the announcement was going on.  I heard it just fine (i.e. along with the other 100 people at the gate), but some strange lady in orange pants started waving her hands in front of me to try to shush me.  If you read this blog, you also know that I don't like people who wave their hands at me to get me to do or NOT do something.  Regardless, the lady spazzed out again while sitting down an hour later and some other strangers had to help her get some airport personnel to attend to her.  Who knows what the lady's issue was, but at least she had a team of 5 people to handle her.

On Thursday, my flight was supposed to leave Minneapolis around 5:30 PM, but left around 11:15PM instead.  Awesome.  Does anyone even know that Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport had a G Terminal?!?!  I had no idea.  It's faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar.  Regardless,  There's nothing anyone can do about a flight delay and this blow wasn't as devastating for me, since it gave me a chance to watch the NBA Draft.  I love the NBA Draft when the draft pool is loaded with talent.  I'm not going to sugar coat it.  In comparison to the 1996 NBA Draft, I think this year's draft pool was relatively shallow. 

1996 was stacked with talent.  As a recap from Wikipedia:

Round one

1. Allen Iverson* (SG) United States Philadelphia 76ers Georgetown-So.
2. Marcus Cambyx (C) United States Toronto Raptors UMass-Jr.
3. Shareef Abdur-Rahim+ (PF) United States Vancouver Grizzlies California-Fr.
4. Stephon Marbury* (PG) United States Milwaukee Bucks (traded to Minnesota) Georgia Tech-Fr.
5. Ray Allen* (SG) United States Minnesota Timberwolves (traded to Milwaukee Bucks) UConn-Jr.
6. Antoine Walker+ (PF) United States Boston Celtics (from Dallas) Kentucky-So.
7. Lorenzen Wright (C) United States Los Angeles Clippers Memphis-So.
8. Kerry Kittles (SG) United States New Jersey Nets Villanova-Sr.
9. Samaki Walker (PF) United States Dallas Mavericks (from Boston) Louisville-So.
10. Erick Dampier (C) United States Indiana Pacers (from Denver) Mississippi State-Jr.
11. Todd Fuller (C) United States Golden State Warriors (from Golden State via Orlando and Washington) NC State-Sr.
12. Vitaly Potapenko (C) Ukraine Cleveland Cavaliers (from Washington) Wright State-Jr.
13. Kobe Bryant* (SG) United States Charlotte Hornets (traded to L.A. Lakers) Lower Merion HS (Lower Merion, PA)
14. Peja Stojaković* (SF) Yugoslavia Sacramento Kings PAOK (Greece)
15. Steve Nash* (PG) Canada Phoenix Suns Santa Clara-Sr.
16. Tony Delk (SG) United States Charlotte Hornets (from Miami) Kentucky-Sr.
17. Jermaine O'Neal* (F/C) United States Portland Trail Blazers Eau Claire HS (Columbia, SC)
18. John Wallace (PF) United States New York Knicks (from Detroit via San Antonio) Syracuse-Sr.
19. Walter McCarty (PF) United States New York Knicks (from Atlanta via Miami) Kentucky-Sr.
20. Zydrunas Ilgauskas+ (C) Lithuania Cleveland Cavaliers Atletas (Lithuania)

I told you that the 1996 NBA Draft talent was deep!

This year was different.  If you didn't know ahead of time who the #1 (i.e. John Wall) and #2 (i.e. Evan Turner) picks were, then you either don't like basketball or you're stupid.  Like I said, I'm not going to sugar coat it.

Stuck at the airport, I had no choice but to pony up in front of a TV and watch the NBA draft and READ the closed captioning.  After a while that is no fun.  So, with my trust iPhone in hand I logged into my Twitter account to see what people had to say.  I follow some really intelligent people in sports who are in the know, and I also follow some clowns that make me laugh with their 140 character posts.  I sat there and almost accidentally spit out my drink reading the tweets, when the Utah took Gordon Hayward 9th.  I laughed out loud after reading some of the comments when the New Orleans Hornets drafted Kansas' Cole Aldrich at #11. 

As soon as Aldrich was selected one of my friends who I follow wrote that "Chris Paul was as good as gone."  I laughed.  Then the Hornets agreed to trade Aldrich and guard Morris Peterson to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Thunder's 21st and 26th picks in the first round.  I couldn't wait to see Kevin Durant's face to decipher his reaction to the trade.  Actually, now that I think about it, I follow KDThunderup on Twitter and I can't remember if he reacted or not.  Read into that, what you will.

Interestingly, with the 23rd pick, Trevor Booker was the first senior to be drafted by the Timberwolves.  Read into that, what you will.

During the draft I noticed a post that David Aldridge wrote saying that Rasheed Wallace was going to retire. That was my chance to Tweet that on a day when everyone welcomes rookies to the league, it's always important to remember the veterans!

I haven't read Bill Simmons' NBA Draft Diary post yet.  Like a kid on Christmas, I anxiously look forward to it every year,  Simmons' basketball knowledge is so deep that I use it as a litmus test to see if I still "have it".  If I get lost and don't understand his references, it's a sign that I need to study-up some more.  My brother isn't a formidable opponent, even though he like to think he knows his basketball history ~ he doesn't.  Usually he hits me with some highlights from Simmons' piece and a couple of questions, but since he's in Cape Town this year (i.e. World Cup), I'll forgive him for slacking this year.

John Wall is a Washington Wizard,  Stephen Strasburg is a Washington National.  Donovan McNabb is a Washington Redskin.  Alex Ovechkin is a Washington Capital.  In the course of a few years, Washington DC has become a "sexier" town for athletes.  Now, all Washington needs to do is show the rest of the teams that it can WIN.

THE WIRK

Ovechkin's boarding call on Campbell or Downie's hit on Crosby ~ The punishments don't fit the "crimes"...

I saw a clip on TV last night and couldn't believe my eyes.  Hockey is a physical game.  Almost no game is "complete" without some sort of fight, BUT you be the judge...

Sunday (i.e. 3/14/2010), Washington Capitals' Ovechkin was ejected and received a 2 game suspension, after his move on the Chicago Blackhawks' Brian Campbell.  Ovechkin pushed Campbell into the boards, and Campbell has a broken collarbone.  He won't need surgery but will miss the rest of the season.  This is a clip of Ovechkin's hit on Campbell.




Now, check out Steve Downie's move on Sydney Crosby from 3/14/2010.  I know there are plenty of people who don't like Crosby, especially in the DC/MD/VA area (i.e. home of the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin), but come on...  Downie's "move" is absurd and he only received a $1,000 fine (i.e. no suspension)?!?!



According to Wikipedia:
Boarding in ice hockey is a penalty called when an offending player violently pushes or checks an opposing player into the boards of the hockey rink, when the player is facing the board. The boarding call is quite often a major penalty due to the likelihood of injury sustained by the player who was boarded, and officials have the discretion to call a game misconduct on the offending player. However, if no injury is sustained, then a minor penalty will be called. In college hockey, the player does not need to be injured for it to be a major penalty. Boarding is usually assessed to a player when the opposing player is hit 4–5 feet away from the boards and hits their head against the boards on the way down.


I'm not going to get into the difference between a minor and a major penalty because that should be "obvious" IN THEORY.  If you want to read the rules ~ buy the book (i.e. link inserted for your convenience). 

Seriously?!?!?  There's a difference between pushing someone into the boards and hooking a leg.  I'd argue that Downie's move has intent to cause harm, and Ovechkin's was not.  I can't prove it, but I'd argue it.

So let me get this straight. You're allowed to hook another guys' leg with yours and try to tear his ACL, but if you're Alex Ovechkin and known for physical/aggressive play and commit a boarding penalty you're going to serve a suspension...  Unbelievable.

Growing up, I was a bit of a mean/rougher, tomboy kid.  I'm MUCH nicer now.  TRUST ME.  I haven't kicked anyone in the shins in years.  Alas, I digress...  When I was younger, I was a little sneaky and loved to torment my brother and the little kids around me.  I was the "original" suspect if anyone was hurt or something was wrong.  Why?  My mom said, it's because I was developing a reputation ~ so in her opinion, it basically made sense to approach me first if my brother or another kid was crying/hurt  (i.e.  as a result, I think I was unfairly punished more, even when I basically did nothing).   It's no secret that Ovechkin has a reputation for being an aggressive player, and I think in this case, the NHL punished him based on reputation and not the severity of the offense.



Here's a link for all the hockey whiners out there...


THE WIRK