NBA and NHL Playoffs ~ Go Cavs, Win Game 1! Go Caps ~ Win Game 2!

I am watching the Cleveland Cavs whip up on the Chicago Bulls on TV, and trying to resist the urge to take a nap this gorgeous Saturday afternoon.  Somewhere admidst my boredom, I started to think about my plans for tonight and remembered that Game 2 of the Washington Capitals v Montreal Canadiens series is tonight at 7 at the Verizon Center.  The Caps dropped game 1 in overtime, so tonight's match-up is expected to be a good one.  Soooooo, began the hunt for the perfect ticket.

After looking at Ticketmaster and striking out, I went to my favorite ticket broker site.  I wanted to see where those sharks priced the tickets in their inventory, since they're usually the highest once you add fees, etc.  Then I went to Craigs list to see where those folks had priced tickets, but they didn't have a lot of inventory available and the idea of meeting a complete freak, who knew I was carrying cash, this afternoon wasn't appealing.  Ebay is always fun to look at, but there was one guy out in Springfield who wanted a price, that I could get outside the arena tonight ~ so a trip to Springfield was out of the question.  My last and final stop was the Capitals Ticket Exchange, where season ticket holders list their "extras", and I found a ticket listed for a more than reasonable price.

I have a friend who's a Habs fan, and as soon as the game went into overtime we bet about the outcome of Game 1.  The loser owed the winner a trip to Vegas.  Unfortunately the Caps and I lost.  Fortunately, my friend couldn't accept the bet and offered me the trip to Vegas anyway!  Woohoo ~ I won after all!!!  Told you I was lucky.  We'll see if the trip actually pans out, but regardless at least I'm off the hook without having to weasel my way out (i.e. I'll never explicitly renege on a bet).

Anyway, I'm all set for tonight's hockey game, so I'll see you at the phone booth.  Oh ~ and I'll be sporting my "new"  Ovechkin jersey.  This is going to be a good one!

By the way, if I had to guess about the scalper prices to night, here's what I think.  A pair of lowers will run about $250/$300 and you'll be able to score a pair of uppers for $150/$200.  Those are just my guesses, based on what I've seen.  It is the playoffs after all.  ****  As a rule, I'd never agree to paly a price that's not a multiple of $20.  Why?  Everyone knows that ATMs don't give out $10s, so it's pointless.  Therefore, why stress about finding $10, when the scalper may even be pressed to give you change?  Do everything in increments of $20. 

Let's go Caps!!!

Ugh - in the amount of time it took me to type this, the Bulls have cut the Cavs lead to 7 points.  Time to re-focus my energy towards Cleveland.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not scared, but seriously...


THE WIRK

Caps sweep the Penguins, UConn repeats, the NBA Playoff race, and upcoming adventures

An array of sporting events happened and are happening tonight.  Honestly, I fully intended to go out this evening and decided to wear my new Capitals' Ovechkin jersey.  However, after getting ready, I decided to lay low and flip channels all evening.

Hockey and College Basketball (i.e. just a little bit on women's college basketball):

While watching the Caps take on the Penguins (i.e. Caps were up, 5-3) on TV, I received a call from a buddy who told me to flip to the Women's College Basketball Championship game.  He told me that UConn was losing.  Say what?!?!  I flipped to it and Stanford was beating UConn 20-17 in the 2nd half of the game.  With a painfully low score, I was interested in it for only a few minutes.  I saw a missed lay-up, a bunch of missed shots, and a score that indicated that UConn was starting to catch up.  UConn eventually took the lead (i.e. I think they led by 4 when I decided to go back to the hockey game).  I'm going to assume that UConn won the game and that their winning streak is in tact.

The Caps ended up winning 6-3 and Ovechkin scored two goals, compared to Crosby's one.  It's official, the Caps have swept the Penguins, 4-0.  Conclusion: Perhaps my new jersey is lucky?!?!


Basketball:

Don Nelson had a chance to break Lenny Wilkens' record for all-time wins tonight in DC.  Currently, both Nellie and Lenny are tied with 1,332 wins.  I noticed earlier in the day that one of my facebook friends had suite tickets that he was giving away for tonight's game.  A free suite ticket to see the Golden State Warriors take on the Wizards and watch Nellie make history, and I couldn't muster the energy to request a ticket...  No offense to Nellie, because I have much respect, but does that tell you how disinterested I was in the game even though it would've been historic?  If anything, it looks like I didn't miss anything since the Wizards defeated  Golden State, 112-94.  I watched exactly 0.0 minutes of this game.

The Cavs hosted the Raptors at home and won.  This isn't really noteworthy, but since I am a Cavs fan, the mention is obligatory.  On another note, while stressed out and rooting for the Duke Blue Devils, I wore my Cavz - Better with Z, Fresh Brewed Tees shirt, last night and it generated someinterest and overall received a good response.

I'm heading to Atlanta later this week, and I actually just read on that Joe Johnson is going to miss at least the next two games with a sprained right thumb.  ****Mental note: Must check and see if Friday's game is one of the next 2 games on the Hawks' schedule.  I'm guessing it is.  Boo!!!  While we're on the subject of Hawks' injuries, what is going on with Mike Bibby's ingrown toenail and possible infection ~ ugh.  Come on, Hawks!!!  I want to see you play at full strength and not all banged up before heading into the Playoffs.

The Thunder lost in overtime to the Jazz today, 139-140. With the NBA Playoff race in the West being a tight one, this loss hurt for all the Durant and OKC Thunder fans.

I'm eagerly anticipating the release of the NBA Playoffs schedule.  Once, I see it ~ I can plan where I want to go.  Initially (i.e. in a perfect world and without looking at costs and schedules) based on the current standings, the Cavs v Toronto series and Lakers v Blazers series are the most intriguing.  Why?  I haven't seen a home game in Toronto or Portland and would love to return to either city and see friends. 

On a plane heading "somewhere"

The current standings in the East  (1-8) are as follows:

1. Cleveland
2. Orlando
3. Atlanta
4. Boston
5. Milwaukee
6. Miami
7. Charlotte
8. Toronto

The current standings in the West (1-8) are as follows:

1. L.A. Lakers
2. Utah
3. Dallas
4. Phoenix
5. Denver
6. San Antonio
7. Oklahoma City
8. Portland

Baseball:

I may not have made it to opening day, but I believe I see a Braves game in my future.  Stay tuned.


Golf:

 I've got some big plans in the next few days.  Here's a hint, I'm going to Georgia.  Stay tuned.


Tennis:

I was checking schedules of some of the Majors (i.e. after I saw a post from a friend about Roland Garros in 40+ days).  Paris is one of my favorite cities and I was fortunate to spend a weekend there last year.  When doing some checking, I noticed that the French Open is being played during Memorial Day weekend.  Immediately I checked my points and miles balances.  As of now, it's a definite maybe, since I find the idea completely intriguing (i.e. it requires no time off of work and I can cover Paris in a couple of days for the tournament)

Of course, the next thing I looked up were the dates for Wimbledon, which just so happens to end on the Sunday, 4th of July.  I like London also...  Just saying.  Seriously though, I'd most likely have to pick between the two events, and it's a little too early for me to commit to either.

Can you hear that?  The gears in my head are turning, but that's all I have for now.  Tomorrow is going to be a great day!


THE WIRK

Monday night was a bad night to mess with Texas ~ Caps lose in a shootout

Monday night, I went to watch the Dallas Stars take on the Washington Capitals.  Perched nicely in a seat in front of the Jonny Walker suites, I watched most of the beginning of the game.  During the National Anthem, some folks in the crowd sheepishly yelled "Stars" at the point of "broad stripes and bright stars", but it was no where near as forceful as the "Red" in the "rockets red glare".  This is DC after all, and Caps' fans rock the red in the phone booth to support their team.

I watched the first 2 periods of the game and sipped pinot grigio, while I took in the scene.  It was a warmer day, and I wanted something crisp to relax.  The game started off like it usually does ~ Caps in the lead and by the end of the 2nd period the Caps were up on the Stars 2-0.  Ovechkin had two of the goals to end his 6 game scoring slump.

The Mites took the ice, and I started talking with the guy next to me about the kid "Hunter" on the ice who abused the smaller, goalie at Saturday's game.  That poor lil goalie (#1) gave up 3 goals that Saturday...  The guy I was talking about made a comment that I may be going to too many games.  Ummm ~ I think he may be correct...  I know the names of the Mites?!?!  I night need a break...

Anyway, the 3rd period started and my friend wanted to introduce me to someone.  So there I was chatting it up and networking and before you knew it, the Stars scored.  Ok - no biggie...  Caps were still up 2-1.  I continued to yap.  Blah blah this, blah blah that...  Wait - the Stars scored AGAIN?!?!  Um, ok...  I thought to myself and told my friend that overtime could be fun and shootouts are even more fun!  He'd never seen a shootout before.  ***I was fortunate enough to witness a shootout at my very first hockey game about 2 years ago, and the Caps were victorious that night.

So there we were, tied at 2 in the 3rd period.  Next thing you knew Dallas scored and took the lead.  What?!?!  That wasn't supposed to happen.  Late in the 3rd period, Ovechkin netted his 2nd goal of the night and we were tied.  I look at the clock and prayed that we go into overtime, tied at 3.  I hate when good games end.  There wasn't much time left and I watched the clock go to zero.

Overtime.  Nothing happened, sooooooo ~ we moved to a shootout.  Conversation more or less ceased in our suite.  Everyone had their eyes on the ice.  It was our 5 guys verses their 5 guys.  Backstrom was the 2nd Cap to shoot and he scored!  The crowd went wild.  Unfortunately, 2 of their guys scored, and the Stars claimed the victory.

Richards' response to Backstrom's goal was to score his own

Exciting game, but with an undesirable outcome for Caps fans!  Stars beat the Caps, and the final score was 4-3.  Last night was not the night to "Mess with Texas"...

Oh well, on a lighter note after the game, I met the Capstronaut.

That's all for now... Oh, and if you want your own costume ~ here you go...


THE WIRK