Great Performance

Sorry for not posting in a while...I have been busy with Bar Mitzvah preparations.

Last night during Monday Night Football, The Patriots dominating win over the Dolphins 38-24 was capped of with franchise records, and MNF records by who else than Tom Brady. Brady passed for 517 YARDS!!! Not to mention his four touchdowns. The defending MVP was nearly flawless last season if not for the playoff game against the Jets in Foxboro last season, where the Jets stunned the Patriots. ESPN's John Gruden (former NFL coach) said "Brady is a man on a mission." Brady happens to be an athlete I personally look up too. He is great leader, and an intense player. I am looking forward to see what kind of show Brady puts on this season.

Running His Mouth

I personally don't like the Jets, particularly Rex Ryan. 2 weeks ago Ryan used the line, "it's personal," when he was talking about 'fulfilling his destiny' to beat Peyton Manning (he has previously only played him twice). He used the same line this past week talking about Bill Belichick, and not coming to New York just to "kiss Bill's rings," he wanted to prove he is better. Whether it's Rex Ryan working all these miracles by beating the best two quarterbacks in the league in Brady and Manning, I don't know. All I would say to Rex is to keep his mouth shut or else on Sunday the Steelers will put their best foot forward and pound Ryan's less than Stellar offense....just for Rex; also Ryan should really start kissing Tomlin's rings.

So Long Agent Zero

The Washington Wizards traded Gilbert Arenas to the Orlando Magic Friday night in a major 3 way deal between Washington, Orlando, and Phoenix, in exchange, the less than stellar Wizards received F Rashard Lewis. The trade may not have helped the Wizards in terms of skill, but the trade got a franchise crushing and immature player in Gilbert Arenas of their backs. Rashard Lewis is 31 years old, averages 12,2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 1.2 apg. Gilbert was apologetic to the city of Washington for his carless prank last year, when he brought a loaded gun into the Wizard's locker room. Gilbert is now acting humble for a new opportunity to be a part of a successful franchise.

Back on Track?

The Washington capitals recent 8 game losing streak finally came to an end Sunday where the caps triumphed in a battle of North American capitals against Ottawa. The caps entered the streak atop the NHL with a 18-6-2 record sitting pretty in the Southeast division. However, the caps came out of the streak 18-12-4, 10th in the NHL, and 3rd in their division. Many questions surrounded the franchise and particularly the head coach Bruce Boudreau. Many people thought that Boudreau would be fired. Boudreau and the caps lost their games against: Dallas 2-1, Atlanta 3-1, Toronto 5-4 (SO), Florida 3-0, Colorado 3-2, New York Rangers an embarrassment of 7-0, Anaheim 2-1 (OT), and Boston 3-2. Big name stars such as Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Mike Green performed horrifically with a combined less than 10 points. The caps were outscored during the stretch 28 to 11, they averaged 1.375 goals per game, last year they averaged over 3.5. The caps have turned it around lately, with a 3-2 hard fought win in Ottawa, and just recently a prevail over New Jersey 5-1, with the 3rd and 4th line gritty guys making a significant difference. The caps face the "streaking" Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday where the stars will have to step up in order to win 3 in a row, and turn the franchise around in the right direction.

Caps Face Dallas

The Capitals face The Dallas Stars in a crucial east-west showdown tonight. Both teams are relying on their hot forwards and goalies in Brad Richards and Kari Lethonen, (Dallas) and Alexander Semin and Semyon Varlamov. (Washington)

Racking Up the Wins

The Washington Capitals, and their young stars have won their past 6 games with authority. The win streak started 2 weeks ago against the Calgary Flames. The caps won against the Flames 7-2, with a 6 goal offensive outburst in the second period. Later in the week, The Caps played lazily late in the game, but still managed to come out on top against Toronto in a shootout 5-4. The caps kept the streak alive against Boston, in a hard fought close game that the Caps triumphed in, 5 to 3. Next game, the Caps improved their overtime record to 5 and 0, beating Philadelphia by a score of 3-2. Then, the Caps ventured to Madison Square Garden, where they outplayed, and beat the New York Rangers. Just recently, the Caps topped a division rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning in a lead-turning game by a score of 6 to 3. In the caps 6 game stretch, Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, and Nicklas Backstrom have been tremendous, with 38 combined points in the past 6 games. The Caps play the Sabres tomorrow night, and they look to make it 7 in a row.

Breakdown in Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys are off to a shocking 1 and 7 start this season, 2nd worst in franchise history and Dallas has finally made some changes. Former head coach Wade Phillips was fired today after Green Bay's rout of Dallas last night, 45 to 7, Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett took over for Phillips. A upsetting defeat, as Dallas expected to bounce back last night, instead things are just getting worse for the Cowboys. In the beginning of the season owner Jerry Jones, fans, and the players of the Cowboys had expectations for Dallas to play in the super bowl at Cowboy Stadium this year, but Dallas has almost been eliminated from the playoffs halfway through the season already.

A Stone Wall

Tonight the Capitals run into a red hot goalie in Tim Thomas as he and the Bruins look to go 3-0 against the Caps this year. In 2008 Thomas won the Vezina Trophy as the leagues best goalie. However, last year, he struggled and gave up his starting role to young and rising goalie, Tukka Rask. This year Thomas is performing absolutely outstanding this year with 7 wins, 0 losses, a GAA of 0.72, and a save percentage of .980, he leads the league in all 3 categories. Both teams are on win streaks, so I hope it will be a good game, I will be there selling programs in the first period. Go Caps!!

Wall Vs. Turner

Tuesday night, John Wall and the Wizards topped Evan Turner and the 76'ers 116-115 in an overtime thriller. Wall recorded great stats with 29 points and 13 assists, Andray Blatche also pitched in with 23 points and 8 rebounds in the first win of the year for the Wizards, who are 1 and 2. Wall and Turner, the top two draft picks this past year faced off for the first intriguing matchup out of many to come in their careers. Turner started on the bench for the sixers, but still racked up 27 minutes, also he only tallied 9 points.

Hershey Bears

On saturday my hockey team played one of the best teams in the world, the hershey jr. bears AAA select team, then we stayed in the chocolate town to watch the Hershey bears play the AHL Pittsburgh Penguins, if I were George McPhee (who was in attendance) I would not be too pleased. Because of Semyon Varlamov's injury starting Hershey goalie, Braden Holtby was called up to back up Michael Neuvirth for the caps. This left Danny Sabourin in net for the bears, Sabourin struggled early going 4 saves out of 7 shots he got pulled before the halfway mark in the first period. The bears did score first but would never recover from Sabourin's crucial mistakes. They lost to Pittsburgh 6 to 2. The players for the bears all looked sloppy by whiffing shots, making unintelligent passes, and not skating hard. Overall the effort by the Caps AHL partners was way below expectations and did empress few.

World Series Picks

I know it is a little late, but I'm taking Rangers in 7 despite the 0-2 lead with the Giants ahead. For MVP i'm taking Josh Hamilton even though he is hitless so far.

Here We Go Again

Last night, the Wizards lost to the Magic 112-83 in the season debut and highly anticipated rookie debut for star shooting/point guard John Wall. The Wizards, coming off a less than stellar 26 wins and 56 losses last year, are at it again so far with a blowout beginning of the season. Wall, held his ground last night, but did not put up stellar numbers with 14 points and 9 assists. Although it is the beginning of the season the Wizards need a win on Saturday against the 2 and 0 Atlanta Hawks.

Get r Dunn

Adam Dunn stays, at least for now. I'm glad as I think he will hit 40 homers this year and that isn't easy to replace in the Nats lineup.

Win or Go Golfing

The Caps face Game 6 tonight in the Igloo. Do or die. I won't even be able to watch as I have the first session of several hockey tryouts. Kind of do or die for me too, but I don't get to go on vacation and play golf if I get cut. I'd be miserable for a bit and then resolve to work my butt off to make the top team next year.

Non Calls

If I were George McPhee, I wouldn't complain about the officiating. I would complain about the LACK of officiating. You cannot say that the calls on the Caps were not committed by the players. But you can say (and have strong video evidence) about the calls not made on the Pens. Our guys get interferred with, and then get a penalty for slashing. Our goalie gets slashed, knocked around, and interferred with constantly and we take the penalty (or there is no call). It is not a question of the Penguins having 7 power plays. It is a question as to why the Capitals only had 2. The Kid hope tonight's game is a little more balance. Let's hope my brother's favorite linesman Don Van Mastenhoven is skating elsewhere.

One Day the Post, the Next Day the Local News!

Tonight I was interviewed about the death threat against Alex Ovechkin by a Pens fan. My brother and I were at a stick and shoot at Kettler where the Caps practice:

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0509/620747_video.html?ref=newsstory

Pretty sad and pathetic, and maybe even a little scary.

Anyway, it was a heartbreaker to lose the Flightless Fowl last night in overtime, but tomorrow is another day and the Caps are still ahead 2-1. I'd be more worried if I were a Bruins fan. Would like to see Nylander sit though and one of the Hershey guys get the call up instead. And I'm not just saying that because I have to play against Nylander's kids (and they are seriously good).

Prediction for Friday night's game: Like I said in the interview, Ovie is focused and gets two points, but someone else steps up who hasn't scored yet like ahem perhaps the Other Alex, maybe someone like Gordon or even Clark, and then hopefully the MIA Norris Trophy Deserver Mike Green.

I'm BACK!!

Tip of the Caps hat to Washington Post reporter Mike Wise for covering Donald Brashear's visit to Ft Dupont Ice Arena.

Oh, and Mr. Wise interviewed me too, and mentioned THIS blog. So now I am back in business, just in time for:

Caps to beat the flightless Penguins tonight (and I'm going!)
Nats to be rained out probably again
Skins training camp with a well done #1 pick
Gilbert still being Gilbert
Hibbert hanging out with some Hoya pals during his off season
My upcoming hockey tryouts....

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa or in my case, Happy Hanukkah everyone.

Caps Pull One Out

With less than 11 seconds left in overtime, Alex Ovechkin made one count and the Caps walk away from Long Island with 2 points. It should never have been so close, but the Islanders played tough in the thrid period, and the Caps had put on the brakes. I really really hate Jon Sim though. No matter what team he plays for, he always looks like a superstar against the Caps.

Good to see Gordon get a goal too.

Caps and Hoyas are Rolling

It was a good sports weekend, with the exception of the Redskins defeat to the basically winless Bungles. The Caps took two games and four hard earned points from good teams. Simeon Varmalov had his debut as goalie and was the first rookie goalie to win since like 1978 or something like that. Not bad for the kid. I guess it was a better choice to play him over the Caps website producer who was the backup the night before. He is at least a goalie, but it was funny to see someone we had never heard of sitting on the bench for the first period until Varmalov arrived on Friday night. I had a feeling Johnnie would need the night's rest, but had no idea Varmalov would be so solid in Montreal, for Hockey Night in Canada!

I cannot even watch the Wizards anymore.

The Hoyas (ranked #19 at the time) defeated Memphis (#17) so they should continue to climb in the ratings. I like how they are playing, even if it took overtime to knock off Memphis.

But the Sports Kid has to make a comment on the Heisman. Colt McCoy led the Longhorns to a victory over the Oklahoma Sooners and Sam Bradford this season, despite Oklahoma being higher ranked at the time. Each team lost one game during the season, OU to UT, UT to Texas Tech and Texas Tech to OU thought Tech was out of it at the end. Nevertheless OU gets to play for the national title, despite losing to UT. And now Bradford wins the Heisman over McCoy too. Colt won the much lesser known Walter Camp award, given to the best player by coaches and sports information directors.

At least Colt plans to return for his senior year, and then he can smash the stats he set this year. And perhaps prove himself over Bradford and Tebow yet again as worthy.
Maybe Colt can have the last laugh in the NFL?