Mike “Juice Boy” Knuble

No one likes to be last to the party, especially when that means serving Gatorade and water to your thirsty teammates. But following the Caps favorite post practice tradition of a game of Juice Boy, Mike Knuble became the apparent winner, er loser, in this little competition.  He lets the boys know how he feels about it by gleefully peppering them with pucks. Notice Jason Chimera is especially joyful at not having won the title for himself.  Oh well Jason, there's always Monday.

Capitals support DC Schools Beautification Day

Washington Capitals Charities brought fans and DC Public Schools together today at Powell Elementary for the annual DC Public Schools Beautification Day. The theme “Roll Up Your Sleeves and Transform Our Schools” was in full effect as volunteers painted, cleaned, stenciled, alphabetized, delivered, and constructed their way through an entire day benefiting the children and staff who begin their school year on Monday, August 23rd.


The clear and sunny day began with a rousing welcome from Capitals Announcer Wes Johnson and Director of Community Relations Elizabeth Wodatch, and was highlighted by opportunity to work alongside Capitals Defenseman Mike Green, who flew in from his summer break especially for this event.

Having participated in various volunteer opportunities over the years, we’d have to say that this was by far the hardest and yet most rewarding event we’ve completed to date. Not being ones to be stuck indoors, we selected gardening, but never expected to dig and transform two complete flower beds with a team of hardy guys and gals. Unbelievable amounts of broken glass, rocks, and weeds were removed from the sites ensuring safe locations for students to enjoy with their classmates for the next year. Flowers were planted including native species and the butterflies were already seeking out the Black-Eyed Susans and Dianthus as the final layers of mulch were being laid. Green dug right in, so to speak, and genuinely seemed disappointed when he had to move indoors to paint, hang signs, and tackle toilet duty. Can’t say we’d wish that on anyone, so good for you Greener, for being a good sport.

Return of Godzilla

Former Washington Capitals goalie, Olaf "Olie" Kolzig, is confirmed for an appearance at the second annual Washington Capitals Convention to be held on Saturday, October 2nd at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.


Kolzig, a player highly regarded for leading his led team to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998, played his final game for the Caps during the 2008 season and later signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. During his time in Washington he won the Vezina Trophy and earned 300 career wins.  This will mark the second time Caps fans have been able to show their appreciation to Kolzig for being the longest tenured professional in Washington sports, the last having been his return appearance to the Verizon Center when he was in goal for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and was given a standing ovation from fans.

Olie the Goalie was once known for his temper, but more recently for his dedication to Autism research on behalf of his son, Carson.  Kolzig, along with other athletes, began Athletes Against Autism  and The Carson Kolzig Foundation which is dedicated to research, empowerment, education and support of families affected by Autism disorders.

INOVA Blood Drive featured John Carlson Bobblehead

John "Captain America" Carlson

The Washington Capitals teamed up today with Inova Blood Donor Services at the Dulles Donor Center in Sterling, Va. Capitals defenseman, John Carlson, a member of the 2010 Calder Cup winning Hershey Bears, was in attendance part of the day to sign autographs.  Donors received a limited edition Carlson bobblehead and a Carlson jersey T-shirt.

One blood donation can save up to three lives. There is an immediate need for most blood types. More than 200 blood and platelet donations are needed every day, year-round, by patients at the 15 hospitals served by Inova Blood Donor Services. Blood and platelets help many people, including trauma patients, surgery patients, newborn babies, cancer patients and transplant patients

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit http://www.inova.org/donateblood.

Summertimetoblog

As some of you may know, teachers have very little time to do what they like to do in their spare time. In my case, that is writing, reading, and generally trying to stay current of trends and news of note. However, during the school year, I have very little of my own precious time as I am consumed with all things pertaining to “other peoples’ children”.


I have no children of my own, which in most cases, suits me just fine, as I love nothing more than spending the day with yours, and then sending them away. I fill their minds with all the knowledge I can, and it is up to them to retain it all. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have an endless supply of minutia, but I try to give them a well-rounded schooling in the way things work, how to change the things that don’t, and how to cooperate with others while doing the aforementioned. You could think of me as the Bruce Boudreau of my classroom. Ok, maybe not. But this is a hockey blog after all.

After completely shutting down my classroom, and wishing the children a fond farewell, which was really more like “help-me-pick-up-this-room-before-you-run-screaming-out-the-door-for-the-last-time”, I now have time to ponder how I will spend my summer days. The Washington Capitals must have had this same feeling when their season ended almost two months ago. Sure, we all love a good vacation, but it’s how you spend that precious free-time that really helps you understand who you are. So far, I am a lazy, manicured, Target-shopping, tooth-breaking, traffic-cursing, wasp-teasing, NHL draft-watcher. Who will I be tomorrow? Stay tuned.

I do know, that after winning the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey, Capitals Goalie Jose Theodore announced that he was probably not going to be returning the team. Jose lost his precious son, and it continues to define who he will be tomorrow. After losing the Norris for the second year in a row, Mike Green has been quoted as preparing to come back in the best shape of his life, after suffering a very disappointing loss in the first round of the playoffs. Captain Alex Ovechkin saw his fellow NHL players award him MVP, but had to endure his Russian comrades’ fall in the Olympics, and again in the Worlds. Who will they be tomorrow? Trades, picks, and free agency will help define this team over the next few days. I am glad I only have to worry about whether I applied sunscreen.

Still not ready

Lots of things to say, but if Mike Green can't do it, then neither can I. It has been a tough few days and we all feel like something dreadful has happened. It has, to some degree. When a team so full of promise for the 2010 postseason went out to an 8th seed in the first round, the community can't help but be let down. But we need a little perspective.


This is a group of young guys. Guys, who had they attended college, would just now be starting their professional careers. Let's consider #52 for a moment. He has already, in his young career, won an AHL Championship, been nominated for the Norris twice, and has donated countless hours to his community. Yes, his playoff left much to be desired, and he knows it. Do we honestly think that the athletes themselves don't know they've lost?

Team Captain Alex Ovechkin again blames himself for not getting enough goals. Last time I checked there was no "I" in TEAM, to be cliché'. But there is an "I" in LEARNING, STRIVING, and OVERCOMING.
If the GM, coaches and team can learn from any of these last three playoff experiences, it's that there is always room for improvement. Which also by the way, has an "I".

Game 7 Caps vs. Habs

Not wanting to exit the Stanley Cup Playoffs just yet, the Washington Capitals are in prime position to show the world just how serious a contender they are when they try to eliminate the Montreal Canadiens at Verizon Center tonight.

Having won the NHL's President Trophy, the Caps seek to put to rest doubters and naysayers.

We have been here before, the last two consecutive years in fact. After personally witnessing both the heartbreaking Round 1-Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers in OT in 2008, to the fateful Round 2-Game 7 undressing by future Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, we have to believe-our time is now.

This is not a time to dwell on the past, but to always look toward the future. Lift up our will and our voices. Give the team a chance to believe in themselves. And belief is what we have now. Belief in a team full of youth, vitality, hunger, and of all things, accuracy!
Let's Go Caps!