Some Excellent Journalism That Is…

Lately people of the media have been piling on Ovechkin so much so and for reasons that to most people make them go “what?” that even I, who is the last Cap fan to jump to his defense, have to cry foul. Ovie went from  ”…congenial and ultra-media-friendly…” to media hating. He’s a WITCH! WITCH, I SAY! BURN HIM AT THE STAKE!

Frankly if this was any player being called out all so much in a week I would still be up in arms. (And, I will be honest with you I can in no way be unbiased in writing this. I admit I have an axe to grind with most modern journalism. “Hatred” would be a very appropriate word to use.)

Mostly the recent sh** storm has been from journalists and blogger types. This Hockey News article is arguing the NHL should suspend Ovie for an incident of Ovie pushing a person with a camera after the Russia lose the other night (which I had not even heard of before this article). It even compares it to Avery’s little spat where he got suspend for saying detrimental things about the NHL. Problem is the very first sentence in the article:

None of us know the details regarding Alex Ovechkin shoving a person with a camera in the wake of Russia’s embarrassing 7-3 loss at the hands of the Canadians

“None of us know the details”? So we don’t know what the camera person was doing? For all we know the camera prson was accosting Ovechkin. Where did this even take place? When after the game? Was the person with the camera in a place they were even supposed to be? We don’t even know if the person was an actual member of the media or a fan. And it is “None of us knows the details…” if you want to be grammatically correct and all.

Why I’m not saying Ovechkin should have pushed the person with the camera, or had any right to in any situation to any one nor do I think there shouldn’t be backlash, comparing it to the Avery incident which was extremely public and we all know EXACTLY what happened is a bit of a stretch.

Then there was several people complaining he wasn’t talking to the media at the Olympics. Why I can agree some what with the frustration of the media whose employers want them to get a quote from one of the NHL’s biggest stars, who have deadlines to meet and stories that are interesting to write, I also think they’re go a bit far with their complaining. The Olympics are taxing on the athletes they play a lot of emotionally draining games night after night for two weeks. I can safely guess the last thing they want to do is field questions in the media scrum.

But, a good journalist will stop pouting about it and get good qoutes from other players to make up for the fact the big star didn’t talk to them. You’ll make it work. Crap happens. Where is the level of proffesionalism in journalism? I wonder if many of these writers have ever even been in a journalism class. (Though this would not surprise me as my journalism teacher said once ”No one who actually takes journalism in college actually ever becomes a journalist.”)

And, for the bloggers there, I am thinking of the Puckdaddy blog in particular who from what I was told (I do not follow the twitter or read the blog) and looked at had a serious hissy fit on Twitter over Ovie not talking to the paper or English media very much, even if your paid to do what you do, even if you have credentials, you are still a blogger. You are no different from every other fan who has computer access and enough brain power to register for a free account on Blogger or WordPress. So oh golden credentialed gods of the blogosphere pull up your big boy pants because unlike newspaper and tv journalist who have deadlines and articles they need to write you have a lot more flexibility with your writing and can figure out something to do. Maybe you should just count your blessing with the facts that you get to interview any big stars of hockey to begin with.

And, Ovie gives interviews after almost every game in the NHL. Two intense and wearing weeks of hockey in Vancouver should not erase this fact.

Whether Ovie’s actions were acceptable or not (in some cases not) this reaction by some of the media is if nothing unprofessional.

This Caps Fan’s Trip Through the Ovie Looking Glass

When I settled in to watch Russia vs. Slovakia it didn’t occur to me that for the first time in my hockey fandom I would be rooting AGAINST Ovechkin. I had become a Caps fan by the time Ovie had joined the team so not even during my Blue Jackets/no particular affiliation years I didn’t have a time where I was hoping to see Ovechkin fail.

It hit me half way through the first few minutes of the game that I was against Ovie and Semin but I shrugged it off as a non-factor. But, now I completely understand why some people hate him. By the time he was hit by Zdeno Chara the biggest hockey player ever and just shrugged him off (Shrugged the 6″9′ Chara off! What a freak of nature.) I was SEETHING with jealously because Slovakia doesn’t have a player who could do that. Slovensko has a LOT of great players but none like Ovechkin. There just isn’t another like him.

By the second Iwas activaly hoping someone one on Slovakia would hit him and hard. “Destroy” was the word on my lips. I was actually tempted to get hostile against my fellow Caps fans rooting for team Russia just because of Ovie. Seriously I wanted to call them bandwagoners. I’ve never wanted to do that to a fellow Caps fan or really any hockey fan before. And, Slovakia wasn’t even playing badly at this point. They didn’t play bad at all really they did much better than I thought they would. Russia only up by 1 by the end of the second? A win in my book. And, yet even my already usually high competitve streak was going off the charts.

I won’t ever take for granted the fact my Caps are lucky enough to have Ovechkin on his team. But, don’t think I’m going to get all fan girl on Ovie now. I’ve never thought of the Caps as “Ovie’s team” like a lot of people do. But, I defintaly appreciate how spoiled I am now.

And, guys come on now seriously? Quick crash course so we can avoid me getting asked one more time if I’m for team Slovakia or why I’m rooting agianst who ever they are playing.

THIS is Slovakia’s flag:

This is the shield on their jerseys:

And, Slovensko is the word for Slovakia in Slovak and I say it that way out of habit. (Just like I sometimes say “Magyar” when talking about the language or ethinc group “Hungarian”)

So come on now when my Twitter icon is the front of a Slovakia jersey and some one goes “You’re rooting against [insert who ever is playing Slovakia at said time] What? Why? They have [insert said Caps player on said opposing team]!” especially when I’ve said “Go Slovensko!” like five times you’d think it’s fairly figure out able but I’ve been asked a ridiculous amount of times over the past two nights so here’s your geography lesson for the day.

UPDATE:
I wrote this before the game was over and seriously my mind is blown. That was some of the best hockey I’ve seen in a while!

Slovakia won! Against RUSSIA! They flat out played them! I am so amazed by Slovensko! Halak who I’ve never payed attention to before blew me away. If I wasn’t so dirt broke I’d have my Halak Slovakia jersey ordered. If they have any still avaliable in March maybe I can (though it’s either a jersey or a desperetly needed new phone) The only thing I’m disapointed by is the tape I was recording the game on ran out half way through the third so I can’t relive the amazingness of the game over and over again. (I’d pay ten whole dollars for a DVD copy of that game!)

The Midnight Madness of Slovensko VS Czech: What You Missed!

(Credit to: http://deke.me/lS)

No matter what I was going to be excited for the Slovakia v. Czech game last night. As a fouth generation Slavo-Hungarian American hockey fan the fact I was seeing one of the most medal eligable rosters for Slovakia in my short Olympic hockey life had me pratically bouncing out of my seat all day in anticipation of watching them on ice for the first time is a bit of an understatment. I was also not only going to see some favorite NHL-ers like Kopecky of the Blackhawks and Milan Jurcina, on the same team, but also some former favorite NHL-ers now playing in Europe like Richard Zednik. (And, of course I was hoping that if anyone from Czech had to dominate it would at least be Flash.)

So those the other hardy souls and I who stayed up to the start time of midnight were not disapointed wether Slovensko, Czech fan or neurtal saw was arguably the best game of the Olympics yet. It was competitive, it was evenly matched and there was an air of rivilary in between the parts of the former country Czechoslovakia.

There was also a surprising amount of fans for both teams in the stands and they were arguably louder than the fans at any of the other matches thus far. The fans whistling from the stands was a constant through out.

So while I know games like Russia v. Latvia yesterday managed to draw more than usual midnight crowd those who couldn’t say up to see the game last night you definatly missed out on some great hockey.

And, even though Slovensko lost 3-1 they played very hard. They had a LOT of good chances though they just couldn’t get the puck in the net. And, too many stupid penalties that even Slovensko’s great PK couldn’t fight off even against Czech’s faltering PP. I am encouraged by what I saw but they have to get that straightened out because Russia has addressed their PP concerns on their off day and it’s going to be a uphill fight tomorow.

For my Caps (and Blue Jackets) buddies here’s what I know you’re most interested for; Flash was surprisingly quiet. He was pretty nonexistent. I was hoping for more from him in such a big rivalry game. Jurcina seemed to have a good game and did really well on the PK.

Slovakia vs Russia is at 12:15 am on the east coast. I expect quite a few fans will be on Twitter chatting up the game despite the time slot. (I’ll try not to get in any arguements with the insane amount of Cap turned Russia fans)

And, I am BEYOND glad the Hockey Gods smiled upon my schedule and caused the “snowmagedon” to make the roof of the place I go to every week day at six thirty in the morning to be “structually unsound” giving me the whole week of prelims off so I am able to stay up for the midnight games and sleep in until the afternoon games. Best. Timing. Ever.

10 Things: Team Canada in 10 Easy Steps

We all know what Mike Green will be doing while he’s NOT at the Olympics, but due to recent events, I’ve been led to believe he is determined to make the roster, so here’s Mike Green’s 10 Easy Steps to Making Team Canada.

1. Choose a defenseman.

2. Change to look like said defenseman.

3. Brush up on defensive skills.

4. Learn how to have a proper bromance (see Duncan Keith/Brent Seabrook)

5. Stitch own Team Canada jersey.

6. Learn about the lives of said defenseman’s teammates who are also on Team Canada.

7. Find Gary the Bear a disguise.

8. Find a replacement.

9. Make the switch.

10. Pwn at the 2010 Winter Olympics!

Post-Game Wrap Up and Other Bits and Pieces

Last night, the Capitals beat the Devils 4-1, with the goals credited to Ovechkin, Bradley, Backstrom, and Green. Poti did not play last night due to an injury, not that I’m complaining, and Pothier was still out as well. Neuvirth was in goal and earned himself his third straight win in goal. The win put them back up on top of the league by one point, with the Devils, Blackhawks, Penguins, and Sharks tied at 53. The Capitals are now on a three game winning streak, one that will hopefully last for a few more games. Tomorrow, the Capitals play the Hurricanes at Verizon before setting out on the road against the Sharks and the Kings.

In my opinion, Nicklas earned himself the title of Weagle scout, for the second time in row. He had two assists in last night’s game as well as a beautiful goal in the second period. It was his ninth goal of December. He has racked up a total of eleven goals and eleven assists in his last thirteen games. Nicklas was also the first star of last night’s game, followed by Ovechkin and Steckel.

In non-Capitals news, the Hershey Bears won their game last night against the Syracuse Crunch. This, too, was a 4-1 win, with Wilson and Bouchard scoring once and Perreault scoring twice. Holtby was in goal, making 33 saves and earning himself the first star of the game. Also, Boyd Gordon is up in Hershey for conditioning before returning to Washington. He has been out since October with a back injury. He was attributed with the assist on Wilson’s goal. This was Hershey’s fifth straight win.

In other news, Semin signed a one-year, six million extension with the Washington Capitals. Much speculation has been racing through blogs and on Twitter about the one-year deal because, with a player like Semin, it is unusual to not lock up a mutliple year deal. Dmitry Chesnokov over at Puck Daddy has an article about the extension, accompanied by an interview with both Semin and his agent.

The Capitals may be putting their focus on Backstrom, which, considering how he’s been playing lately, may be a wise thing to do.

Speaking of Nicklas, he’s made Sweden’s Olympic roster! The rest of the roster is no surprise, with players such as Holmström, Lindstrom, Lundqvist, Zetterberg, Forsberg, the Sedin twins, Kronwell, etc. The full roster as well as an analysis can be found at Puck Daddy.

Also, the Russia’s roster was announced on Christmas and, like Sweden, the expected players have made it, including Ovechkin, Semin, and Varlamov as well as former Capitals Fedorov and Kozlov. The full roster as well as an analysis can be found at Puck Daddy.

In much more exciting news, Meghan returns tonight and we’re both heading to Kettler tomorrow for the morning skate! It will be an interesting experience, considering my sister is coming along, my sister who hates all sports, especially hockey because I talk about it so much. This will be my first concrete attempt to get her into hockey, though I doubt it’ll work.

Also, on Tuesday, Meghan and I are heading down to Norfolk to watch the Bears (hopefully) kick the Admirals’ asses! This, also, will be attended with my older sister =] We have fourth row seats, so expect good pictures from both of us.

- Anna

Lemme See Your Glamour Shot!

USA Hockey has released promotional photos for this upcoming 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, but they look more like my senior pictures than hockey promos [Puck Daddy]. They’re of Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres, and our favourite little gangster, PKane. When I saw one of Kaner, holding an icicle menacingly (at least attempting to), all I went was ‘awwwwww!’, and I’m not sure if that the Team USA’s desired affect…

But it sure was like that for me! Also, there’s some where they’re leaning on the faux-ice wall, looking EXACTLY like a pose I did for my senior pictures last month, in which I’m leaning across a mirror table-thing with my oboe in front of me. If the photos had arrived yet, I would post them for comparison, but for now, you’ll have to imagine…

Mhm, I knew there was a reason why I wasn’t rooting for Team USA…

In other news, the television schedule has been released for the Capitals’ 2009-2010 season, and I am pleased to say that every game is going to be on television! Most are on CSN, with a few on Versus and one on NBC (which, of course, is their 07 February game against the Penguins, so big surprise there, but I consider it a blessing since it means the less I have to listen to Pierre McGuire and all the other NBC Sports schmucks).

Also, rookie camp ends tomorrow with a scrimmage against the Philadelphia Flyers’ rookies at 3PM tomorrow in New Jersey. But, if you’re like me and A. has school until 2:20PM, B. does not have a car, and C. has no desire to go to Jersey, you can watch the game online! If you would like to watch the game, be sure to go to the Capitals’ official website at 3PM tomorrow to watch. I sure will be!

And while this isn’t new, we’ve yet to comment on it, and some of you may not know: Greenlife52.com has been confirmed as real, as well as @greenlife52 [Punch in the Face]. Oh, dear.

As Meghan posted earlier, she’s going to be inactive from Friday through Monday, but I should still be able to post, so no worries.

So, 16 days until the convention!

- Anna

Lots o’ Crap News

The worst part of August is the part where you get lot of little bitty stories but none of them are very important I’m a bit behind on a few of these because of End of Summer Video Palooza so forgive my lateness and this post will be awfully long.

Ovie riding in a double story Hummer limo? Insert Matt Bradley being Captain Planet joke please. So much useless Ovie news so little time. Just go here Alexovetjkin.blogspot.com I’m too lazy to write up my opinion because while I like Mr. Ambassador and he’s a total ham I’m just so sick of hearing about him and his awkward answers; “Where is Ovcehkin mania better US or Russia?” “At my dacha.” Good lord… PS brownie points to me for knowing what a dacha was with out having to look it up. PS its not dirty, surprisingly Meghan does know foreign words that aren’t dirty, its a summer cottage.

Thank the good hockey gods Nicki is apparently training from the rough translation of a interview of some Swedish website. He is apparently training twice a day. Now slow down their Nicksters I love the fact your a fudgeball don’t not get all healthy on us, Swedish Meatball. Glad to see he learned his lesson after last season though.

The Cap’s at School program was announced where teachers can download lesson plans; Chris Clark will be… wait who? Anyway also Matt Bradley will be using his Captain Planet powers to teach kids artsy environmental stuff AKA hippie crap and Mike Green gets to teach the kids how to stay healthy.

Someone, I had never heard of this man he apparently is the host of some show I’ve never seen, said Redwings and Capitals blogger’s have no idea what they are talking about and it was one of his predictions for the up coming season. I predict you sir will still be a douche bag.

So do you all remember ever so long ago back during the Award show time that they had a charity poker tournament. Okay good you do. What the heck happened with that? When will it be on TV?

Candian Olympic camp opened Monday. I have not become entirely sure who I’m rooting for yet. I’m thinking I’ll end up rooting for Russia. Especially since 90% chance its Canada/Russia for gold anyway. I’ve never actually really been big on the Olympics to begin with. Speaking of which I saw this HILARIUS secret transcript of the USA hockey camp on Down Goes Brown: http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2009/08/usa-olympics-hockey-camp.html Go for the Bronze!

I’m sick of Pat Kane, your sick of Pat Kane, we are all freaking sick of Pat Kane but while perusing You Tube the other day I stumbled upon this little reenactment of what happened. Word of Warning; there is some strong language so NSFW and I have yet to figure out why they are all shirtless…

I just found out that Brooks Laich has a younger brother named Jordan. Okay Meghan why do I care? I don’t know reader I don’t know. He doesn’t play profesh hockey or anything and I stumbled upon this but I don’t remember how. It doesn’t seem very news worthy I was just extremely surprised I hadn’t heard this before seeing as MAMT Locker is just a plethora of random information about our boys so usually I know whether some of the boys have siblings or not or something that happened in the third grade or whose dad did what because he is always spouting forth random crap and I’m disappointed that he hadn’t spouted forth that.

So no game for Captials VS. Candians at the Olympic stadium. Not for the same stupid reason as the winter classic. This one makes logical sense. See the CFL (really?) team that plays in the stadium is doing very well and looks as if they will be going far into the off season and therefore there would be no time to properly install ice for a game. Alright I will let this go seeing as it’s not stupid and is actually down right logical even if it is the CFL.

2010 Olympics;; part deux

Finally, Russia has written the players attending the camp for the Olympics. Now, with the likes of Ovie, Sasha, Feds, Kozzie, Gonchar, Varly, etc having the possibility for being on the team, I’m not sure what I’m going to do. Team Russia or Team Canada? Am I the only one having this problem?

My mom suggested I root for both teams, until they play each other. Then, I brought up how epic it would be if she let me and Meghan go to the Olympics. I’ve asked 20,000 times, and the answer is still no. Damn.

- Anna