Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Unfortunately, you're in the minority there. lol Most people don't want to hear the truth, they just want everything sugarcoated.

- Yikes, that's a tough loss to the Habs there. Peppered them with shots and still lost, that always makes it sting a little worse.

- Good bounce back win against the Sens, though.

I've learned with age and wisdom that if someone isn't attacking you on a personal level then you should probably listen and try to use their criticism to your advantage

Yikes, tough loss against the Habs, Halak was a wall. The Sens really didn't show up eh. 1-1-1, not a bad record, 3 pts.

It was odd how much Halak was reminding me of how he played against my poor Caps in the playoffs Oh well, you won this round Halak! Until next time! LOL!

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

by Owen Ridley

Washington Dismantled! - Special Extended Coverage...

Washington Capitals (29-11-4-0) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (25-13-3-4)

Some nights you want to forget and some you want never to have happened. Tonight was one of those nights that the Washington Capitals wish they could hit the reset button on. Washington traveled to Tampa Bay in it's first stop of a two game road trip in Florida. The Capitals thought they were prepared. They were wrong!

The first period started off with goals from Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier and Washington's Alexandre Ovechkin, his 30th of the season. Both teams played well defensively and put on quite a show for Tampa's faithful fans.
Capitals forward Brendan Morrion would play his best period of the season as he scored two goals, the only scoreboard notches for Washington in the second. The Lightning would match pace with goals from Jeff Halpern, Ryan Malone and defensemen Paul Ranger giving them a one goal lead heading into the third.

No one could have predicted what would happen next. After scoring the final two goals in the second, Tampa Bay would come out of the dressing room into the third and utterly embaress the Washington Capitals. The Lightning would score four more unanswered goals adding to the final two in the second making six. "Six! Freaking six unanswered goals?!?! Are you serious???," a bright red and furious Coach Bruce Boudreau screamed, "You have got to be kidding me! I don't coach that stuff! This is on the players! They just let Tampa run them over like a Mack truck! They've lucky we have a game tomorrow because I'd have them practicing all night!" Leading the charge in the third for Tampa Bay was Ryan Malone with his second of the night and 19th of the season. Lecavalier would score on the power play for his second of the night. Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos would finish off Washington with their 12th and 18th respectively. The Lightning would finish with eight goals on the night chasing Capitals goalie Semyon Varlamov. Backup Michal Neuvirth didn't fair much better as he was victimized for the final three goals on the night.

If you thought that was the worst of it then you'd be wrong. After all the scoring the Capitals would try to save face by continuing to play through the embaressment. Into Tampa Bay's offensive zone they would drive and a pass would make it on the stick of defensemen Ed Jovanovski. After receiving the pass Jovanovski fired a rocket from the point that would never make it to the net. Instead it would hit rookie P.J. Tait in the right side of the back. Tait immediately crumpled to the ice in the fetal position...motionless. "I knew it was bad as soon as I saw him hit the ice," Jovanovski said, "I was pissed at how we played and I threw everything I had into that shot. I guess I should have looked up before I let it go. I feel real bad for the kid and our team." P.J. was in a very vulnerable position as he was turning to get into better position for a deflection. Tait was rushed to a local hospital and there have been no updates from Capitals management. "As soon as we hear anything we'll pass it along to the media," a very worried General Manager George McPhee informed.

The timing of the injury is a bit of a controversy as P.J. was playing on the second line which is not his normal position. Alexandre Semin took his place on the first line for the Tampa Bay game. Reports have been flying all over the media and internet about Semin's unhappiness for weeks. The media is buzzing again tonight as everyone is trying to make sense of P.J.'s sudden demotion. Semin was asked after the game about his promotion and P.J.'s move to the second line. "I have no comment. I feel bad that P.J. got hurt but we just got our butt's handed to us and I really don't want to answer anymore questions," Semin answered.
　

Starting Goalies: Semyon Varlamov vs. Mike Smith
　
1st Period

TBL. - (25) Lecavalier (St. Louis, Tanguay)
Was. - (30) Ovechkin (Semin, Green)

2nd Period

Was. - (6) B. Morrison (Schultz, Knuble)
TBL. - (8) Halpern (Tanguay, Szczechura)
Was. - (7) B. Morrison (Knuble, Carcillo)
TBL. - (18) Malone (Downie, Ranger)
TBL. - (5) Ranger (Stamkos)

3rd Period

TBL. - (19) Malone (Stamkos)
TBL. - (26) Lecavalier (St. Louis) (PP)
TBL. - (12) St. Louis (Tanguay, Ohlund)
TBL. - (18) Stamkos (Malone, Foster) (PP)


Final – Washington – 3 Tampa Bay – 8

Three Stars

1. Ryan Malone ( 2 – 1 – 3, +3 )
2. Paul Ranger ( 1 - 1 - 2, +3 )
3. Steven Stamkos ( 1 - 2 - 3, +3 )

Washington

44 Shots
20 Hits
30 Faceoffs
5:50 Time on Attack
20:00 PIM
0/2 PP

Tampa Bay

48 Shots
22 Hits
26 Faceoffs
7:37 Time on Attack
12:00 PIM
2/8 PP

Points Leaders

24 – 35 – 59 Tait
30 – 26 – 56 Ovechkin
14 – 29 – 43 Backstrom
5 – 29 – 34 Green
11 – 22 – 33 Bure

Game Notes:

Coach Bruce Boudreau made the following lineup change:

- 1st Line: RW Alexandre Semin
- 2nd Line: LW Pavel Bure, RW P.J. Tait
- 3rd Line: LW Dan Carcillo, RW Mike Knuble
- No info was available on P.J. Tait's status before deadline.

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

by Owen Ridley

Press Conference with General Manager George McPhee: P.J. Tait Injury Status...


McPhee: Good morning everyone. I don't normally do press conferences to update you guys on player injuries but after seeing a player taken off the ice on a stretcher the fans and media want to know what's going on so here goes. P.J. is stable and resting. All of his MRI's have come back, what we know is that he has several broken ribs and a punctured lung. As soon as the doctors clear him he will be transported to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. Initial report is that he will be out 4 to 5 weeks. This is a huge blow to our team as we just lost our leading scorer for an extended period of time. I'm confident in our team and our coaching staff that we will be able to adapt and overcome this. Our organization has adequate depth in our system. I'm available for a few questions if anyone has any.

"How's the team dealing with P.J.'s injury?"

McPhee: Well anytime a teammate goes down with an injury it's going to be scary for his teammates to watch. There is a lot of concearn but they now know he's going to be fine, so the team is just fine.

"Walter Reed is not the Capitals base of operation for injuries and rehabilitation. Why is he being transported there?

McPhee: I can't get into specifics but P.J. requested it because of his strong family ties with the Army. He'll be taken good care of there and our doctors will be with him during his rehab.

"Who will be taking Tait's place in the lineup?"

McPhee: Alexandre Semin will be taking his spot.

"Semin's future has been in question of late with the club, how do you think he'll respond?"

McPhee: Alex(Semin) has expressed some unhappiness about his current situation. He's now being given the opportunity he has been wanting. I hope he does well and takes advantage of it.

"Is Semin's unhappiness the reason why he was on the top line last night?"

McPhee: In a way, yes. P.J. actually sat down with Alex Ovechkin and Coach Boudreau last night before the game. He asked to be put on the second line because he felt it would be better for the team if Semin was on the first unit.

"So Tait asked to be demoted and in his first game on the second line he gets injured?

McPhee: It's unfortunate but yes you are correct.

"How is Semin feel about all this? His ego seems to have gotten in the way of another players bright future.

McPhee: I think the end of that remark is uncalled for. No one could have predicted P.J. getting hurt. It was his choice to move to the second line and Coach Boudreau allowed it. I'm sure Alex(Semin) is feeling pretty upset about a teammate getting hurt and he should be. But you can't blame this on Semin. Anyone else have a question that is worth my time instead of garbage like the last one?

"If my calculations are correct, Tait is due back right before the break for the Olympics. How does this affect the trade deadline?"

McPhee: Good question. Well we're going to have to see how the next 4 weeks or so go. We'll also have to see how P.J.'s rehab is going. There are a lot of factors right now that I have to consider but that's my job. For now I'm staying the course with my original plan at the start of the season. I'm always looking to make this team better and I wouldn't be surprised if we were active at the deadline. Thank you for your time ladies and gentlemen.

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

by Owen Ridley

State of Florida Not Kind...

Washington Capitals (29-12-4-0) vs. Florida Panthers (21-17-3-4)

For the second night in a row the Washington Capitals faced off against a Southeastern Conference rival. This time it was the Florida Panthers. Both teams decided to go with their back-up goalies, Michal Neuvirth for Washington and Scott Clemmensen for Florida. The moves for both teams paid off in the first period as the game would remain scoreless.

Into the second the newly appointed RW of the second unit, Mike Knuble would pay dividends as he deflected a puck into the net on the power play. It was his 6th of the season. Emergency call-up Evander Kane would assist on the goal. "They called me this morning and said, "Get packed quick! We need you in Florida tonight!," I just threw everything into a suitcase and got here a couple hours before the game. I'm just glad I could contribute," an excited Kane said.

Looks were looking good for Washington until the third period. Florida dominated with the next four goals. "That's two nights in a row giving up four goals in the third," a disappointed defensemen Mike Green admitted, "we've got to do a better job closing out games." Panther goals came from Stephen Weiss, Nick Tarnsky, Dominic Moore and Nathan Horton. Weiss and Horton both finished with two points on the night earning them the second and third stars. Injured forward P.J. Tait's replacement Alexandre Semin would score his 20th of the season late in the third but it wasn't enough. The Capitals would lose their second game in a row.
　

Starting Goalies: Michal Neuvirth vs. Scott Clemmensen
　
1st Period

None

2nd Period

Was. - (6) Knuble (Jovanovski, Kane) (PP)
　
3rd Period

Fla. - (11) Weiss (McCabe, Horton)
Fla. - (5) Tarnsky (Koistinen, Moore)
Fla. - (9) Moore (Taffe, Seidenberg)
Fla. - (22) Horton (Booth, Weiss)
Was. - (20) Semin (Backstrom, Ovechkin)


Final – Washington – 2 Florida – 4

Three Stars

1. Dominic Moore ( 1 – 1 – 2, +2 )
2. Stephen Weiss ( 1 - 1 - 2, +1 )
3. Nathan Horton ( 1 - 1 - 2, +1 )

Washington

24 Shots
20 Hits
16 Faceoffs
7:11 Time on Attack
11:00 PIM
1/3 PP

Florida

30 Shots
18 Hits
23 Faceoffs
4:58 Time on Attack
11:00 PIM
1/3 PP

Points Leaders

24 – 35 – 59 Tait
30 – 27 – 57 Ovechkin
14 – 30 – 44 Backstrom
5 – 29 – 34 Green
20 – 13 – 33 Semin

Game Notes:

Coach Bruce Boudreau made the following lineup change:

- 2nd Line: LW Evander Kane, RW Mike Knuble
- 3rd Line: RW Jason Chimera
- LW Evander Kane was an emergencey recall from Hershey of the AHL due to RW P.J. Tait's injury.
- RW Pavel Bure was a healthy scratch due to back-to-back games.

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

by Owen Ridley

Wounded Capitals Look To Rebound...

Toronto Maple Leafs (26-15-3-4) vs. Washington Capitals (29-13-4-0)

The Toronto Maple Leafs came into the Verizon Center hoping to take advantage of a reeling Washington Capitals squad that had lost two games in a row. "They haven't been playing well of late and they lost a key player," Toronto defensemen Mike Komisarek stated, "but they're still dangerous and we need to respect their talent despite their loses."

The first period started out much like the last game for the Capitals with both teams failing to score. Washington finally showed some life in the second when Alexandre Semin got the Capitals on the board first. Shortly after Mike Green took advantage of a mis-played pass by Toronto goalie Vesa Toskala and burried the puck into the net for his 6th of the season. Maple Leaf foward Lee Stempniak was the lone bright spot for his team as he scored his 10th of the year to end the second period.

Washington's luck would continue in the third as Semin would score his second goal of the night. Grinder Boyd Gordon would score his 5th of the season as the 4th line worked their magic scoring as well as playing defense. "I was pleased with how we played. I got my 2nd of the season and our hard work as a unit got Boyd his 5th. Plus we locked it down on "D". All in a days work," Capitals center Dave Steckel joked as he celebrated the teams first victory in quite sometime.

Starting Goalies: Semyon Varlamov vs. Vesa Toskala
　
1st Period

None

2nd Period

Was. - (21) Semin (Backstrom, Ovechkin)
Was. - (6) Green (Unassisted)
Was. - (2) Steckel (Bradley, Jovanovski)
Tor. - (10) Stempniak (Komisarek, Kessel)
　
3rd Period

Was. - (22) Semin (Ovechkin, Backstrom)
Was. - (5) Gordon (Unassisted)
Tor. - (12) Mayers (Orr, Komisarek) (SH)


Final – Toronto – 2 Washington – 5

Three Stars

1. Alexandre Semin ( 2 – 0 – 2, +1 )
2. Dave Steckel ( 1 - 0 - 1, +2 )
3. Mike Green ( 1 - 0 - 1, +3 )

Toronto

21 Shots
31 Hits
22 Faceoffs
7:21 Time on Attack
10:00 PIM
0/2 PP

Washington

36 Shots
8 Hits
16 Faceoffs
8:04 Time on Attack
4:00 PIM
0/3 PP

Points Leaders

24 – 35 – 59 Tait
30 – 29 – 59 Ovechkin
14 – 32 – 46 Backstrom
6 – 29 – 35 Green
22 – 13 – 35 Semin

Game Notes:

Coach Bruce Boudreau made the following lineup change:

- 2nd Line: RW Pavel Bure
- 3rd Line: LW Jason Chimera, RW Mike Knuble
- LW Evander Kane was sent back to Hershey of the AHL after the game.
　

[takeshi1191]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

I'm loving the drama on your dynasty. Let me say that Tait is a great guy. Does everything for the team! Good work!

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Hey guys, long time, eh? I can't even begin to apologize. I've had some life difficulties come up that I wasn't expecting. I'm really bummed out because I was commited to this franchise and I really wanted to finish. So the plan is I'm going to try and finish this before NHL 11 comes out. After I complete season one I will roll my franchise over to NHL 11 for the second season.

I'm really sorry guys. I wish things had turned out differently. I had a lot of great ideas for this and I was really enjoying it. So close to the trade deadline too! So I'll keep you posted on how it's going. Thanks for the support.

[onlybygrace]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Hey guys, long time, eh? I can't even begin to apologize. I've had some life difficulties come up that I wasn't expecting. I'm really bummed out because I was commited to this franchise and I really wanted to finish. So the plan is I'm going to try and finish this before NHL 11 comes out. After I complete season one I will roll my franchise over to NHL 11 for the second season.

I'm really sorry guys. I wish things had turned out differently. I had a lot of great ideas for this and I was really enjoying it. So close to the trade deadline too! So I'll keep you posted on how it's going. Thanks for the support.

I was wondering about you about a week ago...

glad to see ya!!!

[bthomp05]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Just got caught up again. Just love this dynasty, go caps go. Tough two losses there in the state of Florida, but good comeback against the Leafs. Hope P.J comes back soon.