Last week in the 52 annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament a boat out of Hatteras, NC (Citation) caught an 883lb Blue Marlin. The fish was the biggest one ever caught in the tournaments history. When no one else caught a bigger fish it appeared that Citation would earn around 1.2 million US dollars.
Start the party, right? Not exactly. It turns out that one of the crew members did not have the North Carolina license required for all participants in the tournament. After three days of deliberation the Committee who oversees the tournament decided to disqualify the boat for a rules violation.
Just about every news outlet covering the story has received information that the Captain had told the first mate (Peter Wann of Alexandria, VA) to get the license before the tournament started. The Captain alleges that Peter told him that he got it taken care of, and that the Captain decided to take his word for it.
Wann's name became public record because he was cited for not fishing with a proper license. After a very intense search to find Peter Wann, I finally got a hold of him and he agreed to do an interview claiming his side of the story.
Here is the transcript.
PB: Did the captain ever tell you to get a license?
PW: No, he did not.
PB:Did the owner ever tell you to get a license?
PW:nope.
PB:And you are sure?
PW: yes, %100 sure.
PB: When did you realize that you needed a license?
PW: On the way in after we caught the fish, I asked the Captain if he had a blanket license, and he told me he that they did not. He asked me if I had a license, I told him I thought I did but I would check just to make sure.
PB: What prompted you to realize you might need a license?
PW: After we caught the fish I thought it was a good idea to go through the rule book to make sure we weren't in violation of any rules. I saw that everyone needed a license, but I was under the impression that the boat had a blanket license.
PB:There is a rules meeting did your Captain attend?
PW:It's not required, but most parties send someone to the meeting, no one from our boat went.
PB:You are sure no one from your boat went to the meeting?
PW:No one from my boat went to the meeting.
PB:Have you been in contact from anyone affiliated with Citation?
PW: No comment.
PB:Do you agree with the penalty and fine assessed to you by the state?
PW: Well, Marine fisheries in Hatteras have said that I was not in violation of state or federal license. I only needed the license when I landed the fish in state waters, not when I boated it. I renewed my license before we came into NC state water. So, not entirely.
PB:There a lot of articles on the internet with your name in it, what kind of reactions are you getting from people you speak to?
PW: "Well, a lot of people are on my side, and then there are also a lot of people who are ignorant and don't know what they are talking about."
After speaking with Wann and gathering a little bit of background information this is what I know. I know that he goes to college at George Washington University and studies engineering he does not fish full time, and he considers this a fun summer job. He enjoys fishing, and has spent his last 4 summers in NC fishing as a mate off various boats. Fishing is something that he loves to do, and prefers to do it with some anonymity. Unfortunately this no longer seems possible, his name and reputation are being questioned by numerous media outlets. He is even being confronted by random people both in person and via Facebook.
I spoke with two sources both of whom are close friends of Peter Wann. One told me that Peter is certainly not cheap, this is not a matter of him not wanting to spend the $30 to purchase the license. The source told me that Peter and him went on a fishing trip to Florida last winter and that Peter covered the majority of the expenses on the trip. He weighed in by saying, "I really can't imagine a scenario where Pete would be too cheap to renew his license, I mean I vacation with this guy and he is always willing to spend money to ensure that the people he is with are having a good time. Yea, I am certain that if Peter knew he needed the license he would have spent the $30."
A second source close to Wann told me that he fishes with Peter on a regular basis, and he assured me that you will never see anyone on a boat pay closer attention to detail. "I go fishing with him all the time, and when it comes to fishing Peter Wann is a perfectionist. He will spend hours on end rigging lines and cleaning the damn boat. Sometimes, it is a little excessive but that's just Peter. There is not a chance in hell that if he knew he needed that license that he would not have got it."
If these two friends of Wann are so certain that he would have obtained the license had he known about it, then why didn't Peter Wann have a license? From where I am sitting, and based solely on the people I have talked to I would venture to guess that Peter really did not know about the license. Even if he did, The Captain is in charge of the boat and shame on him for not doing his due diligence and asking for proof of license from everyone fishing on his boat. The backlash has certainly been against Peter Wann, but in reality its not his fault.
The Captain and the boat's owners are really the ones responsible for the loss of 1.2 million dollars in prize money. They failed to send someone to the rules meeting, they were not sufficient in their understanding of the rules and ultimately it cost them.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Why the Caps were destined for failure...
The hockey world rang in 2008 with Michigan beating the defending national champions in football. No, no, I am kidding the Penguins beat the Sabres in the inaugural Winter Classic. The Penguins went on to lose in the Stanley Cup Finals. No big deal, right? The following year the Winter Classic was hosted by Chicago and won by the Red Wings. The Red Wings went on to lose in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Fast forward, 2010 Winter Classic is between Boston and Philly and heralded by some as the worst pairing in the games illustrious three year history. Nonetheless, similar to the previous two Winter Classic's a team from that game went on to play in the Stanley Cup Finals. The only difference is that this time around the team that lost on New Years Day is representing their conference in the Cup Finals. The odds of a team from each of the three Winter Classics playings the Cup Finals has to be pretty slim. I am not a Vegas insider but I would love to know exactly what the odds of that happening are.
More importantly is the fact that every team to play in the Stanley Cup finals over the past three seasons has played in a Winter Classic. It is probably just a coincidence, but I do not doubt the power of the "hockey Gods." Maybe there is a real correlation between playing in the Winter Classic and reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, but who knows?
In a scenario where the Flyers win the Cup, then the so called "Winter Classic Curse" is lifted (though it only lasted two seasons). Regardless, I think there is very little doubt that the Caps will not be playing on NBC come New Years Days 2011. I have a funny feeling the trend will continue, and the Caps will find themselves playing in not only the first game of the New Year, but also the last game of the 2010-2011 (yes, I am predicting they play in the Stanley Cup Finals). Two proverbial phrases come to mind, both have somewhat contradicting messages "hope springs eternal" and "good things come to those who wait" but let's hope for the latter.
Fast forward, 2010 Winter Classic is between Boston and Philly and heralded by some as the worst pairing in the games illustrious three year history. Nonetheless, similar to the previous two Winter Classic's a team from that game went on to play in the Stanley Cup Finals. The only difference is that this time around the team that lost on New Years Day is representing their conference in the Cup Finals. The odds of a team from each of the three Winter Classics playings the Cup Finals has to be pretty slim. I am not a Vegas insider but I would love to know exactly what the odds of that happening are.
More importantly is the fact that every team to play in the Stanley Cup finals over the past three seasons has played in a Winter Classic. It is probably just a coincidence, but I do not doubt the power of the "hockey Gods." Maybe there is a real correlation between playing in the Winter Classic and reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, but who knows?
In a scenario where the Flyers win the Cup, then the so called "Winter Classic Curse" is lifted (though it only lasted two seasons). Regardless, I think there is very little doubt that the Caps will not be playing on NBC come New Years Days 2011. I have a funny feeling the trend will continue, and the Caps will find themselves playing in not only the first game of the New Year, but also the last game of the 2010-2011 (yes, I am predicting they play in the Stanley Cup Finals). Two proverbial phrases come to mind, both have somewhat contradicting messages "hope springs eternal" and "good things come to those who wait" but let's hope for the latter.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Au Revoir Penguins!
It is a sad day in the Steelcity, Caps fans at least had the wild card contending Washington Nationals to fall back on after their team was ousted by what appeared to be a mediocre Montreal Canadiens hockey club. I hate to pick on the poor Buckos, but sometimes a target is so big you just can not miss it. They are on pace for their 6,000 consecutive season finishing under .500, and have not had a 40 home run hitter since 1973. Hab a nice summer Pens fans. I know I will especially come June 2nd, when the greatest baseball player of all time will make his MLB debut.
After watching the Caps be eliminated by the Habs, I thought to myself there can be no worse a feeling for a fan of any team. A great, if not historic season completely destroyed at the hands of Slovakian who is so hot right now that he makes Brad Pitt look like Mr. Freeze from Batman. The very second game 7 of the Caps Habs series was over, I was finally willing to put to bed that seemingly endless argument of who was a better player, Crosby or Ovechkin? The answer clearly had to be Crosby. He had the cup and the gold medal, and Ovechkin had nothing but two first round playoff exits and one second round exit courtesy of Crosby's penguins. After tonight's loss to Montreal, I am starting to re-rethink my position on who is currently the better player.
I will start my argument by saying, YES I naturally have a bias towards Ovechkin. However, I will try to do this in the most objective manner possible.
Crosby's Resume;
1 Stanley Cup
1 Gold Medal
1 Hart Trophy
1 Art Ross
1 Richard Trophy
506 Career Points
Ovechkin's Resume;
1 Calder Trophy (rookie of the year)
2 Hart Trophy's
1 Art Ross
2 Richard's
529 Career Points
Crosby has a Cup and a Gold Medal, but he was a no show at certain parts of last year's cup run, and was bailed out by one of the best players in the world in Evgeni Malkin. In his gold medal performance Crosby was on the most skilled team in the entire tournament, there was no reason for the Canadians to win anything but Gold. He did happen to score the GWG in ot to beat the Americans, but let's not forget he was virtually nonexistent until scoring on Ryan Miller early in that first OT session. Head to head, as individuals Ovechkin is the better player. I could have made that argument a week ago, and I would be laughed at, but now I am not so certain. When the Caps played the Habs and lost in Seven Games you would be hard pressed to find someone who did not place the blame on Alex Ovechkin. His team lost, and he is the face of the franchise, but his effort level was high and he produced 10 points in Seven games (5g 5 a). Nonetheless, Ovechkin was ridiculed by mainstream media outlets for choking and losing to an inferior Montreal team (and rightfully so). While Crosby was glorified for picking his team up and putting them "on his shoulders" and single handedly beating The Ottawa Senators, while simultaneously saving the world from an oncoming meteor.
Now, let us fast forward to tonight, Pens-Habs, Habs win Pens lose. The same Sidney Crosby who is heralded as the best player in the league is no where to be found for an entire series. Had he produced just one time over the course of 7 games The Pens would have won. He had 5 points (1g 4a) over those 7 games. To put it lightly, he and his team choked.
All I ask for from the hockey media is the same thing we ask for from Colin Campbell. And that is just a little bit of consistency. If Ovechkin and the Caps choked in this years playoffs, then so did Crosby and the Pens. Where it stands right now, The Pens are the more accomplished team, but as for who boasts the brighter star? My answer is the Caps.
After watching the Caps be eliminated by the Habs, I thought to myself there can be no worse a feeling for a fan of any team. A great, if not historic season completely destroyed at the hands of Slovakian who is so hot right now that he makes Brad Pitt look like Mr. Freeze from Batman. The very second game 7 of the Caps Habs series was over, I was finally willing to put to bed that seemingly endless argument of who was a better player, Crosby or Ovechkin? The answer clearly had to be Crosby. He had the cup and the gold medal, and Ovechkin had nothing but two first round playoff exits and one second round exit courtesy of Crosby's penguins. After tonight's loss to Montreal, I am starting to re-rethink my position on who is currently the better player.
I will start my argument by saying, YES I naturally have a bias towards Ovechkin. However, I will try to do this in the most objective manner possible.
Crosby's Resume;
1 Stanley Cup
1 Gold Medal
1 Hart Trophy
1 Art Ross
1 Richard Trophy
506 Career Points
Ovechkin's Resume;
1 Calder Trophy (rookie of the year)
2 Hart Trophy's
1 Art Ross
2 Richard's
529 Career Points
Crosby has a Cup and a Gold Medal, but he was a no show at certain parts of last year's cup run, and was bailed out by one of the best players in the world in Evgeni Malkin. In his gold medal performance Crosby was on the most skilled team in the entire tournament, there was no reason for the Canadians to win anything but Gold. He did happen to score the GWG in ot to beat the Americans, but let's not forget he was virtually nonexistent until scoring on Ryan Miller early in that first OT session. Head to head, as individuals Ovechkin is the better player. I could have made that argument a week ago, and I would be laughed at, but now I am not so certain. When the Caps played the Habs and lost in Seven Games you would be hard pressed to find someone who did not place the blame on Alex Ovechkin. His team lost, and he is the face of the franchise, but his effort level was high and he produced 10 points in Seven games (5g 5 a). Nonetheless, Ovechkin was ridiculed by mainstream media outlets for choking and losing to an inferior Montreal team (and rightfully so). While Crosby was glorified for picking his team up and putting them "on his shoulders" and single handedly beating The Ottawa Senators, while simultaneously saving the world from an oncoming meteor.
Now, let us fast forward to tonight, Pens-Habs, Habs win Pens lose. The same Sidney Crosby who is heralded as the best player in the league is no where to be found for an entire series. Had he produced just one time over the course of 7 games The Pens would have won. He had 5 points (1g 4a) over those 7 games. To put it lightly, he and his team choked.
All I ask for from the hockey media is the same thing we ask for from Colin Campbell. And that is just a little bit of consistency. If Ovechkin and the Caps choked in this years playoffs, then so did Crosby and the Pens. Where it stands right now, The Pens are the more accomplished team, but as for who boasts the brighter star? My answer is the Caps.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thats All Folks
President Trophies, individual awards, and threesomes in hot tubs will be how the 2009-2010 NHL season will be remembered for the Caps. I, just like the entire hockey world, am in shock as to what happened at Verizon Center.
To quote the coach from Happy Gilmore "Better luck next year"
To quote the coach from Happy Gilmore "Better luck next year"
Varly set to start
According to the good people at the Washington Post Varlamov came off the ice first this morning. Which, as always has served as the indicator as to who will be starting. Maybe Bruce is pulling a fast one, but I doubt it.
Game 7 Preview
It is not over yet, but it will be for one team tomorrow night (potentially Thursday morning if they go to multiple overtime sessions.) If you are a Caps fan then you are hoping that the better team wins. Habs fans, on the other hand are praying to the "hockey gods", and can you blame them the majority of those "gods" donned the bleu blanc et rouge at one point in time?
Five days ago the Caps had a 3-1 advantage in the series and were about to play the fifth, and hopefully final game of the series at home. Things did not materialize that way on Friday night, and Monday's game 6 match up did not yield the results the Caps wanted either. So now we wait anxiously for the last of the NHL quarterfinal series to end. It is important to note that at no point in the history of the NHL playoffs has an 8 seed rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat a 1 seed, hopefully that trend continues tonight.
There are many questions surrounding the Caps roster for tonight's match up with Montreal. Perhaps no bigger question than who will start in goal. Varlamov has been plagued by inconsistent play ever since being injured against Tampa Bay in early December. His performance in the playoffs has been decent, posting a 2.48 gaa and a save % of .912. There is little doubt that Bruce favors Varly and would much rather play him over Theo, but I think Theodore needs to be the Caps guy tonight. Theo has been as consistent and as a strong a goalie as there is in the NHL this year. He has not lost a game in regulation since the first week of January, granted an OT loss at this point of the year does the Caps no good. However, a close game does mean that the Caps explosive offense was given ample opportunity to win the game. Varly is capable of turning in an outstanding performance that requires very little offense to secure a victory, but he is also capable performing at a minor league level like he did like he did in game 7 of last years series with the Penguins. Theo's consistent play almost guarantees that it will be at the very least a close game, and if offense is your bread and butter why not put the outcome of the game in their hands?
Keys to the game for Washington.
It is simple, do not make Halak look like Patrick Roy. Much credit should be thrown in Halak's direction for his game 6 performance. However, a lot of his good fortune is a result of Washington's play in the offensive zone. Yes, he made some spectacular saves, but he was rarely screened, and the Caps struggled to crash the net. The most important players for Washington are Brooks Laich and Mike Knuble. Ovechkin, Semin, and Backstrom do not need to show up so long as these two guys do their job. We saw in last game that even the average Joe (Corvo) can fire ten shots on goal. The shots will come, but if Laich and Knuble can screen Halak and or, crash the net and put home a rebound or two, then the Caps will win. If not, then Jaro Halak may very well find himself facing off against the highest remaining seed in the East, The Pittsburgh Penguins.
Keys for Montreal
Good goaltending for one. Aside from that keep playing well in transition, the odd man rushes have proved costly for the Caps all series. The Caps can counter the odd man rushes one of two ways. The first option is that they can play fire wagon hockey and just outscore Montreal, similar to what the did in games 2 and 4. The second option is to stop carrying the puck deep into the offensive and getting caught in transition with 3 forwards below the face dots, and instead play dump and chase. Aside from their fourth line this team never plays dump and chase, so why would they ever start now?
Five days ago the Caps had a 3-1 advantage in the series and were about to play the fifth, and hopefully final game of the series at home. Things did not materialize that way on Friday night, and Monday's game 6 match up did not yield the results the Caps wanted either. So now we wait anxiously for the last of the NHL quarterfinal series to end. It is important to note that at no point in the history of the NHL playoffs has an 8 seed rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat a 1 seed, hopefully that trend continues tonight.
There are many questions surrounding the Caps roster for tonight's match up with Montreal. Perhaps no bigger question than who will start in goal. Varlamov has been plagued by inconsistent play ever since being injured against Tampa Bay in early December. His performance in the playoffs has been decent, posting a 2.48 gaa and a save % of .912. There is little doubt that Bruce favors Varly and would much rather play him over Theo, but I think Theodore needs to be the Caps guy tonight. Theo has been as consistent and as a strong a goalie as there is in the NHL this year. He has not lost a game in regulation since the first week of January, granted an OT loss at this point of the year does the Caps no good. However, a close game does mean that the Caps explosive offense was given ample opportunity to win the game. Varly is capable of turning in an outstanding performance that requires very little offense to secure a victory, but he is also capable performing at a minor league level like he did like he did in game 7 of last years series with the Penguins. Theo's consistent play almost guarantees that it will be at the very least a close game, and if offense is your bread and butter why not put the outcome of the game in their hands?
Keys to the game for Washington.
It is simple, do not make Halak look like Patrick Roy. Much credit should be thrown in Halak's direction for his game 6 performance. However, a lot of his good fortune is a result of Washington's play in the offensive zone. Yes, he made some spectacular saves, but he was rarely screened, and the Caps struggled to crash the net. The most important players for Washington are Brooks Laich and Mike Knuble. Ovechkin, Semin, and Backstrom do not need to show up so long as these two guys do their job. We saw in last game that even the average Joe (Corvo) can fire ten shots on goal. The shots will come, but if Laich and Knuble can screen Halak and or, crash the net and put home a rebound or two, then the Caps will win. If not, then Jaro Halak may very well find himself facing off against the highest remaining seed in the East, The Pittsburgh Penguins.
Keys for Montreal
Good goaltending for one. Aside from that keep playing well in transition, the odd man rushes have proved costly for the Caps all series. The Caps can counter the odd man rushes one of two ways. The first option is that they can play fire wagon hockey and just outscore Montreal, similar to what the did in games 2 and 4. The second option is to stop carrying the puck deep into the offensive and getting caught in transition with 3 forwards below the face dots, and instead play dump and chase. Aside from their fourth line this team never plays dump and chase, so why would they ever start now?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tougher than Tough
The above is a link of Eric Belanger losing 8 teeth during last nights game against Montreal. Reports out of KCI this morning are that Belanger lost 7 or 8 teeth, and had a dental procedure similar to that of a root canal in between periods. Remarkably, Eric came back and finished the game logging 10:16 of total ice time for the evening. Belanger's return to the game last night demonstrated how tough hockey players are, and yes even French Canadians.
Belanger's toothless return to the ice rivals the comeback performances of Patrick Thoreson and Ryan Malone. Thoreson gained serious notoriety around Verizon Center when he blocked a Mike Green slap shot with his nuts and then preceded to play two nights later. Ryan Malone, as one hockey commentator put it, "his face exploded" after being hit with a slap shot in the Cup Finals. As you would expect from an American kid, Ryan Malone returned to the ice that night.
Clips of both of those incidents are embedded below.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Why Tomorrow Night is a Must Win.
Simply put, The Caps have played 3 playoff series during the Bruce Boudreau era, and they have all gone 7 games. This is taxing both physically and mentally on a team and if the Caps want to have any chance of making a deep run into the post season, then this series with Montreal needs to end as soon as possible.
I use the term "must win" very loosely, obviously if they do not win they are still in the driver seat. However, A number 1 seed should dispose of the pest that is an 8 seed in 6 or less games, that is the advantage of being a number one seed. You are playing an inferior team and you have home ice advantage. As it stands right now, barring a large comeback from the Devils, or Habs all signs point to a Caps-Flyers second round match up.
This is not the worst 2nd round draw imaginable, but the shorter this current series is the better it will serve for the Caps in the next round. The flyers are capable of scoring in bunches, that is of course assuming Gagne and Carter are able to play. They are physical, and they have one of the most intimidating d man in the entire league. Chris Pronger is an absolute specimen, he is capable of playing 25+ minutes a night and is good enough to shut down any, and I mean any scorer in the entire league.
I use the term "must win" very loosely, obviously if they do not win they are still in the driver seat. However, A number 1 seed should dispose of the pest that is an 8 seed in 6 or less games, that is the advantage of being a number one seed. You are playing an inferior team and you have home ice advantage. As it stands right now, barring a large comeback from the Devils, or Habs all signs point to a Caps-Flyers second round match up.
This is not the worst 2nd round draw imaginable, but the shorter this current series is the better it will serve for the Caps in the next round. The flyers are capable of scoring in bunches, that is of course assuming Gagne and Carter are able to play. They are physical, and they have one of the most intimidating d man in the entire league. Chris Pronger is an absolute specimen, he is capable of playing 25+ minutes a night and is good enough to shut down any, and I mean any scorer in the entire league.
Boyd "Horse Skin Skates???" Gordon
Everyone loves Dave Steckel. He is a good 4th line center, he wins key faceoffs, is one of the teams better penalty killers, and will be forever immortalized by Caps fans for scoring a goal in game 6 that delayed the inevitability of a caps series loss. If Steckel is so good at these aspects of the game then, why has he watched the past three games from the press box? That would be because Boyd Gordon is doing all of those things and more.
In the past two games Gordon has had two, two on ones, both of which were shorthanded, and both of which led to two goals. In game 3 Boyd came streaking down the right side of the ice, riding the heel of his blades. He had a 30 goal scorer in Mike Knuble coming down the ice opposite to him, instead of passing it to him he fired a shot on net. After Halak stopped the initial shot Gordon continued to whack at the loose puck until it crossed the goal line. The goal broke a scoreless tie and jump started the Caps 4 goal 2nd period.
In Game 4, Montreal had a 2-1 lead late in the 2nd, a powerplay, and all the momentum in the world. With about ten seconds left in the period, Gordon and Knuble came flying down the ice on a 2-1. This time with Knuble on the right and Gordon on the left. The sliding defenseman took away Gordon's most obvious passing lane along the ice to Knuble. This did not deter the gritty 4th line center from getting the puck to Knuble, Gordon quickly whipped up some sauce that was so brilliant that it would have made the town of Musselman, WV blush. The pass found Knuble's blade and he snapped home a quick wrister that evened the score at 2. Similar to his game 3 heroics, Gordon's shorthanded play completely turned the tide of the game and the Caps would go onto win.
I am not insinuating that had Gordon not made these plays, then the Caps would have lost either game. What I am saying is that in both instances the team needed someone to step up and make a play that would change the complexion of the game. In back to back games Gordon was the guy who delivered when it was most needed.
Also if anyone can explain to me why Gordon's nickname is horse skin skates on his wikipedia page, I would really appreciate it.
In the past two games Gordon has had two, two on ones, both of which were shorthanded, and both of which led to two goals. In game 3 Boyd came streaking down the right side of the ice, riding the heel of his blades. He had a 30 goal scorer in Mike Knuble coming down the ice opposite to him, instead of passing it to him he fired a shot on net. After Halak stopped the initial shot Gordon continued to whack at the loose puck until it crossed the goal line. The goal broke a scoreless tie and jump started the Caps 4 goal 2nd period.
In Game 4, Montreal had a 2-1 lead late in the 2nd, a powerplay, and all the momentum in the world. With about ten seconds left in the period, Gordon and Knuble came flying down the ice on a 2-1. This time with Knuble on the right and Gordon on the left. The sliding defenseman took away Gordon's most obvious passing lane along the ice to Knuble. This did not deter the gritty 4th line center from getting the puck to Knuble, Gordon quickly whipped up some sauce that was so brilliant that it would have made the town of Musselman, WV blush. The pass found Knuble's blade and he snapped home a quick wrister that evened the score at 2. Similar to his game 3 heroics, Gordon's shorthanded play completely turned the tide of the game and the Caps would go onto win.
I am not insinuating that had Gordon not made these plays, then the Caps would have lost either game. What I am saying is that in both instances the team needed someone to step up and make a play that would change the complexion of the game. In back to back games Gordon was the guy who delivered when it was most needed.
Also if anyone can explain to me why Gordon's nickname is horse skin skates on his wikipedia page, I would really appreciate it.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
She Really Tikkanened that one.
Long time Caps fans will remember Esa Tikkanen's brief stint in DC by one play. In Game 2 of the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals, with the Caps holding onto to a late lead Tikannen had the opportunity to put the icing on the cake and give the caps a commanding lead. Instead, he missed a wide open net and the explosive Red Wings rallied to win the game and sweep the series.
Although I was only in elementary school at the time, this image is forever seared into my memory. For those of you who are privileged enough to not remember this play, or never saw it I have posted its link. Due to some weird restrictions placed by the video's uploader it will not allow me to embed it on our website. I have copied and pasted the link here, feel free to look at it for your viewing pleasure, or in this case woes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkZVHY4QDdo
What could have been, had Tikkanen scored on that shot? Although the Caps would end up being swept at the hands of the merciless Red Wings, there is no doubt in my mind that a win in game 2 would have changed the series entirely. As a result, similar to Richard Nixon's stay in Washington Tikkanen's is forever marred by one incident. As the late president's final legacy will always be that anytime there is a political scandal it is almost always dubbed with the suffix -gate. Tikkanen's final legacy with Caps fans is that anytime an athlete fails so miserably to score an easy goal, they will be, and should be instantaneously compared to Esa.
I will generally spare the references to girls basketball, but my inspiration for this post came from watching the Sports Center highlights from the Stanford-Xavier girls elite 8 game. While Xavier's girls basketball nation is significantly smaller than that of "Rock the Red" nation, I still can not help to hurt for their team and their fans. Here is the video of the last minute of the game. Sorry, for the poor quality and try to ignore the annoying voice in the background. Long story short, Dee Dee Jernigan really Tikkanened that one.
Although I was only in elementary school at the time, this image is forever seared into my memory. For those of you who are privileged enough to not remember this play, or never saw it I have posted its link. Due to some weird restrictions placed by the video's uploader it will not allow me to embed it on our website. I have copied and pasted the link here, feel free to look at it for your viewing pleasure, or in this case woes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkZVHY4QDdo
What could have been, had Tikkanen scored on that shot? Although the Caps would end up being swept at the hands of the merciless Red Wings, there is no doubt in my mind that a win in game 2 would have changed the series entirely. As a result, similar to Richard Nixon's stay in Washington Tikkanen's is forever marred by one incident. As the late president's final legacy will always be that anytime there is a political scandal it is almost always dubbed with the suffix -gate. Tikkanen's final legacy with Caps fans is that anytime an athlete fails so miserably to score an easy goal, they will be, and should be instantaneously compared to Esa.
I will generally spare the references to girls basketball, but my inspiration for this post came from watching the Sports Center highlights from the Stanford-Xavier girls elite 8 game. While Xavier's girls basketball nation is significantly smaller than that of "Rock the Red" nation, I still can not help to hurt for their team and their fans. Here is the video of the last minute of the game. Sorry, for the poor quality and try to ignore the annoying voice in the background. Long story short, Dee Dee Jernigan really Tikkanened that one.
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