Number 13 Unlucky, Lucky for Washington Capitals

The number 13 is considered bad luck, and perhaps for the Washington Capitals when Glen Hanlon became the team’s 13th head coach (2003-07).

Several players are superstitious, but fearlessly Bates Battaglia (2003-04), Jiri Novotny (2006-07) and Joey Tenute (2005-06) wore #13.

However, the number 13, with a recognized phobia, triskaidekaphobia, is considered a special number for the franchise as Joe Beninati is working his 13th season as the Capitals’ television play-by-play announcer, and Alex Ovechkin signed a 13-year contract extension in 2008.

Luckily the Capitals do not suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia, the fear of Friday the 13th. Since 1974, the team has played 18 games on Friday the 13th and has a record of 8-7-0-3.

The number 13 will serve lucky should Brooks Laich become the next captain—Laich would become the team’s 13th.

H1N1 Hits Caps Locker Room

With nearly every state reporting swine flu cases, it’s clear that the H1N1 virus doesn’t discriminate.

The H1N1 flu has even spread into the NHL, including the Capital’s locker room. Forward Quintin Laing is the fourth reported player to be diagnosed with the illness, causing an obvious concern for the Caps.

Laing has been quarantined from the team as well as his wife and two small sons.

With outbreaks being reported around the league, players are under clear orders to wash their hands and cover their mouths when they or sneeze, for fear that their team suffer the same fate.

A security guard offered the media hand sanitizer before entering the locker room after the Capitals defeated the Flyers on Tues.

With the frequent interaction of athletes with the media, fans, and teammates, precautions are becoming increasingly necessary, including limiting handshakes and high-fives, as well as the customary safety measures to prevent illnesses. “I'm hoping to shake fewer hands,” Coach Bruce Boudreau told the media.

If teams limit players’ interaction with fans for fear that the players will contract swine flu, how would you react? Would this destroy the appeal of hockey concerning it’s the most player accessible sport? Is it taking it too far limiting hand shakes with fans and high-fives with other players?

From the Press Box: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals

The Phone Booth filled with the Rocking-the-Red faithful who braved the cold and drizzling rain to see the second of four meetings this season between the Washington Capitals (6-2-2) and the Philadelphia Flyers (5-3-1).

Déjà vu—the same weather for press coverage of Flyers vs. Capitals in January. The Capitals went into the game with 14 points to top the Southeast Division. The Flyers are fourth in the Atlantic Division with 11 points, seven points behind first place New Jersey Devils.

Alexander Semin returned to the ice after missing two games for being “sick and sore.” The team scratched Eric Fehr, Quintin Lang, and Michael Nylander. Tomas Fleischmann is week-to-week, on a conditioning stint with the Hershey Bears. Nylander has been assigned to the Grand Rapids for a two-week conditioning stint.

Game Notes

Pre-game ended too early, forcing the players to have a short second warm-up.

In the first period, both team missed scoring chances against the goaltenders Jose Theodore and Ray Emery. Both goaltenders had some good glove saves.

The second period became a bit more eventful, which is something new for the Capitals as the team typically jams the first period with goals and penalties. The Capitals ended the first period penalty-free, but then Brendan Morrison opened the second with a hooking call at 1:16. After a scoreless game for the first 23 minutes, in front of his father, Scott Hartnell scores a power play goal at 3:06. Both goaltenders get plowed (Ovechkin’s goal is washed out). After Tyler Sloan is sent to the sin bin for hooking, Braydon Coburn tallies the Flyer’s second goal of the game at 14:29. The Capitals erase Emery’s dream of a shutout when Ovechkin scores his 10th goal of the season, first of the game, at 16:08 with assists from Nicklas Backstrom and Jeff Schultz. Backstrom ties the game with a power play goal at 18:12 help from Semin and Keith Aucoin.

Semin announced his comeback with a wristshot for an evenhanded goal at 5:24 in the third period with assists from Green and Backstrom. Referees awarded the Flyers a penalty shot, and Theodore denies Darroll Powe’s attempt. Theodore has only allowed two goals in eight career penalty shots against him. Knuble shakes his head in disbelief in the penalty box—sent in at 8:47 for a hooking call. Green skated off the ice gingerly after blocking a shot, but returned.

In front of a full house, with the 3-2 win the Capitals matched the third-longest winning streak in Coach Bruce Boudreau’s tenure. Theodore had an impressive 41 saves, and rightfully earned the first star of the game.

On Oct. 20, the team faces the New York Islanders, whom they beat 3-2 in overtime on Oct. 24.

Four Most Power People in the Capitals Organization

Alex Ovechkin made the list of the 50 most powerful people in DC.

Other than Ovechkin, the most powerful people in the Capitals organization include:

Ted Leonsis, Chairman and Majority Owner
Leonsis is widely regarded as one of the most fan-and media-friendly owners in pro sports. His accessibility makes him powerful with the public. He publishes his e-mail address and responds to e-mail, and writes Ted’s Take and Owner’s Corner to share his insights. In stark contrast to Dan Snyder, whom Redskins fans view with distrust, disdain, and anger, Caps fans trust Leonsis because he actively listens to the fan base. Leonsis has created a climate in which fans trust and respect him, and look to him as the leader of both the team and fan community.

George McPhee, Vice President & General Manager

Under McPhee’s leadership, the team has claimed five four Southeast Division championships (1988-89 (Patrick Division), 1999-00, 2000-01, 2007-08, and 2008-09); five 40-or-more win seasons (1997-98, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2007-08, and 2008-09); and two 102-point season (1999-00 and 2008-09). In 1997, his first year as GM, McPhee led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history. He is the chief architect in rebuilding the team with younger players, including selecting Ovechkin at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. With his finger on the heartbeat of the franchise, McPhee’s power is obvious—he runs the show and does so cleverly.

Bruce Boudreau, Head Coach

Boudreau’s biography tells of his storybook rise to Capitals head coach after more than three decades in the minor leagues. In his first season with the team, Boudreau led the Capitals to a playoff berth and earned the Jack Adams Awards. He is the first coach in NHL history to lead his team from 14th place to a playoff berth. Boudreau’s power comes from his openness and his affable, almost blue-collar ethos. Given the setbacks in his own playing career, Boudreau identifies remarkably well with the players, and the public responds to that.

Nate Ewell, Senior Director of Media Relations
In 2008-09, the Capitals media team won the Dick Dillman Award for the NHL’s Eastern Conference for media excellence for the third straight year. Ewell is an essential member of that team. Ostensibly soft-spoken, Ewell is sharp, adept, and approachable, without differentiating between the fans and the staff. On Twitter, he is witty and friendly. Ewell’s power within the organization comes from his relationships, with both players (especially Ovechkin) and the media.


The common thread that links Leonsis, McPhee, Boudreau, and Ewell is their approachability. Their openness and their willingness to talk with people, to offer their opinions about the team, as well as their obvious desire to connect the franchise with the fan base make them powerful. By allowing the public some insight into their lives or their view of the team, this group has gained the trust of the public and the power that goes with.

Post written with an assist by PR pro Kelly Stoner

Cool Cats Have Busy Columbus Day Weekend

Over the Columbus Day weekend, the Cool Cats, teamed with the Montgomery Cheetahs, participated in the New Jersey DareDevils’ “Frankenfest” Hockey Tournament at Richard Codey Arena in West Orange, NJ, Sat. and Sun., Oct. 10 and 11, and while back at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the 16 Cool Cats faced the Montgomery Cheetahs on Sat.

At Frankenfest, the 10 Cool Cats players played three good games, playing against and meeting other special hockey players from along the northeast corridor.

The roster included the Blue Line (forwards Colin B., John B., Michael D., Scott B., and defenseman Christopher G., the Orange Line (forwards Burke L., Robby C., Samuel D., and defenseman Jason S.); and the Cheetah Line (Adam, Benjamin, David, Elias, Maurice, and Pat (Cheetah Line). Coot Cats Ted C. goaltended.

The Cool Cats/Cheetahs faced the relatively new Woodbridge Wolfpack in the first game, which was action-packed. The NOVA team battled against a very skilled Wolfpack player. All the players had a good time, much to the satisfaction of Coach Randy, who tries to infect the Cool Cats with the hockey virus—the main symptom is the constant desire to play hockey each week.

The Cool Cats/Cheetahs vs. Wolfpack game ended in a 5-5 tie with a few goals waved off for various unusual reasons unknown to the coaching staff, and a few penalty shots. Goaltender Ted C. had a great tournament in net for the Cool Cats with several good saves. Amusingly enough though, Ted and Michael tried to play “musical goalies,” but Coach Randy sent Ted back in net—Ted went back between the pipes with a smile.

In the second game, the Cool Cats/Cheetahs played the tournament’s hosts, the NJ DareDevils, which the Cool Cats/Cheetahs won 8-2. During the game, the Cool Cats worked on passing and positioning. Coach Lucia made circles on the ice so the players knew exactly where they needed to stand. The players practiced teamwork, impressing the coaches with their progress—proving that they are both special and normal all the same—but one player demonstrated that he needed hockey discipline as he would not stop at the buzzer and for the referee’s whistle, and he thought it was funny to skate and shoot on his goalie. Appreciatively, he learned his lesson when he had to sit a shift because in his next shift he scored a nice goal by carrying the puck into the zone and putting the puck pass the goalie. The team gave him a high-five when he came to the bench. The fans, as well as the player’s uncle who lives in the area, excitedly cheered him [several Cool Cats players had local family members at the game.

The All Stars—comprised New Jersey Avalanche, Philadelphia Fearless Flyers, Boston Bear Cubs, and Albany Cougars—played against the Cool Cats/Cheetahs in the third game, which ended in a 9-7 loss. The All Stars had a good goalie. Forward Scott B. had five goals, but with his splendid play he could have easily scored twice as many. During the game it was challenging for the Cool Cats to compete with the All Stars’ more skilled lines, but in the end it was also very rewarding because the Cool Cats had some good competition to build their skills for future games.

Overall, the Cool Cats played all three games well. Some players took the losses hard, but by the next day they were all right.

Mark B. organized a team dinner on Sat. night at The Famished Frog with over 30 players and family members. The team bonded and learned a lot about each other over excellent food. Coach Randy especially loved the flamed broiled ribs, but he also valued that his team had a great tournament.

The DareDevils expect to host the “Frankenfest” Hockey Tournament annually over Columbus Day weekend. The Cool Cats look forward to participating in the tournament because it will bring together Cool Cats families to revel in hockey and not the reality of everyday life. The Frankenfest is a fairly short drive from Northern Virginia and several players have family near the Richard Codey Arena in West Orange, NJ.

Back on the home front, while some Cool Cats played at the tournament, the Cool Cats’ C Team played the Montgomery Cheetahs on Sat., Oct. 10 at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Laura B. recounts the details of the Saturday matinee game:

On Sat., Oct. 10 the Cool Cats played the Cheetahs. There were eight Cheetahs and 16 Cool Cats. Both teams were excited about the game and they played really well, but they not only played good, they passed well. At the start of the game the Cheetahs were off to a good start with Coach Wally and Jenna as the Cheetahs goalies and John Nowadly as the Cool Cats mentor goalie. It was a great game and we are proud of how well the kids did and we saw a lot of improvement in our players, even the new ones. The coaches thought that the game went very well and the final score was 11 to 11. Our Cool Cats players were Zach, Bowen, Josh, Luke, Jessie, Sami, Keenen, Eddie, Seth, Lukas, Henry, Praveen, Anna, Emma, Thomas and Ryan. The Cheetahs players were Zach, Rory, Christopher, Benson, and Jay. Sorry to anyone we missed. Lisa, Amanda and Anna’s dad were on the Cool Cats bench and Donna, Joyce and I were scorekeeping and our referee was Clyde Hart. We thank all the players, mentors, referees, helpers, coaches, and parents for coming and we hope everyone had a great time.

Article by Chasta Piatakovas with an assist by Laura Brawley. Article reprinted from and photo courtesy of NOVA Cool Cats Special Hockey, Inc.

Capitals Host Inaugural Convention, Forwards Leave Kids and Adults in Stitches

The Washington Capitals hosted the inaugural Capitals Convention at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, MD on Sept. 26 to a sold-out crowd of more than 5,000.

The NOVA Cool Cats, Washington Capitals Fan Club, and the Kelly Cup champions South Carolina Stingrays with the Cup tabled at the all-day affair.

The large event included intriguing panel discussions of Brooks Laich, David Steckel, and Matt Bradley, who set it off in Kids Ask the Craziest Questions moderated by MIX 107.3’s Chilli Amar.

A press conference specifically geared toward kids younger than 14 years of age, adults crashed the party to hear the charismatic trio divulge secrets.

The mischievously hilarious trio tried to keep the set G-rated, but some answers would keep the audience off balance and on edge wanting mature answers.

The nonstop round of responses spotlighted Bradley’s silly side (“Cleary I can go into male modeling”) and his devilish side (pre-game ritual is to “give Gordo a tap on the jock”).

Covering the Caps with local media personalities, and Quirky with Brett “Stretch” Leonhardt as moderator and goaltender coach Arturs Irbe, and goaltenders Jose Theodore and Semyon Varlamov also included playful exchanges amid panelists.

Joe Beninati, Craig Laughlin, and Steve Kolbe without a doubt animated the media panel.

In broken English, Varlamov informed the Quirky audience, “Sorry fans, my English not good now, but I understand everything. Arturs will help me,” sending the spectators into bliss.

Listeners discovered that Irbe became a goalie to disappoint people, to deny them what they wanted to achieve.

The convention spanned a great deal of square footage and included a plenty of interactive games and displays, panel sessions, player autographs, NHL trophies, and equipment sale items for the thousands.

Notwithstanding the metro-inaccesbility, undersized venue and disorganized layout (i.e., exhibitor booths should be more visible), high-priced food and parking, and awful sound system, by and large, the Capitals organized a fairly successful inaugural event.