Caps lost but Washington hockey a winner
It's too bad that hockey fans of Washington and Philadelphia were principally the ones who saw the conclusion of last night's seventh-game of that first-round playoff series. The Flyers won, 3-2, in sudden-death overtime but it was an athletic contest at its finest -- regardless of the sport.
Capitals fans may feel that the hard-fought game's outcome was marred by the fact that it ended on a power player given the Flyers on a so-so penalty, tripping by Tom Poti, at a point when the officials were mostly letting the teams play. But in fairness, the refs had already given Washington a free pass on a pretty obvious trip earlier in overtime so the Poti whistle was due. Even the final goal by the Flyers' Joffrey Lupul was a tooth-and-nail affair. Caps' goal Cristobal Huet knocked down a slap shot and fought off a first rebound attempt before failing to stop Lupul's close-in shot.
It was heartbreaking for Washington after an incredible late-season charge to get into the playoffs and then fighting back from a 3-1 playoff hole to force the Game 7. It made the post-game handshakes and hugs between the two teams and their coaches seem more genuine and poignant. And finally, Washington star Alex Ovechkin led the applause from the ice for the hometown fans at the Verizon Center.
The Caps' season expired last night but hockey in Washington has new life.
Comments
Horrible loss. The 2nd goal was the bigger travesty but if you play better the refs can't steal it from you. They killed off a 4 min and a 5-3 and got zero momentum from it and had numerous chances in the 3rd.
Posted by: eric | April 23, 2008 9:52 AM
"So-so penalty?" Poti had his stick so wrapped up in Umberger's legs that it was pulled from his hands.
Posted by: Mike McLaughlin | April 23, 2008 10:36 AM
What really marred the outcome was when the officials failed to call interference on the Flyers 2nd goal.
Posted by: jmo | April 23, 2008 11:31 AM
Lets not forget the cheap shot that SHOULD have been goalie interference in the second(?) period
Posted by: Pat on left wing | April 23, 2008 11:42 AM
Poti's shouldn't have been a call because he contacted the puck first and his stick followed through into Umberger's leg. Check the rule book. That's not a penalty. But the previous trip definitely was so it's a sort of legitimate make-up call. You normally don't see make-up calls in OT in game 7.
Considering that the NHL is claiming the flyers 2nd goal wasn't interference because the caps defender touched the puck I'm surprised that they would call a penalty in OT when Poti played the puck first.
Posted by: Stu | April 23, 2008 2:50 PM
I like the fact they just resign their coach to a new contract. That is one "feel-good" story out of this hockey season. The long time minor league hockey coach, finally getting a chance in the big leagues.
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He really does seem like a great guy, doesn't he. Looks a little like Dr. Bunsen Honeydew without the glasses ... although I'm not certainly one to talk about looks.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Captain Jack | April 24, 2008 2:45 PM
As a long time hockey fan/player, I was really happy to see the Capitals make it in. With marketable stars like Ovechkin and Crosby, getting those guys involved in playoff hockey is vital to rekindling flagging interest in the sport. Here's hoping we see many more 60+ goal seasons from this young guy (who is a lot more defensively responsible than many other high scoring forwards)!
Posted by: Jay Maduro | April 25, 2008 4:01 PM