Aw &*%@#$*. As if this loss didn't hurt enough already...

crap........caps are out, hilary wins in PA, and Olie's gone.....what a night

whoa! later kolzig, was fun

Wow. Sorry to see Olie go out this way. He's been a class act for so long.

History lesson!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXpcb5aTnPk

Jim Schonfeld ended up becoming Washington Caps coach for a number of years. Koharski and Jim never had the greatest relationship.

thank you kolzig. your time is appreciated. this old skool caps fan still loves you

Olie. We will miss you!!!!

Now I'm not just disappointed, I really feel bad -- even if we all knew it was coming.

wow that sux....salt meet wound....

Kolzig/Huet should split time here next season you can have Varlemnov/Neuvirth doin the same thing down in Hershey as well... Whoever is doing better in there games played will play more when it comes down to crunch time hint Huet saw more time becuz he played better then Olie... Whatever happends thoe Olaf Kolzig is a class act and i hope to see 1 day his #37 retired up in the raftors up Verizon...
GO CAPS!

I went to the rule book. Rule 69 (there's a certain - thing - about that) covers interference with the Goaltender. Amazingly, there is no verbiage anywhere in the rulebook on the kind of contact leading to the Philly's second goal. It discusses contact between the offensive player and the goalie, vice versa, and a d-man pushing an offenseman into the goalie.

I think during the off-season, the players should become refs. Go to school and find out what they can and can't do on the ice. Then play like Philly does - right up to the edge of the rules.

OK. No. Not really. One thing I don't want is for the Caps to become the Flyers.

The OT call, was marginal. There were missed calls on both sides. More of Briere hitting Huet on his way back up ice. I don't like Briere. If he was on my team, I'd want him traded away. I don't care if he scores 100 goals in a season. He's bad for the sport and it doesn't need him.

The Flyers will bow out quickly. The only way they scored in the last 2+ games was on PP. They had nothing with 5-5.

I assume the removal of the nameplate is not something you would typically see -- if not, that is a pretty lame thing for him to do tonight. Hopefully Olie retires, gets a local tv gig, and the Caps re-sign Huet.

Will Kolzig retire?

Thanks for all the years, Olie.

I'll say it now, while I'm still pissed. If this oftentimes Mickey Mouse organization doesn't do right by Olie, who has stuck by it when NO ONE else would (yeah, I'm looking at YOU Gonchar, Witt, etc.), and jobs him like Peter Bondra, who STILL doesn't have his number retired (all-time leading goal scorer and his number isn't hanging from the rafters? Explain that one to me), then it'll conjure up bad karma for the Caps that'll make the "Curse of the Bambino" look like nothing.

I was doing good handling the loss, but then to see this.. This just put me over.. I'M GONNA MISS YOU OLIE!

:(

Caps with Don Koharski as the referee....0-6....

I'll miss you Olie.

Yea, Kolzig is a class act, he did a lot for this organizationa and should have is number retired. He stuck around when the times were tough and gave all he had, I wish him nothing but the best.

Kolzig was the face of the franchise during it's lean years, and took it with pride. If these are his last days as a Capital, I applaud him and wish him the best in the rest of his career and life.

Tough night now on so many levels. I'm sorry I turned the tv off as soon as the Flyers scored. I needed to walk away. I would have liked to see Kolzig skating around the ice and waving to the crowd one more time.

@ drburka

Where are you getting that Don Koharski stat???

I'm with you elicea,

I'm losing my composure. I just started following the Caps this season, but its clear that Olie has been and always will be a class act and the heart of the team. Maybe its selfish, but I'd rather see him retire from active play than go to another team.

Ugh, one of the hardest things about this series was seeing Olie on the bench the entire time, after everything he has given to this organization (although I would be the first to admit that Huet was the right choice to put in goal - it was just an awful decision to make).

Hearing this just makes an awful night even worse.

THANK YOU OLIE, you are and always have been a class act.

This hurts almost more than the loss. Thank you for so much during the lean years and your incredible commitment to the community Olie. I'll always miss seeing 37 and the Zilla mask in goal for the caps.

@ jmu_capsgirl

Agreed. I will not be able to bare seeing Olie with a new team. If Caps don't retire his number, I will have a fit!

@Orange Crush

I think the reason his number isn't retired is that he's still playing and playing against us. You wouldn't want to honor someone like that, and then have to turn around and play against him.

My guess is that when he retires, they'll retire his number.

@Olie

This sounds like a retirement announcement to me. Through good and bad, your highs and lows, you only thought and fought for the Capitals. You did a remarkable job keeping this kindergarten of a team together for the past few years. The kids are growing up, and have grown phenominally in the past 7 games.

While you didn't backstop them, your presence in the locker room and on the practice ice, the leadership you've shown all of us has been obvious and heart-felt.

We all thank you for all of the years you've given to Washington sports, the greater Washington DC community, and in particular to kids with Autism. Your presence on our ice will be missed. I hope the Caps will find a way to use your immense talents going forwards

From all of us to you, all the best! And THANK YOU!!!

I was holding onto my ticket from Olie's 300th win, which was about the coolest sporting event I've EVER been to in person, in hopes that I could get him to sign it for me. So much for that idea...

Olie...thanks for the memories.

If he retires, it'll hang within a year. He gave his NHL career to the Caps and no one can say he hasn't given them everything else too.
They won't retire it until he retires though, so if he does go to another team...:(

How were the fans tonight? It did not sound very loud, almost like the fans were too nervous to make noise. I thought the building rocked more in the first 3 games. Just curious.

Ollie will be greatly missed. He is the ALL-TIME classiest, most respected, loyal, Caps player (dare I say) EVER. Even if everyone else forgets you Ollie, *I* will never forget what you have done for this City and this Team, you were the Caps back-bone when you were the only good thing going for this team and never complained once. DC LOVES YOU OLLIE!!!!

It was Devorski who let the 2nd Flyers goal count and called the penalty in OT.

Olie being treated like krappers shows how little respect Boudreau has for anyone that didn't play for him in the minors. Olie has been the face of this organization for years - he deserves better. But then again, so did Bondra.

Wish you well Olie, you will be missed...

People wonder why the NHL is less of a draw than MLS. The officiating tonight was a joke.

dfort2004 -- you are an idiot

Thank you Olie Thank you

If Ollie is leaving. This is not how I wanted him to go out. He deserved better than this. I am on the minority on this, but I think vrs the Flyers Ollie would have been a better play. Huet did a fine job for most of the periods.

If this is the end of the road for Ollie,

THANK YOU

for all you have done not only for the Caps but the community. You are a class act.

I was there. The crowd was loud. VERY LOUD.

Don't go by what you hear on TV.

We ran with a hot Goalie going into the Playoffs. If we were to make the switch, it should have been Game 3 for Kolzig. We didn't, which means....you let it ride on that goalies shoulders. Guarantee Olie would have gotten rolled and smoked in this series. Lack of class by him to remove that name plate.

Maybe not so classy, but they call him Godzilla because of his temper...we have all let our temper get the best of us.

Dankeschön und alles Gute, treuer Olaf.

Godspeed.

Olie, you are a class act. thank you for all you've done for the team and for the community. Looking forward to seeing #37 hanging in the rafters

For those of you with your heads in the sand. Steve K has already said Huet is not coming back. His wife does not like DC and wants to go back to Canada, anywhere in Canada. Huet has NEVER expressed the slightest desire to keep playing in DC after this season, go back and reead his quotes. I expect Huet is on his way home tomorrow and that is the last we see of him and the way we treated Kolzig, the next time we see him will be in net for a team with decent D.

@ Greg S.

Dude, Bondra retired officially on Oct 27, 2007.

I wish Olie the best. I would like to see him stay with the team in some capacity, like maybe replacing Dave Prior as goalie coach. Unfortunately, he just doesn't seem to be a number one goalie anymore, as much as I would like him to be. It was going to come some day.

Can't blame Gabby for playing Huet down the stretch and through the playoffs. He had to go with the hot goalie. Kolzig was playing well, but it is one of those things. The coach has to make a a call on his gut feeling about this.

I am pretty sure that Kolzig would have gotten a start in the next series, if onlyt to spell Huet and give him a break. If he would have played well, he would have probably stayed in.

Hopefully, Kolzig will stay around in some sort of capacity.

Just got home. I'm absolutely sick. They were robbed. That should have been over in regulation - the second goal never should have counted. Remember when we all wanted to know what 'incidental contact' was? Well, THAT was it. Absolutely bogus. I honestly can't believe it.

RE: the fans, there is good news and bad news. As we were leaving, people were cheering. However, I heard that people threw stuff on the ice after that, but I didn't see it (not cool - my guess is that they were bandwagoners). Regardless, as we were driving away, we were honking 'let's go caps' and people in the streets were yelling it back ... then other people starting honking it. So the real fans are standing behind our boys. You know who you are - you should be proud!

LET'S GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!

History lesson!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXpcb5aTnPk

Jim Schonfeld ended up becoming Washington Caps coach for a number of years. Koharski and Jim never had the greatest relationship.

I have been a serious Caps fan since the 1997-1998 season when I was 9 years old.
Olaf Kolzig is the Capitals to me. From his cup run in 1998 to his Vesina trophy in 2000, and then through the disappointing "Jagr years" and the "rebuilding phase" which finally ended this year with a legitimately competitive playoff team Kolzig has always been there for the Boys in Washington. I will never forget his contributions to this team and this city. Olaf Kolzig has always been my hero. He is the reason I play hockey, and the reason i have always (and always will be) a Caps fan. No single public figure has influenced me more, and Olie has been a great role-model for me both on and off the ice.
I can't imagine hockey without him in a Caps sweater.
Thank you for everything Godzilla. You won't be forgotten.
37

BTW, the whole Kolzig thing only depresses me that much more (I hope he comes back). And when BB said that he thanked the guys for the best year of his life, that just totally bummed me out. They ALL deserved better ... they deserve so much more. They earned the second round and they were robbed. It's just not right.

Boo -- There is a long and continuing battle on the previous thread concerning that non-call/goal if you are interested.

Sorry, probably not the time to go negative, but for Olie, it's always been about himself. This melodramatic stunt just underlines that, along with all his tantrums over the years. Would have wanted parting to be more civil, and maybe even kept him around as a backup, but c'mon Olie, was this the time to focus attention on yourself and how "wronged" you were? Very sorry you had to do that.

As for the Caps, tough to lose this one, when they totally dominated, just couldn't pull the trigger. But future's looking bright. We start it all again in September...

Thanks, Tarik, for your great reporting this year!

My lord! On TSN.CA Mike Millbury complaining about the penalty call against us? What happened to turn him around?

NOT a lack of Class to take the name plate. I'm sure it was done as a way to take a momento as he walked out the door with a very heavy heart. It is soo sad to see him leave this way, I'd rather see him come back and sit on the bench most of next year than to have to walk away after what an effort he put in to get the caps back into things and then be sat aside and not mentioned. And BTW: he was named Godzilla for his size, not his temper!!! Show some respect guys, Olie gave everything he could to us in every way possible, on and off the ice!!

nadir

The Sens have wanted to sign Olie for years and still want him. If you were him would you "stay around in some capacity"? Or would you go be the Sens #1 now that Emery is history?

uncatim:
Why haven't they moved to the new thread?

So, which of the refs go on to the next round? I mean, the Flyers can only have so many on their payroll, right?

I'm a terrible person, but I wish only the worst health issues on every ref in the NHL at this point. Handed over the series. You'd think in a game 7, impartial refs would be employed. Apparently not. I'll be mad about this until next season. What a joke this league is. What a f$#king joke.

Losing sucks...
That being said, Thanks Caps, for a GREAT ride. Hockey is once again fun in DC.
We have building blocks in place, a coach who has a fresh message; we have a SUPERSTAR (who damn well better get the MVP) budding young stars and Ownership SECOND TO NONE.
Thank you Mr. Leonsis for a great run and for signing the face of the franchise for years to come.
It can only get better.

@katzistan

It was always about Olie? All his tantrums over the years? Whaaaa? The name on the back of his jersey read 'Kolzig', not 'Hextall'

That's a tough one. It was the right move to get Huet for the second round pick....but Olie is an institution. Whatever he decides to do, he'll be a Cap forever.

"To have the referee decide the series like that, with two teams battling like that, is tough to swallow. I definitely didn't think it was a penalty," Poti said.

He then made reference to Philadelphia's second goal, when a Capitals defenceman was knocked into Huet by an opponent, and said: "It's tough to beat the officials as well as the Flyers."

http://www.kbsradio.ca/news/15/704562

Thanks for the memories from the 97/98 Stanley Cup Run. Olie, had a incredible play off run and carried the team to the finals that season. Sad to say this, it's time to move on. He'll be missed by all the CAPS fans that have been following this team during his long career.

Greg:
Do you have a link to Milbury's comments?

Oh Olie say it ain't so! I hope you're RETIRING because we're not giving you away to another team.

OK, maybe that's selfish of me. But you were more than just a player to us...I mean, you got so involved with the DC area community and you were so incredibly supportive of local charities. We'll miss you, whatever you do, wherever you go.

Katzistan

What a moron you are. You think Olie stayed here while we rebuilt and lost because it was about Olie? Olie was only about the team and about staying here for his whole career. He was a classy a player as there is in hockey. He has had offers every contract year, Ottawa has been after him for years and he chose to stay here and mentor the kids. This will come back to bite BB in the butt and when it does you will hear me in the stand chanting O-LIE, O-LIE. When Olie comes back I will wear his jersey a cheer every save he makes.

Boo -- too busy arguing, I guess.

CAPS4EVER-- I meant no disrespect for Olie -- I love theguy & you may be right about the memento, but he has been known for his temper. Ask any equipment manager who has replaced his broken sticks.

The crowd was unbelievable. I've never seen such a commitment by Washington fans. It's just very disappointing that the officiating crew turned such a great game into such a farce.

@ CAPS4EVER

Amen to that!

Yeah, I don't see why so many people took that to be a classless move. I don't think it's an anything move in that regard -- it's more sentimental than anything.

Olie, if you're really leaving, just know that we loved you with all our hearts. You were our backbone. I am sad that I didn't get to see you play again.

#37 Forever -- You got us to where we are today, and to what we will be in the future.

I hope we get a comment from Kolzig publicly in the next day or two. We all deserve that much.

I can't believe Olie is gone. I was at the game and was really disappointed that they did not focus the camera on Olie skating around the ice, but on Ovie. I would have liked for Olie to hear us cheer for him and what he has meant to the Caps and this city again. I wanted him in game 3 so bad. I am so sad and disappointed. Thanks for all of it Olie. JB was wrong to call you the forgotten man, we haven't forgotten. I won a signed Olie jersey from the Caps website and can't wait to get it and wear it with pride. All good things to you. You deserved better.

Bring ollie to philly!... i'd love to see him in a flyers uniform!

Just got home from the game. Have two complaints, and neither involves the ref's sucking.

The woman behind me had a voice from hell. Think wombat with ass in steel trap. Now add finger nails on chalk board and rusty nail accross tin. Plug her into a speaker where the volume goes up to 11. Throw in a complete lack of hockey knowledge. Did I mention wombat whose ass is on fire?

We aren't Philly fans. The beer bottles on the ice sucked... At least most of us stuck around for the handshake and cheered our team.

The future is bright, this team will be scary good for years to come.

Thank you Olie, for everything. I cried tonight, but only because I knew it would be the last time I saw you in our jersey.

Tarik,

Any way to make sure Olie sees some of the fan appreciation that's pouring out?

I have nothing but the utmost respect for Olie's commitment to the Capitals, and to Washington DC. His charity work shows that he is a great man off the rink besides being a great goalie on the rink. We'll miss him greatly.

@ Jeff

I wouldn't.. :-p

HAHAHAHAHAHA Steve R that description is priceless... frame that

Not gonna whine about the officiating - it sucked, so what else is new, but the Caps had plenty of chances to put this game away and didn't. The Flyers were opportunistic and play on as a result. Congrats to them for it. I hope they lose in THREE to Montreal.

Likewise, I'm not gonna kid myself and believe that if GMGM doesn't bring in Huet, and Olie plays out the string, we're even HAVING this conversation. Huet is just the superior goalie, at this point in Olie's career. But I'm also not going to sit here and let people rewrite history and pretend Olie was anything other than a class act, a selfless member of the community, a team player, and an example to everyone who played with him. Sure he was fiery - what true competitor isn't? But mistaking his competitive nature for self-absorption is to lump him in with the likes of Gilbert Arenas. And frankly, Olie deserves better from us. It'll kill me to see him in ANY jersey other than a Caps jersey, but if that's what he wants, God Bless. He's earned it.

Steve:
Please tell me that you were not sitting in front of me!! ;-) I am disappointed about the bottles, but I am happy that so many people cheered - inside the VC and out. The future is bright, but the right down is darn sad.

uncatim:
Which thread are they debating on?

RE: Kolzig, on the radio they said that it was more than the nameplate - they said he cleaned everything out and that only his leg pads remained. So I'd say that's definitely a message. I don't think it was tacky - I think it just is what it is (which makes me sad). But if he was trying to make it all about him, he would have talked to the media tonight (and repeatedly since Huet came on board). He has been silent - he wants the focus to be on the team. And, BTW, I watched him right before the game started (when they were announcing the starting line) - he skated over to Huet and talked to him and patted him - he wanted the team to win as much as anyone else.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/19201-Capitals-Lose-in-Overtime-Horrendous-and-Downright-Criminal-Officiating

More evidence of Koharski's bias

Canada vs. USSR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCh4PtteLuY

we'll miss you OLIE !!

thank you for everything that you've given to this team !

your fans will never forget it

WE'LL MISS YOU !

To those who called Olie classless, you need to remember a few years back. The team was not very good and McFee offered to trade Olie to a cup contender. Olie declined and stuck around as a team leader. That is NOT the act of a self absorbed player. If he stays, that would be great. If he leaves, I have nothing but great memories of him.
Thanks Olie!

That should be - the right NOW is darn sad.

@ Orange Crushed

Agreed. This team will not be the same without Olie. It's going to tear me inside, to see him in another team's jersey, but like you've said, if that's what he wants, I will support him.

Preface this by saying Semin did a lot to change his reputation this series -- became more physical and began playing hard and with intensity -- results speak for themselves.

HOWEVER, that stupid hooking penalty in the first period caused this loss as much as anything. We had a one goal lead, and were close to stepping on their throat -- Philly looked flat and there was a possibility of a rout. Goal on that power play changed the whole complexion of the game -- breathed new life into the flyers and it then became a game. Penalty was completely unnecessary and exactly the same as numerous other stick infractions he's been called for -- you'd think he'd learn.

Hope he picks up where he left off next year. Next season should be fun.

A lot of people are looking to take offense and read meaning where it is not. Olie was known for his temper; and, like a bout from Brashear; a smashed stick or a diatribe between periods was for many years the spark the Caps needed to get back in the game. He was more than a goalie, for a long time he was the heart of the organization. It does not really matter how or why he has apparently decided to move on -- for right now it is still just sad.

Boo,

What section were you in? I may or may not add wombat with ass on fire commentary dependant on your answer..

@uncatim
I still think Godzilla came from his size not his temper. breaking a stick on the way off the ice could be seen as temper or it could be viewed as passion and the desire to always improve/frustration at himself. I think he was always harder on himself than anyone else was. I can't remember one time when he embarrassed the caps organization vs. 1000's of moments when they were proud he was wearing their jersey.

uncatim:
You are right - he is known for his temper. I don't think there is any disrespect in saying that? He got the nickname Zilla because he was a big, angry dude! Only on the ice, and he has mellowed a lot, but still. I don't think that's a big deal?!?

@Uncatim
Agreed. He was, for all intents and purposes, the team's Captain and would have worn the "C" had he played any other position.

Hats off to Huet for a great series...I dont blame Olie...he was a #1 goalie when we got Huet.

The Caps showed so much heart, but I always worried about our goalie situation for next year.

Sign Huet, or McPhee goes from stud to dub very quickly.

No Hunter in the building tonight, and Olie rips his name plate off? No Bondra? None of the old heroes could show up? No Gartner banner in the rafters? Alumni relations is key...treat you players with respect, or the rest of them will take note.

Hey, I'm old, my memory sucks -- if I'm wrong it won't be the first time. I sure as hell did not want to demean Olie or most of the people who post here.

Steve:
I was just kidding! :-) I don't think it was me. I sit in the lower bowl (and I like to think that I don't have a voice from hell?!?).

uncatim:
I don't think you said anything offensive ... and I think you were right! :-) No worries, my friend.

I type so slowly I am always several posts behind the comments I am responding to.

Jeff,

It isn't too late to leave the dark side. Get away from the team that loves thuggery, and root for the Caps. Think about it. OV on one hand and a cheap shot taking midget on the other. I'll buy you your first beer at Verizon. Noodle it over, let me know in September.

If anybody cares, Sharks are up 5-3 with less than 10 minutes left.

I don't even know if I care. I'm still in shock. About everything. I don't think it has hit me yet.

Jeff -- Steve R makes strong point. MMMM - Washington beer!

Just got home from the game and saw the update. I am in shock, but I know I shouldn't be. I want to cry. Love you Olie!!

Just got home, my ears are still ringing. Sorry to hear about Kolzig. Best Wishes to him and his family!
We left immediately after the loss (school night and we were already overtime) so fortunately kids didn't see the bottles, food, etc that was thrown onto the ice. Boo, we heard and answered the the horn blowing too! Sad loss but still a great year!
Team did a great job, thanks for a wonderful season! See ya in Sept!

Hats off to our boys. Every one of you was great.
The refs. Thats all I can say. Our boys played their hearts out and should have won this game, if not for Devorski. If i were the only one saying it, I'd think twice. But there isn't a soul who saw that game that doesn't believe it was piracy. Full-sail jolly-roger. Its not meant to happen like this. It defies the entire structure.
I want heads on spikes.

Ok finally the Gf went to bed so I can come on and talk about the best series of the playoffs so far

First Off caps fans, I've enjoyed meeting all of you and this has been a pleasure from the start... I feel like we've all gone through a flat out world war togeather and back again.
I think the flyers won tonight on intangibles.... The game was somewhat even but the caps had the upperhand... the flyers ARE an opportunistic team and hit the post a bunch of times tonight which kept the game awkwardly close...

BIRON??? go figure eh?

The officiating has sucked this entire series... flat out sucked, but yell at me all you want tonight was the best officiated game of the series... they let the players play tonight and in overtime that was a blantent trip... they let the kapanen trip go but the RJ trip poti shot his stick right into his legs... unfortunatly the flyers scored there

LUPUL???? go figure again eh?

OV and the caps played their guts out and quite frankly i really thought the caps were gonna win this game tonight, but in the playoffs once you get into overtime anything can happen.

Huet didn't look sharp tonight

That Backstrom kids gonna be something else for you guys... Semin is a great player but he needs to learn how to play it a bit more simple i think

Anyone know what was going on with Green??? Did he hit the bars last night or something? That kid looked so out of place tonight? Please someone explain.

And by the way, Of course I'm going to keep coming in here a lot, This Caps team definatly turned me on to them from watching this series... theres a lot to like... this team has definatly made me a 2nd hand fan.

HockeyMom5:
Thanks for answering the call - it was music to my ears! Truly a bittersweet evening ...

Olie will be missed. He has meant so much to this organization, and without him our young guys would not have developed as quickly, or as well. He managed to help steal some games playing in front of essentially an AHL defense for a couple of years, and stuck around rather than cry to be traded to a contender.

Flood Gary Bettman with calls about this retarded officiating next time he has his little XM radio show.

Of course, he'll just say "the game moves fast, best referees in professional sports, better angle on the ice"

Oh well. They'll look at this and laugh when they're drinking out of the cup within the next few seasons.

@SA-Town
Too true. My extreme optimism over the amazing improvement in the on-ice product is constantly tempered by concerns over the behavior of the rinky-dink FO and up. Can't show proper respect to our beloved vets (and without a history of success, a la a Cup, to point to, what else do we have to get folks excited in lean years?), ice that would be embarrassing at your local rink, much less an NHL stadium, inability to stand up to Abe Pollin and his trained monkeys who constantly job the Caps when scheduling the spring circus/NCAAs/Westminster Kennel Club/Lippazanner Stallions/etc etc etc so we have an extended road trip at the WORST possible point in the season, need I go on? It's a wonder they managed to bring in BB and realize what a diamond in the rough they have. I love having Teddy L as an owner, but I swear, the rest of those guys can just pound sand as far as I'm concerned.

And you know what I think about fans throwing stuff on the ice (not that anyone cares, but here it is)? Good for them. The refs F-ed the Caps. I'm HAPPY that some people didn't just say "Ho-hum, maybe next year!" with big smiles on their faces. Jesus, people - have some guts to at least protest what a jobbing the Caps received!

Why is it that Philly provokes memories of a certain movie with Tom Hanks? Is that why they all move away and come to Washington? I wish they would go north instead.

@Boo!

Sorry I'm late with this...

It was on TSN.CA/NHL On the right hand side is Mike's picture with the heading of Different Standards. It's a video link and unfortunately, I can't copy it.

Fing sharks... I really wanted the flames to win

hahahahaha I guess i have a boyfriend now too? hahaha nice touch

Yeah, Green was definitely not right tonight. He had no speed and didn't make very good decisions with the puck.

And he hasn't shot the puck as hard since he hit Thoresen.

I just hope he hasn't self-traumatized or something from that.

Does anyone else feel completely frustrated with the penalty call in overtime? If you're going to call a penalty in overtime of Game 7, it better be a good penalty, and not that weak ass tripping call. Typical NHL BS...

hey seriously though can anyone explain what went on with Green tonight? Is he hurt or something? Cause he played like he was hurt or sick or something? That was not the dominant Green I saw in the start of the series... I wonder if that Thorsen shot got to him perhaps?

@ DrinkingPartner

Yeah I really do wonder that about the thorsen shot... When Jones Hit PB of the bruins he hasn't been the same player since... He was a top 3 dman in the start of the year... after that hit he's been no better then a 5 guy

Green played tonight with an "undisclosed" injury. It was clearly evident in his skating.

Thanks, Greg. Ironic, huh? Somehow does not make me feel any better ...

I think I might call into work tomorrow with an "undisclosed injury."

Green looked to favor his shoulder a bit it seemed which would explain why he didn't shoot the puck... Maybe that Hatcher hit the other night hurt him, cause i haven't seen him blast the puck since...

Jeff -- Green got dinged in Game 6 but right now I can't remember what the hell happened. When I recall later in the middle of the night I won't get up and post.

@Orange Crushed

hahahahaha I tried that once and the coworkers started booing me and nearly chased me out of the office

@Uncatim
that sucks.... I hate seeing good players get hurt in the series... it puts a damper on the whole excitement and flow of the game... it's a shame, watching that kid fire the puck is something else

Can the evening get any worse...?

Thank you Olie for all you have done for the organization!

Figures Hillary won in PA. Any chance we can convince PA to join Canada?

Well, unfortunately he has plenty of time to recuperate.

Jeff:
Even in our sorrow, I just know that you want to be one of us ... you will be back, and we will be waiting.

Jeff -- when you defect, could you please stop by the Italian market and pick up some olives, sausage, cheese....

I am a season ticket holder...all the way back to Landover...No one but me has owned the seat I sit in at Verizon...I want to know why Olie riped off the name plate...I want to know why no alumni where at the game or on screen tonight....Olie is such a great talent...

It's a shame if the none of the guys before him that we love and watched are around...

Olie will be missed...I have spent a ton to see him play...

I bet Jeff voted for Hillary. Maybe we can call her for tripping.

If we don't resign Huet we'll be below .500 next season.

appreciate compliments from jeff, have to disagree slightly with analysis of semin.

sucks to lose, but when reflecting on positive signs for next year, I'd have to say Semin's play is right up there. Before I butter him up, I will agree that he still shows a tendency to take dumb stick-foul penalties. However, he, more than any other Cap, has shown improvement in the b***s department to compliment his almost surreal skills. His skills are the equal of Ovechkin's, but his grit/toughness has not been, and he made great strides in this series. Again, I don't support his cheap stick fouls, but I loved the penalties he took early in Games 4 and 5, even if they did result in Philly pp's. He was getting right in people's faces and trying to start stuff, at a time when the whole team seemed to be playing without toughness.
Also, I think his lack of the "simple play" contributes to his success -- since very few, if any, players play a style like him, defenders can't anticipate his moves very well. Just look at his Game 5 winner, in which he passed up a clear lane to the goal, wheeled around, and then scored from the slot.

Really wish he'd buried the SAME SHOT with about 3 minutes left tonight, though -- that was probably Caps' best single chance to break the tie.

@Boo
I'm not going anywhere, I said All along i loved this caps team... it's a hard team not to like... they are young and play hockey the way it should be played... lots of skill and heart... I told ya I'm a hockey fan above all else... I am a little upset that they lost... of course I'm excited the flyers won, but im taking this win with a grain of salt cause i really honestly did love watching this caps team play... I really didn't want this series to end, I'm still trying to soak it all in. this was such an amazing series to watch.
@uncatim
I understand man this hurts, but don't take it out on hockey fans. Just know this caps team is going to be something great in the near future... It's going to be the Caps, flyers, and pens for the next 5 years or so and there's going to be so many battles

Green was definitely hurting this evening. He went, but nothing fancy -- not like Game 6, before he got tangled up somehow. They never disclosed his Game 6 injury, but word was he skated without pads today.

Caps played an awesome game. Officiating sucked, but the OT call was really for two trips in less than a minute, the first more flagrant than the last. A make up call, but still, there were at least 1 1/2 violations.

Sorry about the bottle/beer throwers -- let's eliminate that for a while. We were cheering our Caps following the game. Next year...

Everyone needs to sack up and accept the fact that even though the refs were horrible we should have won in 60 min.

@Jenks88

I wanted Ron paul to win... he was the only smart american running and you americans paid him no attention... America had it right when they instated small goverment and more power to the people, Big Government leads to corruption and non essential taxes and unwanted/uneeded programs... don't get me started with polotics i could talk all night, lets stick with hockey

@Steve R
Wow! Were you up in front of the press box?
I don't know what a wombat whose posterior is caught in a steel trap sounds like, but I do know what a howler monkey sounds like, and the woman behind me sounded like that only more shrill -- like a harpy! One sound of that before the puck dropped, and I reached into the purse for the old ear plugs. The guys behind us assured us she wasn't with them. The guy next to her asked her to change seats with him since he was already deaf in his left ear and figured his right ear was close to bleeding out from her shrieks. My husband didn't bring ear plugs, and I don't think he'll hear our front doorbell ever again.
On top of it all, she burst into tears when the Caps lost. Well, I teared up too, but I was just so grateful that she didn't start shrieking with grief.

Sorry dude. Father Time and a timely and low-cost trade hastened your exit. Sh*t happens, welcome to pro sports. All these years later. Your loyalty and phenomenal play....a few years ago....was awesome and you will be missed.

-Long Time Caps & Godzilla Supporter

Jeff:
Next year you will be cheering for the Caps, and roadtripping to DC. Steve promised you a beer - I'll provide the dog, popcorn, or whatever tickles your tastebuds. I'm sure someone else would pitch in for the cone. Heck, I bet someone would even provide a foam finger (or 828 could make you a custom sign). Whatever you need to complete your conversion, we've gotcha covered.

@Jeff
I think there's a reason why most Canadians stick with hockey and not politics...

Game sure started beautifully, though, didn't it? With that Ovechkin crush to Timonen to the ice.

The 5 on 3 . on 4 kill in the last 4:00 min's of the first were incredible too. Like Game 6 again, a big moment.

8 seconds left on the daml power play with the final garbage goals scored. Caps seemed to win the third, and were doing so in OT, I thought, until the call.

Go Caps!

correction -- it was 00.09 left on the PK at the time of the last goal

OK. A little time and a few drinks have done wonders, and I am officially over the grieving process. Thanks to the team & coach for an incredible, unexpected streak; I don't think the town was this nuts for them even when Olie & Bondra took them to the finals. Certainly not in the (very successful) days of Dino, Courtnall, Gartner, Langway et al. (and Scott Stevens).

I have been a Caps fan, and a hockey fan, since I saw my first game at age 6 (24 years). I'm finally at a point in my life where I was able to buy Caps season tickets for next year, and I couldn't be more thrilled at the direction this team is going. This group of forwards is the equal of any in the league. Agree that the D and G situation needs attention, but almost every key player is young and can only be expected to improve. What the Penguins are this year, we should be next year; I am looking forward to several years of EXPECTING to go deep into the playoffs, which has never been the case around here.

Tarik's post game article is up (well done, Tarik, as usual ... we will miss you in the off season - thanks for everything!):

"Kapanen fired a puck into an empty net at 9:47 to put Philadelphia 2-1. Huet had been knocked out of the crease and onto his back by teammate Shaone Morrisonn, who had been shoved into the goalie by Flyers grinder Patrick Thoresen. Though Thoresen's shove might qualify as a penalty on some nights, the referees did not make a call and the goal was not reviewed."

you know what... Next year I'll get front row tix for a game and bring my backstrom jersey that i just orderd tonight... I'll take Steve up on that offer and you as well
I'm still a flyers fan, but caps have definatly taken my number 2 spot... It'll have to be a weekend game and I might have to bring Lynn, she doesn't like me leaving the city without her. She think's i'll end up in trouble cause of one tinsy tiny event last year in montreal... But i say we do it.

@ Sec 105
Yeah, I agree, it was an awesome game. Too bad I feel totally crushed by the poor power play call in overtime. Like I said earlier, there's a reason why the NHL has already been passed by MLS with 2008 attendance figures, and is now in 5th place behind the NFL, MLB, NBA, and MLS.

@ Jenks88

yeah it's called corruption and deceit... although with the officiating this series you could call Shenanigans on hockey as well

Good luck Olie & thanks for the memories.
Great season '08 Caps & thanks for the great ride. The next 10 years will be just better.

Jeff:
Door's open - for you, Lynn, and any other converts. Caps may be your #2 now, but next season you will see the light. Surely you realize this if you bought your opponents jersey on the night that your team won the series. It's only a matter of time ... we'll be waiting.

Boo (& Tarik) -- Thems pretty harsh words coming from the journalistically professional Tarik

@Tobias
Dude, I don't think you want to go calling out the NHL reffing and mention MLS in the same breath. "Hello Pot? This is Kettle. You're black!"

From espn.com:

"Fans left the Verizon Center disappointed -- that part isn't new. What is new is they left disappointed in the outcome -- not the team, not the team's future."

Amen

@Boo

hahahaha oh silly

Allright all, really tough loss... classes tomorrow starting at 8 am. So untill tomorrow I say goodnight and keep your chins up. This a team full of pride and talent, this is but a stepping stone for a bright future. This loss is a learning curve for the brilliant young talent on this team... This is a team for the future, just remember that tomorrow... the future is bright.
I better keep seeing you guys in here ;)

Thank you Ollie for your years of hard work & dedication. You have been the heart & soul of this team and you were one of the only familiar faces after the fire sale. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. othing but love for Godzilla.

I have to appreciate that yes Olie was a team guy through the playoffs, but he couldn't hide his fire much beyond the end of the last game. I can't blame him even if I could keep quiet through the series- which I doubt most would've been able to.

I would've liked to see him play in game 5 and said so at the time. I still think the D would've let him down that game too like they let down Huet.

If there is a team appreciation event in the next few weeks Olie goes. It wouldn't be to support the org, but to let us fans show our support to him regardless of org decisions.

Wish I could be there.

I'm going to put this out there -- I DON'T object to the bottle-throwing. I didn't throw anything myself (and anyway, that dang protective netting gets in the way), but I don't blame people for being upset about the refs. Anytime you have a hard-fought, close series that also suffers from officiating that is, ahem, inconsistent at best, the team that loses is going to point at the bad calls that went against them. And, as a fan, once you've booed the refs until your voice is hoarse, what other means to show additional displeasure do you have?

Anyway, if that happened in Philly, they would have been throwing batteries and rolls of quarters. Or in New York, iceballs. So we can still claim the moral high ground.

uncatim:
Yup, and I am glad he said; I think he did so fairly/appropriately. I will be curious to see what Vogel has say (since he questioned the refs earlier is the series). I hope this gets the attention that it deserves.

Quote from Mike Wise's article. As weird as this sounds, I like it and agree. (not with the figure skater part, but the making them men part)

"Bottom line about the series comes from an astute Flyers fan, who said, 'When your team plays like a hockey team and not a bunch of figure skaters with padding, you win. Our fans and team didn't beat the Caps up. We made them men. You're welcome.'"

I'm so excited for the future, whatever it is. Let's go Caps!!

(what's me with game 5's? I meant game 4, and that I *HOPE* Olie would go to a team appreciation event)

Boo -- Yeah, something has to be done -- it is an embarassment. I emailed the NHL but I suppose I should calm down and just look forward to rookie camp.

Amen, Matt C. I wish we had more Washington fans who weren't in touch with their feelings. Bottom line is we lost a Game 7 at home and we had some questionable officiating at best. Would never happen in NFL, MLB, NBA, MLS. Something for NHL to consider...

From the AP:

"Kapanen's goal was effectively an empty-netter and surely will be a topic of discussion. Right before a loose puck made its way to Kapanen, Philadelphia's Patrick Thoresen gave Shaone Morrisonn a shove, and the Washington defenseman plowed into Huet, knocking the goalie off his skates. The NHL posted an explanation on the Web, saying Thoresen legally body checked Morrisonn and no Philadelphia player made contact with Huet. That reasoning apparently didn't make its way to the fans, who yelled insults and curse words at the on-ice officials."

Yeah ... when we make that same goal (actually, to a much less degree), it is call incidental contact. Me? Bitter? Nooooo ...

uncatim,
When's rookie camp? I'll be close to DC this summer and would like to make it up to watch (and see Kettler in all its glory in person)

@jmu_capsgirl
The Flyers made the Caps men?? Give me an f-ing break. The Flyers choked for two games and then happened to get a few calls from a below-average officiating crew.

jmu capsgirl -- I think it is in July, check the Kettler website or the Caps page. It is fun. Kettler is great, much nicer than our previous facility at Piney Orchard. Great places to eat nearby, too. Worth the trip, my brother drives over 3 hours from the Delaware shore to watch the prospects. Also, Hershey is a great trip for a Bears game if you get a chance.

@ tobias:
Yeah, people are always talking about other leagues influencing outcomes to set up matchups they want -- why wouldn't the NHL be bending over backwards to set up Crosby-Ovechkin?

@ JMU:
I had the day off on Friday before the last game of the season (the Florida playoff-clincher). I discovered the Caps were practicing at 10:30 (they post the schedule online) and headed over. What an awesome experience. Even with a relatively large group of fans there, you could sit right by the boards, or, as I did, stand behind the goal and watch. If you don't have $250/game to drop on first-row seats, there is no better way to appreciate the size, speed and skill of NHL players.

Re: Retiring either/both of Bondra/Kolzig's numbers.

I know they were crucial to the Caps during their time with the team and absolute fan favorites. But, keep in mind, the Caps already have three numbers retired--and that's an awful lot of retired numbers for a team that has yet to win a Stanley Cup.

I want to see their numbers retired, which makes me want to see the Caps win the Cup all that much more.

Jenks88,
Let me rephrase that: I think the playoff experience with the Flyers made them men.
Do you honestly think Backstrom and Semin would have started laying full body hits and amped up their physical game if they were playing the Senators? Moving Backs to the 2nd line matured him in that he showed he can produce without Ovie there, which should show something to those that put him off the Calder short list b/c he played with Ovie.
I'm a firm believer in the phrase "Get off your knees ref, you're blowing the game." But even with the junk calls that went their way, they took it to Game 7. These kids got real playoff experience. I don't care how many were in Hershey for the Calder run or have played in juniors or worlds etc, the NHL playoffs are a completely different animal and they visibly matured over the course of the past two weeks. I'm not giving any credit to the Flyers, I think we should have won. But I honestly think the young "un-battle tested" kids have grown up.

uncatim,
thanks! I'm really hoping it clicks with my class schedule this summer. I've been thinking about going up there since December. I'd love to make it to a Hershey game next year too. Different level, but my favorite hockey experiences as a kid in Canada were the Junior A games I went to. NHL games are fun, but its cool to watch the next generation of players find their grooves and make stars of themselves.

Let's go Caps!!!

last year rookie camp was in September...$#!t! I was hoping it was earlier.

jmu_capsgirl -- Good luck and study hard. Good grades = good pay = season tickets & plenty of jerseys

jmu -- you seem to be the only person still awake. if you grew up in canada, how do you come to be a caps fan? and where in canada?

I could have sworn it was earlier, I'm sorry.

seems about right, season doesn't open til october

Huet sucked in the playoffs and should have been replaced in game 3

14 out of 16 in GAA in playoffs
11/16 in sv% and dead last in goals allowed

Olie should have had a shot

Who's this "Ollie" of whom a few of you are speaking?

4:30 am and I can't sleep. Oh well, I guess I'll go in early and start the coffee maker.

It's odd to think that right now, Brent Johnson is our #1. BJ starting and Varlamov backing up next season is very remote but I guess anything is possible.

The timing of this move makes this the really first classless move Kolzig has made in the entire goalie situation.

Thanks for being a team first player Olie.

If your going to Hershey you better go tonight as the bears are down 3 games to none to those darn penguins from Wilkes barre

My Wife and I will mis Olie. He has been a true class act that supported this team through the good and the bad. He has had a huge impact on the team and its' young players through the years, and I think that all Caps fans realize that.

Good luck Olie. We will miss seeing you if you do choose to leave or retire.

The Caps definitely need to retire #37.

This is now the time for changing the gaurd for the Washington Capitals. I expect great things from this team in the future. I also look forward to what Ovie and the rest of the team can do in an entire season under Bruce.

Let's go Caps!

I will miss Olie. Dumb move in Washington,DC. Maybe that explains it. Huet does not have the credentials to come in and start all playoff games. Should have been yanked in games 2 and 3. ESPN rated Huet as sporadic. Where is Johnson ? Hershey could have used one of the three. Well maybe next year with Clinton , Obama, McCain and lower gas prices.

Goodbye Olie. Thanks for your service (you've been highly overpaid) and don't let the door hit you in the rear end on the way out.

I will wear my #37 sweater for years to come with PRIDE for the player and person!!!

Thanks for your dedication to the Caps for so long Olie! Thanks to the Caps for one heck of a season!!

Tarik,

Just out of curiosity, was that in an area you could see, or did someone relay that information to you?

Best wishes to Olie wherever he ends up, be it another team or on the golf course in Washington state.

Thanks for all the great years Olie! Hope to see your # retired one day soon.

@ leftcoast : And Olie was 42nd in the GAA through the regular season. BB did the right thing and rode the hot goalie. There was never a time in this series where Huet should've been yanked. If he had made the switch in between games it would've stunk of desperation.

Tarik:

One correction to your main article this a.m. The Flyers' 5 on 3 was for a full two minutes, not 1:42. Remember that there was a minor called within the first two minutes of Fedorov's 4:00 minute slashing call. It was a great PK and a great way to end the 1st.

accents and all begone...

first and foremost... THANK YOU OLIE! It will cherish my autographed jersey even more!

second... kudos to the boys from up north. They got it done.

third... as for the reffing, as hard as it is to swallow, I can understand the no call in the second (interference with Huet) and the call in overtime. I'm a level 3 USA Hockey referee for 10 years, and I ref mostly batam and midget CBHL games. As much as you want to let the boys play, something at that moment, triggers you to make or not make the call. The unwritten rule has always been, swallow the whistles in the third (or ot) period, let them win the game. You try to focus on does the action impede a scoring opportunity, or is the action one in which a serious injury could occur. In both situations, I think they got it right. If the contact with Huet appeared intentional, I could see the goal disallowed, but in the heat of the moment, a two on one basically, one player crashes the net and arrives with the defensemen, as does the puck... its 50 50 at best. Maybe if this is regular season, it is called (seems to me the CAPS had a goal disallowed against the Hurricanes for a similar situation). As for the OT, few of us have the same view on the ice as does the refs. In watching the penalty call a second and third time, I could definitely see that as being a more deliberate act (stick was up at the knees... he wasn't near the puck/reaching for the puck). I have to think that is what triggered the refs call. Its those kinds of things that we are taught to look for in development camps.

Please don't kill me/flame me too bad, I'm not a ref lover. I am not a fan of Koharski (or Frazier = Philli homeboy, I've reffed his sons games in the past=what an ass, or in the past Terry Gregson). The Caps never seemed to catch a break when they were on the ice.

To win the cup you have to make your breaks, overcome adversity and yes, sometimes that means beating 7 players (or what appears to be) on the ice.

Ovechkin should have shot in the third. Kozlov hasn't scored all series, but he didn't. They peppered Biron, but didn't get enough traffic in front of him. It was a great series, ashame to see the Caps come out on the short end (I've seen that way too many times since I started watching in 1980).

Looking forward to next year!

C-A-P-S! CAPS! CAPS! CAPS!

We will miss you Olie. Damn glad I got to see you play one more time this year. I for one think this was an extemely humble move by Kolzig. Don't forget we have Brent Johnson who improved and played excellent compared to last year. It's his turn to back Huet, vise versa.

I dont think it was a penalty but I do think it was coincidental contact. I've seen it called a dozen times this year on the same play.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/15475-.html

I'm not gonna be on the boards today I dont think. I need a break. One thing...

Lay off the FREAKING Goalie talk about who's better! I'm tired of it, theres no right answer! STOP!

Hats off to Olie, I remember his first game and he has been a great Capital, a great Washingtonian and a great friend.

I will truly miss Olie.

This was a great season and I'm excited for next year. We have a lot to talk about in the offseason.

But for now I just need a day off...

@Boo!, mauree, Sombrero Guy, jmu_capsgirl et. al.

As an original Caps fan who kinda strayed from the sport for the past decade, I want to thank the four of you - and all the rest of the posters in thr Caps community - for bringing me back into the tent. Your passion for the team and the sport renewed my interest and your daily observations sometimes had me laughing out loud. I usually hang out on the Svrluga blog but thanx again for showing me how a team can lift fans from the lowest lows to the highest highs. God, I can't wait, win or lose, for the Nationals to make postseason so I , too, can run the gamut of emotions. Enjoy the summer and I'll be back at the start of training camp.

Good Series...

You deserve the win

Have a good summer, take care of you

Well see you in november..

Last night, when Olie and Ovie were the last men on the ice, applauding the fans, I thought of the line from In Flanders Field:
"To you from failing hands we throw/The torch; be yours to hold it high."

I wish Olie the best wherever he goes, and thank him for all he gave this team and this city.

Tarik--

Olie Kolzig is the reason I became a Caps fan - just ask your Post colleague Steve Barr. I've had a great couple of years learning about hockey again and getting excited about a team and enjoying your excellent coverage. I never dreamed I'd be spending hours reading hockey blogs in my retirement!

Witnessing the denouement of this great goalie's career has been painful and heartbreaking. I sense the front office had a "We'll get you to 300+, then don't go away mad, just go away" attitude. You've been hinting for a while that he's going to explode soon. Whatever the friction with the coach and top brass and maybe even his teammates, I hope and pray this doesn't get ugly and vindictive, however justifiable his anger and hurt may be. The team and fans are bummed enough right now. Let's hope the class prevails a while longer.

I salute him and thank him and wish him well as he may be heading back West. I'll continue to wear my 37 jersey with pride. And I'll miss his F-bombs at practice.

leetee1955:
Well that is certaily a little bit of sunshine in my gloomy day! :-) Thank you, and thanks to all of the other die-hards here. It's been a great season, and the folks on this board have made it extra fun, exciting and interesting. Thanks to Tarik, we had a place to do it, where all of the latest and greatest information was always available. I hate to see it come to an end (it was not supposed to end this way), but am looking forward to next season already. We will surely have more highs than lows, and a whole lotta fun in the process. I hope to see you back here then!

Earlier this season Ted apologized to Olie for having left him holding the bag through the lean rebuilding years. Olie the Goalie has been the face and heart of this organization and has never been anything but classy.
If he is truly leaving I hope it is on the best of terms and that he knows how much he is appreciated, and how much he will be missed.

I'm a fan from PA. Been a fan since I was a kid. This was the first year I was lured to D.C. to take in a few games. I will be back no matter what next season. I hope you lucky D.C. natives keep the attendence up as well. I wish I was in your shoes and able to go to each game. Keep the faith and never forget the fun we had this year. it only gets better from here.

Let's get a new thread, we've exhausted this one.

I'm going to guess we have around the #20 pick in the draft this year. I know it's early, but does anyone have any recommendations? I know the next Staal is in this draft.

Do we need more Defense, another wing scoring threat, or what? Unless there's a no-brainer Goalie, I'd say we're set there.

Opinions, anyone?

A little Haiku for this morning:
Olie the Goalie
Heart and Soul of the Franchise
Thanks for Everything

Season was an interesting ride.....ending was painful. I don't know, maybe I can stomach it better by thinking its better to lose to Flyers than to Cindy Crosby....

At the end I think:

Jurcina is stiff. He has got to go. (Alzner anyone?)

Did Eminger redeem himself and earn himself a new contract with his great play in the last few games? I think so.

Kozlov, one more year of his soft play and he is gone. Not soon enough!

Laich, showed me he is a playa'.

Green was a shell of himself last night, probably injured. He will blossom into a star, if he is not one already.

Ted et al., hats off to you and your team, and I look forward to seeing you improve the team in the off season.

Just a couple things from my end. First, I want to congratulate the Flyers on advancing, it was a tough fought series and very entertaining (except for the very end). Second, I loved how the fans came together this season and have no doubt that they will support this team for many years to come with as much dedication and passion as they have shown in the last few months. And lastly, I have to say I am very proud of the players, coaches and ownership even through such a devastating loss because they never gave up and fought to the end. In the end, I may be depressed now but in the back of my mind I know we are incredibly lucky to have such a young and talented team that we will get to watch for many years to come.

As with all great runs, they eventually have to come to an end. Last night we just had two of them.

To Olie, Thank you.

To the Team, Thank you

I can truly say that next season I look forward to playing in a sold out phone booth more then three times!

And to Ted, Thank you!

Melrose is an ignorant, know-it-all fuzzball.

On ESPN, Melrose was chastising Ovechkin for not shooting (when he tried to pass to Fed) in the closing minutes ... saying Ovechkin "will have all summer to think about that."

He also said the goalie interference was a good non-call. Whatever. I don't think the NHL wants to set a precedent of having players check defenseman and wiping out the goalie. That would turn hockey into a free-for-all. The refs just missed the call.

What's our D for next season?

Green-Mo (for sure)
Poti-Papa Jeff (probably)
Alzner

Other options:
Pothier (will he be back?)
Erskine
Eminger (I'm not sold on him yet, but...)
Lepisto
Jurcina (please, no)
free agent signing

I can't wait to see Alzner play ... and hear him in interviews. Great kid.

I couldn't post yesterday, was too sad and bitter.

Feel better now :) and I wish to give a big THANK YOU to the team for one hell of a season. I didn't have this much fun, passion and excitement (and frustration lol) for a team in years. Our boys played some heck of inspiring hockey.

Also would like to thank all the fellow bloggers here. Notwithstanding my slight decline in productivity at work ( :D ) this feels like home. Thanks to Tarik for his work and for bringing us together.

I regret not being able to come to a single game this year (darn it I did make plans to come for the Pens) - but trust me I was there in spirit, and loud at home. My neighbors were shielding their kids ears whenever we (or the opponents) scored :D


*hands beer to everybody*

THANK YOU CAPS
LETS GO CAPS

@The Count
Good post - Ah-ah-aaaaahhhhhhh! We all are naturally pissed and feel our boys got jobbed, and maybe they did, but truth is, we had plenty of chances to put the game away. Ovie should have shot what I feel would have been the GWG but he passed (and missed) to Feds - what are you gonna do?

As to Olie - you are a champion, and are Caps Hockey to many of us who have been here since day one of the Franchise. I can't help but feel your bitter pain in being swept aside during the playoff run. You deserved better, but sports is a nasty business, and even the greatest players get taken out long before they are ready to be taken out.

I think it's fair to say that you are the most beloved of all Caps, you held your head high through good and bad. If this is the last we've seen of you, it's a shame, you gave more than you got back it seems.

2 comments on last nights game. (Now that I've finished recovering from last night's drowning of the sorrows.)

1. The call on Poti was kind of ticky-tack. But, the trip by Erskine should have been called, so I guess it works out and its hard to get bent out of shape about it. What was so frustrating was the seemingly 2 minute delay before they bothered to blow the whistle.

2. To parapase H.L. Mencken, In this world of sorry there is much to be thankful for. As for me, I am thankful that I do not have to live in Philadelphia.

I'm proud of the 14,000 people who stayed and cheered after the game. Really classy. I could do without the bottles being thrown, but if you're gonna do it make sure you hit them.

No more grieving over the loss. Its time to move on.

Apparently, Kolzig feels the same way. I can't blame him, he's a proud competitor. I hope he retires and remains part of the franchise, just not as a roster goalie.

Its going to be a long summer, luckily the CAP's will be busy, so I won't have to rely on baseball and the Redskins OTA's to keep my occupied.

Lots of UFA's and RFA's. Questions on the defense.

What about Nylander's groin?
Clark's head?
Pothier's shoulder?
Fleischmann's butter?

So much fun...

Are there any big shutdown defensemen we could grab off free agency in the offseason? Do we think Sami will get a chance next year too? I think our defense is going to look way different next season.

Didn't Brenden Haywood do the same thing leaving the Wizards last year?

As a Olie fan from 1996 ever since he got his mask painted by Mike Myers out of Worcester, Ma. If not the Caps then the Bruins, so I can watch him play every night..

What I don't understand is where does Olie think he's going to go? Does he really think he'll be a starter in another city? I love the guy, but he should probably accept the fact that he's a backup in this league now, so why not stay with the team that drafted you. I guess he has some issues with how the Caps handled his situation this year. But as much as I like the guy, the Caps don't make the playoffs with him in net down the stretch.

olie, thanks for the memories, you WILL be missed.

Lets face it, the run had to end some time....its just that I wasn't ready for it to be now.

I said on here yesterday I was proud to be a Caps fan and I still would be following the game, whatever the outcome, and I truly am proud.

I recorded the game last night and got up a 5am to watch it before going to work. I had a bad feeling from the minute I got up and at 2-2 I just knew we were going to get kicked in the teeth.

I've followed the Caps since 95-96. My interest diminished (with hockey in general not just the Caps) between 03 and 06 due to my local team folding, the lock-out etc. Thankfully I started to watch hockey on a regular basis again towards the end of the 06 season and this year has only cemented my return to being in love with the game.

Following the Caps has been made all the more enjoyable by viewing and contributing to this blog. If you think the Caps don't get any coverage in DC, imagine how much they get in Manchester, England. Nothing. Zilch, Zip, Zero. It can be an isolating experience at times being a hockey fan, never mind a Caps fan. Having people to chat hockey with has been fun.

So, thanks to all, but especially to Boo, 828, Mauree, JMU, Greenie and JSchon in particular for the banter, chat, laughter and shared excitement from this blog.

All this sounds like the last words of a dying man, but I will be around still. I'll be popping in most days to check the news and I can't wait for September.

Big night tonight again for me sports wise. Man United take on the mighty Barcelona in the European Champions League Semi Final. Probably about a Game 5 in intensity levels. My poor non-sport loving wife..... the sport never stops in our house!!

Happy hockey
Dave

@828

Yeah man, I caught that as you were leaving. Its hard NOT to notice the Ultimate Weagle haha. I was having trouble convincing myself to leave the VC knowing I wouldn't be back until sometime in September.

@Leetee1955

thanks for the kind words, and we're all in the same boat. I love "hanging out" on this blog for the same reasons. The enthusiasm, the sense of humor etc makes it a blast, but the most exciting part is just how scary good our team will become over the next 5 years. Losing in game 7 in overtime is painful, but we have a lot to be optimistic about

IMO, for this team to be even more competitive, they've got to sign a big name D. They can talk about how they want to build from the inside as much as they like, but I think we need one more solid, proven D to for this team to make real progress.

Erskine, Jurcina, Schultz, Morrisonn and Poti are SLOW. That's the reason Briere and Richards were so successful this series. Green and Eminger are quick, and Pothier's not bad when healthy, but they're it and Green was pretty obviously hurt last night. I don't know how quick Alzner is (and I hear Josh Godfrey is even a training camp possibility next year), but I think we really need one more good D to round out our package.

But that one more D, who would it be?

I have no idea, but maybe we could sign Brian Campbell. He'd be a good'un.

Tarik,

Is Clark skating today?

(couldn't resist)

I won't shed any tears for Kolzig. The guy's play has deteriorated progressively since the lockout and, given his performance, he was way overpaid this season. Time to move on.

Drinking Partner,

While a big name D wouldn't be a bad thing, I'm thinking a #1 goalie signing (and locking up our RFA's) is more critical. After $ for Green and Mo and Brooks and Schultz etc etc how much will be left over? Plus do the Caps try to keep Feds and Cooke (or just say goodbye to them with healthy Nyls and Clark)?

I can't wait for next season.

Olie will be greatly missed here. No matter what. All the Olie "haters" won't understand how much until he's actually gone. He has been the heart and soul of this Capitals team since he came to it. His number deserves to be hanging from the rafters and he deserves to be honoured.

I know I will miss his presence on the ice, and I have for a while since Huet took over. He provided a spark that no one else could.

We (at least most of us) Love you Olie!

Well, it had to end sometime. Like everyone here, I was crushed when the flyers scored in ot. But it's time to move on and time to shave the playoff beard--just in time for my wedding this saturday. I can't wait for the draft, the start of free agent signings, and opening night next season. I'll definitely get season tix this time.

There's nothing to be ashamed about this season. It's been great but next year will be greater. Nohing less than a trip to the Stanley Cup will be considered a success next year. That's how hight the bar was raised this past few months by this team.

Now and forever, Go Caps!!

Holie Olie, what are you going to do with your name? Are you going to keep it or change it?

This is rough being a goalie Kolzig has been my favorite player since I started following the Caps about 6 years back. If he decides to continue his career with another team (as hard as that would be to watch) then I will still be rooting for him to come up with big wins for his team.
Thanks for all your time Olie if it truly is the end.

The Caps have the laxest standards in the league for retiring numbers (not necessarily a bad thing). I have no doubt Kolzig's will be retired.

@ Steve

Sorry, I committed a terrible sin in assuming we were set on goal and RFAs.

I agree, though, but are you thinking of a #1 outside of Huet? The possibility exists that he either may not want to stay, or that we may not want him as long as he'd want to be here, what with both Varlamov and Neuvirth coming up in the next few years.

If not Huet, then who, eh? :-)

And who exactly do we have to re-sign? I'm counting definites in Green, Mo, Laich, and Schultz, and hopefully Eminger.

Who else is there? Is Erskine RFA? Jurcina? I can't even remember anymore.

As for Fedorov and Cooke, I say keep Fedorov if he's willing to play in a 3rd line and PP role. I think that a healthy Nylander will be more suited to the 2nd line, even though Fedorov played magnificently down the stretch. But it also wouldn't be terrible to have them battle for that spot in tryouts. Too much depth is never a bad thing.

I also say keep Cooke and have him and Clark battle for that spot. Clark is probably the better overall player, but Cooke, depending that the 4th line sees as much ice time as they did this year, would be a great 4th liner. Or even on the side of Semin, again.

There're so many possibilities!

We also have to account for the likelyhood of Alzner coming up, and the slight possibilities of Bouchard and Perrault (though he's a super long shot for this year) coming up, too.

It's amazing that the Caps have so much to work with!

I heard Nylander should be ready to go this week

Hey folks, I hate to break it to everyone, but Olie hasn't said anything yet. Yes he pulled his nameplate, but guess what, maybe he was doing it for some other reason. If it is true, then I'll miss him as much as any other fan out there, he gave us everything he could, and would be ready to give anything else. Until HE says it though, in the words of John Belushi, NOTHING IS OVER

This is also assuming that Backstrom goes immediately back to playing with Ovechkin, of which, really, I don't have much doubt.

Thank you, Olie for being the heart and soul of this team. There will never be another like you.
DC LOVES YOU, OLIE!

Let's get a lot of these guys signed now!

Fehr is a RFA, too. He showed a lot of grit during the series, and I feel the Caps should resign him, along with Green, Mo, and Laich.

I love Kolzig but for him to take his nameplate down last night is pretty weak.
You can't deny Huet was playing better so the coach went with him. As simple as that. Quit crying. The team comes first.

Melrose is an idiot. Complete b.s. call. I can't wait to hear the reaction of the Montreal fans or the Montreal media when the Flyers start running into Price.

I agree. I like Fehr. I just hope he has a more productive season offensively next year.

Drinking Partner,

I think 4 and 10 are ufa's too. 15 is rfa as well? 23 is signed for a couple more years.

Huet is a wild card. Caps need him for maybe 2-3 years, does he want a longer term or a return to Canada as some claim? What other UFA goalies are out there?

As much as I enjoy watching Brads, if Cooke is signed 10 might be the odd man out.

Forgot about 14. Yea, he needs to get locked up. Also forgot about ufa 53... I'm sorry to say, I'd be surprised if he gets resigned.

I do not think we need to go out and get a "stay at home defensemen".

What we do need is our young guys to turn the corner.

Schultz, as bad as he was in the beginning of the season, look very capable late before his injury. Forget about his playoff showing, he shouldn't have been out there.

Jurcina, is still under contract but shouldnt see the ice with the Caps.

Morrisonn, needs to get tougher but is capable. He is a RFA, I doubt anyone would offer him a lot, so I think he's ours for about $1.5M.

Poti, I say trade the guy, he isnt worth $3.5M. Free up his money to re-sign Huet, Fedorov or Cooke.

Erskine, I like him, but he needs to take a Backstrom Summer School class on passing. His outlet passes are almost always stolen or called for icing.

Eminger, honestly, why would he stay? He is definitely one of our top 4 guys right now, but has played 24? games this year. BTW, we are 16-7-1? with him in the line-up.

Green, do whatever it takes to keep him, he will be a Norris candidate next year.

Pothier, he may be done, I hope not.

Lepisto, takes a lot chances and some dumb penalties, but is pretty good minus the mistakes.

Alzner, can get here soon enough. Rob Blake type.

Godfrey, monster slapshot, might not be ready next year, but very close.

Seabrook, needs a year in Hershey.

There are 6 players there that can man up the D.

I think Huet is the biggest UFA -- I seem to remember hearing something like that around the deadline when we originally got him.

As for Erskine, I'm torn. He's got grit and manages to hit the net sometimes, but there are other, better D in our system already.

I'm also torn about Gordon. Laich was by far the more visible performer, but Gordon is a very good defensive forward. And they essentially play the same spot (although Laich might be Semin's wing from now on, you never know). If Fedorov doesn't stick around, however, it's an easy decision to keep him. If he does, then I really don't know. Gordon deserves better than Hershey.

And the same goes for Bradley. I want them, but there are too few roster spots.

UFA
Cooke
Huet
Fedor