Boudreau on the Big Screen
Absent any fan photos....(By John McDonnell - TWP)
I wasn't at Tuesday's Caps game, but I was told the following thing happened: late in the game, Ovechkin's image was shown on the big screen. He attempted to rile up the fans, who, suitably riled, responded with boisterous cheers. Soon after, the camera focused on Bruce Boudreau, and the fans cheered on, while Boudreau attempted to disappear. An oral history of that incident.
Alex Ovechkin: "The crowd was unbelievable. Fans was crazy."
Bruce Boudreau: "It was like the fans were there with them. I don't know if you understand what I'm saying--like they've waited a long time, and the true hockey fans were there knowing that this was an opportunity to do something. And they were into it was much as the players were."
Matt Cooke: "They put Ovie on the screen and he kind of gave the crowd a little pump-up, like a raise-the-roof kind of thing. So when I was on the bench I noticed they put Bruce on, and I was just giving it to him a little, telling him to wave, to give 'em what the crowd wants. And Bruce isn't like that, he's not a flashy guy, he's not loud. I think he gave a very tiny little wave and kind of blushed a little bit."
Crystal Boudreau: "It was amazing....It was very emotional for me. You're very proud. Let's be honest, when he first got the job the blogs were carving him up. Some of the fans had him fired before he ever coached a game. Now to see that they have given him a chance and they love him, it's nice....I did cheer. I was very appreciative, very happy and I cheered probably as loud as anybody in the place."
Mike Green: "He didn't know whether to laugh or be serious. It was pretty funny, I don't know, just because I know him as a person. He probably was embarrassed a little bit. That's just the way he is."
Bruce Boudreau: "I put my head down. I was just so friggin' embarrassed. But guys were telling me, and my wife told me, so that's pretty cool. I don't know, I get embarrassed with that stuff."
Crystal Boudreau: "That's Bruce; he doesn't believe in showing emotion until the game's over. He's not Ovie, he's not going to sit there and cheer."
Bruce Boudreau: "That's why you don't see me cheer when we score. I want to, but I'm holding myself back. It's a superstition."
Cooke: "Credit to him, he's one of the big reasons why this team's turned it around, and give credit to where credit is due. I mean, obviously this team's a little bit different now than it was when he first got here, but they were still on a great run before the trade deadline, and they were the same team that Hanlon had. And I think his biggest thing was he came in here and instilled confidence in the guys and put them in a situation where they felt like they could be successful. I think the coach wants to deflect the attention back onto the players, and I think that the players want to deflect it back onto the coach. And I think it's a good situation."
Bruce Boudreau: "It's because we're winning. You know, if we lose I'll be pretty unpopular. That's the way coaches are. So I'm not worried about it. It's very nice, and I'm glad they feel that way at this time, so we'll just take it one day at a time."
By Dan Steinberg |
April 3, 2008; 3:31 PM ET
| Category:
Caps
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Posted by: Go Skins Go | April 3, 2008 03:46 PM
the Bog is back! long live the bog! caps, wizards and united in one day yay. oh how ive missed the bog.
Posted by: pindar | April 3, 2008 03:52 PM
I don't remember bloggers "carving him up". I remember people saying it was the right move and let's give him a chance and at the end of the year then you can get a big name coach if you want.
Posted by: eric | April 3, 2008 04:54 PM
C'mon, Dave...or is it Dan?
Biggest story in town, biggest game of the year, and you weren't there??? Even with a free pass??!! So here I am in Myrtle Beach, looking for a bar to watch the game...you're there, you're right there, in DC, and you don't go to the game??
SHAME.
Posted by: Caps fan in SC | April 3, 2008 05:02 PM
Daddy bed-time responsibilities. I don't consider that a shameful excuse. But I went to practice yesterday instead.
Posted by: Dan Steinberg | April 3, 2008 05:09 PM
OK, except 'the blogs' have never carved up Gabby. He's been mega-popular from day one.
Posted by: 20008 | April 3, 2008 05:09 PM
Caps fan in SC....Check out time warner cable station 447..You may get lucky with tonights game game as well as saturdays
Posted by: John in OIB | April 3, 2008 07:04 PM
yeah, weren't most people in favor of Bruce getting the job?
-- Admittedly biased Bears seasonticket holder
Posted by: odessasteps magazine | April 3, 2008 07:04 PM
Am I the only one not surprised Dan didn't make it?
Posted by: FS | April 3, 2008 08:46 PM
Boudreau has done an amazing job. He inherited a team that was 6-14-1 and now we are 42-31-8. He definitely deserves the Jack Adams Awards.
Posted by: Aneesa | April 4, 2008 03:21 PM
COACH OF THE YEAR (Hands Down)
The Post Season Wards should be Red also!
Posted by: caphcky | April 7, 2008 09:49 AM
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I hope they do it again tonight!
I was able to go to the game on tuesday, so I was hootin' and holler'n for him at home.
GIVE EM HELL TONIGHT BRUCE!