June 18, 2013

Washington Capitals Pregame Update & Audio for Game 7: Oates, Chimera, Fehr

May 13, 2013 by

Audio courtesy Sky Kerstein

The Washington Capitals did not have a pre-game skate in advance of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the New York Rangers. Head coach Adam Oates, along with forwards Eric Fehr and Jason Chimera, each had a brief pre-game availability.

Oates announced that neither Brooks Laich nor Martin Erat would be healthy enough to dress for Game 7, but say that he was considering a roster change. The most likely scenario would see either Joey Crabb of Wojtek Wolski dress instead of 19-year old rookie Tom Wilson, though Oates did not indicate the specific player move.

For Oates’ comments, plus those of Chimera and Fehr, please click the links below.

05-13-13 Adam Oates Pregame RAW

05-13-13 Eric Fehr Pregame RAW

05-13-13 Jason Chimera Pregame RAW

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , , ,

CAPS: Happy Birthday, Jason Chimera

May 2, 2013 by

HAPPY 34th BIRTHDAY JASON CHIMERA!

The Washington Capitals forward was born on 05/02/1979 in Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Happy 34th Birthday to #25.

Jason Chimera - Washington Capitals practice at Kettler, 3/28/2013 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Jason Chimera – Washington Capitals practice at Kettler, 3/28/2013 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Caps Jason Chimera throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Nats Park, May 20 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Caps Jason Chimera throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Nats Park, May 20, 2012 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

 

 

 

Jason Chimera taking a break between groups – Caps Club Kids (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)

Jason Chimera during warmups at Verizon Center (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Jason Chimera -Practice April 27, 2012 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

 

Filed Under: Beyond the Game Tagged With: , ,

Washington Capitals Game 46 Recap: Caps Clinch Southeast Division Title with 5-3 over Winnipeg

April 24, 2013 by

In a crucial late-season game for the Washington Capitals, facing the potential of clinching the Southeast Division or slipping behind the Winnipeg Jets and almost out of playoff position, the Caps put together a playoff-caliber effort in Tuesday night’s 5-3 home victory over the desperate Jets.

Spearheading Washington’s efforts were Matt Hendricks, Jason Chimera, Nicklas Backstrom, Mathieu Perreault, and Alexander Ovechkin, who each scored a goal in the victorious effort to sew up the franchise’s fifth division title in six seasons. Braden Holtby made 24 saves in the process of earning his 22nd win of the season. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

PHOTOS: Washington Capitals Practice, March 28

March 29, 2013 by

Dave and I are back in DC for a visit so we went over to Kettler Iceplex on Thursday, March 28 to watch the Washington Capitals practice. The last time we saw the Caps on the ice in person was in September before the lockout. We’re looking forward to seeing a few games at Verizon Center in the next couple of weeks!

There was a scary moment when Alex Ovechkin left the ice after catching a puck with his chin. He didn’t return to practice and tweeted photos from the doctor’s office before and after the 22 stitches. Ouch.

Here are a handful of photos from practice. It was great to take hockey photos again! As always, please feel free to comment on the post. I really appreciate feedback. Thanks.

This is what hockey fans do on their spring break! - Washington Capitals practice at Kettler, 3/28/2013 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

This is what hockey fans do on their spring break! – Washington Capitals practice at Kettler, 3/28/2013 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

 

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Washington Capitals Game 28 Recap: Capitals roll Sabres 5-3

March 17, 2013 by

Sunday night, the Washington Capitals (11-15-1, 23 points) took on the Buffalo Sabres (10-14-4, 24 points), both teams in need of a couple of standings points to keep their heads above water in the Eastern conference.

Just 19 seconds in, Alex Ovechkin scored the game’s maiden goal off a Nicklas Backstrom faceoff win. His fiancée, Maria Kirilenko, was in the arena – the last time she made an appearance, Feb. 23, Ovechkin scored a hat trick in a win against the New Jersey Devils.

The Sabres got one back early in the second period on a Cody Hodgson shot to tie the game 1-1. Five minutes later, Troy Brouwer scored on the power play, all credit to the slick pass from Mike Ribiero that left him wide open in the slot.

Jason Chimera finally burst the dam on his scoring drought and notched his first goal of the season to put the Capitals up 3-1 halfway through the second period. His last goal came against the New York Rangers on May 9, 2012 during Game 6 of their playoff series.

Less than a minute later, Marcus Johansson scored his third goal of the season, and just like that, the Capitals were rolling over the Sabres  4-1. The Sabres answered, and Brian Flynn’s late tally narrowed the score to 4-2.

After a power play goal by Hodgson, his second goal of the game, the Sabres inched ever closer. The Capitals were ever closer to letting yet another lead slip away from them.

Mathieu Perreault, though, sealed the win with his fifth goal of the season after a crucial late penalty kill. Shortly after goaltender Braden Holtby came up with perhaps his biggest save of the game, Perreault danced his way through two Buffalo defensemen and hit the back of the net.

Final score: Capitals 5, Sabres 3. With the next eight of their next nine games on the road, the Capitals desperately needed to start the week off with a win before heading to Pittsburgh — tops in the Eastern Conference — where they’ll take on the Penguins Tuesday evening.

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , ,

Washington Capitals Morning Skate Audio: Oates, Backstrom, Chimera

February 26, 2013 by

Audio courtesy Sky Kerstein

Relatively quiet day at Kettler (as opposed to everything that hit the fan Monday) as the Washington Capitals get ready to face the Carolina Hurricanes at Verizon Center tonight at 7:00 pm. Lace ‘em tight, should be a good one.

02-26-13 Adam Oates Practice RAW

02-26-13 Nicklas Backstrom Practice RAW

02-26-13 Jason Chimera Practice RAW

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , , ,

Washington Capitals Practice Update & Audio for Feb. 11: Oates, Ovechkin, Fehr & More

February 11, 2013 by

ARLINGTON, VA–The Washington Capitals held one final practice today before they head out on a three-game road trip.  Following the game in Tampa on Thursday, the Caps will come back to Kettler Capitals Iceplex for practice Saturday before ending the three-game trip in New York against the Rangers on Sunday.

Marcus Johansson (upper body, day-to-day) isn’t heading on the Florida portion of the trip and didn’t practice today.  He was a healthy scratch last Saturday, even though Capitals Head Coach Adam Oates said Johansson was injured in the Pittsburgh game last Thursday and the injury has been “bugging” him.

Brooks Laich (groin) practiced today and is going on the road trip, but Oates wasn’t sure if he has been cleared for contact yet.

Braden Holtby (2-4-0, 3.87 GAA, .879 Save pct.) will be back in net after having a 27 save shut out against the Florida Panthers last Saturday.

The Caps had their same lines as they did on Saturday with Brooks Laich working in with the fourth liners.

Capitals center Mathieu Perreault was back in the line-up last Saturday, he had his first goal of the season, and Oates was very impressed with his game.

“He played a very good hockey game, very good hockey game.”

Perreault will be back in the line-up tomorrow night.

Capitals forward Troy Brouwer summed up what they need to do to get back into the playoff mix.

“We can’t let up. We can’t be satisfied with just one game.”

Listen here to what Adam Oates, Alex Ovechkin, Troy Brouwer, Eric Fehr, Jason Chimera & Mathieu Perreault had to say following practice today.

Adam Oates Practice Audio

02-11-13 Adam Oates Practice RAW

Alex Ovechkin Practice Audio

02-11-13 Alex Ovechkin Practice RAW

Troy Brouwer Practice Audio

02-11-13 Troy Brouwer Practice RAW

Eric Fehr Practice Audio

02-11-13 Eric Fehr Practice RAW

Jason Chimera Practice Audio

02-11-13 Jason Chimera Practice RAW

Mathieu Perreault Practice Audio

02-11-13 Mathieu Perreault Practice RAW

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Washington Capitals Game 12 Postgame Audio: Oates, Ovechkin & more

February 10, 2013 by

Audio courtesy Sky Kerstein

The Washington Capitals finally broke out of their season-long scoring slump, dropping five on the Florida Panthers in the shutout win, raising their record to 3-8-1. The Caps got two goals by Troy Brouwer and one apiece from Alex Ovechkin, Matthieu Perreault and Joel Ward, his team-leading sixth of the year.

“I had a feeling right away that we were going to play well,” Ovechkin said. “Everybody was focusing and not joking around. That’s how we have to play. The first goal was huge for us. The whole team was better. We didn’t give them any easy breaks and Holts [Braden Holtby] made some big saves.”

Holtby didn’t have to do a whole lot of heavy lifting as the Caps D made sure there wasn’t a whole lot of traffic in front on him. Florida was at the end of a four-game road trip.

“The traffic in front of the net tonight was non-existent today,” Holtby said. “Our D (defense) and our forwards really took it to heart this last little while that we need to bear down on our end and it was outstanding tonight. We’re going to need that to keep moving forward.”

To hear Adam Oates’ comments about the win, plus Ovechkin, Holtby, Jason Chimera and Joel Ward, please click the links below.

02-09-13 Adam Oates Postgame RAW

02-09-13 Alex Ovechkin Postgame RAW

02-09-13 Braden Holtby Postgame RAW

02-09-13 Jason Chimera Postgame RAW

02-09-13 Joel Ward Postgame RAW

02-09-13 Troy Brouwer Postgame RAW

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , , , ,

CAPS: Chimera, Holtby and Kundratek with Dreams for Kids

February 9, 2013 by
Washington Capitals forward Jason Chimera poses with participants during a Dreams for Kids Extreme Recess clinic at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Feb. 8. Attended by 100 children, the event was held in conjunction with the Capitals celebration of Hockey is for Everyone™ Month, a league wide initiative that offers children of all backgrounds opportunities to play hockey. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals forward Jason Chimera poses with participants during a Dreams for Kids Extreme Recess clinic at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Feb. 8. Attended by 100 children, the event was held in conjunction with the Capitals celebration of Hockey is for Everyone™ Month, a league wide initiative that offers children of all backgrounds opportunities to play hockey. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals defenseman Tomas Kundratek instructs a child on skating during a Dreams for Kids Extreme Recess clinic at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Feb. 8. The session marked the third-consecutive year the Capitals have teamed up with Dreams For Kids for Extreme Recess. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals defenseman Tomas Kundratek instructs a child on skating during a Dreams for Kids Extreme Recess clinic at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Feb. 8. The session marked the third-consecutive year the Capitals have teamed up with Dreams For Kids for Extreme Recess. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby pushes the sled of a child trying out sled hockey during a Dreams for Kids Extreme Recess clinic at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Feb. 8. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby pushes the sled of a child trying out sled hockey during a Dreams for Kids Extreme Recess clinic at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Feb. 8. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals Host Dreams for Kids for Extreme Recess Hockey

ARLINGTON, Va. – For the third-consecutive year the Washington Capitals teamed up with children’s charity Dreams for Kids (DFK) to host an Extreme Recess Hockey clinic at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Friday, Feb. 8.

Capitals forward Jason Chimera, goaltender Braden Holtby, defenseman Tomas Kundratek and mascot Slapshot skated and played hockey with 100 children with physical and developmental disabilities. Prior to the free session, participants watched the Capitals practice.
The free clinic gave many of the children the opportunity to skate and play hockey for the first time. Chimera, Holtby and Kundratek spent the clinic offering children instruction on how to skate. They also helped push the sleds of children trying out sled hockey.

“Being able to skate with the children and teach them about hockey today was amazing,” said Kundratek. “I hope they enjoyed the experience and will continue to play the spot.”

Dreams for Kids is an international youth organization and 501(c) (3) children’s charity whose mission is to empower young people of all abilities through dynamic leadership programs and life-changing activities.

Their Extreme Recess clinics pair each child with a volunteer so every child is engaged effectively.

The event was held in conjunction with the Capitals celebration of Hockey is for Everyone™ Month, a league wide initiative that offers children of all backgrounds opportunities to play hockey and leverages the sport of hockey as a catalyst to teach essential life skills and the core values of hockey: commitment, perseverance and teamwork.

Filed Under: Beyond the Game Tagged With: , , , , ,

CAPS: Washington Capitals to Celebrate Hockey is for Everyone Month

February 7, 2013 by
Jason Chimera teaching Caps Club Kids how to shoot the puck at Kettler (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Jason Chimera teaching Caps Club Kids how to shoot the puck at Kettler (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Washington Capitals to Celebrate Hockey is for Everyone Month

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals will celebrate the National Hockey League’s Hockey is for Everyone™ Month with several events and initiatives throughout February.

For the 15th year, the NHL has designated February Hockey is for Everyone™ Month to celebrate grassroots hockey and the game’s growing diversity. The program offers children of all backgrounds opportunities to play hockey and leverages the sport of hockey as a catalyst to teach essential life skills and the core values of hockey: commitment, perseverance and teamwork. In addition, the initiative supports hockey programs that assist disabled military personnel in returning to their active, mainstream lifestyles.

The Capitals support of Hockey is for Everyone™ includes:

Feb. 8 For the third-consecutive year the Capitals will team up with children’s charity Dreams for Kids to host an Extreme Recess Hockey Clinic at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner, forward Jason Chimera and goaltender Braden Holtby will skate and play hockey with more than 100 children with physical and developmental disabilities.

Feb. 11 As part of the Capitals Hockey School program, the Capitals will host a Hockey School assembly at the team’s adopted school, Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in northeast Washington, D.C. Hockey School is a free program, designed to be both instructional and interactive, with the goal of exposing students to floor hockey while teaching proper technique.

Feb. 14-18 The Capitals and Washington Pride will host the annual Junior Women’s Hockey League (JWHL) Challenge Cup at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. The Capitals Junior Women’s Hockey League All-Star Girls Clinic will be hosted at Kettler Capitals Iceplex from 6:20-7:20 p.m. on Feb. 14, with an All-Star game at 7:30 p.m. The free clinic is offered to local girls as part of the JWHL Challenge Cup All-Star game. Players are required to preregister online at www.Kettlercapitalsiceplex.com.

Feb. 18 Capitals forward Joel Ward will visit Fort Dupont Ice Arena where he will skate with and provide instruction to children involved with Neal Henderson’s hockey program. The Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club is a development program that provides local and inner-city youth in Washington, D.C., the opportunity to participate in an organized ice hockey program.

Feb. 20 During the second of two Hockey Schools in February, the Capitals will instruct children at the Latin American Youth Center’s Rita Bright Family and Youth Center in northwest Washington, D.C. Students from Meridian Public Charter School will attend the visit featuring Capitals forward Mike Ribeiro.

Feb. 23 Kids Club members will be admitted to the game against the New Jersey Devils one hour prior to opening for activities on the 400 level during Kids Club Day at Verizon Center. A game ticket is required for admission at the F Street entrance.

Feb. 26 The month will culminate in the Capitals Hockey is For Everyone Night when the Capitals play the Carolina Hurricanes at Verizon Center. Various local youth hockey programs will join in the festivities throughout the game, including the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, the Wheaton Ice Arena Learn-to-Play program, Special Hockey Washington and the Richmond Royals Hockey Club.

Hockey is for Everyone
Hockey is for Everyone™ (HIFE) is the official youth development program of the National Hockey League (NHL) and a component of The Biggest Assist Happens off the Ice™, the NHL’s social responsibility program that builds on the League’s long-standing tradition of addressing important social issues in North America and around the world. HIFE provides support and unique programing to non-profit youth hockey organizations across North America that are committed to offering children of all backgrounds opportunities to play hockey. For more information, visit hockeyisforeveryone.NHL.com.

Filed Under: Beyond the Game Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
«Older Posts