Go Caps...

I became a big hockey fan about 7 years ago, when I was given access to a whole lot of tickets. I started to learn the game, and understand some of the nuances, the players, and the personalities.

It quickly became my 2nd favorite professional sport behind football, and quickly outpaced my lack of interest in professional baseball and far exceeded my distaste of professional basketball.

For the 1st 4-5 years of my "fandom," the Caps were never very good (except in 98 when they made the miraculous run to the Stanley Cup, only to be easily swept by the Red Wings). However, over the past few years, they have steadily built what is looking like a Championship Team.

Given my affinity for Washington sports, it is refreshing to watch the development of a professional sports team "done right." Dan Snyder just does not get it. Buying a championship does not work. Ernie Grunfeld does not get it. Keeping with what does not work (i.e. Jamison and Arenas) will only get you to the 2nd/3rd round of the playoffs, and certainly not a championship. I believe that Stan Kasten and Jim Bowden have the right idea, but that is really going to take some time before they see the fruit of their labor.

The Caps leadership knew it was going to get worse, before it got better. They have developed such a young core group of players, here in Washington, as well as in Hershey and South Carolina. This team is going to win a Cup. It is an exciting time to be a fan...

Kudos to Ted Leonsis, George McPhee, and Bruce Boudreau...

Go Caps...