On Frozen Blog

This weekend affords area media a terrific opportunity to think outside the penalty box of puck silence and make a most managable commute up I-83 and report on the record-breaking Hershey Bears. Hershey, you may have heard, is rather family friendly. As in, take in Games 1 and 2 of the Calder Cup Finals tonight and tomorrow at the Giant Center and placate the kiddies with 70 or so roller coaster rides and such and double doses of world-famous chocolate by day. The pinnacles of Hershey Park’s highest coasters can be seen plainly from the front entrance of the hockey rink. 

Count this blogger as one seated for both games. It will be interesting to inventory the breadth of media outlets also present perhaps to chronicle history. The Bears have won seven consecutive playoff series dating back to last postseason, tying an American League record, and with one more triumph that can lay claim to a new one all their own. Anyway, I’ll take a peek at the press box seating chart, ring good ole’ Gus on the cell, and have him relay the tally to you OFB loyalists.  

Why would BigMedia here consider covering the Calder Cup Finals this weekend, or ever? (1) the hockey is world-class, with two teams chock full of first-round NHL talent; (2) the Giant Center playoff atmosphere, as anyone who was there last spring already knows, is mind-blowing in its blow-the-roof-off passion, and merits coverage in and of itself; (3) Hershey is attempting to make American League history; (4) there are no small number of Bears who are likely staples of future Caps’ clubs, beginning this fall; (5) it takes less time to drive up to central PA, park, and seat yourself (distinctly cheaply) than it does to leave Danny Snyder’s parking lot Sunday evenings and return home to Northern Virginia; (6) three words: women’s pro softball.

Last week I offered up a defense of the assets the Caps already possess as a rationale for an optimistic, reasonably near-term future. With yesterday’s inking of Sami Lepisto, General Manager George McPhee has added to his stable of maybe-studs.

European prospects are particularly difficult for we in North America to monitor and assess, and with that in mind, I thought it’d be helpful to share with you some of the scouting assessments of Sami we’ve subscribed to in recent years. Here’s McKeen’s take on him from his draft year of 2004:

August 2004 – “Played in a big role for Jokerit . . . was promoted from the third pairing up to the second, performing in an offensive role alongside Canucks’ prospect Markus Kankaanpera . . . skates well and uses his speed to join the rush when the right chance comes along . . . a dangerous puck mover on the powerplay, but did not show much of his famous point shot . . . does not shy away from contact despite modest size, dishing out a couple of sturdy open ice hits . . . was ejected from the second game after some pushing and squabbling . . . will see more of the puck this season.”

And from January 2004:

 ”. . . after earning well-deserved top defenseman honours at the Under-20 World Juniors this winter, Lepisto has become a highly-coveted player. What sets Lepisto apart from other smaller offensive rearguards is his willingness to play the physical game – [he] doesn’t intimidate, but stands up for himself and stays on his feet. Very agile with an explosive, accurate slapper from the point.”

The signing of a 22-year-old third-rounder is hardly the panacea for all that ills the current Caps’ blueline, but it’s more fruit from the harvest the organization has sewed in recent years in beefing up its scouting department, particularly overseas.