On Frozen Blog

Brew an extra pot-a-joe this sunny-despite-the-rain Sunday morning and luxuriate in some outstanding coverage of Washington hockey history made at Verizon Center last night.
‘Coming All the Way Back,’ by Tarik El Bashir, The Washington Post

” . . . in front of a manic, red-drenched sellout crowd at Verizon Center, the Capitals seized the moment.”

‘Mission Accomplished,’ by Corey Masisak, The Washington Times

” . . . Alexander Semin whipped a perfect cross-ice, backhand pass to his countryman, who broke in alone on the left wing and ripped a slap shot over Florida goaltender Craig Anderson’s right shoulder at 15:03 of the second period . . . The 38-year-old Russian’s offensive production has trended upward at season’s end. After registering one goal and five points in his first 12 games with the Caps, Fedorov has eight points in the past six contests.
“Maybe I looked a little younger, but I feel it right now,” Fedorov said. “I feel the same as the guys who have never played in the playoffs. I am as excited as they are.”

‘Capitals clinch Southeast division,’ by Jospeh White, Associated Press

“The Capitals were easily the worst the NHL had to offer — 6-14-1 — when coach Glen Hanlon was fired on Thanksgiving Day and replaced by career minor league coach Bruce Boudreau, who turned the team’s personality upside down by introducing an attacking style featuring the league’s most prolific offensive player (Ovechkin), the NHL’s top goal-scoring defenceman (Mike Green, 18 goals) and a rookie of the year contender (Nicklas Backstrom, franchise-rookie record 69 assists).”

‘Ovechkin, Capitals snare final playoff berth with 3-1 victory over Panthers,’ the Canadian Press

“Long before the final horn sounded, the sea of red-clad fans had turned the arena into an earsplitting din of cheers of their team, “M-V-P!” chants for their star player, a chorus of “Bruuuuuuce” for their coach. The owner responded by blowing a kiss to the crowd.”

‘Feeling just like playoff hockey,’ by Dan Daly, The Washington Times

“File this one under Great Moments in Washington Sports History . . . Granted, they didn’t win the Stanley Cup — only the Southeast Division — but it sure felt like it.
“If you’re looking for a freeze frame, how about the sight of Ovechkin leaping onto Semin after 2-1 became 3-1 — and knocking his teammate to the ice, creating the most joyous of dogpiles in the right corner?”

‘Capitals headed to playoffs on late-season resurgence,’ by Ryan O’Halloran, The Washington Times

“A year ago, the Washington Capitals were strangers in their own building, limping to another nonplayoff season. For the finale, Verizon Center became Buffalo South. The Sabres were in town, and their fans made up more than half of the 18,277 in attendance.
The Capitals’ fans were drowned out, and superstar Alex Ovechkin was booed every time he touched the puck.
It was embarrassing but expected. When winning teams like Buffalo and Pittsburgh visited, they had the advantage.
Fast-forward to last night in Chinatown. Again, the announced crowd was 18,277. Everything else was different — most importantly, the result.”

‘Dialed in for the Long Stretch,’ by Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post

“What Capitals’ fans have been watching since November, and especially in the last three amazing weeks, is the genuine article, the completely deserved and totally-real happy ending . . . After years of taking it, the Capitals may finally be ready to start dishing it out.”