Comments on: Nurturing the Fashion Passion of HockeyWashington

By: sk84fun_dc

sk84fun_dc — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:29:05 +0000

Victor, fair point, it wasn’t only towels; I was focusing on the Philly vs Washington situation more than my list of giveaways, thanks for the clarification. Of course, I wish they hadn’t handed out the thundersticks, I am not a fan.

By: Victor

Victor — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:13:23 +0000

@sk84fun_dc: To be accurate, the Caps handed out several red items during the playoffs. The first game was pom-poms, which are still in the back of my car. They also gave out towels, thundersticks, and headbands. I don’t recall the order in which they were given, but two of them were distributed at the third home Caps game. It’s a minor point, to be sure, but they did give out more than towels.
But shirts? No. The “Rock the Red” shirts were $30 each…when you could find them…
As for Redouts–I, too, feel the call should be for a limited number of games. Any team from New York or Pennsylvania deserves a redout. Also Canada, just to show ‘em there’s some spirit south of their border.

By: sk84fun_dc

sk84fun_dc — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:15:25 +0000

The Philly poster is correct, the Flyers handed out the orange t-shirts to fans entering the arena in 2004, at least during the conf. finals against TB. I recall watching a game during the TB Philly series and for a minute thinking the Wach. arena was empty, before realizing everyone was wearing the t-shirt, as the whole place was orange. I even have one of those t-shirts (different one handed out for the different games) as I attended game 6 of that series.
A difference between the Philly fans orange and Caps fans red is that the Caps did not hand out the red, other than the towels. However, “this time around”, “replicate”… not accurate.

By: OrderedChaos (Mike Rucki)

OrderedChaos (Mike Rucki) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:55:41 +0000

Rock the Red Nights should be reserved for big games (I’d say no more than 6 or so during the regular season) and of course for the playoffs. That will help maintain its special stature.
Let’s keep it reserved for special occasions so it actually means something. Plus I want the chance to wear some of my non-red jerseys.

By: Hockey Mom

Hockey Mom — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:53:21 +0000

I agree – loved the Rock the Red! Bring it back, but strategically for certain games. Definitely for Huet’s visit, for Cindy Crosby and for the Flyers. Should bring back the red mullet wigs for Barry Melrose’s Phone Booth debut!

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:57:49 +0000

The Flyers could have passed out orange $100 bills and it wouldn’t have replicated the Verizon Center. I think part of that is due to the relative newness of the playoffs for Caps fans. Add the excitement of the second half playoff push plus the rivalry between our teams, Caps fans went over the moon. I think Flyers fans (especially me) don’t really get up for the playoffs until after the first round is done, kind of a been there, done that situation. But it’s good to see the Flyers and Caps going at it like back in the ’80s.
Hey, we both hate Pittsburgh. We got that in common.

By: pucksandbooks

pucksandbooks — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:26:00 +0000

Jay,
Thanks for the kind words. Assessments like yours, from fans of other teams, are particularly gratifying.
You’re absolutely right about the legacy of orange-wearing in Philly — it predates 2008′s Red Out in D.C. But the Flyers’ organization, it seems to me, clearly sought to replicate the to-the-rafters enthusiasm of Verizon Center with their passing out of thousands of orange Ts this time around. I can also tell you what George McPhee told media at July’s development camp: that Paul Holmgren approached him during the series and told him that Verizon Center’s atmosphere ranked among the best he’d seen in his entire hockey career. The Flyers took notice all right.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:13:36 +0000

I’m a Flyers fan at heart, but I have to say I really enjoy reading this blog. I went to college in DC and adopted the Caps as my second team, so it’s good to see hockey getting some love in that all-Skins-all-the-time town. Not too many hockey blogs out there I like, but this one is spot on, so kudos to you guys.
That being said, I need to correct you on one thing here. Flyers fans started wearing orange t-shirts to playoff games during the 2004 playoffs, not 2008. It really picked up in the conference finals against Tampa and pretty much became a mainstay for the playoffs after that.
Anyway,like I said, great blog and keep up the good work.

By: pucksandbooks

pucksandbooks — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:54:57 +0000

Stokley – I’m quite sure we’ll see a lot of red at just about every home game next season, but I think the Caps’ instincts in reserving/limiting calls for an official “Red Out” are spot on. It really needs to be a distinctive occasion. To the extent that it’s durable, it could be called, for instance, when a significant player plays his final game at the Phone Booth. Imagine that Sea of Red as a send-off for a player.

By: Stokley Rose

Stokley Rose — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:43:49 +0000

I loved Rockin the Red last season and this season will be no different. Like you mentioned, Philly and the Pens had to force a white-out by giving out t-shirts and ours was organic…it was special. I really hope we don’t eventually go back to the white home jerseys.
But because of the nature of our Red Outs, I’m not sure we can’t rock the red for the entire season. Everybody has their red already so why wouldn’t they wear it to a game? It’d be great to see it game-in and game-out.