The calendar today informs of our arrival home. On this early autumn Friday night we’ll return home from work, kick off our shoes, open up a cold one, and settle in for the opening of the most highly anticipated hockey season in Washington Capitals’ history.
This autumn, it doesn’t suck to be us.
And we’ll actually have two remarkably talented hockey teams to follow — the Caps and their American League affiliate the Bears. Hershey opened its season this past Wednesday night, on the road in Wilkes Barre, and the scoring summary from the game attests to the farm club’s potency (five for seven with the extra man!).
How will OFB cover what is forecast to be an exceptionally special hockey season in D.C.? It’s a question we grappled with all offseason, and some clarity in the matter has arrived of late. The ‘Web is fundamentally dynamic, ever evolving, and we feel that OFB should reflect this. We know that we don’t want to “blog in place,” if you will; we want to pursue fresh coverage challenges and angles. Because OFB is distinctly reader participatory, we welcome coverage suggestions from you.
Three of us will be attending virtually every Caps’ home game this season, and we’ll all be well equipped to capture and record what strikes our fancy. A couple of things won’t change, however. First and foremost, we do what we do here because it’s fun for us, and because it’s an outlet for our collective passion for the planet’s greatest sport. We believe that there’s long been vast under-reportage of hockey’s passion in these parts, and we want to play a small role in remedying that.
We’re aided in our endeavor by a partnership with the most pro- new media sports organization in all of professional sports in North America — and maybe the world. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of the Washington Capitals, and that support starts with the majority owner and extends down through the entirety of the team’s communications staff and includes men and women even within the team’s sales staff.
It can’t be overstated: to the extent that the Capitals enjoy a robust on line profile — and we agree with Mr. Leonsis, who this week told us that the team is a greater global and national story than they are in their home city — they’ve reaped what they’ve sowed for some years now in taking a bold leap of coverage faith with their new-media relations. We hope its a relationship in its mere infancy, and we’d like to see other fresh blogging voices emerge and join the party. We’re particularly excited to follow our friend Pepper and his first full season of blogging coverage of the Caps from New York, with the Red Skate. Pepper’s already doing a great job of keeping an eye on things down on the farm.
Speaking of that farm club, following the Hershey Bears this season will be easier than ever thanks to some big technical upgrades courtesy of the club’s communications pro and play-by-play voice, John Walton. Walton will, on a weekly bassis, host the first-ever podcast for Hershey hockey, “The Old Barn Hockey Show.” And the audio for every Bears’ game will be streamed thanks to a new partnership with SportsJuice.com. Archives of Bears’ games will even be available to fans with the agreement.
Of course, at OFB, we’re planning on following the Bears a bit live in person on a handful of occasions, again. We’re also hoping that one trip up north is of the novel variety.
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10 Comments
Today is like Christmas. Nothing beats Caps opening night. And tomorrow night the opener vs. Huet and the Hawks.
Perhaps you guys can find OFB readers (and caps fans) in other cities, who can report from the road. Going to Caps games all over the place in the last 10 years, finding Caps fans at road games is always tough. Im guessing this year, you will start seeing a lot of red and white everywhere the Caps go.
Im hoping to see them a few times in the midwest this year. But bummed they dont come see me in Chicago, or even STL or DET.
I’m bouncing off the walls!!!
Is it 7:00 yet?!
I feel like a kid with her nose pressed up against the frosty window of a candy store, waiting for it to open!
You rock the red indeed! What a vivid and endearing analogy.
Hey OFB guys and gals. Be sure to let me know of any potential Hershey games you may attend. As a resident of PA, and both a Bears & Caps STH, we would happily make you guys welcome at the Giant Center. Bears open on the 18th against Syracuse, and that rink will be packed to the rafters for this HB team. Keep up the good work.
The blogosphere here in DC is a lot like the Caps, young and talented. I’m not sure if OFB is the AO or the Feds of cyberspace (maybe you’re the Mike Green), but in any case, your work is much appreciated. Here’s to what could be one hell of a season.
OFB and JP are the Backstrom and Ovechkin, us little guys are the call ups getting experience to one day help add to the Caps blogosphere. How many hours until the season starts? I’m anxious……
Definitely let us know when you will be making a trip north and we can plan an OFB pre- and post-game party somewhere!
The excitement around here (Hershey/Central PA) for the Bears is extremely high, just like in the District for the Caps. On paper, the Bears are truly loaded with a great mix of young stars and veterans, offense and defense, which will hopefully lead to a long playoff run. Love OFB!
Sparty’s analogy to Christmas is spot on. I’ve been counting the days until the first face off and cannot wait for tonight.
Also wanted to take the opportunity of my first post to thank and congratulate the OFB crew for all the excellent work. Your passion for the game is evident in the quality of the writing and coverage. I’m looking forward to great things out of you guys – and our Caps – this year and in years to come.
Looking forward to seeing the new “beer toast” photo many, many times this season!
Thanks for the plug. I’ll hope to provide as much press box and in the room coverage up here as I can, for Caps road games in enemy barns.
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