Comments on: Caps Win High Scoring Game But Thoughts With Former Cap Heward: Caps 7 / Bolts 4

By: this space for rent

this space for rent — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:23:06 +0000

Well, neither does our greeting for Boudreau – it utterly baffled the Toronto fans behind me last Sunday. It doesn’t sound respectful/appreciative, but it is.

By: Katie32

Katie32 — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:43:31 +0000

So if we ever get rid of Schultz, we can “whoop” him? Or wait, is he so non-physical that we have to come up with something new for him?

By: Flying Cloud

Flying Cloud — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:08:03 +0000

Interesting historical anecdote, Grooven, thanks for that. I attended a few games when Jagr in black & gold was whooped vigorously, which I thought at the time signified fans’ frustration with his lack of effort while here as well as the fact that our organization was still paying his exorbitant salary. As a form of ridicule, whooping seems fairly comical and benign, also that not all fans do it seems to imply that there is a certain school of thought among the few, an inside opinion, delightfully expressed. To the casual listener, it certainly doesn’t signify respect, it’s more like the Bronx cheer or the Manchester whistle; therefore I don’t think it would do to whoop every ex-Cap, some of whom are beautiful people.

By: Grooven

Grooven — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:32:05 +0000

Oh, I well know the origins of the whooping call. Fans basically ran Murphy from DC not because he wasn’t the most aggressive player, but rather because of an untimely turnover (whoops) or two on powerplays which was the result of bad coaching. (The power play consisted of pass the puck to Murphy at the point, and have him shoot. That was it. that was the only play. And the entire league knew it and covered it.)
That still doesn’t change the fact that, to me anyway, the whooping of Eminger is stupid. He played what… half a season and rode the bench for a year. Murphy, Gonchar (untimely turnover)had several high-quality years under their belts.
[As I recall, Jagr was usually boo'ed.]

By: Paint Drinking Pete

Paint Drinking Pete — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:54:18 +0000

That is all pretty much correct (although I’m not sure Eminger is worthy of it either).
The “whooping” should be reserved for non-physical ex-capital defensemen. While slightly taunting indeed, there is an element of respect to the tradition as well.

By: MetalCapsFan

MetalCapsFan — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:31:54 +0000

I believe the whoopin’ started in the 80s after defenseman Larry Murphy was a Capital. He was not the most aggressive of players, so after he was traded, he was serenaded with the familiar “whoop! whoop! whoop!” whenever he came back to town. I guess he got the last laugh as he won Cups with the Pens and Wings. Other former Caps to receive similar treatment include Kevin Hatcher (after he became a wuss), Sergei Gonchar (great offensive talent, no desire to hurt opponents), and Jagr (general douchebag). I don’t ever remember whoopin’ it up for Scott Stevens (for obvious reasons). So, while you may think it makes the fans sound immature, it’s actually an old tradition that goes back to Cap Centre days. So, welcome Steve Eminger to the “whoop! whoop! whoop!” club! Cheers!

By: vt caps fan

vt caps fan — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:44:31 +0000

I always thought the whoopin was saved for a GOOD player who left the caps. That’s why I disagree with doing it to Emmy

By: Grooven

Grooven — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:27:02 +0000

A pretty sloppy game with a few nice plays stuck in it. Makes me wonder just how hung over the players were.
And I just don’t get the whooping Eminger. It made Caps fans just sound stupid. Save it for a player who means something for the team. Or, if you’re gonna do it, do it for every ex-Cap. Heck for that matter, just do it anytime a Lightning player touches the puck.

By: Gustafsson

Gustafsson — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:06:20 +0000

JoeB mentioned the same thing on the air, passed along by the Caps media folks. Certainly sounds better than what all of us were probably thinking.

By: SpartyCuse

SpartyCuse — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:01:04 +0000

Tarik wrote that the initial word from TB is that Heward has a concussion. Lets hope that’s all it is, and he is not hurt worse.