Last Night At MCI Center...

Last night I was MCI Center for the first time since April 2004, the final Capitals home game of the 2003-2004 season, which was an OT loss to the Rangers. Last night was the first home pre-season game. It felt different being back. For the first time since I started going to Caps games, I could not pick up who was who because of all the new players during this rebuilding effort. Sure, Olie, Witt, and Halpern were on the ice, along with the kids, Ovechkin, Aulin, Schultz, but I did not recognize their numbers. The affair was a penalty haven. Everything was called in accordance with the new rules the NHL has adopted for this season. Hooking, clutching, grabbing, the Caps spent a lot of the first period short-handed. Of course, we got thumped, 4-0, but the Sabres did not play much better, they just had luckier bounces. They also demonstrated the new shootout, which, we lost as well, but at least Alex Ovechkin scored. I hope to see many more goals from him in the future. =)

It was also different because this is the first season where I'm going to be attending games solo. David relocated to Phoenix since the Caps played last, so it's going to be different for awhile. Sometimes, change is good, sometimes not, time will tell.

I do know this is going to be a long year for my favorite NHL team, we probably won't even break the 20 win plateau this year, but, hopefully, the guys will play with a lot of heart and will pull one out every now and then. It's good to have hockey back, let's hope the Caps can successfully rebuild.

What A Day Yesterday Was

Yesterday was such a great day for our family. Yesterday my father's retirement ceremony was conducted, outside, in Alexandria, VA. What a beautiful day for such a ceremony to take place. I would have to say aroune twenty-five people showed up for it. The only life I can remember my father ever having was that of being an officer in the air force. Now that is all over. My father will now begin his post-military life tomorrow when he starts his new job. He's going to be a beltway bandit like my brother and I are. I for one, could not have been prouder yesterday morning. My father has accomplished a lot in the military, served during Vietnam, Desert Storm, and now during the 'War on Terror.' He's going to do just fine out here. Welcome to the club, dad.