Caps and Pens

The Washington Capitals stuck it to the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime, winning 4-3 in this NHL playoff game. The playoff series is now tied 2-2.

I love watching ice hockey. It's the most exciting television sport to me. And no, the puck isn't too small. I rarely watch whole games now. I remarked to my mother-in-law a few weeks back that I've watched my share of hockey games: all I need is to snack on a few minutes of hockey on TV now and then.

I like the moment in an ice hockey telecast when the referee blows the whistle to stop play, and instantly the players 'stop skating', and glide to their next position. They slide in graceful curves back to the face off dot, or to their positions. Occasionally, there will be a quarter-hearted push, or shove, between opposing players.

I always feel like skating after watching any ice hockey, usually because I see a player do something that I'd like to try: skate backwards with one foot, and then change direction; a nifty cross-over deke. My playing days are over, but the love of the game remains.