Victor's got pictures from the game last night. Me, I didn't go. I'm finding reasons lately not to...Saturday is my nephew's birthday, so I gave up my ticket to that game. Monday, Peter Bondra's new team, I'm working. I've got a new rat acquisition coming up, and I'm not bothering to account for games in making those arrangements.
It isn't that I don't care...I still care. And I've been a Capitals fan for 30 years; I've seen favorite players come and go, and as they say, the name on the front of the sweater is the important one, not the name on the back.
During the Carolina game last week they showed Dan Snyder on the Telescreen. Not surprisingly, there were boos from the stands. "Maybe Dan's here to teach Ted how to be a hated owner instead of a beloved one," I said. Victor pointed out to me that they haven't shown Ted on the Telescreen in a long time.
I don't hate Leonsis. I understand why he's dumping the salaries. I understand the rebuilding idea, and it might not be a bad one...during the lockout next year, most of our players will actually be playing, since they'll be in the minors.
But going to the games right now is painful in a way that I've never been pained. It's not the hockey. I've seen some bad hockey, I've seen unlucky hockey, and I've seen good hockey that just wasn't quite good enough. I guess it's the overall gloomy atmosphere...and I guess I'm contributing to that by not showing up and cheering.
I am checking the news every 15 minutes to see of any trades have gone down. Looks like Gonchar will go today. As I said before, Kolzig's is the trade that I'm dreading. The more I think about it, the more I'm realizing that the "It's just business, not personal" aspect to the whole thing is really bothering me. Seems like with Kolzig's family situation it would be better for them if he stays in DC. And from what I've read, he actually wants to stay. This isn't a guy saying "I want a chance to win a Cup" or "I don't want to be part of the rebuilding."
I'm sure I'll be back, once the soap opera is over and the focus is back on the game. Until then...well, it's not personal.
Posted by Nic at March 3, 2004 08:54 AM | TrackBack