Sept 12 2009 - A Good Day Goes Into The Books ....

So yesterday was a pretty good day here in scenic Northern VA, despite the mediocre weather. I spent two hours at KCI watching the Washington Capitals Veterans report to training camp; got a haircut without having to wait since all the usual folks got theirs last week before the return to school; watched the USMMA beat our rivals USCGA in D-III football 33-27 in double OT; and then had a call from our son whose ship arrived in China last night. So all in all I ended the day knowing: a) the start of Hockey Season is just around the corner; b) my Alma Mater is on track to a good football season and to winning the Secretary's Cup overall from the USCGA this year; c) I once again can look okay for a couple of more weeks and d) most importantly our son is safe and well and seems to be enjoying what he's doing. So that means I can once again self-centeredly retreat inward to my musings about hockey without feeling guilty - right?

Like others I took some pics at KCI yesterday which I'll post here. Before that let me say I love the slogan the shirts the guys had on their backs yesterday: "Get Ready" ... "Its Our Time." Everybody I saw looked like they were showing up ready. The Defensemen all look in great shape - like they know everyone is watching them and they will be competing with each other for playing time. Jeff Schultz seems to have bulked up in the upper body area, Mike Green looked in great shape, and Shaone Morrisson and Milan Jurcina both looked liked they were muscled up, but lean and mean as did John Erskine. Those were the guys along with David Steckel and Matt Bradley I got good looks at off the ice. Steckel and Bradley also looked very ready to play as well. As others noted Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Smin laced up their skates and played around a bit on the ice - and all I can say is WOW! Even when these two guys are clearly just fooling around you get glimpses of their awesome talent. Semin can put a puck from one side of the Kettler Ice surface all the way out of the other end, above the glass - using pretty much just the strength and muscles one uses to make a wrist shot. No wonder, the guys wrist shot is like a laser. When OV just skates normally you can see the power in his stride in a manner that is totally unmistakable. It was just great seeing the guys on the ice and knowing that in less than a month we'll be watching hockey again at Verizon Center. Here's my pics:

The banner at the Ballston Commons Entrance...

Alexander Ovechkin taking to the press...

Alexander Semin on the practice ice....

Ovie taking a slapshot from one end of the ice to the othe where a waiting Alexander Semin will snap it back ....

The two Alexes just passing the puck back and forth, even just fooling around you can see the form, skill and talent these two guys have ... it was another good day to be Alex Ovechkin....

Can't wait for the season to start...

"Get Ready - It's Our Time"

LETS GO CAPS!!!!