I thought I was going to watch this game with my family after dinner.

But with daughter’s religion class and BAM needing to get back to the FD for a while, I’m alone to watch the first period.

 

FSN2 has the poorest quality picture ever.  I can’t stand it.  If not for Jaffe, I’d probably just turn on my XM radio and just listen to Mears call the game.  It would be better than straining my eyes with this grainy picture on my big screen.

 

There are 27 members on the message board so far this evening.  How things have changed over the years.  It used to be you watched the game on TV, and that’s what you were doing… WATCHING the game.  Now we chat about the game, watch the game and check NHL.com for the shift charts and super stats.  Multi-tasking; even with our leisure time. 

 

If Satan doesn’t get a goal in this game… he shouldn’t get on the plane.  They should put him on a bus by himself.

 

It's so nice to hear them talk positively about Bergenheim.  It does my heart good.  It would do my heart better if the boy could earn a few points!!! And as soon as I said that… He did!!!  Mom knows best.  Thank you Sean!  That’s just the start.

(And by the way… I did the little airport prayer vigil today too… if they win… I’ll leave this in.  If they lose, no one has to know I’m superstitious.)

 

2:58 left and they ice the puck.  This is where I get nervous for Rick.  It’s always that last two minutes that seem to be poison for him.  I hope I’m not burning dinner… but I don’t want to get up from the couch.  1 minute remaining… Please!! Please!!  And they kept it in the Caps zone till 17 seconds, but here comes Ovechkin.  And Witt is down bleeding from his cheek.  Is his jaw busted?  Oh no!  Not a good sign.

 

Sean is interviewed by Deb in the hallway.  “…hopefully one of many to come.  Yes.  Line has clicked.   Everyone has an important role, we are working well together.  We just have to keep it up.  We can still be better.  Ice is pretty bad, but it’s the same for everyone.  It’s a little more tiring…” the kid can’t catch his breath.

 

Crap.  Meatballs are burned, but what do they expect.  They’re both late for dinner.  Let’s get some insurance in the second.  Witt is back on the bench, wincing, with a large bump on the side of his face, but he is there, as we all knew he would be.

 

Did Hunter just pull a tooth out of his mouth after the beating he took in front of Kolzig?  Ok.. I’m trying to cook and watch at the same time… This is TOO much multitasking.  Two man PP, they had to score.  Bill Guerin's first goal of the season!  You, Bill, can get on the plane this evening.

 

As if by wizardry, all the wind was taken out of everyone’s sails.  A bad call for a disallowed goal, an angry call by a family member, and Washington tied it up at 2 and the entire momentum of the game (and my house) has just changed to frustrated anger with a lot of screaming “F’s” flying around.  And all this time Big Angry Man is yelling at me “Who is Johnson?  Why is he out there?”  I can't answer him.  So I can only bark back… “CALL TED AND ASK HIM!!!”

 

Berard just gave the Islanders a little breathing room on a power play.  Kolzig is angry, and that’s fine.  Hopefully he will be really angry by the end of the third as they head back to the dressing room with a loss.

 

8:10 left, so many chances, and then all the action is in Rick’s end of the ice again.  Islanders back on the Power Play.  Let’s see how angry Kolzig will be now that Guerin has two.  Not only can you get on the plane, but you can eat dinner too Bill.  Even though I was asked over and over who was in charge of the power play, B>A  Funny what scoring will do to an irate fan.    

 

Too many men penalty and Washington is back on the power play to try and cut the lead again.  3:56 left and again, my stomach is queasy.  Boos are reigning down from the fans but there is still plenty of time for Washington to tie this up.  DiPi better stand on his head if he wants to get out of this one.  Penalty over, 2:52 to go, and Bergie missed a pass from Vasieck and now the rush is in the wrong direction.    2:00 left now… How bad do you want it boys?  You know they’re going to pull Kolzig.  Guerin’s Hat Trick night! Write it on the calendar.  Now… you get steak and lobster.  Miro gets chicken fingers and French fries.

 

1:12, it’s 5 to 2 and it may end up being a pleasant, short ride home.  As long as the fog doesn’t roll in on this unusually warm October night for their landing.

 

“Good effort all around.”  Absolutely Jaffe.