Morning Thoughts

• I hope losing games like this, not only because of the way they played, but also because of the team they lost too, puts a sour taste in their mouth like it does to me.
  
• Kolzig, in a stand up act as always, took the blame for the loss. He did not play up to his standards, but if the Caps want to be a playoff team they can not always count on Kolzig to save the day in order for them to win. A better defensive effort would've helped.
• Speaking of the defense can you guess who has led the team in minutes the past 4 games? None other than Lawrence Nycholat who appears to be here to stay. Yesterday was also his 10th game of the season since being recalled to the Capitals meaning that if he were to be sent down to Hershey he would now need to pass through waivers. Not going to happen.
• Brian Pothier has been a negative +/- player in 6 of his last 9 games. Not a good trend.
• Sill haven't been able to find out any information on when John Erskine or Bryan Muir will be back. When they do come back the Caps will be faced with some serious roster issues. Somebody will be on their way out. Jamie Heward seems to be the likely man.
• It was good to hear from reports yesterday that Richard Zednik had a good practice with the team in the afternoon. He seems to be ahead of schedule on his recovery from a severe groin injury. Look for him to return around the all-star break.
• Brian Sutherby won 10 out of his 13 faceoffs last night. Impressive.
• Is it me or has anyone else not noticed Kris Beech in the last few games? After a hot December he seems to be reverting back to his AHL form.
  
• Alexander Semin is now tied for 7th in the NHL in goals with 24. Can we say all-star?

Down on the farm:
The Hershey Bears have signed Kyle Wilson to an AHL contract for the rest of the season. Wilson, a four-year standout for the Colgate University, scored 23 goals in 39 games during his senior season in 2005-06. He scored one goal in seven games with San Antonio (AHL) earlier this season, and also skated with South Carolina (ECHL), scoring three goals in five games. Since being recalled from the Stingrays on December 1, he has compiled nine goals and nine assists for 18 points for the Bears, including two goals in his Hershey debut December 2 vs. Manitoba. He compiled points in eight straight games from December 20 to December 31.

The Bears will try to end their season long 3 game losing streak tonight when they travel to Binghamton to take on the Senators. Game time 7:05 PM. Visit www.hersheybears.com to watch the game live via b2networks.

The South Carolina Stingrays visit the 1st place Florida Everblades tonight at 7:30 PM. The Stingrays are currently in 4th place in the South Division with a record of 19-14-0-2, 40 points. Visit www.stingrayshockey.com to watch the game live via b2networks.

Capital Fanatic