Sunday Morning Reaction

Win or loose there is always a lesson to be learned. Some of the lessons that were learned last night.

• This team has a long way to go before they can just show up and compete based on their talent alone.
  
• They have not been playing Capitals hockey as of late. The entire league used to talk about how the Caps worked hard every night. How they would outplay their opponent even if they didn't win. So far the tread this New Year is that the Caps are being outplayed consistently, and are relying on Ovechkin and Semin to make spectacular plays in order to keep them in the game.
• The Caps have repeatedly gotten off to slow starts. Having to play catch-up in most games.
• The Panthers had the Caps well scouted. And executed their game plan to perfection. This is the type of performance that the rest of the league can look at and emulate. The Capitals will need to make adjustments in their scheme as well as individually.
• Sometimes a game like this can be a good thing in the long run. Hopefully it will cause the team to refocus and analyze the what they need to do to improve.
• Calling all fans of hockey: The NHL is back on NBC, and let's face it, they are desperate for ratings. Their first broadcast yesterday saw on intensely competitive game between the Flyers and Penguins. The addition of Brett Hull to the broadcast booth also provided a much needed boost to the analysis of the game.
  
• A great article from Linda Cohn about the NHL schedule. Click here to read.
  

Down on the Farm:
The Hershey Bears finished up their season-long five game road trip with a 5-2 loss at Bridgeport. The Bears were playing with a depleted lineup as six players were absent from the lineup. Trevor Byrne, Dean Arsene, Matt Hendricks, Chad Wiseman, and Sasha Pokulok all missed Friday's game in addition to last night's tilt. Pete Vandermeer suffered a broken leg Friday and will be out indefinitely. The lone bright spot of the night was the performance of Alexandre Giroux, who accounted for both Bears' scores giving him 29 goals on the season. He is currently tied for second in the AHL in goals. The Hershey Bears return to action this evening at home against the Albany River Rats, game-time 5:00 PM. If you are able to get to the game the first 5,000 fans through the gates Sunday will receive a free team photograph of the 2006-07 team. Or visit http://www.hersheypa.com/events/hershey_bears/index.php to catch all the action live online via b2networks.
The South Carolina Stingrays avenged Friday night's loss by defeating the first place Florida Everblades 5-3 in front of 6,453 fans at Germain Arena. The Stingrays were led by their Captain Cail MacLean and Capitals prospect Viktor Dovgan who each netted two goals in route to the victory. From Stingrayshockey.com: “We challenged the guys in the second intermission and they responded perfectly,” South Carolina coach Jason Fitzsimmons said. “Dovgan was flying and got rewarded with a pair of goals. It’s nice to head into the All-Star break on a positive note.” The Stingrays return to action on Friday with a game at the Charlotte Checkers, game-time 7:00 PM.