Shootout sweet for Capitals

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Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Bruce Boudreau, Jose Theodore, Mike Knuble, Nicklas Backstrom, Sidney Crosby, Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals knocked off the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC this evening.

Photo: The Canadian Press

The Caps were down a goal heading into the 3rd period. No worries, they’ve been there before and come through. But when there was no twine-denting in overtime, I did get a little concerned.

Along comes the shootout. I don’t know the numbers, but I feel this tiebreaker doesn’t seem to be the Caps best friend, especially Alexander Ovechkin.

Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby gave the Penguins a 2-0 lead in the shootout (with Nicklas Backstrom denied for Washington) and I wanted to vomit. And then 8 came through and the red glow in the building went up a notch.

Now it was up to Jose Theodore, who has been amazing this year, and especially of late (no matter how much I have bashed his play in the past). 60 comes through, thwarting Bill Guerin.

Alexander Semin’s turn. Having already scored a short-handed goal earlier in the game, 28 comes through on a sick backhand.

Theodore comes through again turning aside Chris Kunitz (who makes me think of an Ugnaught from Star Wars every time I see him) and the crowd is buzzing.

Then Bruce Boudreau plays a wild card – and the 0-4 lifetime in shootouts Mike Knuble steps up. And 22, who started the scoring for the night, comes through.

Caps win in dramatic fashion. Good night and hello 17-point lead in the Eastern Conference.

Ovechkin: IMG World Congress of Sports

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Alex Ovechkin, IMG, SportsBusiness Daily, SportsBusiness Journal, Washington Capitals, World Congress of Sports

IMG Ovechkin banner at entrance to World Congress of Sports

Last week Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin helped welcome me to the IMG World Congress of Sports at LA Live in Los Angeles.

Actually, Ovechkin was still serving his 2-game suspension while traveling with his team, but it still felt awesome to head into the SportsBusiness Journal/SportsBusiness Daily hosted event.

IMG, the title sponsor for WCOS, has represented Ovechkin since November 2, 2009 (read press release here) for exclusive worldwide management, sponsorship, licensing and marketing representation.

Seeing the Ovechkin banner next to the likes of tennis star Maria Sharapova and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, was very exciting and helps put into perspective how far he and the NHL have come since the lockout.

The absolute irony of this was only about 10 steps away. Getty Images had framed and showcased about 10 incredible shots their photographers had captured during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The last one in the line was of Team Canada and Penguins center Sidney Crosby celebrating his game-winning overtime goal of the gold medal match-up.

I find it funny (or maybe frustrating?) how you can’t tend to see one of these guys without the other popping up. They are both deserving, even if I’m completely biased on who I’d rather see.

Either way it was exciting to see Ovi being promoted at the biggest and most exclusive sports business conference there is. The additional off-ice push from IMG will only continue to explode the Ovechkin brand across the planet.

And hopefully this means Ovi’s street wear clothing line (CCM/Reebok) will be a little easier to obtain in the coming year.

Cactus League Baseball: Spring Training 2010

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Cactus League, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants, Spring Training

I will be writing a much more intensive recap of my first experience to Spring Training baseball in Arizona’s Cactus League, but wanted to share photos and professional recaps of the 2 games I attended.

I managed to even out the sunburn on my face today as the Oakland A’s beat the San Francisco Giants 8-7. Friday got the burn started as we watched the Reds beat the Dodgers 3-2.

A really great atmosphere I hope to visit again in the coming years.

LINKS TO STORIES AND PHOTO GALLERIES:

San Francisco Chronicle: Giants/A’s Saturday Game Recap

My Flickr photos from the game: Giants/A’s Saturday Photo Gallery

ESPN: Dodgers/Reds Friday Game Recap

My Flickr photos from the game: Dodgers/Reds Friday Photo Gallery