Caps vs. Ning 10-21-2006 Post-Mortem

If I wasn't so tired from a long day today, I might actually be more worked up about the Caps 6-4 loss to the Ning tonight. So let's get on with this.

THE GOOD:

• The Power Play was 2 for 3 tonight. While I don't know if this the result of improvement or the fact that the Ning's penalty killing is worse than ours, you have to give kudos to the Power Play tonight for getting the job done.
• The Penalty Killers were 6 for 7 tonight. Again, I don't know if this is the result of improvement or the fact that the Ning's Power Play is worse than ours. But considering the recent struggles, I won't complain.
• Teams are starting to take Alexander Semin more seriously. This is going to open up the ice for A.O., especially when they skate on a line together like they did for parts of tonight. Semin was also getting double shifted occasionally.

THE BAD:

• Olie Kolzig had another bad night. If Olie keeps this up and Brent Johnson continues to turn in solid performances, there will be a goaltending controversy. If was Glen Hanlon I would have pulled Olie in the second intermission because the team was playing well until Kolzig started giving up odd goals in the second period. Olie's breakdown dropped the team's morale tonight.
• For a bit there in the third, the Caps looked to be phoning it in. They came alive at the end and fought their way through, but they were too far behind.
• Ben "What A" Clymer's turnover that Brad Richards scored on. That was as ugly of a turnover as you are ever going to see.

THE UGLY:

• The one Power Play the Caps didn't score on, the Ning got a shorthanded goal on an abortive breakaway. That was an ugly sequence to watch.
• TOO MANY PENALTIES. The Caps racked up seven minors tonight and the one they didn't kill turned out to be the game winning goal. More proof that this team needs to say out of the penalty box.
• Referees Mike Hasenfratz and Wes McCauley had an awful game tonight and deserve some time in the AHL for their incompetence. The Caps had three Power Plays to the Ning's seven. In the third period alone there were two blatant calls (one of which the Caps were called for in the second period when they did it) that were flat out blown. A third call was missed because neither ref was looking in the right direction. Hanlon was on the bench early for the start of the third so that he could voice his displeasure with their officiating. However it didn't do much good as the Ning got a Power Play goal before the Caps were awarded their final Power Play of the game (which they too scored on).

The season is 82 games long and these types of game are going to come along once in awhile. The key here is not to dwell on this too much and move on. I think that's the best advice for dealing with this game.

Finally on another sour note, my sister and I would like to extend our condolences to our good buddy Sparky and his girlfriend Katie. Katie's mother passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer. You both are in our thoughts and prayers.