Random Thoughts

Sitting in stunned amazement, sports again proved that the best team doesn't always win. The Washington Capitals, the top-seed in the NHL Eastern Conference Playoffs, fell last night at home in game 7 of their series against the number-eight seed Montreal.

Stats tell us that the Capitals, who play in a division that had ZERO other playoff teams, dominated the Southeast enough to win the President's Trophy for having the most points this season.

High scoring offense, the games best goal scorer, yet still defensemen that made crippling mistakes that cost this team dearly in this series.

The Canadiens, god bless Jaroslav Halak, couldn't score without the extra-man. Mike Green heads to the box, Habs score. the Caps on the other hand did everything. Creating penalties, shooting a lot, and yet zippy.

The goalie decision was correct. The Caps did everything they could but a get a puck past Halak. Decisions will be criticized. Players will hear it from fans. This is a team that marketed itself into the hearts of Washington sports fans. Want to be like the Redskins right? Hopefully the Capitals will leave their message board up. If you want to be like the big boys in town, you have to be willing to take the good with the bad. Perhaps Dan Snyder should call Ted Leonsis and tell him how to deal with frustration of an owner who is also a really big fan.

DON'T LOOK NOW
Is that the Milwaukee Bucks who now have the Atlanta Hawks on the ropes in the Eastern Conference playoffs in the NBA? The team that has seen more injuries to its franchise players, than had playoff wins the past few years, now has another franchise player in Brandon Jennings. Jennings had 25 and Luke Ridenour came off the pine to net 15 as the Bucks late 14-0 run stole the game in Atlanta. Not bad considering they have no Michael Redd (whose jersey they are still pimping on NBA .com) and Andrew Bogut. I'll take a Jennings jersey thank you. Somewhere Junior Bridgemen. Bob Lanier and Brian Winters have to be smiling.

THOSE PESKY NATS
One of the best stories of the early baseball season has to be the Red jersey guys who are actually scoring in Washington right now. Winning close games and getting 10 saves already from Matt Capps, the Nationals are playing entertaining baseball and Stephen Strasburg isn't even out of Harrisburg yet. Kudos to Mike Rizzo who went with his instinct and left Jim Riggleman in place. The Pitching has been brilliant, especially from 210-year old right-hander Livan Hernandez who continues to prove its not how hard you throw it, but where you throw it.
Did u know my favorite Nats player Nyjer Morgan used to play hockey at one point? If you see George McPhee at a Nats game, be very afraid Mike Rizzo.

A NOT SURPRISING NO-NO
Props to former Bowie Baysox right-hander Chris Tillman who hurled a no-hitter Wednesday against Gwinett County, the Braves Triple-AAA affiliate.

THE STREAK IS OVER
The Navy mens lacrosse team broke a 36-game losing streak against Johns Hopkins last Saturday, 9-8, in overtime. Im one of these guys that still gets goosebumps when I see John Riggins run 42-yards for a touchdown in Super Bowl 17. Im emotional about the kids at Navy since I have been with the program since 1997. I know what these kids do daily, and after graduation. I know the work they and the coaches put in. They don't just forefit Hopkins week and say no one expects to win so we wont.

There have been many days where the Mids were as good if not better than the Blue and Black, but the lacrosse gods shined on the Charles Street 10. Finally, an emotional Richie Meade and his players got the result. Ive never cried during a broadcast before until Saturday. There is an emotion you feel as a person for the team you are covering and as much as you fight it, each hug, each player who came up smiling, more important, when I saw coach Meade's daughters come out of the tunnel and run onto the field to come hug their DAD thats when I as a parent of three lost it a bit in commercial break. We forget that these people who coach, teach, mold men and take the heat after close losses, are Fathers and Husbands too. That was a scene Ill never forget. Some coaches fluff it up a bit. Some coaches cliche you to death. Richie Meade loves his players dearly, past and present. As he stated in his teary eyed post-game, the fact that their were so many former players, now current protectors of this country in the locker room sharing the moment with the players of today was as important to him as anything Saturday.

The Mids head to West point of all places to play for their season. Friday at 5:45 against Lafayette in the semifinals of the Patriot League Tournament. The game can be heard on 1430-AM WNAV and www.wnav.com. The game will also air on Sirius Channel 121.

A GREAT SITE TO SEE
Ive been a basketball ref and baseball umpire for more than 20 years now. In baseball people often claim where have all the African-American youngsters gone? Tuesday night, I saw some very talented young men playing for Bowie in the CBA League. In fact, the two best pitchers that played in the game were two African-American kids for Bowie. They were nearly perfect. One pitcher threw 20 pitches in three innings to get his nine outs. More important, there were many black fathers involved on the coaching staff and keeping score. Thats as important as anything.

COME OF JEFF
Jeff Gordon is angry with Jimmy Johnson. Johnson came down and nearly wrecked the driver of the DuPont Chevrolet. Well Jeff, I have an idea for you . FIRE HIM!!!!! You own the car. Suspend him. Guarantee you if you put Mike Bliss or Mike Skinner in the #48 you will finish ahead of that team next week.