Lightning Strike Five Times, But the Caps Prevail in SO Win

Photo by Alena Schwarz

In a high-scoring game against a talented division foe, Washington was eventually able to make it out with a win. In addition to the free wings all fans in attendance will receive from Glory Days Grill, the Caps organization also appears to be adding a new promotion: in exchange for jacking up the ticket prices, they’ll give the fans an extra period of hockey.

Between the two teams, 11 goals were scored. In such a high-scoring game, you’d think that the dynamic scorers Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin were involved. But you’d be wrong. In fact, all three players finished with a minus-2.

In the first period, to tie the game at two, it appeared that Dennis Wideman had scored. Everyone but Versus thought Wideman had scored. But alas, Versus temporarily made fools of us all as the goal was awarded to none other than eventual shootout hero Matt Hendricks. Later, the goal was taken away from Hendricks and given to Wideman.

When asked about his goal being taken away, Hendricks wasn’t at all remorseful.

“I’m a fourth liner,” he said. “Any time I get a plus it’s like scoring a goal. It doesn’t matter who scores when I’m out there, I’m happy no matter what.”

And in true Matt Hendricks fashion, he really was happy that Wideman got credit for the goal.

“Dennis just shot it. I went to the net, tried to screen the goalie, it went in. I think they originally gave it to me, but I don’t know if I touched it or not. I’m glad they got it figured out and gave it to the guy that deserved it.”

After the jump, check out the top five things to know from the night and photos from warm-ups by Alena Schwarz.

Top Five Things to Know:

1. Despite taking a stick to the face right before Troy Brouwer scored the third game-tying goal, Marcus Johansson was really happy to be playing tonight. And his effort showed as Bruce Boudreau had nothing but nice things to say about the 21-year-old’s effort.
   

   “That’s absolutely what you’re looking for. Here’s a guy that sat out a game, he came out, he just said ‘I’ll show them’ and that’s the kind of attitude you’re hoping for.”

2. Tomas Vokoun did not have the best night of his career. But before everyone jumps on the “Let’s run him out of town and bring back Varly” bandwagon, Vokoun was hard on himself. He stated that this was not the way he envisioned his first game to go and took responsibility. Don’t let his agents’ hot head tarter his ability. Everyone has their off games. Besides, Vokoun saved every shot he faced in the shootout and all 28 shots he faced during the game. Dwayne Roloson let in five goals in regulation and two in the shootout. It’s only game two; there are 80 more to go.
3. Jason Chimera scored his 100th and 101st career goal tonight. While the 100th was a career marker, his 101st was undoubtedly the more important of the two as it tied the game in the dying minutes to send the Caps to overtime and then an eventual shootout victory.
4. Apparently Head Athletic Trainer Greg Smith gets lonely. After the game, Johansson was unsurprisingly in the center of a media scrum. When it was all over, Smith came over to him and chirped at him for not coming to visit sooner. When Johansson sheepishly replied he was doing interviews, Smith chirped right back, stating it would be nice for him (Johansson) to stop by for a couple minutes.
5. Alexander Semin does care. In addition to his five shots on goal, he also took an untimely hooking penalty in overtime. He cares so much, he just wanted to make the game more interesting for the fans. What a great guy.

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