Tom Wilson and Michael Latta hang with Ovie the Bulldog (Photos by Ovie’s Dad)
A lot of times, the sequel is better than the original. The Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Knight, Shrek 2, Spider-man 2, Superman 2, and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, you get the picture. While my own Part one was eventful and fun, it was without the payoff of Rocky winning the championship we later got in Rocky II. (See Part I)
A quiet Kettler is a good Kettler
Last time I visited Kettler IcePlex in hunt of Ovechkin, Dad failed to check the school calendars and we were surrounded by a lot of kids. I love kids! They pet me, give me tons of cookies, and provide me lots of attention. But it is exponentially harder for a bulldog to see the players because there was a large number of people and I don’t like getting stepped on in a crowd.
Today is a work day, Dad did his homework and checked the schedules, and it is quiet at Kettler. Ovechkin’s daily beater car is here, so we take up a spot close to it and wait.
Shhh be very very quiet…. I'm hunting Ovechkin pic.twitter.com/9jJjs1hDoj
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 19, 2013
A lot of fans are optimistic!
@OvietheBulldog you got him today I feel it!!!!
— Stacie Dae (@anglophile09) November 19, 2013
https://twitter.com/JayleighCape/status/402843231282405376
Since we don’t know when practice ends and I am certainly aware I am NOT allowed inside Kettler, Dad and I will just wait for about an hour outside talking hockey.
Wondering what odds are of me running into Pierre, Milbury, or Crosby are at @KCIceplex? #HumpDay would happen a day early
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 19, 2013
Me & Dad at @KCIceplex today waiting outside while #caps practice was being held pic.twitter.com/2COIfXaS7E
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 20, 2013
Playing a game w/Dad called "53lbs of Bulldog in your lap, how long can you feel your legs?" Title might be too long pic.twitter.com/0V5bDrdXmy
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 20, 2013
Ladies & Gentlemen! START YOUR SHARPIES!
Once practice ends, we start the head count on the competition…8, 10, 12 waiting on the players coming out. Talking with some of the autograph hunters, I’m hearing Ovechkin is a tough one to get and rarely signs. I’m trying to temper my expectations. Do I have the enough charm to stop him again? It worked at the Capitals Convention!
Nicklas Backstrom comes walking out, can’t stop has to go, that’s OK Nick I’m waiting on someone else.
A few minutes later, it’s HIM! Alex Ovechkin rounds the corner as the dozen fans converge in a hail of requests…sign this, pose for a picture…please? Alex politely declines. But then, he bursts with laughter as he sees me sitting there, “My buddy!” He bends over to give me some Gr8 Russian scratches, flashing that trademarked smile. Dad simply asks, would you mind signing his jersey? Ovechkin responds with “I will sign his jersey!” He takes the Sharpie form Dad and presses down…but I move my butt and he quickly lifts the pen so not to smear. Dad commands me to sit, as Ovi presses down on my jersey, I sit quickly and Ovechkin puts the pen to my jersey and signs. He gives me one last scratch and off he goes. Dad stands and looks as Alex climbs into his car and gives him another heartfelt thank you as Alex smiles and drives off.
Dad waits a few minutes, then swaps my jersey with my Winter Classic. Then stows the newly signed Home Red in the car. I don’t tweet about it because I want to surprise everyone with the news later, but my Twitter followers are on par with Batman, the World’s Greatest Detective. I posted a picture of me with John Carlson.
Making friends with @JohnCarlson74 at @KCIceplex showed him my patented bulldog hip check pic.twitter.com/NaaKEmFGAL
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 19, 2013
@OvietheBulldog Did you change jerseys? The one of you by Ovie's car was red.
— (((Andrea Neuman))) (@dee4077) November 19, 2013
The bulldog is out of the bag!
@i_bern_em had to change jerseys while there, some Russian guy got ink on the home red one ;)
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 19, 2013
Meeting more of the Team!
I have instituted an “Only pester the player once” Policy. Once a player takes a picture with me, I will not bother them again.
Today I see my friends Mike Green, Karl Alzner, Jay Beagle, Joel Ward, Martin Erat, Mikhail Grabovski, Braden Holtby, & John Erskine. I wave a paw as they pass and they all smile. Dad offers Holtby my services for the next time they travel to Philly, I can hang out in the goal and if Emery even thinks of coming down ice, I’ll hump him mercilessly while Holts laughs.
In addition to Carlson getting the bulldog shot today, I see Tom Wilson and Michael Latta.
Thanks to @tom_wilso & @Latta17 for stopping to take some pics with me #LetsGoCaps pic.twitter.com/iLeIAAv9Rg
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 19, 2013
Rules are meant to be broken, the Steve Oleksy Clause
That policy I posted above? Yeah, does not apply to Steve Oleksy….I love him too much! He loves me right back! I will take pictures with him every time we see each other! We talked about how I drafted him to my Fantasy Hockey Team and penciled him in for 60g 70a this season and I felt it might be on the low side. Also talked about his plans for Thanksgiving with his family. Just waiting on my invite any minute now ;)
Me & my buddy @StevenOleksy hanging out after practice. I love this guy! pic.twitter.com/THx98Klnj5
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 19, 2013
https://twitter.com/jessiemartin/status/402917033177657344
https://twitter.com/jessiemartin/status/402917426171367424
The Goal Achieved!
The signed jersey.
THANK YOU to @ovi8 for stopping today to sign my jersey! Your #1 Fan is a bulldog! pic.twitter.com/EIuPmsVxgF
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 20, 2013
Better look at @ovi8 signature on my bulldog jersey. I'll be wearing it with pride tomorrow in front of Verizon Ctr pic.twitter.com/U3WoXkO8UU
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 20, 2013
Thank you to my namesake, Alex Ovechkin, once again stopping for a bulldog in a Caps jersey! I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to sign my jersey!
Other fun that day
Dad was off work, but was getting texts saying I was being mentioned during a conference call for my great efforts in support of the American Heart Walk! So we swung by to visit and get my butt scratched properly.
Dad took me to his office where I received big kudos for my work for the @American_Heart walk! Celebration Roll! pic.twitter.com/mDMgqo4Hoi
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 20, 2013
I'm the boss now! Pay me in cookies! First order of business? Suite at the Verizon Ctr so I can get inside! pic.twitter.com/mfzKlqBrHt
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 20, 2013
Then on to Mom’s office for some fun!
Now I'm at Mom's work, my speech is a bit ruff to understand ;) pic.twitter.com/ViTAL7YBJ9
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) November 20, 2013
Schedule of the Bulldog
This week, what a week!
Was at the Verizon Center for ALL 3 Home games!
- Sunday, 11/17 St Louis Blues WIN
- Wednesday, 11/20 Pittsburgh Penguins LOSS
- Friday, 11/22 Montreal Canadiens TBD
Current Record is 14-4 when I am out front of the Verizon Center.
What a week! Bark at you soon!
Ovie
P.S. Serious, no invite yet Steve?
