Caps Outsider’s 2013 Year in Review
Caps Outsider’s photo of the year, taken at Six Flags. Karl Alzner and Troy Brouwer go swinging.
We once again close the door on another great year of blogging about the Capitals. Though our favorite team’s season ended in disappointment in the playoffs, we can still look back fondly on some of the most memorable moments of 2013. Caps Outsider vigorously covered the Red Rockers, every detail of every bobblehead in each of the Caps’ family of teams, and the Reading Royals’ Kelly Cup victory. We even adopted our first non-human writer, Ovie the Bulldog.
Caps Outsider would like to thank all of our readers, contributors, the Washington Capitals organization, the Washington Post, Gunaxin, Brendan Sheridan, Jarrod Wronski, and Japers’ Rink, who maintains order amongst the Caps blogosphere and makes sites relevant.
Red Rockers
Meet Red Rocker Danielle
One standout this year on the Caps’ spirit squad is rookie Red Rocker Danielle.
Red Rockers Playing Street Hockey
The Red Rockers found themselves playing a game of street hockey on Saturday at the Caps Convention. The Brunettes beat the Blondes, 2-1.
The Making of a Red Rocker: Day 1
Ever dreamed of being a cheerleader for a major league sports team?
The Making of a Red Rocker: Day 2
The Washington Capitals host their Red Rocker auditions.
Red Rockers Bring the Fun to Verizon Center
Meet Erin, one of the Red Rockers, which is an elite group of beautiful and talented young women who act as ambassadors for fun and excitement during Caps games.
Ovie the Bulldog
Ovie the Bulldog Walks to Support the American Heart Association
The Caps pooch raises more than $1000 for the American Heart Association.
Ovie the Bulldog’s Water Bowl Stolen, and Other Verizon Center Adventures
Ovie the Bulldog writes about how his water bowl got stolen, and other things that happen outside Verizon Center.
Chasing Ovechkin, the Quest for the Autograph Part I
Ovie the bulldog writes about his adventures at Kettler.
Chasing Ovechkin, the Quest for the Autograph Part II
Does Ovie the Bulldog get Alex Ovechkin’s autograph?
Home Opener, Bulldog Style
Last night marked my 13th Capitals game in front of the Verizon Center but it was my first home season opener for the Caps.
Ovie the Bulldog at the Capitals Convention
Guest Blog – Ovie the Bulldog Writes about CapsCon!
Ovie the Bulldog Shines on TV
Caps fans’ favorite pavement pup, Ovie the Bulldog, made his television debut Saturday, on “The Pet Show with Dr. Katy.”
Caps Superfan Ovie The Bulldog Takes WJLA TV Studios By Storm
Caps superfan Ovie the Bulldog will be on the Pet Show with Dr. Katy on Saturday, August 24th.
Ovie the Bulldog Ejected From Fan Fest
Despite getting the boot, Ovie the Bulldog was a big hit and had an enjoyable day at Fan Fest.
Art and Stuff
Forest Knolls Elementary Students Show Their Caps Pride
Elementary school students enter contest for pep rally hosted by the Caps.
If the Caps Got Chromed
The NHL released seven new logos for the teams that are playing in the 2014 NHL Stadium Series. Here’s how it would look if the Caps got that treatment.
Caps Caricatures on Pucks
D.C. area sports artist Paul Nichols created caricatures of Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin and Peter Bondra on pucks.
Ovechkin, RGIII, Harper and Wall LEGO Figures
Check out these custom Alex Ovechkin, Robert Griffin III, Bryce Harper and John Wall LEGO minifigures.
Washington Capitals Cyberfaces
Artists flatten out heads of NHL players to make cyberfaces.
Signed Caps Guitar!
A guitar signed by most members of the 2013 Washington Capitals is up for bid on eBay, with the proceeds going to the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins…
Bobbleheads!
Caps Retail Bobbleheads Are Rarer Than You Think
Caps bobbleheads sold at retail stores are rarer than you think.
Ovechkin Bobblehead Honors His 2013 MVP Season
A limited edition bobblehead of Alex Ovechkin with the Hart and Rocket Richard trophies is available at Verizon Center.
Braden Holtby Bobblehead Is a BIG Deal
Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby was the prize bobblehead for fans who showed up to donate blood at the Inova Blood Drive at Kettler.
A Collector’s Review of the Troy Brouwer Bobblehead
Fans received a Troy Brouwer “Movember” bobblehead at the Verizon Center on Tuesday. Here’s the Capitals Outsider review.
19,008 Mustached Troy Brouwer Bobbleheads Overrun Verizon Center
When the Caps’ promotional schedule came out, it came as little surprise that Troy Brouwer was finally getting a bobblehead. What did come as a surprise, though, was that Brouwer’s was…
Monumental Rewards Offers Ovechkin, Backstrom Road Bobbleheads
Monumental Sports offers exclusive Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom (and Mike Green) bobbleheads, in road jerseys.
Caps Outsider’s Bobblehead Database
Here’s a comprehensive list of every Washington Capital, Hershey Bear, and Reading Royal bobblehead figure we could find.
Kolzig Bobblehead Shines – Literally
Caps goaltender Olaf Kolzig’s bobblehead looks as if he’s ready to suit up and play again.
Capitals Bobblehead Roulette
Since the Karl Alzner bobblehead was produced by Pro Sport Image in the spring of 2012, each Capitals bobblehead has been sculpted by a different company. Here we’ll analyze the strengths…
About that Backstrom Gnome…
Bobbleheads are so 2012. Now, it’s garden gnomes
Chimera Bobblehead Released
At long last, the Jason Chimera bobblehead has been released, given out to Caps Kids Club members at Tuesday’s game.
Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears Christmas-Themed Jersey
The Reading Royals aren’t the only team in the Caps family with Christmas-themed jerseys. The Hershey Bears will be sporting this lovely one on Sunday when the Bears face off against…
Hershey Fans Toss 12,890 Teddy Bears
The Hershey Bears have been quite the donation machines these past few months, and only one day after wrapping up what was a very successful Movember, they were back at it…
Reading Royals
Reading Celebrates the Kelly Cup
Royals fans and players gathered at the Sovereign Center to celebrate the Kelly Cup.
Mark “In Da Park” Owuya Raps for Reading Fans
Mark Owuya riled up the crowd with shouts of “VICTORY!” and enthusiastic fist-pumps, before being badgered into rapping by team captain Yannick Tifu.
Kelly Cup Makes Royals Go Krazy
In case you haven’t heard, the only Capitals-affiliated team left playing in May actually won something. And they went crazy with it.
Congrats to the Reading Royals, 2013 Kelly Cup Champions!
For the first time in franchise history, the Reading Royals are Kelly Cup Champions.
Royals Enjoy the Day in Washington
Royals travel south to face NHL’s Capitals in an inter-league scrimmage.
Things to Remember
An Ode to Stretch
Caps video coach Brett Leonhardt has served many roles with the team, and for the second time, a back-up goalie.
Caps Salute Equipment Manager Woody
It’s not often an equipment manager gets any recognitions – publicly, at least – but the Caps were good enough to honor Craig “Woody” Leydig for working 2,000 games
Michal Neuvirth Threw His Hat After OT Win
A hat was on the ice after the Capitals won in OT. It was likely Michal Neuvirth’s.
Steve “Norris” Oleksy Brushes His Teeth Before Games
Capitals defenseman Steve Oleksy joined the Post Sports Live crew, along with a room full of rowdy Caps fans on Wednesday, talking about life as a hockey player and his long…
The Goalie Fight From the POV of a Philly Fan
Hearing John Walton call the Ray Emery assault on Braden Holtby on Friday was the hockey equivalent to listening to Herbert Morrison call the Hindenburg disaster.
Top Mathieu Perreault Moments With the Caps
Mathieu Perreault’s time in Washington has come to an end.
Decibel Meters Come to Verizon Center
Yell louder, folks, the meter has returned.
Brouwer, Backstrom Beautify a School
Troy Brouwer, Nicklas Backstrom landscape and paint.
Capitals Host VIP Season-Ticket Holder Party
Caps players on hand for autographs, photos, and a bit of bowling.
The Laughlin Line
Those who follow the offseason shenanigans of Comcast SportsNet’s Craig Laughlin know that he runs a hockey camp at The Gardens Ice House in Laurel, MD. called Network Hockey.
Whatever Happend to Those Old Banners?
Hockey jersey maker owns the original Washington Capitals’ 1997-98 Eastern Conference Champions banner.
The Joe B. & Locker Glossary
Here is an unofficial and certainly ever-growing glossary of Beninati-Laughlin-isms
JB Smoove As a Caps Fan Brightened Our Day
JB Smoove, who plays news cameraman Ray on CBS’s The Millers, wears a Washington Capitals jersey in an episode of The Millers.
A Man’s Guide to Being a Caps Fan
Don’t be “that guy,” drink beer, and ridicule people wearing other teams’ jerseys in the arena.
And finally…
Rest in Peace, That Guy at the 9:30 Club
One of the most familiar faces in DC-area security has passed away. Josh Burdette, 36, known as ‘That Guy at the 9:30 Club,’ was an avid Caps fan.