And We're Off!

Off to the wacky and wonderful start of another hockey season (both for my boys and the big boys)! The Capitals rookies kicked things off this afternoon with a chippy pre-season scrimmage with the junior Broad Street Bullies (also known as the Philadelphia Flyers rookies). Hockey Mom kept up with the action via all my pals on Twitter - sounds like it was an absolute slugfest with the Flyers rookies claiming a 7-3 victory.

Cody Eakin, John Carlson and Big Joe Finley all showed up strong for the Caps and Gabby had some good things to say about Carlson as he tries to make a space for himself during the veteran's camp. Veterans report to Kettler tomorrow for check in and media interviews. Apparently everyone has been spotted and accounted for with the exception of Michael Nylander up until today. This will be the first year that HM won't make it to Training Camp (as she wipes her tears with her sleeve) as the boys both have pre-season games on Sunday and work is very busy next week. I am counting on all my new media friends to keep me up-to-date on the latest and greatest, including who pukes first after one of Coach Boudreau's bag skates!

We will be having a little Philly action this weekend ourselves as we have a tailgate planned with the parents/players of a team from that area prior to taking them on in a pre-season game. Hmmm - beer, hockey parents and Flyers fans at 11 in the morning - let's just hope we all make it through the game with our teeth intact. One fellow on one of the boys' teams (who has the kahunas to sport a Chris Pronger Flyers t-shirt within the confines of Kettler Capitals IcePlex) will probably be bonding with the competition as they discuss the nasty factor of new Flyers Pronger, Ian LaPerriere and Ray Emery. HM has the Flyers/Caps first meeting on my calendar as a "don't miss".

So hope you all get a chance to get down to Kettler on Sunday to say hi to boys and welcome them home. Let's get this party started already, huh?