Theo Saves the Day as Caps Squeak Past Red Wings

For the better part of last night's hockey game, the Washington Capitals got schooled by the former Stanley Cup champion Red Wings. They were outshot and outhustled, missing too many opportunities to crash the net and to clear the puck out of Jose Theodore's grill. But luckily for the home team, Theo played an absolutely spectacular game, saving 44 shots and earning the win! His confidence is brimming after losing a few starts to youngster Michal Neuvirth and his performance was nothing short of phenomenal.

After out shooting the Capitals 15-3 in the first periond and 16-11 in the second, the Wings lit the lamp first with a goal by Dan Cleary early in the second period. Our own Professor Matt Bradley, grinder extraordinaire, tied it up late with help from pals Boyd Gordon and Mike Green.

The third period was when things really started getting interesting (and by interesting I mean that's when my blood pressure started going through the roof as I chewed off my formerly lovely manicured nails). The Wings' Brian Rafalski netted another tally for Detroit, banging in a rebound. But Nick Backstrom answered the call around the 13 minute mark with assists from the Great8 and Theodore. Less than two minutes later, David Steckel banged in his fourth of the season with assists from Alex Semin and Karl Alzner (who'd just made the trek from Hershey yesterday afternoon)! The boys held on to sqeak by with a 3-2 win despite a lackluster performance, but a win is a win and we'll take it! So a huge Hockey Mom high five for the win and especially to Theo, who recieved a thundering and well-deserved standing ovation from the Caps' faithful!

And there's no need to remind anyone what's next for the Caps - tomorrow night brings the long-awaited showdown with the archrival ice birds from the Steel City. The Penguins are coming off a big win against the Islanders, where Sidney Crosby recorded six points and Geno Malkin had a hat trick. It will be a much hyped meeting between two hockey heavyweights with the two biggest stars in the league wearing the "C" for their respective teams. So let the trash talking begin and let's blow into the Igloo with memories of Game 7 and show them what you got boys! Hockey Mom is waiting for the weekend to refurbish her hockey-watching damaged manicure - oh wait, my boys have a full slate of games this weekend. What's the point?

Speaking of the boys, Twin A had lots of stories from last weekend's trip to Ottawa. Apparently one of the Canadian teams they played went to the Don Cherry school of hospitality, as a team from Toronto taunted our kids calling them "stupid Americans" after beating them 5-0 and moving on to the Finals. Our boys were the only American team in the tournament and held their own against some very talented competition from Canada and should be very proud of themselves. Speaking of Don Cherry, my son said they ate at his restaurant and it was the worst food he's ever had. It must have been really bad as that kid will eat just about anything!