Day three, Scrimmage two: A v C

With the likes of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on their side, Team A earned a hard fought 6-3 victory in game 2 of the 2010 Duschene Cup. The game was closer than the final score indicated, and was definitely a physical affair.

A few observations:

Something I learned: Steve Pinizzotto makes funny faces

If Trevor Bruess' game is to tick opponents off, then he is in midseason form already. Brooks Laich gave him a talking to yesterday and today, Bruess and Tyler Sloan got into some minor scuffles. If the capitals could field an extra skater just to agitate, then Trevor Bruess would get a sweater every night.

Tyler Sloan grabbing who I believe to be Trevor Bruess. The two seemed to get into little tiffs all game. Poor Anton Gustafsson was caught in the middle!

It was nice to see a more competitive game as opposed to the 5-0 beat-down of the day before. After watching Bruce's post-scrimmage media session, it sounds like he gave team B a tongue lashing after their performance, so maybe we see a slightly more energized team B tomorrow?

My pick for "guy I really, really want to make it" is easily Andrew Gordon, he's a hard worker and seems like an awesome guy. At this point he would have to unseat a veteran for the spot, but I think it's guys like Gordon that the team needs. Given that he is waiver eligible this year, I have to imagine that the caps won't lose him for nothing, perhaps he will stay in Washington as an emergency option or as part of a rotation?

I won't be able to see the final game of the Duschene cup, but it should be a good one!

The perk of being a Capitals fan today was having Brooks Laich almost run into me, that was exciting. We both had that last minute pull arm to avoid contact thing going on.

More photos from the game:

Any shot that I get the puck I consider to be a win.

Phillipp Grubauer was in net, quite literally.

Varlamov congratulating his teammate.