CRC, UK, Ruffian, and Catherine found their way to the Biller end of the ice (where all the cool people sit). NAF_SPAC pretty much summed up the feelings of the Webheads when she quipped, "Don't these kids need LUNCH?" Harsh words, indeed, from the always diplomatic and sweet natured NAF. (I/O will have to work on her.) Unfortunately, the concession stand was open, so lunch was not a problem (for the kiddies.)
Finally, at the 11:30 mark, the Zamboni engine began to rev - a welcome sound to the Webheads in attendance.
Oates gave the little group a smile today. However, Jazz is convinced that he was simply behaving himself because there were so many children present. In fact, all of the players seemed to be on their best behavior, as the Webheads commented that nary an "F-bomb" left Olie's lips.
Joe Sacco was practicing his slap shot, and took a huge shot at the boards. The puck hit the glass directly in front of a group of the school children, causing them to scream and run away. The Webheads cheered. Zettler, not to be outdone, then banged it pretty hard off the boards in front of the Webheads. Tim Hunter made his way, laughing, to the pair, and it was clear from his gestures that he was telling them to "Stop scaring the children!"
As the skaters began loosening up and Niko left the ice, Olie took his position in net. Kono continued to skate. Olie loudly protested, "This rink is for the Regulars! GET OFF!!!", at which point, Kono skated up and took a shot at Olie, who deftly batted it out of the air like a baseball. (Note: The puck was UP AND ON TARGET!) Olie grinned broadly at Kono as he skated off the ice.
(*Excuse Jazzy, please, as she is verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves.......*)
Ahem.... *dries eyes* ....
Trent was the first "shooter" on the ice, (I/O uses this term loosely), and began to practice against Biller - who pretty much slept through the exercise.
CRC and UK noticed Reekie making his way to the ice from the locker room. The two were able to recognize Reekie because, as he WALKED across the carpet behind the glass, he looked just like he looks when he is skating.
Biller skated to center ice to stretch, and grabbed a puck with his stick, feigning a shot on Olie. He thought the better of it before he actually embarrassed himself. I/O believes this is evidence of their contention that Biller suffers from delusions of grandeur. (It seems I/O staff have a lot in common with Biller, since he has 'delusions', and they suffer from 'illusions').
Several Caps were conspicuous by their absence today: Jagr, Cote, Zubrus, Dahlen, and Gonchar completely ditched practice. Zubie is hurt, but with the possible exception of Ulfie, I/O believes the rest of these scrubs need the practice!
Trent seemed to be a bad boy today. He and Zettler received a playful reprimand from Assistant Coach Tim Hunter (a slap on the legs from his stick as he skated by) when they were clowning around & not listening. This reprimand did not help Trent in the scoring department, however. At one point, Brendan Witt seemed to be giving Whitfield wrestling lessons in the corner. Jazz speculates that this is because (a) Trent can't shoot; (b) Trent has decided to become a goon; (c) Trent can't fight; so (d) Witter figures he'd better teach him to survive when he's down and being pummelled.
The D-men had better keep an eye on Reekie, as he may be in danger of going "postal" (too much exposure to dubs, no doubt). He nearly decapitated a helmet-less Witt with a wicked slapshot from the blue line that sailed high, just as Witter was straightening up from being crouched behind the net. He missed him by inches. Note: Witt spent the remainder of practice retaliating in small, clever ways. Jazzy refuses to speculate on whether Joe is attempting to ensure his roster spot by taking out the competition, one by one.
With Jagr and Gonchar missing in action, and Adam Oates showing off for a lady in the stands, Reekie seemed lonely on his Reekielaps, so Biller joined him. Oates and Whitfield, ever denied at the goal mouth, both worked on developing new scoring techniques. Since Trent is bent on becoming a goon, his tactic was to simply wipe out Biller - which he accomplished twice. On the second chance, however, the ever-crafty Biller managed to end up on top of Trent, with the puck in hand. (You have to get up pretty early in the morning to put one over on Biller.) Oates, more of a cheater at heart, waited until after the whistle ending the drill, popped the puck behind a relaxing Biller, and gave the universal fist pump for his "goal". He finished by smiling up at the Webheads, who ignored him.
Halpern, frustrated as usual at his lack of scoring success and his lousy skate edges (yes, folks, he fell down again today), pulled off his helmet and kicked it across the rink. Jazzy found his "helmet hair" almost as scary as the manwhore afro. It seems Biller did, too, as Halpern promptly scored on him and Biller appeared mezmerized.
The final drill that Jazz witnessed was an open net drill. (Biller had left the ice after stoning Tim Hunter 5 times in a row, to the delight of Jazz and the other Webheads, who cheered their encouragement.) Five players stayed for this drill, which involved skating a pattern through a course marked by gloves, then receiving a pass from the "cherry picking" position and touching it in for the "lay-up". In 10 tries, Jazz observed 2 goals. Oh, my.........
Jazz delivered her bag of Christmas Cheer to the guys, in the form of cookies. Those who missed practice are just SOL.
Jeff Halpern refused to acknowledge Jazzy's cheerful "Good luck tomorrow, Jeff!", as his attention was drawn to the cute, young thing with the little doggie named "Bonzai". So what else is new? The dog was VERY cute, and Halpern DID have his photo taken with the pooch, who got little pooch paw prints all over his clean shirt, to the delight of Jazz.
Zubie WAS at Piney, after all. He came out, walking pretty well, but not 100%. When asked if he would be back for Pittsburgh, he replied, "Let's hope so!" Coach Wilson later confirmed that he expects Zubie to be able to play on the road trip. I/O hopes that Zubie has seen "ROCKY", and so can benefit from the immortal words of Rocky's manager, Micky: "Women weaken legs."
Joe Benanati was at practice today, apparently fully recovered from the devastating comment lobbed at him by our own dubs, and in rare form. He and fellow broadcaster Carol Maloney had quite the time. One hopes Joe was giving Ms. Maloney a one-on-one tutorial of Caps U, to enable her to report on hockey with some semblance of intelligence. After practice, they had a snowball battle in the parking lot with the Zamboni snow. Jazz was not close enough to declare a winner, having gotten this information second hand, but she will speculate that it was a draw.
Jazz gave Biller a Christmas card (which she felt she owed him, after the goalie stick he gave her), in which she assured him she was not "stalking" him. (*Jazzy thought it wise to do this, as a means of assuring all I/O readers that the players are NOT concerned about this issue in reference to the staff*). Biller laughed, and said, "You're a cop, you couldn't stalk me!" But then, thinking more about the concept, he added, "Then again, that's your job as a detective, to stalk people!" He laughed at Jazz after this observation, in an obvious ploy to goad Jazz into more assurances and worries. (Those who weren't there will have to take Jazz' word that it was "obvious"). But Jazz would not be baited, and got the better of him (never mess with a Webhead!), saying, "Ah, but if I was stalking you "professionally", you'd never know it!" Biller laughed harder, acknowledging Jazz' quick thinking repartee. Jazzy wished him a very Merry Christmas, and waved goodbye.
Jazz was about to pull out of P.O. when she spotted Tim Hunter exiting the locker room. After a warm greeting, she congratulated Tim on their recent win. He agreed that it was good to get the two points, and especially good to have Olie hot in goal. (Jazz silently agreed that it would be good to have Olie "hot" in anything). When asked if he had gotten any cookies, Tim said, "Only one!" in consternation, and proceeded to report what is becoming a disturbing trend in the Caps P.O. locker room. It seems there is a thief among our Caps, since Tim stated that the cookies "went home with someone, again!" Jazz vows to get to the bottom of this pilferage, even if it means interrogating every member of the team!
Tim seemed genuinely pleased that numerous Webheads planned to come cheer on the Caps Alumni team, especially himself and Assistant Coach Tim Army. (FYI: Tim Army had a hat trick in the game! I/O staff still believe the team could do worse than to suit him up!)
Trent Whitfield, because he was so gracious, in the misty, awful weather, about having his photograph taken with NAF_SPAC, whose hair could probably have tied him up as it naturally curled in the damp. (NAF thought it was awful, but Jazz insisted the curl was cute!)
HONORABLE MENTION: Tim Hunter, because he is THE MAN!
HONORABLE MENTION: Jeff Halpern, just because.