Comments on: End of an Era http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/ forechecking, backchecking, cycling ... and other (Washington) Capital ideas Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:46:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Sharon http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16827 Sharon Tue, 13 May 2008 21:44:54 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16827 My Son tucker loves olie every game we go to he allways wonts olie to play. Tucker plays goalie on ice and on the street Kolzig is tuckers insperation and if he retiers who knows what will he do.Tucker made a poster that said 37is a leganed he brought to a game that we where sure that olie was going to play but he didnt so he cried on the metro all the way home.Thanks Olie for all you did in this town you changed the world. My Son tucker loves olie every game we go to he allways wonts olie to play. Tucker plays goalie on ice and on the street Kolzig is tuckers insperation and if he retiers who knows what will he do.Tucker made a poster that said 37is a leganed he brought to a game that we where sure that olie was going to play but he didnt so he cried on the metro all the way home.Thanks Olie for all you did in this town you changed the world.

]]> By: Rob http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16826 Rob Tue, 13 May 2008 20:11:47 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16826 Well, this reminds me of the way Rod Langway's run with Washington ended. I am not close to the inner workings of this team, but I am its biggest fan. It is my NHL team ... I first saw as a 12 year old in their first year, 1974. Now 34 years later, I follow them as close as I can from TX through DirecTV and online. Rod Langway brought class, guts, respect, consistency, leadership, and results to the frachise. Olie took it to the next level. Rod was let go before he wanted to go, with management claiming or appearing to claim, he was too slow, the game had changed. Frustrated and bitter, he wandered off to explore other options. It seems Rod has bounced back some, but it took 10+ years. Not sure he is over it yet, IMHO. Olie has similarities and I am not sure what the next chapter of his book will read. I wonder how this could have played out differently. I know the current leadership had a vision and it seemed to have lost a bit of trust that Olie had what it would take to get this team in a position to win the Cup. I think this was purely based on results, short term results. I wonder if Huet can reproduce his string of wins and if the team can roll the way they did. This ownership team sold off/traded every one except Olie during the rebuild. They effectively built this team back up around him. The actions at the end of the season weren't consistent with Olie's experience/views, ... that is what he is strugglng with in my opinion. I wish him the VERY best. He deserves it. Well, this reminds me of the way Rod Langway’s run with Washington ended.

I am not close to the inner workings of this team, but I am its biggest fan. It is my NHL team … I first saw as a 12 year old in their first year, 1974. Now 34 years later, I follow them as close as I can from TX through DirecTV and online.

Rod Langway brought class, guts, respect, consistency, leadership, and results to the frachise. Olie took it to the next level. Rod was let go before he wanted to go, with management claiming or appearing to claim, he was too slow, the game had changed. Frustrated and bitter, he wandered off to explore other options. It seems Rod has bounced back some, but it took 10+ years. Not sure he is over it yet, IMHO.

Olie has similarities and I am not sure what the next chapter of his book will read. I wonder how this could have played out differently. I know the current leadership had a vision and it seemed to have lost a bit of trust that Olie had what it would take to get this team in a position to win the Cup. I think this was purely based on results, short term results. I wonder if Huet can reproduce his string of wins and if the team can roll the way they did. This ownership team sold off/traded every one except Olie during the rebuild. They effectively built this team back up around him. The actions at the end of the season weren’t consistent with Olie’s experience/views, … that is what he is strugglng with in my opinion.

I wish him the VERY best. He deserves it.

]]> By: bears...bears...bears...wooooooo http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16798 bears...bears...bears...wooooooo Tue, 13 May 2008 02:04:16 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16798 Only one word comes to mind to describe Olie. CLASS. Who gives two poops if he took his nameplate I probably would have to, who knows. What he gave to this organization was a name when we didn't have many left. One constant was Olie in the pipes. I can remember when he played for Portland and they would come to Hershey we all thought "who's this guy in net". Well we all found out soon enough. Tenacity, grit, poise and determination I guess are some other words that you can use, but those words are left for the defencemen or Hunter type forwards not goalies. I have been a caps fan all my life but it will be hard not seeing #37, raise a glass lads for a truly great player and person as well. Only one word comes to mind to describe Olie. CLASS. Who gives two poops if he took his nameplate I probably would have to, who knows. What he gave to this organization was a name when we didn’t have many left. One constant was Olie in the pipes. I can remember when he played for Portland and they would come to Hershey we all thought “who’s this guy in net”. Well we all found out soon enough. Tenacity, grit, poise and determination I guess are some other words that you can use, but those words are left for the defencemen or Hunter type forwards not goalies. I have been a caps fan all my life but it will be hard not seeing #37, raise a glass lads for a truly great player and person as well.

]]> By: Miranda http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16751 Miranda Sun, 11 May 2008 23:56:12 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16751 Back in the 90's, when I was about 14, I went to a Pens/Caps game in Pittsburgh. Being a Caps fan was hard in that town, but I was decked out in Washington gear head to toe. We had good seats, right near where the Caps came out on the ice, and about 5 rows up. I got to watch Olie front and center in the net. He was my all time FAVORITE Cap. He didn't have such a great game, and it was hard listening to the fans yell things like "holey olie", he even got pulled from the game. BUT they didn't have room for him on the bench, so he had to sit in the walk way out to the ice. I was a scared, 14 year old girl, and my hockey hero was sitting about 20 feet away. I couldn't miss this opportunity. EVEN IN HIS MISERY....this man SIGNED MY PROGRAM after being pulled from the game. I asked "Olie, will you sign my program" and he replies "sure, what else do I have to do". HAHA.......I've never forgotten that night. He is truly a staple to the Capitals organization. And I can only hope they hang his jersey where it belongs, for no one else can live up to the #37. Back in the 90’s, when I was about 14, I went to a Pens/Caps game in Pittsburgh. Being a Caps fan was hard in that town, but I was decked out in Washington gear head to toe. We had good seats, right near where the Caps came out on the ice, and about 5 rows up. I got to watch Olie front and center in the net. He was my all time FAVORITE Cap. He didn’t have such a great game, and it was hard listening to the fans yell things like “holey olie”, he even got pulled from the game. BUT they didn’t have room for him on the bench, so he had to sit in the walk way out to the ice. I was a scared, 14 year old girl, and my hockey hero was sitting about 20 feet away. I couldn’t miss this opportunity. EVEN IN HIS MISERY….this man SIGNED MY PROGRAM after being pulled from the game. I asked “Olie, will you sign my program” and he replies “sure, what else do I have to do”. HAHA…….I’ve never forgotten that night.

He is truly a staple to the Capitals organization. And I can only hope they hang his jersey where it belongs, for no one else can live up to the #37.

]]> By: Rodan http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16731 Rodan Sun, 11 May 2008 06:41:25 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16731 So Olie and Peter Bondra both played their last game as a Cap, in Chicago. I was at both games. I live in Chicago and was back in DC for Thanksgiving at which time I also saw Hanlon's final game. The two games that I went to this year were the worst two of the season. Maybe I'll stay away from the rink next year. Ottawa is a likely option for Kolzig, which would make for another strange Bondra connection, if he went there. I've been a Caps fan since the 1st season (Back when guys could smoke cigars at their seats and they always called the ref a "Bum"). I can't think of any Caps player over the years, that deserves his number in the rafters as much as Olie. I hope he ends up working for the Caps organization when he does retire. So Olie and Peter Bondra both played their last game as a Cap, in Chicago. I was at both games. I live in Chicago and was back in DC for Thanksgiving at which time I also saw Hanlon’s final game. The two games that I went to this year were the worst two of the season. Maybe I’ll stay away from the rink next year.

Ottawa is a likely option for Kolzig, which would make for another strange Bondra connection, if he went there.

I’ve been a Caps fan since the 1st season (Back when guys could smoke cigars at their seats and they always called the ref a “Bum”). I can’t think of any Caps player over the years, that deserves his number in the rafters as much as Olie. I hope he ends up working for the Caps organization when he does retire.

]]> By: Kai http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16715 Kai Sat, 10 May 2008 13:51:50 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16715 I remember watching Olie play in Portland 14 years ago, winning over fans, and seeing him win the Calder Cup. During that season, I was interviewed by a sports writer in the Portland paper, and when asked which pro hockey player I would like to meet the most, and my answer was Olaf Kolzig. To a young goalie in 4th grade he was larger than life. I watched him play, and went to Pirates practices just to see him. I tried to be like him as best I could, legs set wide apart, challenging shooters, coming waaay out to play the puck. I wore the number 37 all through high school and college because of him. When he came back to Maine for hockey camp, I learned a great deal from him. He cared about us, and gave us detailed write ups. He even hunted us down for photos on the last day, and gave us personalized photos. When the Caps played an exhibition game in Portland, Olie was mobbed after the game for autographs, and he didn't stop til everyone was satisfied. He's a great guy, and he is the reason I love the Caps. I know he may not have been the very best goalie ever, but he led the Caps through thick and thin, for so many years. I wish it didn't have to end like this, and that he could have played at least one game in the playoffs, after all, he helped them get there. Thanks for everything Godzilla. I remember watching Olie play in Portland 14 years ago, winning over fans, and seeing him win the Calder Cup. During that season, I was interviewed by a sports writer in the Portland paper, and when asked which pro hockey player I would like to meet the most, and my answer was Olaf Kolzig. To a young goalie in 4th grade he was larger than life. I watched him play, and went to Pirates practices just to see him. I tried to be like him as best I could, legs set wide apart, challenging shooters, coming waaay out to play the puck. I wore the number 37 all through high school and college because of him. When he came back to Maine for hockey camp, I learned a great deal from him. He cared about us, and gave us detailed write ups. He even hunted us down for photos on the last day, and gave us personalized photos. When the Caps played an exhibition game in Portland, Olie was mobbed after the game for autographs, and he didn’t stop til everyone was satisfied. He’s a great guy, and he is the reason I love the Caps. I know he may not have been the very best goalie ever, but he led the Caps through thick and thin, for so many years. I wish it didn’t have to end like this, and that he could have played at least one game in the playoffs, after all, he helped them get there.

Thanks for everything Godzilla.

]]> By: Rick http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16714 Rick Sat, 10 May 2008 12:24:11 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16714 I'm not gonna repeat all the good things that have been said, already, as it all becomes mud after a point. Having a son with Autism, though, I have an extra special place in my heart for Olaf. It's nice to know there's someone like Olaf "in our corner" of this very trying life. Game-wise/"business-wise": dunno if he was tired of being here (Washington), tired in general, or what, but his last few season performances have dwindled. You'd have to reach back 12 yrs to get a worse Sv% than the 07-08 season. Olie, you will truly be missed in Washington, and if they do not hang your numbers up, well, then the Caps' administration is even worse off than I thought! You've got years left in you, between the pipes! Find that desire you used to play with, and show us what you are all about! I’m not gonna repeat all the good things that have been said, already, as it all becomes mud after a point. Having a son with Autism, though, I have an extra special place in my heart for Olaf. It’s nice to know there’s someone like Olaf “in our corner” of this very trying life.
Game-wise/”business-wise”: dunno if he was tired of being here (Washington), tired in general, or what, but his last few season performances have dwindled. You’d have to reach back 12 yrs to get a worse Sv% than the 07-08 season.

Olie, you will truly be missed in Washington, and if they do not hang your numbers up, well, then the Caps’ administration is even worse off than I thought! You’ve got years left in you, between the pipes! Find that desire you used to play with, and show us what you are all about!

]]> By: JW http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16711 JW Sat, 10 May 2008 04:53:21 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16711 Truly a class act. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for management. It's true that it's sports and you expect stuff to happen, but they did have the chance to at leaast give him another shot at it when they were down 3-1. Ya get what ya deserve Caps. Unfortunately, the fans deserve much more for what they've been through. Damn good fans! Too bad the same can't be said of McPhee! It would be sweet if he ended up on a team that knocks out the caps next year! Olie will be forgotten next year by McPhee and the fans...too bad! Truly a class act. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for management. It’s true that it’s sports and you expect stuff to happen, but they did have the chance to at leaast give him another shot at it when they were down 3-1.
Ya get what ya deserve Caps. Unfortunately, the fans deserve much more for what they’ve been through. Damn good fans! Too bad the same can’t be said of McPhee!
It would be sweet if he ended up on a team that knocks out the caps next year!
Olie will be forgotten next year by McPhee and the fans…too bad!

]]> By: JW http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16710 JW Sat, 10 May 2008 04:49:21 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16710 Truly a class act. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for management. It's true that it's sports and you expect stuff to happen, but they did have the chance to at leaast give him another shot at it when they were down 3-1. Ya get what ya deserve Caps. Unfortunately, the fans deserve much more for what they've been through. Damn good fans! Too bad the same can't be said of McPhee! It would be sweet if he ended up on a team that knocks out the caps next year! Olie will be forgotten next year by McPhee and the fans...too bad! LGO! Truly a class act. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for management. It’s true that it’s sports and you expect stuff to happen, but they did have the chance to at leaast give him another shot at it when they were down 3-1.
Ya get what ya deserve Caps. Unfortunately, the fans deserve much more for what they’ve been through. Damn good fans! Too bad the same can’t be said of McPhee!
It would be sweet if he ended up on a team that knocks out the caps next year!
Olie will be forgotten next year by McPhee and the fans…too bad!
LGO!

]]> By: Slooptorious http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16709 Slooptorious Sat, 10 May 2008 04:47:34 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16709 I'll have to agree with Suzanne too, if he plays elsewhere, it's going to be hard to watch, but if he decides to play, I'll be right there cheering him on. I don't think anyone could provide the leadership and class that Olie did for so long, he played through the best and the worst, when emotions and morale ran high, and when they were so low no one was at Verizon Center a.k.a. MCI Center, and even the old USAir arena, a.k.a. the Caps Center. Olie's passion for the game and his fiery temper made him a joy to watch for years on end, there's no one quite like him and I'll continue to hope the best for him and his family. I'm proud to say that I've finally just received my Olaf Kolzig jersey, only wish I had gotten it earlier, to show my support before he left, but I'll wear it proudly for years to come, to any arena, to any game, regardless of who's playing, I'll show my support for Olie the Goalie.. I’ll have to agree with Suzanne too, if he plays elsewhere, it’s going to be hard to watch, but if he decides to play, I’ll be right there cheering him on. I don’t think anyone could provide the leadership and class that Olie did for so long, he played through the best and the worst, when emotions and morale ran high, and when they were so low no one was at Verizon Center a.k.a. MCI Center, and even the old USAir arena, a.k.a. the Caps Center. Olie’s passion for the game and his fiery temper made him a joy to watch for years on end, there’s no one quite like him and I’ll continue to hope the best for him and his family. I’m proud to say that I’ve finally just received my Olaf Kolzig jersey, only wish I had gotten it earlier, to show my support before he left, but I’ll wear it proudly for years to come, to any arena, to any game, regardless of who’s playing, I’ll show my support for Olie the Goalie..

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