Saturday, April 11, 2009

Right places, right times


Colin and I had just finished a great breakfast (try the Belgian waffles and chocolate chip pancakes) at First Watch in Tampa when I felt my cell phone buzzing.

"How quick can you guys get over to the Forum?"

"I don't know. About 10 minutes. Why?"

"Want to get into the Capitals' morning skate?"

"We're on our way."

Sure enough, Moody, Hound Central 4.0's roving Southeast correspondent, worked his magic and got us inside. The Lightning were just finishing. Minutes later, the Zamboni fired up.

It wasn't too long, then, before Capitals players headed to the ice. Most high-fived the kids, including Colin, near the rink door. In minutes, the team, directed by assistant coaches, was on the ice.

At the end of the session, Colin, who positioned himself next to the door, asked a few players for their sticks. All but one passed right on by. It was Alexander Semin, part of the Capitals young cadre of stars, who handed him a stick -- a sweet Warrior Dolomite.

Later, after deciding we'd rather add to Colin's good fortune than brave the Lightning's red-carpet masses, Semin honored our request that he sign the stick.

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