Rookie Liam O'Brien Is Pretty Awesome

Caps rookie center Liam O'Brien has only played 3 NHL games but he's already starting to get some notice from fans. O'Brien got into a fight in his first career NHL game (and the Caps opening game of the season) and during Tuesday's shootout loss to the Sharks had a rather interesting game in the 6 minutes he was on the ice.

Check out these two GIFs including a very funny tongue sticking out move:

Backstrom Gets Cheap Shot, Ovechkin Gets Angry

On Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nicklas Backstrom was boarded dangerously into the wall near the bench by the Leafs Jay McClement.  Alex Ovechkin was not having any of that.  The great 8 sped over to the aid of Nicky and tried to lay down some good old fashion ice justice on the Leafs before a giant scrum broke out and everyone hugged.  The GIF:

Caps Steven Oleksy Fight Vs Drayson Bowman of Carolina Hurricanes

Here's a fun GIF of recently called up Steven Oleksy fighting on Tuesday night down 3-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes.  I believe that is Drayson Bowman on the other end of that nicely connected fist to face:

Here's Oleksy fighting in a Hershey Bears Game

Alexander Ovechkin Fighting (or dancing) with Kris Versteeg

During Tuesday night's game between the Florida and Washington, the Panthers Kris Versteeg gave Alex Ovechkin a cheap-shot cross-check causing the Capital's Great Eight to take offense.  Gloves went flying and the waltz began.  Except it was really more like a waltz than anything else.

The two players spun in circles holding each other, and maybe a punch or 2 was thrown, but not really things NHL fight dreams are made of.


There was a roughing on Ovi and Versteeg and the cross-check on Kris, so not really a fight...but whatever...

D-Camp Day 6: A Game-Like Atmosphere & Fighting

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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As the buzzer sounded, Zombie Nation’s Kernkraft 400 blasted from the PA system.  The crowd was heir feet applauding, and for at least a few seconds the practice ice rink at Kettler Iceplex was transformed into a mini-Verizon Center. 

Anxiously Waiting The Start Of The Scrimmage

While the few chants of “Let’s Go Caps” were mere pin-drops compared to the Verizon Center calls by the Goat, the young players on the ice got to experience some of the passion that fans in the area have for the Capitals.

The team made sure to have the final scrimmage of 2012 Development Camp resemble a real game, not just for the fans, but for the players who hope to one day put on a real Capitals sweater and skate out on the ice at Verizon.  Penalties were called, players spent time in the penalty box, and an announcer recapped each goal and assist as if it were a real game.

Wes Johnson Can't Even Get A Seat

The bleachers were standing room only.  The fans packed in 5 deep around the boards while others crowded the railing on the second floor overlook.  People were standing in the aisles and lined up against the back walkway of the seating area.  The place was jam-packed.