Capitals Rookies 7 Flyers Rookies 0

The Capitals rookies did a number on the Flyers rookies in yesterday's match up at the Capitals training facility in Arlington, VA. Not only did they ring up seven goals on the visitors but completely dominated the play allowing no goals against. You could see the difference in skill level of the two teams. The Caps rookies were more polished and had the ability to execute at a higher level. The Flyers did bring their rough game with them. The Caps matched the intensity and played a very physical game. One standout on that point was Viktor Dovgan (pictured). The Russian defensive prospect was hitting anything on skates out there. I think he hit the linesmen as well, just kidding, but he also did one thing I hope the coaching staff is pushing a little more this year. After a scramble for the puck in front of the Caps net, he absolutely drilled the Flyers forward who was digging away at the Capitals goalie. You need a little toughness to go with your skill.

As for the skilled guys, the line of Francois Bouchard - Mathieu Perreault - Steve Pinizzotto hit the mark early and often. The three combined for 3 goals and 3 assists in the game. Perreault had the goal of the game in the third period where he deked through the Flyers defense and finished with authority. Several jock straps dotted the ice in his wake. Travis Morin put in a good effort scoring two goals and an assist. Morin, who played well in South Carolina last year, looks like he wants a promotion. Other Caps scoring included Maxime Lacroix and Justin Taylor with a goal each and John Carlson, Josh Godfrey, Karl Alzner, Jay Beagle, Dmitry Kugryshev, Joel Broda, and Viktor Dovgan with an assist each.

The Caps used each of their goalies for one period apeice. There is some good competition between them and that will make them all better. While they didn't get tested a whole lot each stood tall and delivered the shut out.

Overall, an excellent start to the new season's competition. The rookies executed well and showed good comitment to the system and philosophy of the coaching staff. It hard not to be even more excited for the season after that performance. So now we get ready for the big boys. The Caps offical training camp opens on Saturday.

Washington Post Game Recap

2008 Rookie Game, Capitals vs. Flyers

Where: Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Arlington, VA

When: September 18, 2008

History:

Last Season: Caps Rookies 3 Flyers Rookies 5

Probable Line-Ups:

Washington

Forwards: 36 BOUCHARD, 48 OSALA, 58 LACROIX, 67 TAYLOR, 71 MORIN, 72, DUBUC, 79 BRODA, 81 LEFFLER, 83, BEAGLE, 84, DELLA ROVERE, 85, PERREAULT, 90 PINIZZOTTO, 93, KUGRYSHEV, 94 GUSTAFSSON

Defense: 46 MCNEIL, 47 ALZNER, 49 DOVGAN, 51 SWITZER, 62 COLLINS, 73 GODFREY, 74 CARLSON, 86 MESTREY, 89 SEABROOK

Goalies: 30 NEUVIRTH, 40 VARLAMOV, 70 HOLTBY

Philadelphia

Forwards:61 BEAULIEU, 53 BELLAMY, 51 CABANA, 52 CLACKSON, 27 DOWNIE, 28 GIROUX, 46 KALINSKI, 59 KLOTZ, 57 LALIBERTE, 72 LUKACEVIC, 62 MAROON, 68 MATSUMOTO, 41 NODL, 50 PISELLINI, 36 POWE, 60 RADUNS, 63 RINALDO

Defense: 58 BARTULIS, 66 BOURDON, 71 DESANTIS, 67 HERSLEY, 40 MARSHALL, 77 PARENT, 38 RAMHOLT, 55 RATCHUK, 47 SBISA, 67 ZARB

Goalies: 70 DESERRES, 35 DUCHESNE, 79 TESLAK

Injuries:

Washington – 94 GUSTAFSSON (back)

Philly – Unknown

Preview:

The Caps rookies take on the Flyers rookies for the second consecutive season. The game will be held at the Capitals training complex in Arlington. You can tell the anticipation in the Nation’s Capital for is very high this year as the free tickets for this event are sold out. The big match up in this game will be Caps defensive prospect Karl Alzner vs. Philly’s offensive prospect Claude Giroux. Both are highly regarded and expected to challenge for roster spots with the big clubs. Look for the Caps defense and goalies to stand out in this one.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 PHI 2

Flyers Rookies 5 - Caps Rookies 3

The Caps rookies concluded their camp yesterday with a scrimmage against the Flyers rookies. The final score was a 5-3 Flyers advantage. Here are some tidbits from Mike Vogal's coverage from Dump and Chase followed by a bit of my commentary:

"Seven of the rookie camp skaters did not make the trip: defensemen Jamie Hunt and Tyler Sloan and forwards Steve Werner, Andrew Joudrey, Justin Taylor, Tommy Maxwell and Kyle Wilson."

Most of these guys had stints with Hersey last year and I suppose the coaches feel they have enough knowledge on how they perform in game situations.

"It’s 3-2 Philly after two periods. Michal Neuvirth replaced Daren Machesney in goal for Washington at the start of the middle frame. The Capitals dominated the period, particularly in the first half. Washington outshot Philadelphia 16-9 in the second and leads 28-19 overall."

Its good to see the offense actually out shooting the opponent. It only happened in 20 of 82 games last season. Hopefully this is part of the Hanlon system and is a preview for the big club because the more shots we take is that many less taken at our goalie.

"The Caps played much of the third period with just four defensemen. Sean Collins left the game early in the third with was was termed a minor injury. Josh Godfrey went off a few minutes later with a broken skate blade."

More adversity for the Caps, even so they only gave up one even strength goal. Patrick McNeil, Nicklas Backstrom, and Mathieu Perreault scored goals for the Capitals. Its good to see our top rookie get on the scoring sheet.

For the rookies, now is the tough part. They will wait to hear who will get an invite to train with the big boys and who will not.

CapsChick has a gallery of pics from the scrimmage

Rookies Collide - Washington Vs. Philly

Where: Voorhees, NJ

When: September 12, 2007

History:

All-Time vs. PHI: 62-90-19-0

Last Season vs. PHI: 4-0-0

Last Meeting: 1/9/07, WAS 6 PHI 2

This Preseason:

WAS Record: 0-0-0

PHI Record: 0-0-0

Probable Line-Ups:

Washington
Forwards: 19 Nicklas Backstrom, 36 Francois Bouchard, 45 Steven Werner, 57 Kyle Wilson, 58 Maxime Lacroix, 61 Andrew Joudrey, 63 Andrew Gordon, 64 Dan Kronick, 65 Marty Guerin, 67 Justin Taylor, 71 Travis Morin, 74 Tommy Maxwell, 81 Brett Leffler, 83 Jay Beagle, 85 Mathieu Perreault, 86 Luke Lynes, 90 Steve Pinizzotto

Defense: 29 Jameson Hunt, 34 Sasha Pokulok, 42 Sami Lepisto, 46 Patrick McNeil, 47 Karl Alzner, 62 Sean Collins, 73 Josh Godfrey, 89 Tyler Sloan

Goalies: 30 Michal Neuvirth, 31 Daren Machesney

Philadelphia
Forwards: Josh Beaulieu, Claude Giroux, Frederik Cabana, Steve Downie, Triston Grant, Kyle Greentree, Adam Henrich, Mario Kempe, Garrett Klotz, David Laliberte, Patric Maroon, Jon Matsumoto, Gino Pisellini, Darroll Powe, Jared Ross, Matt Stefanishion, Denis Tolpeko, Pete Zingoni

Defense: Chad Anderson, Oskars Bartulis, Adam Bourque-LeBlanc, Tyson Dowzak, Kevien Marshall, Max Desjardins-Ouimet, Ryan Parent, Ryan Wilson

Goalies: Rejean Beauchemin, Jeremy Duchesne, Martin Houle, Scott Munroe

Injuries:

Washington – None
Philadelphia - None

Preview:

The Caps finish their rookie camp with a scrimmage against the Flyers rookies at the Flyers training facility in Voorhees, NJ. While Nicklas Backstrom has a spot on the big clubs training camp roster, the rest of the rookies will be looking to give the coaching staff a reason to keep them as well. From reports Sasha Pokulok has been playing well and seems to be recovered from the concussion issues he had last year. Michal Nuevirth has said he wants to turn pro and not return to his junior club in Plymouth. Karl Alzner and Josh Godfrey have both returned to the Caps following their participation in the Canada vs. Russia Super Series. The Flyers don’t expect any of their rookies to compete for roster spots this year, although Ryan Parent has been a standout in camp. Of note on the Flyers roster is former Caps prospect Matt Stefanishion who was let go following last season.