Alex Ovechkin (#8) turns and skates away as the buzzer sounds and the Canadiens realize they’ve advanced to the next round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Montreal topped the Washington Capitals 2-1 in game seven. (Photos by Kate McGovern / OffWingPhoto)

Semyon Varlamov makes a save during tonight’s game against the Atlanta Thrashers. The Washington Capitals won 2-1, earning their 50th victory of the season. (Kate McGovern/Off Wing Photo)

Nicklas Backstrom fights for the puck in tonight’s game against the Calgary Flames. The Washington Capitals lost 5-3. (Kate McGovern/Off Wing Photo)

WASHINGTON D.C. (January 23) – The Washington Capitals defeated the hard-charging Phoenix Coyotes 4-2 on Saturday night.

Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich (21) goes old school after having his helmet
removed by a Phoenix Coyotes check behind the net. (Pete Silver/OffWing Photo)

Click below for a slideshow of images from Saturday night’s game, and lots more from OffWing Photo!

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 26: Chris Clark of the Washington Capitals attempts to score on goalie Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils during a NHL hockey game on December 26, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

By Allen Clark
OffWing Opinion

WASHINGTON D.C. (December 26) – Tonight the Washington Capitals picked up a big win over the second place NJ Devils. The Caps’s 4-1 win over the Devils moved the Capitals a point ahead of the Devils in first place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Alex Ovechkin gave the Caps a 1-0 lead at 4:09 of the first and Matt Bradley made it 2-0 for Washington at 13:54. Late in the first New Jersey’s Rod Pelley scored a goal and the Devils had opportunities to draw even when they benefited from the game’s first four power play chances. But Washington was able to kill each NJ power play opportunity against the Devils extra-man unit that the entered the game with the league’s fourth-best road power play numbers (25.9%).

Nicklas Backstrom’s goal at 9:52 of the second made it 3-1 Caps. Mike Green finished the Caps scoring for the evening when he netted his eighth of the season in the first minute of the third period.

Washington Coach Bruce Boudreau was pleased with the effort, “I think we played a complete game. I thought early in the third period we started to sit back a little bit too much, but then we went back at them and took it to them in the last half of the third. I thought it was a great effort on our part.”

For more photos from tonight’s game click on the image below to view a slideshow.

Following the win the Capitals also announced that they had resigned  Alexander Semin to a one-year contract extension. Semin, 25, is in his fifth season in the NHL, all with the Capitals.

Semin has 32 points (14 goals, 17 assists) in 29 games this season, tied for third on the team in goals and fourth in points. In 283 career games the 6’2”, 208-pound native of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, has recorded 248 points (122 goals, 126 assists) and already ranks 26th in Capitals history in points.

Semin, who was named to the 2010 Russian Olympic team on Thursday, ranks ninth among active players 25-and-younger in goals and 12th among that group in points.

WASHINGTON D.C. (November 25) — Semyon Varlamov, the Washington Capitals 21-year-old goaltender, recorded his first regular-season shutout by making 25 saves against the Buffalo Sabres in a 2-0 victory Wednesday night that was completed without the Capitals’ star Alex Ovechkin, following a third period ejection for a hard shoulder check called boarding and resulting game misconduct at 3:38.

Defenseman Mike Green (#52) cuts off a pass from Buffalo Sabres’ forward Michael Grier (#25). (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

“You lose the most prolific scorer on the planet Earth, which is tough,” said Capitals’ defenseman Brian Pothier.  “But you have to kill a 5-minute penalty.  As Ovie’s skating off the ice, we’re telling him, ‘We’ve got this one for you.’  He does so much for our team.  Every night, he bails us out.  We could sure do it for him.”

Ovechkin put the Capitals up 1-0 at 6:24 of the first period, his 17^th of the season.  Shots came slowly, both teams playing aggressive, trapping defense.  There were no penalties in the first two periods.

Alex Ovechkin (#8) scores in the first period to put the Capitals up 1-0 over the visiting Buffalo Sabres. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Eric Fehr scored the Capitals’ second goal with 6:22 in regulation, redirecting Brendan Morrison’s centering pass.

Foward Eric Fehr (#16) scores at 6:22 of the third period, sealing the Capital’s 2-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Prior to the singing of the National Anthem, there was moment of silence in memory of Mr. Abe Pollin, Capitals owner from 1974 to 1999, who used his own money to build Verizon Center and revitalized the Washington D.C. Chinatown area, along with numerous other real estate improvement projects around the District. Pollin died Tuesday at the age of 85 from a rare brain disease.  Funeral services were held Friday and a public memorial service is scheduled on Decemeber 8th at Verizon Center.

Click below for a slideshow of images from Thursday night’s game and more from OffWing Photo.

WASHINGTON D.C. (October 27) – They got mad, they got even, and they doubled up.

The last thing on the agenda Tuesday night was the Olympics, yet this game provided an enticing preview of the future matchup featuring Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin and Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger.

Both teams stormed the ice and by the end of the first period had combined for 21 shots on goal, but solid goaltending from Capitals Jose Theodore and Flyers Ray Emery kept the score at nil.

Washington Capitals goaltender Jose Theodore (#60) gets low to protect the net, scoring 41 saves against the Philadelphia Flyers. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Flyers goaltender Ray Emery (#29) controls the puck against a furious first period Capitals offense. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

In the second, Philadelphia’s physical play started to wear on the Capitals attack.  The Flyers Scott Hartnell scored on a power play at 3:06.  Philadelphia successfully stymied two Capitals power plays, including a 2-man advantage lasting over 90 seconds.  Philadelphia poured it on with a second power play goal from a Braydon Coburn slapshot, and threatened to bring an abrupt end to the Capitals four-game winning streak.

The red sweaters were down 2-0, but they weren’t out.  “We got a little bit angry, it was good for us,” said Nicklas Backstrom, Capitals forward.  Late in the second period, Alex Ovechkin found the net, bringing life to the team and the crowd.  Two minutes later, Backstrom capitalized on a power play to tie the game 2-2.

Alex Ovechkin (#8) celebrates with teammate Alexander Semin (#28). (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Despite 21 shots on net, the third period was all Washington.  Jose Theodore held his ground, amassing 41 saves.  Capitals Head Coach Bruce Boudreau tipped his hat to Jose’s performance, saying “Theo kept us in the game..he was really solid.”

Jose Theodore (#60) defends the net behind forward Scott Hartnell (#19) to hold the Capitals lead and defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

At 5:24 of the third, Alexander Semin beat Emery from the top of the zone with a shot that deflected off Flyers’ defenseman Kimmo Timonen.  It was Semin’s seventh goal of the season, putting the Capitals on top 3-2.

Ovechkin scored the final blow with an open net goal at 19:14 to seal the win at 4-2; it was Ovechkin’s eleventh goal of the season.  Nicklas Backstrom scored four points with one goal and three assists.

Click below for a slideshow of images from Tuesday night’s game and more from OffWing Photo.

WASHINGTON D.C. (October 15) — The Washington Capitals made a statement Thursday night, ending a 4-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks.

Washington Capitals goalie Jose Theodore (#6o) allows only one goal by Sharks’ foward Benn Ferriero (#78).  Theodore was replaced with 3rd year goalie Semyon Varlamov after experiencing back spasms.  Theodore is expected to return with no persistant injuries. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Goals from Matt Bradley and Alexander Semin (his sixth of the season, tied for second in the NHL) combined with two from NHL goal leader Alexander Ovechkin completed the offensive assault. The win ended the Sharks’ 11-game win streak against the Capitals, which included 6 consecutive road wins dating back to February 1999.

San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov (#20) deflects a wrist shot to hold a 1-1 tie with the Washington Capitals at the end of the first period. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Following a strong playoff performance last season, the young Capitals team exhibited strong discipline by staying out of the penalty box, while leaving San Jose short-handed for over 8 minutes in the first period, which included two 5-on-3 power plays. 

Alexander Ovechkin (#8) celebrates his second goal in 28 seconds to extend the Washington Capitals second period lead to 3-1 over the San Jose Sharks.  (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Alexander Ovechkin (#8) adds two to his NHL-leading goal total with two scores against San Jose in the second period.  The Capitals go on to win the game 4-1. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Breaking a 1-1 tie in the second period, Ovechkin found the net twice in 28 seconds, exploiting the exhausted Sharks’ defensemen and scoring his first and second goals against San Jose in his career. Both goals were assisted by Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison.

San Jose forward Steven Zalewski (#48) gives chase to Capitals defenseman Jeff Schultz (#55) in the third period at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Click below for a slideshow of images from Thursday night’s game and more from OffWing Photo.

Pittsburgh Penguins’ goalkeeper Marc-Andre Fleury (29) made 19 saves including this stretch against a break-away by Alex Ovechkin (8), holding a 5-0 lead until late in the second period. (Pete Silver/OffWing Photo)

Outshooting the Capitals 30-21, the Penguins repeatedly found the net despite replacement of Sidney Varlamov with backup goalkeeper Jose Theodore in the second period, following Pittsburgh’s fourth goal.  With two back-to-back scoring flurries the Penguins amassed a 6-1 lead, the final goal being scored by Crosby, his second of the game, after stealing the puck from Ovechkin.

“It feels good, just because of the way the series went, not particularly because it was me and him,” said Crosby about a series that many sportswriters referred to as “Sid the Kid vs. Alexander the Great.”

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby (87) scores in the first period
against Capitals’ rookie goalkeeper Simeon Varlamov (40). (Pete Silver/OffWing)

Pittsburgh awaits the winner of the Boston Bruins – Carolina Hurricanes series, which is tied at 3-3.

See all photos from Game 7 and other events on the Off Wing Photo Flickr site:

[Q] How long have you been photographing sports, and how long have you been shooting ice hockey in Norway?
[EH] I started shooting ice hockey – and sports – in February this year. I picked up photography as a hobby 3 years ago, with a Casio compact. Got my first dSLR 2 years ago; an Olympus e300. Since then I’ve been doing work for Corinthia International, SAS Radisson, several advertising agencies, magazines and newpapers.
Last winter the weather was really bad here in Oslo, Norway; no snow, only rain and fog, so I didn’t get to use my camera at all. Then I called Valerenga Ice Hockey and asked if they could use someone to photograph them. They said yes – and since then I have been to all of their games. Valerenga is by far Norway’s #1 ice hockey club, with 25 Norwegian Championships. The ex-NHL All Star player Espen “Shampoo” Knutsen is their head coach.

[Q] What camera do you use when you shoot a game, and which lenses do you use most often for hockey?
[EH] I’m using a Canon 5D. Not a typical sports camera, with full frame and 3 fps; but 13mp and very clean high ISO images helps.
In the beginning I brought all sorts of lenses to the games, but the 70-200mm f/2.8 soon became my favorite. I also bring the 1.4x teleconverter, for extra reach – but that gives an f/4, which is a little on slow side. Also the 85mm f/1.8 is a good lens.
[Q] There is a tremendous amount of action and detail in your photos. What do you look to capture when you shoot a hockey game, and what is it like shooting at some of the ice hockey rinks in Norway?
[EH] Having played ice hockey for several years, when I was younger, I try to anticipate the action. Often I just keep the focus at the keeper and zoom in/out as the players move around him. I also try to keep both eyes open; one in the camera, with the other I try to “scan” what goes on outside the viewfinder… When you follow the same team you learn their typical tactics and moves, so you can locate yourself accordingly.
[Q] You have a large collection of photos online, many are of the Valerenga club who have won three straight Norwegian titles. How would you compare the Norwegian league to other leagues? How does Valerenga look so far this season?
[EH] I haven’t seen any other leagues except for watching the NHL on ESPN360.com. And comparing the norwegian GET League to NHL is like comparing a Skoda to a Ferrari…
As mentioned, I started shooting ice hockey less than a year ago. Before that I was only into landscapes and travel photography – which got a little boring.
Valerenga is also #1 again this year; but the competition is getting tougher. Valerenga lost 3 major players last season; 2 Americans went back to the US, and 1 native Valerenga-player went to play professionally in Germany. So after not really having found new players, combined with teams like Storhamar Dragons, Stavanger Oilers and Sparta Warriors who are working seriously to be the best, this season looks more uncertain the last year.

[Q] Hockey is very popular among the youth in Finland and Sweden, and interest is growing in Denmark and Germany, are more young kids in Norway starting to gain interest in the sport?
[EH] Ice hockey is a small sport in Norway, and I have often wondered why. I just do not understand it; why norwegians do not give this sport a chance. In Sweden Ice Hockey is a major sport. Likewise in Finland. One explaination could be, that people has some kind of mental connetion between ice hockey and fighting. Maybe media in Norway has focused too much on the fights, and too little on the game itself. I don’t know…
On Valerenga’s Hockey School, this year there were almost twice as many participants as last year. And on average, there are 10% more people coming to see the games in Norway this winter. So it looks like ice hockey is picking up in popularity. It also helps that a TV channel broadcasts a match every Thursday night.
There’s a lot of talk about the climate change here in Norway; the winters getting warmer, with less snow and ice. So I think more people will look for indoor sports for the winter seasons. This could give ice hockey a boost in the years to come…
[Q] With Norway’s Patrick Thoresen playing for the Edmonton Oiler’s AHL affiliate in Springfield, and fellow Norwegian Ole-Kristian Tollefsen racking up 47 penalty minutes already for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL, which Norwegians are having the most success playing outside of Norway? And is there a Norwegian player or prospect that fans should keep an eye on?
[EH] Besides Patrick Thoresen and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, I do know the name Mathis Olimb, an ex-Valerenga player who now plays for the Augsburg Panthers in Germany. There’s talk he will be playing in the NHL next year.
Right now I heard Mathis Olimb’s litte brother, Ken Andre Olimb, who scored Norway’s 1-0 goal against Ukraine in the Junior World Championships in Germany, is a player to watch. Also Ken Andre will become one of Norway’s top international players. Last night, Patrick Thoresen’s little brother Steffen Thoresen signed a contract with Valerenga. He arrives from Allsvenskan in Sweden. So things are looking good right now!
[Q] Espen Knutsen played for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 1997, but he also received a second shot at the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets on the recommendation of former San Jose Sharks/Norwegian national team head coach George Kingston. Knutsen was the only Norwegian to play in an NHL allstar game, the Swedish Elite League team Djurgarden called him one of the best players in the teams history after he retired, and he captured a Norwegian championship in his first year as the head coach of Valerenga, What has been Espen Knutsen’s impact on hockey in Norway?
[EH] Espen “Shampoo” Knutsen’s impact on norwegian ice hockey is tremendous! He’s an icon in Norway, even though I don’t think the average Norwegian actually realizes how big being an allstar in the NHL really is. This combined with his sympathetic and nice way of being, makes him a very popular person in Norway. He earned the championship in his first season as head coach for V

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