Reasons To Get To Your Seats Early

Sure you want to avoid the rush at the parking lot, get in line first at the concession stands, take your jacket off, get settled in but this is the reason I always make sure to get to my seats early...You don't see much in the first 20 seconds but trust me, you'll want to hang around til about the 22 second mark...this is Semyon Varlamov of the Washington Caps settling in for another day at the office....

Don't always count on seeing that during warm ups (although it is always a nice way to start the game off if you do) but who doesn't love the variety of the "goalie warm up". No two masked men do the same thing but rumor has it, their routine, uniquely their own, is the same day in and day out.  A ritual if you will and we're all invited to watch! A close second to bearing witness to any man that can do the splits is watching them chalk the crease. For those who don't know, exhibit A...chalking the crease...brought to you by Caps Prospect and Hersey Bears netminder Braden Holtby

And when the goalie warm up ends with Brian Elliott my future husband doing this

You too may be finding you need a bit of H20 to cool yourself off rehydrate. And just in case you were going to get up to use the ladies room, grab a drink, or stretch yourself you may want to stick around for the start of the 2nd and 3rd periods or you may miss Neuvirth doing this

Or  Bryan Pitton doing this

What have we learned today? Sure there is a ton of action during three periods of hockey, but if it's the goalies that hold a special place in your inappropriate "I hope nobody can see what I am currently thinking" daydreams heart, the real action happens before the game /period even begins!

Dishy Goalie Monday- Michal Neuvirth

Warning: I LOVE Michal Neuvirth

Stanley Cup Playoff's are in full swing and as we watch the first-round match ups, it comes as no surprise that rookie goaltender Michal Neuvirth has been outstanding.

The 23-year-old Czech native has been a work horse for the Washington Capitals this season. While many were debating which goaltender would start for the Caps, there was little question in my mind, Neuvith has the net.

Through his first three playoff appearances, Neuvirth stats are spectacular, 1.22 GAA with a .951 SV% and a shutout.

None too shabby for a rookie goaltender in his first full season in the NHL. The former Hershey Bear is ranked first among Rookie goaltenders in the playoffs.

Neuvy played in 48 games this season, winning 27 of them.

While Semyon Varlamov struggled with injury, Neuvirth shined....

and stretched.....

and stretched a teensy bit more.

While I can't (won't) speculate on the outcome of the playoffs, I can say that I thoroughly enjoy watching Neuvirth in net and that's enough of a reason to wish for a long run for the Capitals.

Dishy Goalie Monday-Braden Holtby

Welcome to our late night DGM. Tonight we'll take a gander at Mr. Braden Holtby a goaltender for the Washington Capitals and their affiliate the Hershey Bears.

Holtby relieved Michal Neuvirth after the first period versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Braden Holtby is well known for his quirks and warm up routines and the frog impression he did upon taking the ice was no different.

This is a Goalie I have no problem picture doing a victory dance!

Video courtesy of LuvdCaps.

Love at First Sight

Sometimes a girl just knows....

Meet #1 Semyon Varlamov of the Washington Capitals and my current crush of the week.

There is no experience better than walking into a rink right before warmups. You get hit with the uniquely hockey smell, you see the empty seats waiting for the fans to arrive, and the kids crowding the glass, waiting for the first skate to touch the ice for warmups.

The best part is when the players skate out and you have that moment. You know the one I'm talking about. The one where you see a player and you just know... He is going to be your favourite.

Now, everyone has their own reasons for falling in love. This was mine....