Tic Tac Toe Hockey

Perreault 1

2009-12-09T14:22:00.003-05:00

I really think I should get bonus points for not calling him "Matty," or using the phrase "pint-sized playmaker." Good times.

It Might Get Noisy: Caps/Cats Outtakes

2009-12-06T10:19:00.002-05:00

Yikes.

Good Product: Mas Varly

2009-12-06T02:32:00.002-05:00

"Give the people what they want"--The Kinks

Mike Richards Final

2009-12-05T18:55:00.002-05:00

More Varly Pics

2009-12-05T16:29:00.004-05:00

Just as the man says: "I got the flavor for a crowd pleaser." Will Smith just wasn't very good, however positively motivated his lyrics may have been. Anyway, this guy Varlamov is popular for some reason.

TTT Hockey Plus Christmas Shopping Equals Good Times

2009-12-05T02:34:00.010-05:00

As copyrighted images and the internet play together like Israel and Palestine, I've never made hi-res or image editing a priority for my site. The good stuff is mine alone.

However, I'm flat-ass broke and Christmas/The Holidays/Whichever PC bullshit expression of the moment is right around the corner.

If the Caps fan in your life is unhappy with the shill that the AP prints, send me an email. We'll work something out. Hi-res, fully edited, unmounted or mounted immortality.

8x10 Print, Unmounted -- 50
11x14 Print, Unmounted -- $75
16x20 Print, Unmounted -- $150

8x10 Print, Mounted -- $65
11x14 Print, Mounted -- $90
16x20 Print, Mounted -- $165
Rates may be negotiable, depending on my mood.

Untitled Continued: Laich, Take Two

2009-12-04T10:31:00.007-05:00

Brooks Laich, 12.03.09

Untitled, Series 1

2009-12-04T02:00:00.006-05:00

Quick note: Bloggers may link to, but not reproduce images in the Untitled series. All of my other shots are fair game as long as you give proper credit (have the image and caption link to TTT Hockey.) Thanks.

I had a portrait assignment about a month ago. I hated it. I recant: I hated the idea of it. Then, I realized that I had the power to turn my buoyant lab partner into a Hemingway character. The prints came out beautifully; the blithe petite looked like she was a trauma victim contemplating an abortion.

I wanted to do something similar with the Caps: Take the toughest, most competitive mothers on the ice, and make them look suicidal.

Good times.

Brooks Laich, 12.03.09

Semyon Varlamov, 12.03.09

In Defense of Categorical Bullshit

2009-12-03T23:52:00.005-05:00

Jerking off with the shutter speed button isn't always impeachable. Or maybe it is. I don't give two shits.

If Tiger Woods can have a shit day, so can I. I was a little off tonight, and I won't deny it.

SMUJNH7RSZ2C

Audiophile Gone To Heaven

2009-11-30T18:58:00.004-05:00

The Doolittle Anniversary Tour --
Some things are just more important than Caps hockey:

Update: Savor that, Washington; you won't see a show as sublime for a long while.
A few thoughts:
--The Pixies still know how to rock it like The Flintstones. The quartet tore through cuts from At the BBC, Complete B Sides, Come On Pilgrim, Surfer Rosa, and the entirety of Doolittle. Beautiful.

--The video board rolled Un chien andalou after the opening act. Very cool.

--Kim Deal is a sweetheart. I just wish I had a time machine.

--The Pixies got old. Really old. Kim Deal and Frank Black have put on a few pounds. All of the quartet's hair is thinning. Really, really old.

--I don't know that any one Pixies show could satisfy me, unless they played their entire discography. Everything from Bossanova, Surfer Rosa, Doolittle, and Come On Pilgrim is golden. Trompe le Monde has a few fantastic tracks as well.

An amazing show. Just an amazing show. None better.

--They were even better the second night, playing deep cuts from Surfer Rosa and Come On Pilgrim.

It Might Get Noisy: Caps/Habs Outtakes

2009-11-22T20:08:00.005-05:00

Caps/Habs Game Pics

2009-11-21T00:34:00.002-05:00

Wednesday Afternoon Ruminations

2009-11-11T14:32:00.003-05:00

-- If you haven't yet seen the NHL disciplinary flow chart spoof at Down Goes Brown, go check it out now. When you've finished laughing, prepare for a crash into depression: It's all true. All of it.

--"Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls." -- Mother Theresa
Actually, joy is a net of love called more cap space.

--What the bloody hell were the Habs wearing last night? If this was the pre-Wild NHL, a joke about Santa's elves might be in order. Fugly. In any other year, it would be unforgivable. Granted, last night's sweaters weren't as bad as the pajama unis that they've rocked in the past.

--Lastly, if you have absolutely nothing better to do this Friday (and that includes playing a golf or bass fishing video game) you should feel free to participate in the CSN live chat I'm hosting. All the ~~cool kids~~ guys who've never heard of Japers are doing it.

And There Was Much Rejoicing

2009-11-10T15:54:00.002-05:00

This Is Not A River, Take 2

2009-11-05T21:24:00.004-05:00

This Is Not A River

2009-11-05T14:51:00.003-05:00

Life without Ovie sucks. Distract yourself:

Ovie Wants You To Vote

2009-11-03T00:26:00.009-05:00

--Check out The Peerless' rundown on how the Caps will on won't survive without Ovie. Does Semin get MVP consideration if he steps up his game for six weeks? Suck it, Malkin. Ovechkin's Hart run had to end one day.

--My final project for my Light Studies will be a Frakes-esque depiction of emotional subtlety on the streetball court using black and white film. Incidentally, 3200 speed film ain't cheap. That PayPal button on the sidebar is there for a reason, people. ("You put the 'b' in 'subtle.'" --The Bunk ) I think I'll go with borderless, full-frame prints. I can crop in the moment. Yes, I'm that good. Anyway, it should be fun. I'll scan and post them when I get a chance. I want to do expand on this:

--Vote. Do it. Don't forsake your God-given right to bitch and moan by forsaking your democratic voice.

--Cakelove on U Street sucks. Maybe their other locations are better, but I don't know that I've ever been more disappointed with a chocolate cupcake. That thing was dryer than Voltaire. I give the frosting three stars.

--Advent of the Superblog: JP may have exacted a killing stroke on all competitors. Caps Blue Line, Tuvan Hillbilly, The Red Skate, and now Cheap Seats are all things of the past. It may be that we're all fans, and blogging isn't about competition, but I wonder how many people will continue to rely on OFB and Fanhouse when the alternative is five for the price of one. Truly impressive.

--Finally, we at TTT would like to take a moment to remember A View From The Cheap Seats. Cheap Seats was one of the reasons I set up my own little shop, and CC was a huge help to me as a newbie. I'm sad to see Cheap Seats go. Don't let them civilize you, Rebecca. Don't go changing.

A Few Of My All Time Favorite Shots

2009-10-28T01:34:00.005-04:00

I'll keep it exclusive to Hockey. No Salgado. No Gretz or Henderson either.

Human misery? Check. Juxtaposition of triumph and despair? Check. Irony? Check. Absurdity? Check.

I never particularly cared for Linden. Then again, this isn't a shot representative of just one man. Or two men. Jesus, that's sad.

All those who say, "there's no crying in Hockey" are welcome to line up and blow me. Beautiful.

Remember the Olympics promo from 1994? "In case you've forgotten what joy looks like..."

Questions?

This is not a picture of Marty Brodeur.

This is not a picture of Teemu Selanne.

And just because I'm an asshole:

Let me say one thing: In sports photography, 99% of "iconic" shots require little or no talent as a photographer -- Ali vs. Liston, "Black Power" at the '68 Olympics, MJ taking flight, even Bobby Orr's "flying goal" -- so much of that is being in the right place at the right time. To create something from almost nothing -- to use only one's knowledge of the game, foresight, instinct, and anticipation... This is talent. This is when sports photography transcends mere documentation. Maybe I sound like an elitist, pretentious, insecure prick for saying that, but why should I let pucksandbooks have all the fun?

Caps/Flyers Firefight

2009-10-27T23:15:00.004-04:00

Caps 4, Flyers 2
I love Mike Richards as I loved John LeClair. The guy's a stud.

Pic of the night:

Others:

Third Period Operetta -- Caps/Devils 10/12

2009-10-12T23:45:00.003-04:00

Pic of the night:

Others:

Just Another Crowd

2009-10-08T23:27:00.005-04:00

Lundqvist looked like he might have been completely baked for but one play in last night's match. The Caps, on the other hand, looked like they'd each just spent the day in Kingston.

A forgettable Thursday night, to say the least.

Tx, Fx Two Games Into It

2009-10-05T07:52:00.003-04:00

--Firstly, I apologize for not having game or warm-up pics from the home opener. I've finally fried my eight gig CF card. It was bound to happen eventually; I'm just glad it didn't decide to crap out on me closer to Spring.

--I'm thinking about doing a photo bit on sports bars. If any of my dozen readers have suggestions, hit up my email. I don't want this to be exclusive to the DC area. Boston, NYC, and Philly shouldn't be left out. Hockey-centric bars are ideal, and I'm open to just about anything aside from an American Football-centric bar. The NFL will be our society's killing stroke.

--Theo and ShaMo look ready for bounce back campaigns. I've said already that Varly will (quite understandably) have a tough stretch. How many rookie goalies have we seen with brilliant playoff debuts? How many have replicated their success in the following year? The good news is that we know Varly has what it takes to be a show-stopper. If he can get a handle on his rebound control -- and there's no reason to think he won't eventually -- he's too goddamn athletic not to be an elite backstop.

--BMo's goal looked like something from Pat Kane's playbook. Gotta love the backhand, sans deke, to the roof.

--For all the Meth-heads, denizens of Pennsylvania, and generally unwashed masses, we want you to know that Brooks Laich is a God among mortals. In the imperishable words of Nas, "It's the feeling of a millionaire spending a hundred grand." Word.

--I'm a huge fan of Luke Schenn. I almost feel sorry that AO used him like a cheap whore, but I suppose any defenseman will do when it comes to the pull-up wrister/screen. I wonder if any other player's ever used that move so effectively.
So does Jim Hughson. Tony the Tiger wishes he had such talent.

How The Hell Is Ovie Not Andy Roddick In This Analogy?

2009-10-01T22:50:00.004-04:00

"If you give him too much time to shoot, he will make you look bad. He is the hardest-working and hardest-hitting superstar in the league. He is the Rafael Nadal of hockey, and (Sidney) Crosby is (Roger) Federer."
--Denny Wideman

If we can ignore, for a moment, the fact that two hockey Gods are being compared to tennis players...

How the hell is Ovie not Andy Roddick in this analogy? Crazy talk.

Yeah, I know it's fake. Moving on:

Caps 4, B's 1

Ovie and Brooksie each had two tallies and a helper. Not bad.

Caps Drinking Game -- Opening Night Edition

2009-10-01T15:56:00.004-04:00

The wait is over. The void begins to fill.
It. Is. Upon us.

Take one drink if:
--Alex Semin takes a stick penalty in the offensive zone.
--Alex Ovechkin beats two men and shoots the biscuit wide.
--The Caps give up a goal on the first shot of any period.
--The Caps give up a goal in the last minute of any period.
--Alex Semin has the puck in the slot but elects to deke himself into the corner instead of shooting the puck on net.
--Dave Steckel misses a gaping net
--Marc Savard breaks Jeff Schultz's ankles
--Milan Lucic concusses a puck-moving D
--Tim Thomas starts to remind you of Jean Grey
--The Versus crew show Alex Ovechkin blowing a snot rocket.
--Doc verbally fellaches either Pens superstar during a stoppage in play.

Take two drinks if:
--The Versus crew show Alex Ovechkin blowing a snot rocket from the bench.
--Doc verbally fellaches either Pens superstar while the puck is in play.
--Either commentator breaks breaks down a play before the action's stopped.
--Semin takes a stick penalty with the man advantage.
--The Versus crew show Claude Julien doing his best Bush-esque smirk after giving up a goal.

Finish your drink if:
--The Boston faithful think of a chant besides any variation of "Ovechkin sucks," "Caps suck," or "Let's go B's."
--Theo posts a shutout
--Gordon records a point
--Clark draws a penalty
--Schultz physically bests anyone on the ice
--Schultz drops his mitts
--Ovechkin goes more than ten minutes without a recorded shot on goal.
--Ovechkin scores either a penalty shot or shootout goal.

If you're at home
Drink: Stone IPA
Food: Homemade chili w/ tons of cheddar, sour cream, and onions
Sweater: Oates away, 1998

If you're going out
Venue: Bugsy's
Drink: Rolling Rock
Food: Deep dish pepperoni pizza
Sweater: Laich home, 2008. Chics dig it.

Let's play some hockey, dammit.

For His Purpose Holds To Sail Beyond The Sunset: Farewell, Olie

2009-09-23T12:04:00.009-04:00

The long day wanes; the slow moon climbs; the deep
Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends.
'T is not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down;
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,--
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
--Tennyson, from Ulysses

At least as a player, he's gone forever.
Everything we now have to say is redundant.
A little over a year ago, I wrote the following:

Through thick and thin, fire and flame -- through rebuilding, the lockout, uniform changes,
rule changes, piss and vinegar grinders, primadonna superstars,
bottom of the table finishes, the Cup Finals, a Vezina, knee surgery, Abe Pollin, a King Clancy,
Bruce Cassidy, Bruce Boudreau, the Olympics, charities, All-Star games, crease-clearings, brawls,
Chris Simon, Donald Brashear, rifts, bonds, Bryan Muir as a first pairing defenseman,
Maxime Ouellet as the next big thing, Peter Bondra as a draft steal, Adam Oates as a
first-line Centre, bitter rivalries, laughable expansion teams, the
Patrick Division, the Southeast Division, the shootout, triple
overtime, heartbreak, triumph, disappointment, and 301 wins . . . Olie
gave it everything in every match.




In the words of SkateFreeOrDie:

Kolzig, who played with
Langway, who played with
Maruk, who played with
Labre. . .

The torch is now passed to
Ovechkin.