Green Gets Creamed

by Alex Repp

Tuesday, December 16, marked the first game between the Washington Capitals and the Colorado Avalanche. Both teams are at the top of their respective divisions, the Caps in the Southeast and the Avalanche in the Northwest; and the match-up promised to be a very exciting game. Both teams are goal-scoring powerhouses, and Washington is actually on top of the league in this respect, with 13 more goals than runner-ups Pittsburgh and San Jose. Even the realization that the game did not start til 9:30 Eastern time did not keep me from watching the two teams duke it out in the Mile-High City.

            The game lived up to its potential, especially if you are a Caps fan. With 2 goals in the 1^st, 3 in the 2^nd, and another in the 3^rd, the Caps routed the Avalanche with a solid 6-1 victory. There was a price to pay, however; for one thing proved to not be solid: Mike Green’s face. Mike Green, superstar defenseman of the Washington Capitals, was born  on Oct. 12, 1985, in Calgary, Alberta. At the age of 19, he was drafted by the Washington Capitals, and emerged as one of the most dangerous offensive defensemen in the league (Mike Green finished the 2008-2009 NHL season with the highest points by a defenseman). Not every player in the League is quite so talented; it is a well known fact that some players rely on brute strength to force their opponents into submission. Mike Green fell victim to such a low handed player behind the goal during the second period yesterday. David Koci, who has only recorded two goals in his entire NHL career, yet stands at an imposing 6’6”, 238 pounds, lined himself up on an unaware Mike Green, who was playing a puck behind the net. The powerful impact lifted Green’s face into the boards with astonishing force, and for lack of a better expression, “knocked his lights out”. Koci was assessed a 5 minute major penalty for board, which carries and ejection from the game and a review by NHL headquarters, whose managers may assess further fines and suspensions. Mike Green remained on the ice while a valorous John Erskine stepped up to Koci and engaged him in a bout, which devolved into grappling and was broken up by the refs. An update on Mike Green by coach Bruce Boudreau stated that Green’s status is questionable, and he is unlikely to play in Friday’s game, barring the discovery of deeper injuries such as concussion. Let’s all say a prayer for Mike Green (who will undoubtedly be sporting one of the meanest black eyes ever seen), hope that bullies don’t find a place in the NHL, and LET’S GO CAPS!