October 7, 2013
Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
While the Nationals’ season has come and gone, D.C. sports fans can rejoice in the return of hockey and their beloved Washington Capitals. The Caps’ season started last Tuesday with a disappointing 4-6 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. They fared better in their home opener on Thursday, bouncing back from a first period three-point deficit to edge out the Calgary Flames 5-4 in a shootout.
With their first win under their belt, the Caps headed back on the road to face the Dallas Stars on Saturday. Alex Ovechkin had a goal in the first period for the first point of the game, but the Stars quickly tied it at 1-1. Washington appeared to have scored the go-ahead goal in the second, when the puck popped up and went into the net as Nicklas Backstrom hit Dallas goalie Kari Lehtonen. After review, the call was reversed, due to goaltender interference. The no goal was a demoralizing blow for the Caps, who went on to have only five shots on goal in the third period and no score.
After the 2-1 loss, Capitals coach Adam Oates told reporters he didn’t quite agree with the controversial call: “I think once the puck goes in there, you’re allowed to go after it.” Adding that he didn’t think the Stars’ goalie interfered with the puck until after Backstrom had hit it.
While the loss was disappointing, the Capitals, who historically fare better at home, have a long stretch of home games to look forward to. The first of their five-game stay at Verizon Center begins Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Golf
For the fifth straight time, the United States bested the International Team in The Presidents Cup tournament on Sunday, 18-15. The tournament, established in 1994 and held biennially, is a series of golf matches between a U.S. and International Team (composed of players from countries around the world, excluding Europe), whose proceeds go to charity.
This year’s event was held in Dublin, Ohio, where it ended in dramatic fashion Sunday afternoon. With the International Team leading by one point, it was up to Tiger Woods to deliver the game-winning shot. And, as he has done three times before, Woods clinched it, two-putting for par and a one-stroke win over the International Team.
One of the standouts for the U.S. team was also the youngest. Jordan Spieth, the 20-year old Texan who has been dubbed golf’s new “wunderkind,” teamed up with veteran Steve Stricker to go 2-1-0 in team play. While he ended up falling to Canadian Graham DaLeat in his singles match, there appears to be nothing but great things ahead for the golf’s newest up-and-comer. Spieth got his first PGA tour win back in July at the John Deere Classic and was named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year on September 27th.
After leading the U.S. to decisive wins in 2009 and 2011, Fred Couples said he will not be back as captain of the U.S. team in 2015. “A three-peat’s good enough for me,” he told the media after Sunday’s victory.
While Couples is stepping down, first-time International Team captain Nick Price would like another shot. “I would be honored if they ever asked me to be captain of this team again,” Price said. “I don’t care where it is.”
The next Presidents Cup will be held in South Korea in 2015.
