Redemption for the Washington Capitals and a lesson learned…
Ahhh….
That’s the sound of me exhaling.
Some of you know I play hockey and I’ve been a huge Caps fan for 23+ years starting with my Dad taking me when I was 13 to the games. I was there for the highs and the lows. The heartbreak vs the Islanders and also the incredible Dale Hunter overtime goal vs. Philly. Plus the Stanley Cup sweep (I try not to think about that.)
It was pretty awesome in San Diego this past weekend when my brother, Jeff Johnson, Todd & Ashely Dickerson joined me to watch game 6 at 11 AM, PT. For every Caps goal we started buying the entire bar shots chanting C-A-P-S…Caps! Caps! Caps! It got out of control fast but we loved it with a 5-3 Caps Win…heading to Game 7 back in D.C.
The Caps had to come from a 3 games to 1 deficit to beat the Rangers in 7. playoffs in 11 years and they haven’t won a game 7 in 21 years. Ouch!
My gift to my Dad was front-row seats behind the Caps bench for game 7. And Missy was a real trooper since it was her birthday on Tuesday and that ended up being her bday present.
The Capitals have finally built an incredible fan base and it’s amazing to see 18,000+ people in a sea of red!
I felt like I had too many emotions going on because of the flat play I was really worried it would be a repeat of last year — but the 3rd period made me feel confident momentum was going our way. Then Sergei Federov’s amazing wrister sealed the deal 2-1 late in the 3rd. For the final 5 minute the entire crowd on their feet – it was just magical.
You can actually see all of us on the front page of the Wash Post and online. – here’s the pic (we’re to the right of coach Boudreau):
Washington Post Sports section front page
So now we play the Pittsburgh Penguins. The NHL is more than excited because some of the biggest super stars in the league will be facing off against each other from both teams. Should be some real fireworks and I can’t wait to chant “Crosby Sucks!” as Ovechkin lays him out.
Now even though this had nothing to do with business there are some lessons I picked up. The biggest one needs a little background on the series and last year.
Last year the Caps had the worst record in the East and a journeyman coach, Bruce Boudreau, (who was also an extra in the movie Slap Shot) came in who helped them believe they could win. They had all the talent they needed but didn’t actually play like a team. The only way they could make the playoffs last year was to go on a 11-game winning streak for their final 11 games (and they did it). They went down 3-1 in the series against Philadelphia and came back to force a decisive game 7 (again). But last year they lost in OT on a pretty crappy penalty call. Their goalie last year, Huet, held out for more money and they couldn’t get a deal done.
Okay so much for background.
This year the team had their best record ever and won their conference but their goalie, Jose Theodore, was pretty unpredictable at best.
Game 1 against the Rangers the Caps totally out played the Rangers but Theodore let in 4 pretty soft goals on only 15 shots. Coach Boudreau ending up making the pivotal decision of the series by playing rookie goalie, Simeon Varlamov. Varlamov was a 20-year old back-up who was sent to the Caps after our regular back-up was injured. He certainly had been scouted for his immense potential but he had only played 6 regular season NHL games. To have him come in after just one miserable performance by the veteran Theodore was almost unthinkable – but Boudreau made the call and I think that turned the series around. Varlamov was stellar in net leading to victory.
Lesson: Make the hard decisions for a potential big reward. Or take the easy path and settle for mediocrity.
May 1st, 2009 at 3:08 pm
This post is such a fitting follow up to the interview with James Schramko in the Maverick Business Insider. Listening to James tell of the tough decisions he made to travel to the US to “learn from the best” was quite inspiring. It was clear that he was not going to take the easy path and settle for mediocrity. His motivation served well to motivate the listener (me!)
I recently had a choice to make after attending my first Live Event, Ross Goldberg’s Last Masters. I was motivated by the speakers to the point that I knew I had to take action to move my business forward. The tough decision was to fire a client and return a big chunk of money (that we really kind of needed). I knew it was a decision I had to make so that I could make room for clients that would potentially result in bigger rewards. It hurt to do and really hurt to reverse those funds.
The rewards…two opportunities that have resulted in more clients and higher fees.
Yanik, I love how you see the lessons of life…in life. Great hockey story–good luck to your team, may their decisions going forward reap them great rewards!
@Tina_Williams
May 1st, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Yanik, up until now I have been a big fan of your stuff…until
I found out you are a Caps fan! lol
It’s gonna be a rockin’ highlight reel series man!
…oh and I am a huge Pens fan. GO PENS!!! lol
May 1st, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Nice ramble Yanik.
For me the lesson is, “family time that will be forever remembered.” But I get your thoughts on taking big risks to reap big rewards.
I was born in Chicago and grew up in the ‘burbs, so I am a Blackhawks fan.
Captain-Rob
May 1st, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I think Bourdreau decision to stay with Varlamov even when the Captials lost was very important because it gave Varlamov confidence through out the series.
Fact1:Theodore has had a history of collapsing in the playoffs.
Fact 2: Varlamov played well even in the games they lost.
With this knowledge Bourdreau made a “planned” risk decision in staying with Varlamov in nets.
May 1st, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Yanik-We’re going to have to be on opposite sides of this issue. I bleed black and gold. Also, it’s a well know fact that both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin make Alex Ovechkin look like a rank amateur…Go Penguins!
Sorry, now that I’m done trash talking…keep up the great work. Your book Moonlighting on the Internet got us moving in the right direction. Your one of the few experts that we still read every day!
May 1st, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Doesn’t matter who wins the east because you’ll end up losing to the CANUCKS in the finals…
Very cool that you were able to enjoy the game with your family Yanik – a great example of creating memorable experiences for yourself and others.
Thanks for sharing!
Paul
May 1st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Yanik,
I am hoping your Caps meet up with my Red Wings. I was at the series in 1998 and personally would like to see a repeat.
* Ugh. I was there – it would be sweet justice to have Federov score the game winner to beat the Wings too
We still got a long road ahead of us before that though. – Y.S. *
May 4th, 2009 at 9:41 am
See you went with the pic that I completly covered in!
Adam
May 4th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Hi Yanik,
I have NO CLUE about ice hokey, but thanks for the wise words nonetheless
May 7th, 2009 at 3:00 am
Hi Yanik
Wow, I almost forgot how much I like hockey. Believe it or not I
used to play it as a kid. Got a pair of hockey skates one year for
christmas. Played on a pond close to my home, we used some
tree branches laid out for the goals.
Is is not interesting how we can draw lessons from the
adventures of life. Even more interesting is the value
they add as a teaching tool. A great way to bring interest
to the point at hand.
Thomas Northrop
May 14th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Such passion for sports. My sport of choice is the NBA and I’m heartbroken because the Dallas Mavericks got eliminated again. Now the offseason is key because hard decisions such as trades and new signings would be needed to make a splash again. You’re right, the easy way leads to mediocrity.
- abraham
May 28th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Hi Yank,
I think we have something going with the CAPS… just a little more seasoning… & a Cup is in the future…
Skins, Nats, Wiz, DC United…. Caps are the best DC has to offer right now..
Bill