Yes, There's Hockey in the South...

I am so proud to be the very first representative of the Southeast Division on the hlog...that's right, I said proud and I'm sticking to it. I live in an area where hockey is an afterthought, so I'm glad to find a community of people who love the greatest sport in the world. I can be found ranting about my favorite guys almost daily at A View from the Cheap Seats, my own personal outlet in a world gone mad.

1. Where are you from? What do you do?
I was born and raised in the land of excitement that is Northern Virginia, where the Redskins are kings and hockey is that weird sport played in eskimo country. I spent 4 years in Montreal for school and developed a serious love of all things Canadian, than returned to my birthplace. After a year of commuting into the city for work and more importantly for hockey games, I finally moved into the District and have been there ever since. I work for an association management company (it's not as exciting as it sounds) and my priorities are clear - for example, I am a ten minute walk from the arena and a half-hour bus ride from work. Makes perfect sense to me.

2. What's your favorite team? Why?
My favorite team is, obviously, the Washington Capitals. Don't feel sorry for me, it's actually very entertaining. I have been going to games since I was a baby and have always been a fan, and I've learned that if you stick with them long enough they make it worth your while. For anyone who has only caught glimpses of our little Ovechkin over the last year, trust me - it's a nonstop thrill ride to watch him play every night and I look forward to many more years with him in a Caps uniform.

3. Your least favorite team? Why?
There really are so many, but I'll have to go with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Old rivalries are hard to get over, and that one has really stuck with me. I'm still convinced that the whole Jagr thing was a conspiracy by Pittsburghians to bring down the Caps.

4. Your favorite player of all time & now?
My favorite player of all time is Scott Stevens, with Olie Kolzig a close second. Both players came into the organization during my formative years and are really two of the first players I noticed growing up. My favorite player now is Ben Clymer - I just love the way he plays with such grit...plus he's really cute.

5. If you had to punch one hockey player or member of the NHL organization, who and why?
Jaromir Jagr.

I don't think I need to explain.

6. What you'll be looking forward in this group blog.
I love the fact that female hockey fans are coming together to show that not all sports fans are male. While there are a number of blogs that only discuss Caps hockey in the DC area, I'm pretty sure I'm the only female. It's nice to know I'm not alone in my insanity!

7. What you don't like in general?
Players that dive, George W. Bush, drunk Pens/Flyers/Rangers fans, brussel sprouts, that stupid new penalty for shooting the puck over the glass (unless it's in the Caps favor, then yay for the new rules), car alarms, the Predators' third jersey, and the word 'bling'.

8. What role do female fans play in keeping the game alive?
We show our friends some pictures of the hot players to lure them to games and they end up loving every minute. Come on, you know you've done it.

9. What role do female fans play in picking heroes for the community?
I think that men tend to follow the numbers while women follow the player. We know how active they are in the community, what their family is like, and whether they have a presence that makes people take notice. The players that come across as a good guy on and off the ice will earn our respect, and men will simply follow our lead (as usual...)

10. Hockey just isn't the same without the Patrick Division.

11. If you were on a deserted island, which player would you pick to stay with you?
Ovechkin - just for the sheer entertainment value. Plus he's superman, so he'd probably figure out a way to get us off the island.

12. Crosby, Ovechkin or Phaneuf (hey he tried!)?
Um, no contest. Ovechkin, hands down.

13. The player you'd like to take for a grand night out/a movie/a boring event.
I'd probably take Ben Clymer for a grand night out - what can I say, the boy looks good in a suit. For a movie I'd probably go with Dainius Zubrus...he seems like the most cerebral of my boys, so we'd be able to discuss the movie after seeing it. I'd bring the whole Caps team to a boring event - they seem like a fun group, the night would probably get more interesting.

14. If you could make your own team, regardless of whatever players, what would it be called and where will it be/how would it be like?
I'd keep the team in DC but I'd name them the Washington Monuments (sorry, that's dirty). Then I would remove all Redskins and Wizards fans from the city limits. Actually, I'd just remove those teams from the city limits, even better.