The Capitals Convention was Saturday – Gator and I are now we’re double-extra-super excited for hockey season.  Oh, and this. No big deal.

The day started with Gator and Slapshot fist-pumping around 11 AM (it’s never too early).  As you can see we are already holding beers.

Liz got to see a real live Red Wing and I spent the entire panel on Rules & Enforcement thinking how great “Shannon Shanahan” sounds.  Actually I thought it was really interesting, especially Bill McCreary.

Then we scored good seats for the HBO 24/7 Behind the Scenes panel, which may have been a bad thing.  The minute Ovi came on stage, Gator and I had the same reaction:  “Aw crap. He’s kind of hot.” (Insert Dawn’s evil laugh.)

I immediately drained my beer.  The discussion began by playing the last 5 minutes of the last episode.  Everyone booed Crosby and I tried not to cry.  Or look at Ovi’s legs.  You know the part of “The Holiday” where Kate Winslet puts her head in the oven, then runs to the window and says “Low point!” over and over?  That was me.

The panel was dead boring – even Mike Vogel couldn’t save it.  One of the HBO guys needed to get the hook.  Boudreau looked off toward the smell of chicken tenders while  Ovi gave us the evil eye for whispering in the audience.

Luckily it was Highlight of the Day time next.  John Carlson & Karl Alzner in the Kids Press Conference – you’d die from the adorableness.  They cracked everyone up as little kids asked things like “What’s your favorite animal and why?”  Carly loves monkeys and he’s not embarrassed.  Birthday parties at Rainforest Cafe.

Nicky B was supposed to be on this panel, but his chair sat empty.  We never would have survived anyway.  Carly and Alzner are the Capitals Comedy Duo.

While they were ragging each other, I felt a disturbance in The Force.  Mike had arrived.  We weren’t in the right autograph group which was sad, because honestly MG52 looked pretty miserable.  Maybe we could have cheered him up.

He did perk up by the end, especially as we watched @cheskiDC get to meet him.  Jealous!  We watched Brooks play ball hockey with the kids, then caught Nicky doing a Comcast interview.  And I got my picture.  People, I’m 5’9″ – Nicky is a big guy.  And has great skin (is it weird to notice that?).  Next year we’re buying photo tickets because we want to give him a hug.

Mikey, Joel Ward and Jason Chimera did a panel with Elliott from DC101 called Giving Back about charity work.  @DLF1021 and Pam win WUYS BFF awards for saving us seats in the 2nd row!

Mike fidgeted for 45 minutes straight.  Seriously.  He had his Winnie the Pooh face on whenever someone else was talking and couldn’t sit still.  Gator kept a lot of sarcastic comments to herself (except about his tight jeans), but let slide a gem as Mike was playing with the collar of his t-shirt:

“His Ed Hardy shirt is itching.”

I assumed the crash position with my head between my knees so no one could see how hard I was laughing.  The 7-year old behind us – playing Nintendo DS complete with headphones – took this opportunity to yell “school bus” or “potato” or something.  Everyone looked.  I nearly lost it.

By the end of the day, we were spent.  Next year we’ll arrive later and probably buy photo tickets.  Then after-party with these guys at Medieval Times.  You’re invited.

It was nice to meet @chelskiDC (sorry we missed you @MercurialWinger!), @DLF1021 and Pam.  And to see @raedanda with her awesome goalie photo!  See you guys again soon. 😉 All the rest of the pictures are here!

Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, John Carlson, Karl Alzner, mike green, nicklas backstrom, washington capitals