Old School - Bengt Gustafsson

Thanks, as always, to our buddy Gavlegirl who has provided another translation for us, this time of an interview with Caps' legend Bengt Gustafsson.

"Washington is a great place to play hockey in!" - says Gustafsson.

Mostly known as head coach for Team Sweden, in this week's article, we look closer at Bengt-Åke Gustafsson the player, who won two World Cup gold medals and played nine seasons for the Washington Capitals in the NHL. Today you will meet the man known in the hockey world was "Gus."

Many have testified about his early leadership talents on the ice as the foundation for his current job as head coach for Team Sweden, where he was an Olympic Gold medalist in 2006. Today in this interview he tell which players he looked up to as a young player in his hometown Karlskoga and alot of different things.

While you were growing up in Karlskoga, had you decided that you would be a hockey player?

Not really, I played both soocer and hockey but in my early teen years I got a shot at playing with IF Karlskoga/Bofors so it came natural to choose hockey.

Which player did you look up to when you where growing up?

Wow, there where so many talented players back then but I think I have to say Bengt-Åke "Ludde" Karlsson. He was a talented center who did his job on the ice every day.

What do you remember mostly from your first game with IF Karlskoga/Bofors?

Not much about the game but we where playing against SEL team HV71. At the warmup I shot a puck at the audience and hit a girl in the head. Not a fun memory but the girl survived.

In 1979 you went pro with Edmonton Oilers in the WHA. Why Edmonton when you where drafted by Washington?

Edmonton wanted to protect me, Wayne Gretzky and Ed Mio as players so no other team could steal us from them when it was decided they should get into the NHL. I went there and played two WHA finals against Winnipeg before they protested that I was playing. [laughs]

But the next year you played for Washington?

All I know that it became alot of trouble with newspapers and media before the NHL's president decided that Washington was my team to play for. So I jumped on a plane and went there instead.

Nine seasons with the same team Washington Capitals, I guess it means you enjoyed their organization?

Oh yeah, a great place to play hockey in.

If you go back there today, how do they treat you?

I love every minute of it, interviews with media, meeting the fans etc. You get V.I.P treatment where ever you go so I feel honoured.

Finally, pick out your own All Star team?

That is hard, you usually forget someone if you do a lineup and can I be in there myself? In goal Pelle (Lindbergh). Defensemen "Lidas" (Nicklas Lidström) and Börje Salming. Gretzky, "Sudden" (Mats Sundin) and me up front. I think that is a pretty good lineup.

Top 10 Games In Philadelphia Spectrum History

The big news out of Philly yesterday (that everyone already knew) was that the Spectrum is going to be shut down and demolished, to which I say, from the bottom of my heart, "Farewell, hell hole."

Don't get me wrong - I'm sure the ol' barn was a great place to see a game if you were a Flyers fan or someone who wanted to take in a game in a classic hockey atmosphere. It's just that the Caps never had much success playing in the CoreStates First Union Wachovia Bank du Jour Spectrum (a 24-43-4 record all-time attests to that), so my memories of the place aren't terribly fond.

But in an effort to see the building to its dusty grave without ill will, I've thrown together a Top 10 (Hockey) Games in Philadelphia Spectrum History:

10. January 18, 1992 - The 1991-92 NHL All-Star Game featured three Caps: Kevin Hatcher, Randy Burridge and Don Beaupre. Burridge had a goal and Hatch an assist, but Beaupre got lit up to the tune of six goals on 12 shots against in one period of work. Still, three Caps on an All-Star squad was solid.

9. December 19, 1982 - Trailing 1-0 with less than four minutes left in the third period, the Caps got goals from Milan Novy, Bobby Gould and Mike Gartner in a 2:09 span to steal a win against the Flyers' brilliant young netminder, Pelle Lindbergh.

8. March 28, 1991 - Don Beaupre made 21 saves, John Druce had a goal and an assist, and Rod Langway had a pair of helpers in a 3-0 shutout.

7. January 27, 1989 - Clint Malarchuk's 42-saves and Geoff Courtnall's early goal were all the Caps needed in a 1-0 win.

6. March 24, 1981 - Gartner beat future Caps netminder Pete Peeters three times for his fourth career hat trick in a 5-2 Caps win.

5. December 21, 1980 - Mike Palmateer's 44-save shutout (the second road white-washing in franchise history and the Caps' first win ever in Philly) was impressive, but the story of this game was the 344 PIMs the two teams combined to rack up. Not surprisingly, this game still stands as the highest PIM total ever in a Caps game.

4. April 8, 1989 - With the Patrick Division Semifinals knotted at one game apiece, the series headed back to Philly, where Kelly Miller would win the game for the boys in red in overtime.

3. January 8, 1984 - Bengt Gustafsson had a hat-trick with eight minutes to go in the second period, but he wasn't done there. Anton's dad would go on to score two more goals in the 7-1 route.

2. April 7, 1984 - Up two games to none in their best-of-five Patrick Division Semifinal matchup, the Caps had a chance to finish off Philly in their own house, and they did just that with a convincing 5-1 win in a game that featured seven minor penalties (including five hi-sticks and a rough), ten fighting majors and five 10-minute misconducts in the first period.

1. April 14, 1988 - Trailing Philly three games to one in the Patrick Division Semifinals, the Caps had just won Game 5 at home and headed up I-95 to try to win their first road game of the series. They did so in a 7-2 thumping that set the stage for this.

Now, I recognize that Flyers fans might have a slightly different list than the one above, but generating discussion is what these lists are about, so I welcome some quibbling over the order or even a game or two that should or shouldn't be there.

As for the building itself, it will be missed, I'm sure. Perhaps the current Flyers team can honor it by practicing there (or even by hosting their in-state rival for a regular season game) one last time... at demolition time.

Of Apples And The Proximity To The Trees From Which They Fall

A longtime Caps fan can't help but feel a bit nostalgic after the Caps made Anton Gustafsson their first pick, twenty-first overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, nearly thirty years to the day after the Caps selected Anton's father Bengt.

Personally, such nostalgia tends to send me straight for the white, corrugated cardboard boxes that house my hockey card collection (and to my old VHS tapes - that's Bengt at the 1:23 mark). Rooting through, I found the 1981 O-Pee-Chee gem below that included a brief description of the elder Gustafsson.


"A brilliant puckhandler for the Capitals. Bengt exhibits a graceful and fluid skating style. He's an opportunist with great finesse and uncanny hockey sense. Bengt works hard at both ends of the ice for the Capitals." [Emphasis added]

With that in mind, recall how Central Scouting's Director of European Scouting, Goran Stubb, described Anton pre-draft:

"Anton is a highly skilled player with strong puckhandling skills and playmaking ability. He is an effective passer through traffic who also has a good selection of shots. He's a tall, strong and talented two-way center with good vision and a fine understanding of the game. He plays a mature game even when playing against opponents who were two or three years older." [Emphasis added]

It's like déjà vu all over again, eh?

Anton's old man played 629 games in a Caps sweater and racked up 555 points along the way (good for fifth most in team history). If Gus II can produce anywhere near those numbers, it would be a most welcomed father-son similarity indeed.

Friday Roundup/Gamenight: Thrash @ Caps

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

I've got some good news and some bad news. Which do you want first? The bad? You don't get a preview of tonight's game from me (I know, you're crying). But as this is the 43rd time the Caps have played Atlanta this season, you shouldn't need one (though here's a little nugget for you - Atlanta is 2-9-3 in the second game of back-to-backs, and they had a barn-burner with Calgary last night).

The good news? I've got an awesome Friday time waster for you - the Japers' Rink Eastern Conference Playoff Predictor, which I have shamelessly ripped off from Battle of Alberta. Think the Caps still have a shot at the playoffs? Think they're done? Not sure? Predict the rest of the season's games that matter and you'll find the answers to all of your questions. Note: it's an Excel doc, so when you click on the thumbnail below you'll be prompted to download a file (don't worry, I've been checked out - no viruses here), then open it, follow the directions and you're on your way.


So are you throwing down a deposit on playoff tickets or drowning your sorrows? Let us know how your top eight pans out in the comments, and keep The Predictor on your desktop, update it daily, feed and water it, etc. - it's yours now.

Ovechkin Watch:

Next goal: 57 - Most goals scored in a season since the lockout (breaking Jonathan Cheechoo's mark set in 2005-06); Most goals scored in his first three seasons in the League by a European-born player (breaking Pavel Bure's mark of 154)

Career vs. Atlanta: 22 games, 17 goals
2007-08 vs. Atlanta: 6 games, 3 goals

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Olie Kolzig as the all-time face of the franchise - what do you think?... Ted Leonsis was on the Junks earlier in the week and the interview can be heard here (segments 6, 7 and 8 from 3/12; h/t to Rage) Bengt Gustafsson's son Anton may already be a top NHL prospect, but another Swedish Cap pivot's kid may not be far behind (h/t to Rich for the link).... Matt Pettinger misses the Caps more than they miss him.... Justin Mrazek (8th round, 2004) has been solid for Union College.... I haven't the foggiest idea who Nathan Schwartzbauer is, but the Caps are his favorite team, so he can't be all bad (and yes, that might be the most worthless link I've ever posted)....Memo to GMGM: sign Mike Green before he reads this article.... Finally, one year ago today we railed against a silly rule change and two years ago today we heard about the team's summer plans and noted a couple of fantastic Daniel Alfredsson quotes.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Ilya Kovalchuk (3G, A, +2, 5 SOG)
  
• Ross: Ilya Kovalchuk (4 points)
  
• Norris: Brent Burns (G, A, +2, 7 SOG)
  
• Vezina: Martin Gerber (28-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Ilya Kovalchuk (3G)
  
• Calder: Erik Ersberg (W, 37 saves on 38 shots against)
  
• Aiken: Mathieu Garon (L, 3 goals allowed on 14 shots against in 24:55 of work)
  

Tuesday Roundup

What a mixed bag of injury news yesterday brought. The good news was that Alex Semin, Brent Johnson and Chris Clark all skated. The unsurprising bad news was that Tom Poti and Brian Pothier did not. The surprising bad news was that neither did Michael Nylander, and Matt Pettinger had to leave practice early (though both Nyls and Petty are expected to play Wednesday night, despite the former's shoulder injury allegedly being "worse than the team is letting on"). Oh, and Ben Clymer is on re-entry waivers, which I guess would qualify as unexpected bad news if he's going to be wearing red, white and blue anytime soon.

Got all that? Good. And if Ben Clymer skates a single shift on defense for this team with Steve Eminger in the press box...

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

On this date back in 1984, Bengt Gustafsson lit the lamp five times (on five shots, no less) in a 7-1 trouncing of the Flyers in Philly. Gus ended his career with 196 goals (and only one other hat trick) in 629 games, but his was probably not the least likely five-goal performance in the past 25 years. And speaking of five-goal games, what's the over/under date on when Alex Ovechkin gets his first? Let's see, the Caps next get Tampa on February 16, right?

Daily Awards

• Hart: Mathieu Garon (35-save shutout win)
  
• Ross: 12 players tied with 2 points each
  
• Norris: Tom Gilbert (2A, +2, 2 SOG, 2 blocked shots)
• Vezina: Mathieu Garon (35-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Antti Miettinen (2G)
  
• Calder: Tom Gilbert (2A, +2, 2 SOG, 2 blocked shots)
  
• Aiken: Dan Ellis (L, 5 goals allowed on 37 shots against)
  

Tuesday Roundup/Sabres 3, Caps 1

[AP Recap - Game Summary - Super Stats - WashingtonCaps.com Postgame]

I'm a bit conflicted about last night's game. In some ways, it was good that the Caps gave up the game's first goal. Along the same lines, it wasn't the worst thing in the world that they trailed by two heading into the third period. Why? Because it was important to see how this team would respond in such situations. And, for the most part, they responded pretty well. Outside of a couple of absolutely miserable turnovers around the midpoint of the second period, the Caps played well enough to be in the game until the end, dominating the game for stretches at a time (though I can't recall exactly how, given more than a few awful performances). I know that we're well beyond the point where "close" counts for much, but this dose of reality should clarify what - and perhaps more importantly who - needs work.

Some other thoughts on the game:

• If there's worse ice in the League than that at the VC, I haven't seen it.
  
• Alex Ovechkin's goal was another one for the highlight reel - what an individual effort.
  
• Speaking of sensational, Olie Kolzig's third period stop on Jochen Hecht might be his save of the year so far.
• Is Alex Semin's passing accuracy so atrocious because he passes so infrequently or vice versa? Someone ask the owl.
• Five bucks says Matt Bradley is wearing a suit and not a sweater for Wednesday night's game.
• Then again, the entire second line had scratch-worthy games themselves. How Michael Nylander, Tomas Fleischmann and Semin were credited with only three giveaways among the three of them is beyond me (and when is last year's Semin going to show up - this year's stinks so far).
  
• Nicklas Backstrom was awesome again last night. He might need to scoot up to the top line again soon.
  
• The John Erskine-Steve Eminger pairing made me shudder every time they took to the ice, and it wasn't because of Emmy (who notched his first assist of the season on the Ovechkin goal).
• Andrew Peters is quite the tough guy, challenging Donald Brashear when the latter was at the end of a long shift and begging off when they were both fresh.
• Tom Poti played 31 very solid minutes on the blueline. As I said the other day, new coach, new Poti.
• AO had nine shots on goal and only three that were blocked or missed the net. He's locked in right now, which is amazing considering how little help his linemates are providing.
• The Caps won 40 of 66 draws (61%) and out-hit Buffalo by a similar ratio, 15 to 10.
• The third line had a pretty solid night, as evidenced by the fact that the top line of Thomas Vanek, Derek Roy and Ales Kotalik was held off the score sheet.
• For a Cornell guy, Versus' Darren Eliot sure does say some stupid things.
  

So while Bruce Boudreau figures out which of GMGM's players are "his guys" and the team learns a new system, there will be some bumps along the way. Unfortunately, the Sabres are a team that makes you pay for your mistakes, and they certainly did so last night. Wednesday night's opponent, however, is much more forgiving, and that game against the Panthers is just about a must-win for this Caps team. And if they play like they did tonight (and the second line bounces back from this stinker), they should win.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

On this date in 1985, Bengt Gustafsson set a team record with an assist in a ninth straight game.... Another week, another Flyer likely headed for Suspensionville. Anyone want to guess on for how long?... The Rangers have dropped the team option on Jaromir Jagr's contract for next year, meaning the only way the Caps will be on the hook for a dime of his '08-'09 salary is if he hits his performance incentives (and check with The Peerless to see how he's doing on that front).

Daily Awards

• Hart: Jochen Hecht (2G, including the game-winner, A, +2, 3 SOG)
  
• Ross: Marc Savard (4 points)
  
• Norris: Zdeno Chara (2A, +4, 3 SOG, 2 hits)
  
• Vezina: Dwayne Roloson (W, 36 saves on 37 shots against)
  
• Richard: Mike Modano, Jochen Hecht, Glen Murray (2G each)
  
• Calder: Andrew Cogliano (Game-winning goal, +1, 4 SOG)
  
• Aiken: Martin Biron (3 goals allowed on 14 shots against in just 23:42 of work, and he would've had the loss if NHL scorekeeping rules made any sense)
  

R.I.P. Max McNab, 1924-2007

Former Caps General Manager Max McNab passed away over the weekend, and Vogs pays his respects to the man who drafted some of the Caps' all-time greats (and guys used to acquire some of the Caps' all-time greats), including Rick Green, Ryan Walter, Bengt Gustafsson, Mike Gartner, Bobby Carpenter, Gaetan Duchesne and a personal fave, Lou Franceschetti.

If I Were A Hockey Player

Apparently Jes has started a new chain letter that's spreading through the blogosphere faster than his mom's chlamydia. Casonblog has tagged me, so here we go.

If I Were a Hockey Player

Team: Washington Capitals

Uniform Number: 16 (in honor of Bengt Gustafsson, my first favorite hockey player)

Position: First-line playmaking center

Nickname: Japers (but only because Rex Grossman took my original nickname)

Linemates: Alex Ovechkin and Peter Bondra (c. 1995-98)

Rounding out the PP: Al Iafrate and Dino Ciccarelli (Bonzai will play the point)

Job: Setting up the two greatest scorers in Caps history while cleaning up their garbage in front

Signature Move: The Hogan (charging at the goalie with the puck on my stick, slamming into him and watching the puck trickle over the line... just like you'd do in NHL 94)

Strengths: Possesses an excellent combination of skill and physical play. Is an outstanding playmaker due to great vision. Also takes care of business in his own end. Can change the pace of a game with an eye-popping rush or a crunching hit. [per TSN.ca's scouting report on me]

Weaknesses: Tequila, the Canadian Ballet

Equipment: Whatever - it's a poor craftsman who blames his tools

Nemeses: Denis Potvin, Pat LaFontaine, Petr Nedved, the entire city of Pittsburgh

Scandal Involvement: see "Weaknesses," use imagination

Who I'd face in the Stanley Cup Finals: Sidney Crosby and the Kansas City Penguins

What I'd do with the Stanley Cup after our victory: Fill it with redneck margaritas and declare yet another Cup victory for the South

Would the media love me or hate me? The media would be largely indifferent (though somewhat condescending) towards me, as they always have been with anything to do with the Southeast Division

Alright, my time's up. You guys have been great. Don't forget to try the waiters and tip your veal (or something). I tag SeSo running mates TLW and Jen, The Peerless Prognosticator and any (all?) of the OFB guys. I'd also invite anyone to comment with their own answers (especially you, Netsy).