December 18, 2014

New comic: The Good, The Bad and The Holtby

After being a part of the longest shootout loss in NHL history, Caps' netminder Braden Holtby is left to wonder what went wrong, who he can take it out on, and how he can prepare for the next one. Find out more in this week's Backwards Slapshot at Japers' Rink.

For my loyal fans who might care about this kind of thing... here was the original version:

December 13, 2014

Renting space

After a dismal game Thursday, Jason Chimera found himself with keys to coach's dog house. Saturday's win against the Bolts won't help his chances to get back in the lineup either.

December 10, 2014

Marcus

Marcus
Marcus dreams of having an office in an NHL facility one day. Being that he works as a lab tech in a hospital, it's a long shot. Regardless, he sets the lab's thermostat to 60 in order to acclimate "just in case". His colleagues are not fond of Marcus' aspirations, but do enjoy his Bruce Boudreau impression. He met Robby and Anna while waiting in line to get into the Verizon Center. Robby and Anna were arguing about who needed to play better in order for the Caps to win. When Marcus chimed in with the suggestion, "I think Mike Green should fight more", they all laughed and became instant friends. To this day they agree "the Adam Oates era is better off forgotten".  His Cap-Cave is in desperate need of Caps memorabilia since he spent most of his money on the entertainment system, and he's taking suggestions. 

New Comic: The Road Continues

Head over to Japers' Rink and check out the latest Backwards Slapshot: The Road Continues.

Marcus re-enters the series when he invites Robby over to watch the game. He's pumped about the upcoming series on Epix that will mimic "Hard Knocks 24/7". With cameras being around the team most of the time - and more importantly rattling off 3 wins in a row since they've begun - Marcus is hoping to recreate a little of that magic himself. See how it goes here..

December 1, 2014

New Comic "Retail Therapy"

Head over to Japers' Rink to view the latest Backwards Slapshot "Retail Therapy". Fans are using the holiday shopping season to soothe symptoms they are experiencing from following the mediocre Caps thus far this season.

November 20, 2014

Commission 11/20/14

My latest social media commission for @AdamVingan 



November 13, 2014

Find out in "At Your Own Risk" how Robby's dealing with the Capitals close games and the latest winning streak.

November 5, 2014

Need a W

Find out how Robby's helping his team out of a losing streak in the latest Backwards Slapshot comic "ending a Hepfu Hand"

November 3, 2014

Olivia

Meet Robby's boss Olivia. She supports her employees' D.C. sports fanaticism by sponsoring things like "jersey day" in the office. This is her way of showing that she's hip enough to know who Peter Bondra is, but more importantly, it gives her a way to monitor office loyalties. She once fired someone for posing as a Flyers fan on Japers' Rink just to "stir things up" in the midst of the lockout. When interviewing people to fill the position, she asked each candidate to provide a writing sample on the topic "What would Ovechkin do?" during various scenarios like: Elijah from accounting is searching for specific tax information from last year and comes to you for advice. The person she hired wrote the same answer for every scenario, "Go to the Ovi spot and fire away". She has little patience for wasting time at the office but does allow people to read and comment on articles at Japers' Rink over their lunch break - she goes by the handle "TooHotToTrotz", which is also tattooed on her shoulder. She is happily single and lost interest in dating ever since Sean Avery asked her out on Twitter.

Jersey Day

While there is much to be excited about, add goaltending to the list of  fan gripes during the losing skid. Save percentage has not been good.

October 29, 2014

New comic "Repeating Reporters"


Barry Trotz has faced tons of questions, but one remains important enough that reporters set aside his previous answers and ask again.

Read more about it at WaPo here, and see the cartoon here at Japers' Rink.

October 18, 2014

New comic "Honest Abe"

Find out what the #Caps players are up to with their new player awarded MVP of the game.

First read Alex Prewitt's story if you haven't heard of the new "honest Abe award".

Then head over to Japers' Rink to see the comic!

October 13, 2014

What the Devil?

Barry Trotz had a simple request for his pressers this week. Find out what it was in this weekend's installment of Backwards Slapshot

October 9, 2014

Game Day!

#Caps game day! The NHL season is here!

October 5, 2014

New Backwards Slapshot

What's got Barry so down? Find out at Japers' Rink in a new installment of Backwards Slapshot (here).

September 28, 2014

Backwards Slapshot: Training Day

Head over to Japers' Rink for a new Backwards Slapshot... detailing how goalies are adjusting to coach Mitch Korn's methods.

September 26, 2014

Backwards Slapshot Goalie Training

Check in on Sunday to see what Capitals goalie coach Mitch Korn has been up to with the goalies... Need some background? Read Alex Prewitt's WaPo stories here and here, or watch the goalies in action here.

September 24, 2014

The jersey saga begins



Robby REALLY wanted a WC jersey... unfortunately Holtby's face didn't come with it.

New Backwards Slapshot!

Head over to Japers' Rink to check out what Robby, Anna, and Marcus were up to last night... 

September 16, 2014

Backwards Slapshot Sneak Peek

Itching for some Backwards Slapshot? While they're getting cued up and the season draws near, here's a look at some of the characters in upcoming installments.

Meet fans Robby and Anna
Robby is a diehard Caps fan who just can't seem to catch a break. His wife, Anna, also loves the Caps, and finds herself often reciting Peter Bondra statistics at parties. She is still trying to convince Robby that cheering for Brooks Orpik this season won't "somehow make him a Penguins fan". They hope to purchase a pet dog later this year and name him "Langway" or "Stevens"... it's still a point of contention, and may ultimately be the reason they never get a dog.


Marcus
Marcus dreams of one day having an office in an NHL facility. Being that he works as a lab tech at the hospital, it's a long shot. Regardless, he has the lab's thermostat set at 60 in order to acclimate "just in case". His colleagues are not fond of Marcus' aspirations, but do enjoy his Bruce Boudreau impression.





Two of your fearless leaders, Ted Leonsis and Barry Trotz, appear in upcoming episodes detailing Ted's philanthropic activities and Barry's summer preparation.  
The season will be filled with poking fun at the play of the Caps and lives of their faithful fans... so stay tuned as our Caps get underway!

September 11, 2014

New Story

A short story I recently illustrated... 





September 3, 2014

Fantasy Football

Here is a cartoon that I did for members who signed up early for a football pick'em league that I run. People should always get to see what their team name looks like in cartoon form :) 

August 17, 2014

New Backwards Slapshot

Wonder why the NHL execs are taking so long to announce a site for the Winter Classic? They may be overthinking it a bit. Check it out HERE

August 15, 2014

Backwards Slapshot

I'm happy to announce that I will be cartooning for Japers' Rink in a series titled "Backwards Slapshot"! Check in on Fridays to see what's new on the lighter side in the lives of coaches, players, and fans of the Washington Capitals. If you're not a fan of the team, become one, or simply follow along to join in on the laughter... Enjoy!  Click here to see the first!

August 14, 2014

Prelims: Day 10... the final topic

Today is day 10 of 14... I finished the first two topics and am on to the third.  I'm starting to see why professors always look a little rattled. #intense #screentime

August 11, 2014

Prelims Day 7: The article

There's always more to read. It might change your world. 

August 8, 2014

Deep into prelims... coffee is helping

Prelims: Day 4... Coffee is taking on a new meaning each morning #write #rewrite #write #rewrite 

August 5, 2014

Prelims: Day 1

Today I begin my preliminary exams... I need to write... a lot.  I will likely need luck, and well wishes to pass. 

July 29, 2014

Ovi's Attempt to Win Maria Kirilenko Back Falls Short


Here's my latest... With summer in full force, the NHL turns to gossip. It seems Kirilenko has figured out the Captain's weakness and has no intention of taking him back...looks like Ovi could have used Barry's defensive stylings just a bit earlier in his career.    

July 8, 2014

Summer Blues

An NHL fan kind of summer. #Caps 

June 29, 2014

Is the honeymoon over?

The #Caps new GM has been at it for a little over a month and he already has the Rock the Red faithful in a tizzy. During his first draft he moved around like a wanderlust unsure of where he fits in, if at all. Instead of withdrawing to Alaska like most do in his state of mind, he captained the Caps 2014 draft. He used picks to move up in the 2nd round where he selected a goalie, and then again in the 3rd to select a player in the club's farm system (Walker).  Walker's own coach thought that he was a 4th-7th rounder. Hopefully MacLellan can secure a 2nd line C and bolster the D in free agency, but either way, trends point to either he or coach Barry Trotz not being around to find out whether he stole the draft or gave it away.  Here's looking ahead to free agency!

NHL Draft

With the 2014 NHL draft being completed today, and only five teams enjoying the same head coach that they had in 2010, the above scenario isn't that far off.  Did your team have a successful 2014 draft? Chances are you'll have to wait a regime or two to find out.  

Cover Art

Check out the cover art I did for my cousin and his talent-laden music.  Check him out if you like dobro  and awesome things. 

Barry Trotz and the bebops

With Barry Trotz at the helm, what's in store for GR8 and the gang?

Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 Recap: Mr. Clutch


Stanley Cup Finals Game 3 Recap: Quick unbeatable

Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals: Quick unbeatable, Kings going for the sweep.