Writing About Losing Not As Fun As Writing About Winning, Reports Writer

It's 2 PM on a Sunday. I'm sitting on my couch watching the Redskins put up a fight against the heavily favored Eagles. Still, instead of thinking about how awesome it is anytime a team from DC beats a team from Philly, my mind is bogged down by the struggles of another local team. A team that, though their franchise history is marred with losing records and untimely penalties, had turned the corner and righted the proverbial ship recently, bringing new hope to fans that this season, unlike all other seasons past, could be the season. I'm of course referring to Mother Russia's Boys.

As you may have noticed, we here at the R.A.D. have been lax in our reporting this season. The reason is simple, and the title of this article points it out, writing about losing is not as much fun. After winning 11 games straight to end last fall's season and kicking off this season with a thrilling one goal victory, the Red Army has dropped two straight games. Maybe we became spoiled in accepting every night to be a two point night. Maybe we became unfazed at late deficits and figured that nothing short of an act from God could stop the Soviets from tying the game late and eventually winning in the extra session. Maybe we got cocky. Whatever the reason is, it's time to face the facts. The Red Army is losing. Rome is burning. And the Eagles just kicked a field goal to take the lead into halftime. Thank God for Eric Fehr and Nikky B, right guys?

So, let's get this over with. Quick recap of last week's thrilling, heart breaking, deja vu tilt with Prestige Worldwide. Some notes about a game that is all too fresh in the memories of Comrades everywhere:

• With a different goalie I think the Red Army wins. Then again, how many times has that been said? Andy Schram is back in net tonight (cue sigh of relief)
• Mark Hendricks played great. That end to end rush to tie the game in the last minute of regulation was electric. Still, we've seen him light up PW before only to be completely shut down in the playoffs. If these two teams meet again in the postseason, someone else better find how to dent the twine cause #18 ain't having that much time again.
• Mark's brothers' first game back since college... eh. Beege is a solid defender who is too cautious when jumping up in the play (and that backdoor tap in miss was pretty bad) and Neal, for reasons unknown, stops skating when he has the puck. We'll blame it on the rust. It was still great to see some more wheelers and dealers out there.
• Scott Hoefer for surprise player of the year? Two goals on what, three shots so far? Keep firing. Also, arguably the best defenseman in the game.
• Pat King didn't have his best performance of the year, and all signs in practice this week point to the dissemblance of the Labia line. I think we'll see a return of it sometime in the future, but for now, that line's luck seems to have dried up.
• Ryan Odell might be the most frustrating player to watch for fans, and has a clear case of MG52 syndrome. Fans love him for his offensive prowess, but hate him for the mistakes he makes. When he plays well, he plays real well. When he plays poorly, you get the point. He's out tonight with a leg injury. Get well soon Brodell.
• Tony Horton and Steve Hand play well when they have the puck. When they chase the puck, not so much. The sooner they realize that they are difficult to defend because of their size and hold onto the puck longer instead of making errant passes, the sooner they become legit offensive threats every shift.
• Brad Lotocki and Ben Breiterman are good.

So there it is. I don't want to mention the fact that PW scored in the waning seconds AGAIN (this time in overtime) to defeat the Red Army, but I will say these two teams know how to entertain. Tonight, it's a domestic affair. Mad Dads versus Mother Russia. Momma's without some of her son's tonight, but with Schram in net, anything is possible. Just ask the Redskins, who are leading in the third quarter.