Hi everyone! Since most of our favourite NHL teams are currently sitting out this weekend (and let’s face it, probably the next several weeks as well… I smell another hastily organized bubble tournament!), we all probably need a much-needed hockey fix, so here we are, and I’m here to deliver.

This week, I’ve added a new article article from January 3, 1976, the day after the Seals crushed the second-year Washington Capitals 8-5 and Wayne Merrick set a new team record with six points. The win was extremely significant as it not only ended the Seals’ five-game losing streak, but it also got started them on the best nine-game stretch in franchise history: 7 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie. The hot streak actually got people thinking the Seals had a chance at the playoffs, but alas, it was not meant to be for the sixth year in a row.

I’ll be honest with you though that I had a selfish reason for posting this week’s article. As you know, my next book When the NHL Invaded Japan: The Washington Capitals, the Kansas City Scouts, and the Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Cup, 1975-76, is about to be released early in the new year, so if you have any interest in knowing what made the Capitals or Scouts tick their first two NHL seasons, you’ll want to check it out. It is available for pre-order on Amazon as well as on the McFarland Press website.

The other reason I’ve posted the article is that I will be taking a break from the website during these Christmas holidays, and I will be back the week of January 2, the date of the aforementioned Seals’ triumph over Washington. Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year.

Until 2022, stay gold!