1998-99 Season
Washington Capitals

The defenseless Capitals lost to the Lightning, with coach Ron Wilson laying the blame on Rick. Read the details here.

*I* was at the game, and the Capitals' defense was non-existant, leaving Rick alone behind the blue line. The Lightning were all over him, with Michael Nylander finally being called for goalie interference. Sporting a bruise on his throat from his go-round with a puck, Rick looked exhausted after the game.

NOTE TO RON WILSON: The goalie is the *last* line of defense, not the *only* line of defense.

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From the Washington Post, April 1, 1999 regarding the Capitals' poor season: "We still had NHL-caliber players in the lineup, and we didn't step it up," [Rick] Tabaracci said. "We'd say we needed to win, but the actions wouldn't be there, and after a while that catches up to you. The intangibles were missing – if one guy wasn't on one night, we never had anyone else who stepped up."

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From ESPN.com: SCARY SCENE - Washington goalie Rick Tabaracci got a scare Tuesday night against Nashville when a hard shot hit him in the throat. Although he was down for several minutes, Tabaracci got up and finished the game.

With the Caps leading 2-1 in their eventual 3-2 loss, Sebastien Bordeleau blasted a slap shot that appeared to catch Tabaracci in the throat and lift the goalie a few feet off the ground.

As Tabaracci lay on the ice, Tom Fitzgerald flipped the rebound to tie the game. After several minutes of medical treatment, Tabaracci appeared to be OK and finished the game between the pipes.

From the Washington Post, March 31, 1999: For a few minutes, it appeared Washington would be able to hold on to the one-goal lead until the final buzzer, but a hard slap shot by Predators center Sebastien Bordeleau hit goaltender Rick Tabaracci squarely in the neck. As he fell to the ice in pain, Nashville's Tom Fitzgerald tapped the rebound into the Washington net. The goal counted to tie the score at 2, and while Tabaracci needed treatment from trainer Stan Wong for a large bruise, he was able to continue to play.

The Predators won the game when Scott Walker scored with 3:56 remaining in regulation.

"It's kind of the story of our year – we get a bounce like that when we're in control of the game," Tabaracci said of being struck with the puck. "It's unfortunate, because then we made a mistake right after that and it cost us the game."

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Rick will start in goal tonight (3-30-99)against Nashville at the MCI Center. GOOD LUCK, TABBY!

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Rick stopped a penalty shot by Robert Reichel in the third period of the Caps-Coyotes game. Capitals lost 4-2.

From the Washington Post March 26, 1999: Tonight was Tabaracci's third start in four games, a rush of appearances after making just nine starts in Washington's first 67 games. Tabaracci has been unhappy on the bench at times, although he can also see the bright side in all the extra work he has had to put in at practices. "There's nothing wrong with going back to basics sometimes," he said. Goaltending coach Dave Prior "has really cleaned up my game. We've been able to work on certain things. I feel like a better goaltender now than I was when I came here, even though I haven't played a lot." . . .

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From the Washington Post March 21, 1999: "A one-goal lead still isn't much of a cushion in this league, but getting that first goal has been big for us this season," said Tabaracci, whose other shutout this season was a scoreless tie against Calgary. "But you could definitely see the momentum change in the second period. It was kind of a see-saw game."

Capitals beat Montreal 1-0. Details here.

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TABBY GETS A SHUTOUT!

Washington 1 - Montreal 0

WAY TO GO, RICK!

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Today's quotable: That was a reason to give goaltender Rick Tabaracci, a likely free agent at the end of the season, his first start since Jan. 30. Tabaracci has heard the rumors and knows he was probably auditioning for other teams.

"I've been traded six times," said Tabaracci, who made 26 saves. ``I know what's going on. Everyone's being evaluated. I'm sure George (McPhee, the Capitals' general manager) is getting a lot of calls regarding everyone's availability."

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March 17, 1999: The Caps beat the Stars 2-1 in overtime with Rick in goal! WAY TO GO, TABBY!

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From the Washington Post, March 17, 1999: [Ron] Wilson had previously said he would use Olaf Kolzig in net as long as the Capitals still had a chance at the playoffs, but with Washington now seen as more of a spoiler than a contender, Tabaracci should get his share of starts. It is also no coincidence that Tabaracci is one of 10 players on Washington's roster who are set to become unrestricted free agents this summer, and his performance tonight, along with that of several others, will serve as an advertisement to any teams interested in getting a veteran for their stretch playoff drives.

While Tabaracci, 30, is not yet officially set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, his seniority in the league puts him in a category that will automatically make him eligible for free agency if his salary is under the league average. Tabaracci makes $1.2 million annually; the league average will be about $1.3 million this summer.

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From the Washington Post, March 15, 1999: As the Capitals have struggled, trade rumors involving Washington players have been circulating for months. While much of the speculation has involved center Adam Oates, McPhee is unlikely to part with him. Defenseman Mark Tinordi's situation is cloudier. Before he broke his ankle last month, Tinordi was highly sought; now he is not expected to return until after the playoffs begin. Still, teams such as Detroit and Colorado that believe they will be playing deep into the playoffs may remain interested in Tinordi, and teams such as Ottawa, Carolina and Dallas are currently shopping for forwards. A few other teams are still in the market for a goaltender and may be interested in Capitals backup Rick Tabaracci.

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Tabby Benched for the Rest of the Season!

From the Washington Post, 2-18-99: Tabaracci, 30, has tried to remain positive throughout the extra practice sessions he's had to endure as a little-used backup, but he is obviously itching to play. He knew coming into the season that he would be the Capitals' number two goaltender, but each game he sits on the bench gets a little harder.

"With as far as these guys went last year and the way the season has gone for us this year, I'm not sure you want just one goalie going every single night because it gets tiring for a goaltender, even more mentally than physically, and that's where you start to see breakdowns," Tabaracci said. "Obviously from a personal standpoint, yes, I want there to be some more rotation, but also from a professional standpoint, I think you do see signs of fatigue if a guy goes too long.

"But Olie is a great goaltender, and coming off the year he had last year, the coach is going to have a lot of respect for his game."

Details here.

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From the 2/18/99 Washington Capitals Team Report
by tsn correspondent PETE KERZEL Free-lance writer:

IN THE CREASE
Rick Tabaracci knows his role. He's a backup goalie, at the ready should Olie Kolzig falter.
But if Tabaracci has designs on proving he can still be the No. 1 goalie somewhere -- Columbus, Atlanta and Minnesota come to mind - he had better start showing that he's ready to step in and stop the bleeding.
His 2-6-3 record is nothing to shout about. His 2.35 goals-against average is respectable. But calling Tabaracci in to relieve Kolzig, as Wilson did against the Pens, is becoming tantamount to conceding defeat.
In six relief appearances this year, Tabaracci has allowed nine goals on 84 shots, meaning opponents score on about one in every nine attempts. He had a pair of horrendous relief outings early in the season, followed up by a three-game stretch where he supplanted Kolzig in blowouts and gave up only one goal on 23 shots. Maybe the Pittsburgh experience was an aberration. But even a backup goalie falls under the microscope these days. And if Tabaracci wants to earn a starting job somewhere next season and beyond, he needs to step up his play.

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February 15, 1999: The Caps lost to the Pens 7-3. Kolzig was pulled at 6:17 of the second period after allowing 5 goals. Rick Tabaracci replaced him, allowing two more in and earning a penalty for interference.

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From The Sporting News, 2/1/99: "Certainly, it's disappointing," said Tabaracci. "But is this point rock bottom? . . . Now is the time we have no more excuses -- not that there should be any. . . . We need to step up (and) if we don't you're certainly going to see a lot of changes."

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From the Washington Post, Jan. 31, 1999: "It's kind of the same thing [as Friday night]... we just didn't get enough early enough and we came up a little short at the end," goaltender Rick Tabaracci said. "The effort was there for the most part. We had some lapses in the second period, but aside from that, again, we were good. It's just that those lapses are hurting us, and we don't seem to be able to climb out of those holes."

Tabaracci tried to make the stand-up save, squeezing his pads together as he leaned into the post, but the puck went between his skates and over the goal line. Final score: Toronto 5 - Capitals 3.

FIVE GOALS, RICK??????????

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"I just don't think we presented ourselves the way we should have on the last few [Kings] goals. We certainly weren't trying to prevent them as hard as we should have." Rick Tabaracci, Jan. 29, 1999, after the Kings beat the Caps 6-3. Olaf Kolzig was pulled at 13:23 of the second period after allowing five goals on 18 shots. Rick will get the start tonight, Jan. 30, 1999, against the Maple Leafs in Toronto.

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"It was certainly a different game than it was in the first period for us, and it's a big point," said goaltender RickTabaracci, who replaced starter Olaf Kolzig at the start of the third period. "Coming back on Saturday, coming back tonight, these are the character points we weren't able to get earlier in the season, so it's good to see them coming."

By the time the Capitals took the ice in the third period, Tabaracci was in net for Kolzig, who had started the last nine games straight.

"That last goal was enough for me; that went right through him," Coach Ron Wilson said. "I thought of doing it after the first period but said no. Doing it [for the third] was just a rallying point. Olie sometimes dwells on some goals that go in, and Tabby's been bugging me every day to play."

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From the Washington Post, Thursday, January 7, 1999: Rick Tabaracci, who has been battling a groin strain of his own, will try to serve as the team's back-up goalie tonight, although Mike Rosati is up from the minors in case Tabaracci is unable to play.

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From the Washington Post,Tuesday, January 5, 1999: The Washington Capitals almost appeared to be holding a split-squad practice yesterday, with 10 players sitting out with injuries. Goaltender Rick Tabaracci was the most prominent absentee as he spent the morning seeing a doctor for a sore groin. Tabaracci, who had surgery on his groin last season, will not necessarily miss any games with the injury, although the Capitals will recall goaltender Mike Rosati from the minors for practice today. "We're just making sure he is okay," Coach Ron Wilson said of Tabaracci. "It's just a nagging thing."

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Dec. 30, 1998: Caps lose to NJ 3-2....

But Tabby stopped a penalty shot against Jay Pandolfo!
Game story here.

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WAY TO GO, TABBY!

With Rick in net, the Caps defeated the Bruins 5-1! (12-28-98)

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Rick replaced Olaf Kolzig at the start of the third period against Nashville, Dec. 26, 1998 and stopped six of six shots.

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December 22, 1998

Tabby and TabbysGal
in her game-worn Caps jersey!
Rick signed it "Merry Christmas!"

Jenn and Tabby!

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Tabby made 34 saves on 36 shots as the defenseless Caps lost to San Jose 2-1.

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Tabby denies John Leclair

Dec. 5, 1998: Tabby stopped 26 of 28 shots as the Cryers beat the Caps 2-1.
Erica Lindwuss did not score any goals or get any assists.

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TABBY STOPPED A
PENALTY SHOT!!!!!

Tabby stopped a penalty shot by Islanders' Mariusz Czerkawski and led the Caps to a 5-1 win! Tabby's now 9-1-1 against the Islanders. "I'm sure it was exciting for the fans, but as for us goalies, we could do without them," Tabaracci said, regarding the penalty shot. Game details here. Game stories and recaps: The Sporting News, The Washington Post,ESPN, The Official Capitals Website, The Washington Times,CBS Sportsline, FoxSports

WAY TO GO, TABBY!

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The Washington Capitals were surprised yesterday morning (Wednesday) when Coach Ron Wilson told them he was canceling practice to take them bowling. Wilson set about making arrangements, leaving his Crownsville home early yesterday to go to a discount chain store to buy magic markers and long-sleeved T-shirts in eight colors. He later doled out the shirts to the players, telling them they had to pick team names and write them on the shirts, complete with nicknames on the back. "It's fun to change things up and it's good to see people smile a little bit and laugh," goaltender Rick "Splinters" Tabaracci said. "You get tighter and tighter when you lose, and this is a good way to blow off some steam and have some fun."

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When asked about being in the net against the Bruins when Ray Bourque got his 1,340th NHL point to become Boston's all-time leading scorer, Rick said, "Yeah, well, I've got to get in the record books somehow!"

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In a game highlighted by 44 separate penalties against six Caps and six Bruins for a total of 270 penalty minutes, Tabby replaced Olaf Kolzig, who was ejected for "fighting" with Byron Dafoe. Tabby stopped 30-of 33 shots. Boston's Jason Allison scored the game winner in OT. Caps 4-Bruins 5.

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A Shutout for Tabby!

The Caps, with Tabby in goal, battled the Flames to a 0-0 score in overtime on 10-30-98. Tabby made 20 saves. The Calgary Herald named Rick First Star of the Game. Game stories: Washington Post, Calgary Sun, Washington Times, Calgary Herald.

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October 31, 1998 - G Rick Tabarraci returned to Calgary and made 20 saves for his 14th career shutout as the Capitals played to a scoreless tie with the Flames Friday. "It's nice to come here, it's still home for me. I'm gettng married here this summer, so it's home," said Tabaracci, who was acquired from the Flames for future considerations on August 7th, 1998.

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Goaltender Rick Tabaracci will start Friday (10-30-98) against his former team, the Calgary Flames, as scheduled, although he had a little more of a warmup than he planned when he came into the game Wednesday in relief of Olaf Kolzig. (Each goaltender surrendered four goals.)

Tabaracci smiled this afternoon upon hearing Wilson's plan to play a "1-0 or 2-0" game, knowing such a score indicates he will be playing shutout hockey.

"It's no problem because I heard that 82 times last year," he said. "We have to face it, we've lost some goal scoring and some speed as a result of our injuries. When you do that, it forces you to play tighter as a unit and give up fewer opportunities.

"The bottom line is that we have to approach Friday by realizing we had a bad game [against Edmonton,] a tough outing, but that we don't want to dwell on it. We can still get four out of six points on this road trip."

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"Tabaracci is a top goalie in the league," said Caps coach Ron Wilson. "He dug his heels in and we stuck with him." (10-25-98)

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Rick made 31 saves out of 33 shots (10/24/98) in his first start for the Caps against the Stinkinpanthers. The game ended 2-2 in overtime. Rick looked great, and was easily the Star of the Game.

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Rick replaced Olaf Kolzig in goal at 1:48 of the second period against the Edmonton Oilers 10/29/98. Read the game outcome here.

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(10-28-98) Caps General Manager George McPhee took out his skates to play a game of three-on-three with the coaches and scratches after practice this morning. McPhee played with Konowalchuk and defenseman Nolan Baumgartner, Wilson played with assistants Tim Army and Tim Hunter.

"I'm between a rock and a hard place on that one," said Rick Tabaracci, who was in net for the contest. "If I let the coach score on me, he won't play me in Calgary [as scheduled]. If I let the general manager score on me, I'm getting sent to the minors."

NEWS!

Rick's "at home" in DC in Tabaracci Feels Right at Home. If you look to the heavens at the constellation Aquila (The Eagle), coordinates RA 19h 34m 40.76s D 09*54'57.204", Magnitude MV 11.2, Star # - 1 1060 1799, you will be looking at the star named Richard Stephen Tabaracci. For Rick's birthday January 2, I had a star named after him because I wanted to show him that he will always be a star to me. Read more about Rick's latest move to the Caps in Tabaracci New Partner for Olie in Washington (NHLPA). Rick expected a trade, but not to Washington. Read more about his thoughts and comments on his latest move in Tabaracci Traded to Capitals(Calgary Sun). "No, the only time you'll see me back in Calgary is during the summers," laughed Tabaracci, dismissing a possible third tour of duty. More from Rick regarding his trade to the Capitals in Cat's Shown the Door (Calgary Sun). Rick Tabaracci was traded to the Washington Capitals for "future considerations" and an undisclosed draft pick. Read all about it in Tabby Goes to Washington (ESPN Sportszone) and Capitals Reacquire Tabaracci (Washington Post)!

Yahoo Sports - Oct. 26, 1998

G Rick Tabaracci made his first start for Washington since 1995 and was solid between the pipes, stopping 31 of 33 shots. Now serving as backup to G Olaf Kolzig after spending last season with Calgary, Tabaracci previously spent two-plus campaigns with the Caps. Game stories: Washington Post,ESPN, AP, Game Summary.

From the Washington Post team poster
(Thanks, MsCapsFan!)

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© 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 Linda E. Neary

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