Photo: Joel Auerbach
The trade deadline got really difficult for some Caps fans on Wednesday when long-time goalie Michal Neuvirth was dealt to the Buffalo Sabres for Jaroslav Halak. It’s understandable if some fans got attached over the years. Neuvirth won Calder Cups in AHL Hershey, honored Olie Kolzig by having an image of him painted on the side of his mask, and forever challenged our assumptions of what a smile is.
But more than that, Neuvy was a homegrown prospect who worked his tush off to make it to the big league team and succeed. Let’s just forget about that one bad interview he did.
On Friday night, Neuvirth took the ice for the first time with the Buffalo Sabres. And it was super weird. Wearing his Capitals-themed mask, Capitals colored pads and gloves, and red, white, and blue stick, Neuvy made 42 saves (one off his career high) in the Sabres 2-0 loss to Roberto Luongo and the Florida Panthers.
Have I mentioned it was weird?
Photo: Robert Mayer
Oh man, he's still wearing his Caps pants pic.twitter.com/PAOcStd1bF
— RM Cooper (@RFCapsMoustache) March 7, 2014
For those asking, Neuvirth's name is pronounced NOY-virt. #Sabres
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 8, 2014
Thanks to @AdamVingan who inspired me to do this post.
