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Thom Loverro

Thom Loverro

tloverro@washingtontimes.com

Thom Loverro has been a professional journalist since 1977, working for a number of newspapers, including eight years as a news editor and reporter for The Baltimore Sun, where he covered government, politics, and crime. He moved into sports writing when he joined The Washington Times in 1992. He moved to The Washington Examiner as a sports columnist in 2009 and returned to The Washington Times in 2013, where he is currently the lead sports columnist.

Columns by Thom Loverro

Carolina Hurricanes right wing Justin Williams (14) shakes hands with Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, after Game 7 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series, Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in Washington. The Hurricanes won 4-3 in double overtime. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Barry Trotz moves on as the Capitals head home

Fans are entitled to their feelings of disappointment, frustration -- anger, even -- in the wake of this unexpectedly early end to the season. What's better than one Stanley Cup parade? Two parades.

April 25, 2019
Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) guards the net against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series, in Raleigh, N.C, Thursday, April 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Championship mettle now part of Capitals’ DNA

The Capitals -- one game away from moving on to the second round of the NHL playoffs and a showdown against former coach Barry Trotz's New York Islanders -- are showing what NBC Sports hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk referred to as their "Stanley Cup pedigree."

April 21, 2019
Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, right, of Russia, punches Carolina Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov, also of Russia, during the first period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, April 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Todd Reirden and his best-laid plans hit in the mouth

The Capitals were punched in the mouth Monday night by the Hurricanes in a 5-0 loss to cut Washington's lead in the series to 2-1. The beatdown was nearly as bad as Alex Ovechkin's brutal beating of Carolina's Andrei Svechnikov.

April 16, 2019
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19), of Sweden, celebrates his goal against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34), of the Czech Republic, defenseman Brett Pesce (22) and others during the first period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Washington. The Capitals won 4-2. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

For Nicklas Backstrom and Capitals, the hits keep coming

For Game 1 Thursday night against the Carolin Hurricanes -- the first playoff defense of Washington's Stanley Cup championship -- fans were treated to a pregame highlight reel reliving all the great memories of last season's victories and celebrations. Then the Capitals did the video one better.

April 12, 2019
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) talks with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Brett Hundley (7) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 20-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Josh Rosen has strong arm, strong opinions

Josh Rosen was taken at No. 10 a year ago, but the Arizona Cardinals quarterback could still be one of the biggest stories at this month's upcoming NFL draft.

April 11, 2019
Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin, left, and Braden Holtby, left, skate during a team practice in Arlington, Va., Monday, April 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Braden Holtby and Capitals: No ghosts

As the Washington Capitals prepare for the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, with Game 1 Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, the coffee should taste a little sweeter than normal this time of year in the Capitals locker room.

April 9, 2019
Washington Capitals head coach Todd Reirden directs his team during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in Washington. Washington won 6-4. (AP Photo/Al Drago)

Todd Reirden gets big test in NHL playoffs

The Capitals are about to begin defending the trophy that set this city ablaze last year -- and they will be doing it with Todd Reirden, not Barry Trotz, at the helm, with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena.

April 7, 2019
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper celebrates after hitting a home run off Atlanta Braves' Jesse Biddle during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 30, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) **FILE**

Bryce Harper return will have fans split

What kind of welcome should the Nationals and their fans have Tuesday, when the lover who left them behind, Bryce Harper, returns to Nationals Park for the first time as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies?

March 31, 2019
FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2018, file photo, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer delivers during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Washington. If three-time Cy Young Award winner Scherzer has his way, Major League Baseball's pitch clock will die in the South Florida humidity. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Max Scherzer takes Harper’s spot on throne

The former king of Nationals Park has left town. Now the realm belongs to Max Scherzer, who will take the mound Thursday afternoon on Opening Day at Nationals Park against his rival Cy Young winner from last season, the New York Mets' Jacob deGrom.

March 26, 2019
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo talks to Aaron Henry (11) during the second half of a second round men's college basketball game against Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament, in Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday, March 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Tom Izzo meltdown wrong, even if he is a legend

Michigan State strongman Tom Izzo will be coming to town this week as part of the NCAA Tournament East Regionals at the Capital One Arena. It hasn't been determined yet if extra D.C. police will be assigned to protect his players from their beloved coach.

March 24, 2019