Though the previous three home games have gone in
But hockey fans don’t want to hear about the hits and the fancy stick play, they want to see it. There are exciting plays and great shots that will be seen on television, but the game of hockey needs to experienced in person. Tonight, the air is tingling with the chill late winter, the glass around the ice shimmers with the possibility of great things to come.
You see, hockey is the everyman’s game, and the Capitals are the everyman’s team. In a city which has license plates that read “Taxation without Representation”, the Caps are burdened with an unreasonable expectation of goal production and winning games.
The Caps, of course, do have Ovechkin, who is producing goals (44 of them when the game started) in the same manner that the newest resident of the White House is producing new policies. Of course, just like the President who has a Cabinet, Ovechkin has his fellow players to help get the job done.
The fans (who were noticeably filling up the cheap seats, which in this economy is not unexpected) seemed to arrive at the last minute. Why not? The expectancy level for the Caps is quite high considering that they are leading the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference by a wide margin.
The game began with an easy penalty play goal by Nicklas Backstrom on an assist by Ovechkin and Sergei Federov. The ease with which Backstrom scored was matched only by the intensity that goalie Jose Theodore defended his net. The Caps appeared to have the game well in hand at the end of the period.
The second period began with a flourish. On a Caps power play, a back-peddling, knocked-down-to-the-ice, goal by Ovechkin brought the sellout crowd of over 18,000 rose to their feet and cheered as one. The fans reaction was something that can’t be replicated at home in front of the TV.
As quick as the Caps had a two-goal lead, the Flyers cut their lead in half. The visiting
The third period at the
The experience of the NHL game cannot be replicated by television. Nor can the feeling of disappointment when the visiting team scores three unanswered goals in less than four minutes to win the game. Utter highs and lows that are felt in unison with 18,000 of your closest friends ins quite and experience.
The game ended in much the same manner as it had begun, with the sets emptying quickly, especially when the Flyers added the final blow with their fourth goal. A group of fans hung around the glass to sneak a last look at their favorite stars. Finally, the fans on their sad journey home, the arena empties.
The mood on the Metro going home was one of abject defeat. The happiness of a two-goal lead had evaporated in a matter of minutes. When listening to the fans on the way home, One fan was overheard lamenting to his friend, saying “I wish your first game had been a win.” This is what drives hockey fans, the possibility of success.
The game that starts with such hope and promise ends with disappointment, but with defeat comes the glimmer of hope for the next win. In a city which has defined hope this year, it is almost fitting. Of course, it will make the next meeting between the Caps and Flyers on March 12th an exciting one. If you get a chance, you should go. You’ll be glad you did.
Contact the author at Andrew.Ferguson@prohockeynews.com
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