Bitter Baltimoron

The hockey strike had the potential to kill the NHL stateside. Due to the expansion into smaller nontraditional hockey markets, and the decreasing value of the American dollar, the stadiums weren’t filling up like they had before the strike. Even large metropolitan areas like Washington D.C., who had reasonably supported a team since the early 1970s, had attendance issues. Gone were the crowded houses of the Capitals Centre of the 1990s and the MCI center in later years.

Attendance and fan interest became such an issue in the years following the strike that Washington began to offer $10 upper level and $25 lower level seats for students on Thursdays and Fridays. I thought the lower levels seats would obviously be undesirable seats tucked away in the corners of the arena, but boy was I wrong. Seats as close as the third row were available to students, and there were plenty of tickets to go around that one could buy several student tickets a few hours before the game as long as the buyer had a handful of student IDs. I confess to taking advantage of the rule, and bringing my father along for what turned into an unforgettable night of hockey–Ovechkin’s four goals against Montreal including the game-winner in overtime.

The early crowds were scattered, and we sat along the glass whenever we went, but by the end of the season, the building was packed and only upper level student seats were available. The Capitals fan interest was obviously sparked by winning, but there is something more special going on right now. Most winning teams get good crows, but this team has the sort of charisma to handle a losing season and still sell seats. The Caps have such a likeable roster that even Baltimoreans who occasionally watch hockey are glued to their televisions.

This team is so young, energetic and tatlented that it is invaluable to the NHL right now. The Penguins may win the Cup first with their young team, but the Caps have what it takes to draw in the common hockey fan. it’s what Bobby Orr and his Bruins had that the 70s Canadiens didn’t, and it’s what has turned the Verizon Center into a sea of Red.

4-2 Flyers leading the Caps going into the third, and Alexander Ovechkin held as a complete non-factor. Number 8 not only had no points, but no shots on goal, before defensive star Mike Green scored twice in the third period leading to Ovechkin’s magical steal and game-winning goal. The young star has caught the eye of not just Washington, but the entire hockey world, and in the process is turning the ever-important peripherals of Washington into a solid Capitals-supporting nation. This is what makes franchises, and I love every minute that these kids play.

Caps-Flyers Game 1 Highlights