Caps Corner: Is D.C. becoming a Hockey Town?

October 26, 2009  
Filed under Sports Archives

By John Mattingly
Round Table contributor

Is D.C. Becoming a Hockey Town?

The Washington Capitals are not only seeing success on the ice, but finally around town. The “Caps” are enjoying more fan support than ever before, following a spectacular year from Alexander Ovechkin and an exciting playoff appearance.

It’s certainly not the first time the team has been good, as it made the playoffs 18 times between 1982 and 2002, making the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998. Even compared to that stellar season, the media attention and fan following is much stronger now. Caps t-shirts and Ovechkin jerseys are seen everywhere. When you think about it, it’s not hard to understand why.

Ovechkin is the most prolific and entertaining player in the league. He brings a rare combination of skill, flair and personality that the NHL traditionally lacks. Oh, the league has had its superstars. Gretzky and Lemieux were certainly two of the greatest of all-time. But neither possessed the star quality and theatrics “Ovie” is becoming known for.

Also, as well as the Caps are doing, all of Washington’s home teams are struggling. The Nationals just finished their second consecutive 100-loss season, the Wizards are coming off the worst season in their history, managing only a 19-63 record and the Orioles, once one of the proudest franchises in baseball, has not had a winning season since it won their division in 1997. And what about the beloved Redskins? They are getting booed at home and even lost to the Detroit Lions, the longtime doormat of the NFL.

All of these factors have combined to help push the Capitals to the top of the bandwagon Washington sports world.

Washington Capitals, Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Redskins, Washington Nationals, Washington Wizards