How about receiving an early Christmas card? Thanks to the Washington Capitals, we have some very seasonal images from a skate at the Sculpture Gardens Ice Rink at the National Gallery of Art that a band of Caps took earlier today with area schoolchildren and fans. We’ve said it a thousand times, but it bears repeating: there is no set of professional athletes as engaged with their community as hockey players — and as eager and happy to be so!
The Caps late Saturday night endured a tough loss at home to Atlanta, and about 12 hours later there was no evidence of it as Karl Alzner, Nicklas Backstrom, Marcus Johansson, and John Carlson twirled about the gorgeous ice sheet in the heart of downtown holding hands with the city’s youth. Some 200 fans received free admission for an hour-long skate with the pros, and Caps’ alum Craig Laughlin and Peter Bondra were on hand to offer a skating tutorial. A heart-warming leadup to the Winter Classic, no?
For a video of the event, including the players’ DC-area venue choices for hosting a future Winter Classic, check out the Caps’ site.
photo by Mitchell Layton/Washington Capitals
photo by Mitchell Layton/Washington Capitals
One Comment
What great photos, plus the video on the Caps site! I have tons of respect for the players who participated in this event, especially after such a tough loss to the Thrashers. Kudos also to Locker and the the great Peter Bondra for their participation as well. IMO this wasn’t just a leadup to the Winter Classic. It and of itself was a special Winter Classic event of its own.
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