The last couple of weeks before the college basketball season tips off is a tough time for Georgetown sports fans. The long wait is almost over, but we still need something to fill our sports appetite before Jack eats his first box.
Luckily, the most entertaining professional sports team in D.C. is back in town—the Washington Capitals. Now I know what you’re thinking. Hockey? Really? Yes, D.C. Hockey is the best way to get your sports fix.
Last season, the Capitals went into the playoffs as the best team in the league but were suddenly eliminated in the first round. This is something Hoya fans can relate to. The Capitals are back in prime form and have gotten off to a 6-3 start. You are guaranteed to see a great team at the Verizon Center. As long as they have the league’s most dynamic offense, headed by Alex Ovechkin there will never be a shortage of goals.
If hockey isn’t your sport, there is no better time to get into it. Most people haven’t developed a liking for a local hockey team before college anyway, so it’s acceptable to root for team in the city where you go to school. And you still have time to jump on the bandwagon without being labeled a fair-weather fan.
Once you’re at a game, it won’t matter if you don’t understand how the sport is played. Hockey’s simple rules make it easy to pick up and it’s not hard to get into the game at one of the most underrated venues in sports, the Verizon Center. The entire arena is a sea of Capitals Red as fans are encouraged to wear red to games by the “Rock the Red” slogan. The campaign was started a couple years ago when the team changed its colors from black, blue and gold. Just imagine you’re at a Georgetown gray-out—except that gray is a bright, in-your-face red.
My freshman year, I went to game one of the playoffs when the Capitals played my home-town Rangers. I have never felt more out of place than I did walking through the sea of red in my blue Rangers jersey! Before the game even started, I thought the Caps were going to dominate because of the home ice advantage (however my team came out victorious, of course).
The other professional teams in the District don’t measure up to the Caps. The Wizards have a bright future, having drafted John Wall, a player who should provide some excitement on the court, but the team is still a few years away from being a contender. The Nationals’ season has been over since September, and with Stephen Strasburg recovering from Tommy John Surgery, there won’t be much incentive to make the trek down to Nationals Park until the spring of 2012. The Redskins might be the biggest competition in town, especially since they are in the hunt for the NFC East title, but the expensive ticket prices will cut deep into your alcohol fund.
What better way to ease midterm stress than by watching the most exciting hockey player in the league in sea of red maniacs? If you go to one game, you’ll be hooked for the rest of the season. You better hop on the bandwagon now, before it’s too late. I’d hate to have to say I told you so.
