"The Capital of the country is the Capital of the hockey playoffs!" These words by Mike ("Doc") Emerick after the final horn sounded on June 7, 2018 seemed too good to be true. Was it a dream? Had it finally happened? Yes. After 44 years as a franchise- a franchise that had the worst record in the history of the NHL in its inaugural season- the Washington Capitals have won the most sacred trophy in all of sports: Lord Stanley's Cup.
Prior to the 2017 NHL playoffs, I wrote about how I was convinced that Capitals team would indeed, finally achieve what had thus far eluded them in their highly successful and illustrious history, and at last hoist the Stanley Cup. It had to happen, right? Very much like the 2016 Presidents Trophy winning team, who went into those playoffs historically dominant and as the prohibitive favorite to win the Cup (but of course would fall to the rival Penguins), the 2017 team was once again, historically dominant and the heavy favorite to win, as the back-to-back Presidents Trophy winners. The 2017 team was in year two of GM Brian MacLellan's declared, "2 year window" of their best and all-in chance to win the Cup. If it didn't happen last year, there was a collective feeling around Capitals Nation that our "window" would close, and that the "Rock The Red" era would effectively be no more. After taking care of business against a very good, and hungry young team in the Maple Leafs in round 1, the stage was once again set for the ultimate payback opportunity vs., of course, the Penguins. Surely this would be the year to break through, right? After losing 8 of 9 playoff series’ vs this arch nemesis, and coming off the heartbreak from the previous year, there were too many reasons to think 2017 would finally be the year. There was no way the Pens could repeat as back-to-back champs. Right? I was certainly convinced it was going to happen. Now was “our time”. But the Pens jumped out to a quick 3-1 series lead and indeed looked poised to deliver yet another death blow in this painful, one-sided playoff history. But then in game 5 at home, the Caps delivered big time, and there was a sense that maybe, just maybe, the series had shifted and momentum was now in the Caps favor. But of course, there were still 2 games to go, down 3-2 and on the brink of elimination. Still facing a tough mountain to climb and needing to win in Pittsburgh to force game 7 at home, the Caps would win game 6 in dominant fashion, now clearly grabbing the momentum, and shifting all the pressure back on the Pens. I was convinced it was indeed our time. All the painful heartbreaks over the years. All the great teams falling short. All the teams that blew our own 3-1 series leads vs the Penguins (and more than any team in sports history) to get ousted from the playoffs. It was the perfect storybook way to inflict payback on our rivals: reverse history and overcome our own 3-1 deficit. It had to happen.
I went to the game with my brother-in-law. There was a noticeable buzz outside the arena before the game. Yes, there was still some typical Caps anxiety and fear of the potential heartbreak and finality, but fan excitement and anticipation was still at a fever pitch. It was our time.
With Joel entering the arena prior to game 7 vs. Pens
As hoped, the Caps came out guns blazing when the puck dropped, dominating time of possession, shots on goal, hits, and all signs indeed pointed to the Caps prevailing as they were clearly playing like the better and hungrier team at the outset. But as would so often be the case in Caps history, pucks that were shot would hit posts and golden opportunities would be thwarted. A period completely dominated by the Caps would end 0-0. I remember all to well that feeling of concern and sense of impending doom that was creeping over the arena. Then, concern turned into reality as the Pens scored early in the 2nd period. Now the entire building was scared. Could this really be happening? The Caps had some good shifts and decent opportunities and I didn’t lose hope, but as the game went on it was now feeling more and more like the painful outcome was inevitable. Then in the 3rd period, the Pens extended the lead to 2-0 and now it was indeed code red. Complete panic and disbelief ensued across the arena. Perhaps what was more shocking and disappointing than anything as the clock continued to wind down was that there didn’t seem to be any noticeable desperation, no surges from the Caps attackers. I just remember staring at the ice is shock and sadness and saying over and over again: “guys, find a way, find a way”, “keep grinding”, “c’mon, c’mon”. It was devastating. Fans continued to head out as the final agonizing minutes ticked away. Once again, the Pens had ripped out the hearts of the Capitals and their fans. Game 7 was now in the books. Series over. Season over. Best “window” of opportunity, over. It was crushing. Joel and I sat in the arena as the horn sounded, and watched as the heartbroken Capitals skated off the ice, while the Pens celebrated and then handshakes ensued. I saw Pierre McGuire giving congratulatory, and what looked to be enthusiastic handshakes to the Pens- his former team. It was sickening. The Verizon Center sounded like a library. It really was like a funeral. I vividly remember telling Joel as we walked out: “yes, this is sick. It’s painful. But as much as it hurts…it will only make the victory that much sweeter when we eventually win the Cup someday.” And while I honestly believed that, I also realized it was very likely that we really had seen our last, “best” chance end. There was no doubt that the roster- and potentially the entire organization- was going to dramatically adjust. Would the front office blow the whole thing up? Ovi actually be traded? These felt like real possibilities. On the metro ride back home, we talked with other fans who were convinced that the “Rock the Red” era, was indeed over. There wouldn’t be another real run- at least not soon.
The next day I posted the following on Facebook:
“When my boys asked if the Caps won and I told them they lost they were surprised and sad. JT said, "nooooo! How did that happen?" As much as the winning is fun, I am grateful for the constant learning and teaching moments, and how the losing teaches us much more about perspective, attitude, and endurance. Yes, the losing stings and is brutal. But more character is built from losing than winning. At the end of the day, it's just a game. Yes, I eagerly look forward to the exhilarating championships for my teams, and really hope my kids can experience this joy with me. But in the meantime, we endure, hope and are reminded that there are much more sweeter things to savor, experience joy, and be grateful for. Most of all, grateful that The Lord is good and unchanging!
Congrats to my Penguins fan friends and family.”
No doubt, the crushing defeats and painful memories endured will make the victories sweeter. But when?
Of course the fallout and criticism of the Caps- locally, nationally and worldwide- would be at an all-time high after the crushing defeat. One particular writer, Slava Malamud- from Russia- went on an epic rant on twitter, just blasting Ovi, declaring he wasn’t a leader, wasn’t a “win-first type”, and that the Caps window of opportunity was slamming shut. I remember how much I hoped to bring that up to him when Ovi and the Caps would win the Cup.