The last few weeks have been enough to turn even the most stalwart of Caps fans  unhinged and overstressed monsters. It’d be really easy to become cynical and cop an attitude about the team, but that’s why it’s so important to keep everything in perspective.

Reader Taylor P. wrote us a story last week that was exactly what we needed. Taylor and her brother had an encounter with Eric Fehr and Troy Brouwer at last Tuesday’s game against the Penguins. It was a little moment, but maybe little moments are what this team and this community need to remind ourselves why we’re doing this in the first place.

Russian Machine Writers and Crew,

I would like to share with you my story from the game last night at Consol Energy Center against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

I come from a suburb outside of Pittsburgh, about 30-45 minutes from the city. My family has always been die-hard Pittsburgh sports fans. However, many years ago I became fascinated with hockey, my family was mostly football-oriented, like most American families. When Crosby was drafted, he just didn’t do it for me, he lacked the star power and energy. His game just seemed strictly business, and no fun. This led me to my love for Ovechkin, and developed into a full passion for the entire Washington Capitals team. Although Ovi is my favorite of all time, inspiring the yellow laces I wear during my own hockey games, I love all of the Capitals and proudly wear my gear around Pittsburgh, getting negative comments almost every time, but it never stops me!

Last night, my 11-year-old brother and I attended the game at Consol, with our Ovi jerseys on and ready to support our team in one of the biggest rivalry games, and in enemy territory! During warm ups, I realized that one of the most underrated Capitals is one of the most sincere guys to play the game. Eric Fehr skated over to the boards and looked at us, the only two Capitals fans in sight. There were some Penguins fans behind us, rowdy, and talking down on Ovechkin. Fehr picked up a puck and threw it over the boards, it was batted out of my hands and send into the seats nearby where a Penguins fan took it for himself. Fehr noticed this and shook his head. A few moments later Fehr returned, picked up another puck, pointed at me as an indicator for all of the Penguins fans around, and tossed it over the boards for me.

Fehr has always been a contributor to the Capitals, and he’s also one of the most genuine Capitals in the organization. This meant a lot to me, that Fehr came back and made a point to give a puck to the only two Capitals fans in sight. Living in Pittsburgh, it is not easy to make my way to D.C. for meet and greets or to go to Capitals practices, but meeting Eric Fehr and thanking him for such a wonderful memory is something I hope to do.

I wanted to share this story about Fehr because he is such an overlooked player, but he is a staple in this organization and just shows the heart of a true hockey player, playing for the fans and not the fame and money. Fehr went out of his way to bring a smile to my face and a memory that will last forever. As a die-hard Washington Capitals fan living in Pittsburgh, its rare to experience the boys up close, and this just increases my love for the organization. Although they are in a slump and barely scraping the surface of the playoffs, lets not give up on them, and remember that although they are currently struggling, we still have a number of great players with a great heart.

Thank you and LET’S GO CAPS,

Taylor

Thanks, Taylor.

Taylor later told us Troy Brouwer noticed her brother’s sign and tossed him a puck as well.

If you ever have a story to share or something on your mind, let us know: thecrew@russianmachineneverbreaks.com