Photo: Patrick McDermott/Washington Capitals
After the Washington Capitals defeated the New York Islanders 2-1 in game seven, Alex Ovechkin had a person that he specifically wanted to see. According to Melissa Schaab, that person was her daughter Ann. Through Capitals officials, Ovi arranged for Ann to come down to the locker room and celebrate the series-clinching win with the team. Ovechkin gave Ann a huge hug upon seeing her. Melissa says the whole thing was a huge surprise.
A Capitals spokesman tells RMNB that Ovechkin wanted to see Ann regardless of if the team won or lost.
Ann, as you’ll recall, is the 10-year-old hockey player with Down’s Syndrome that Ovechkin took on a date (after being boldly asked out!) earlier in the season. An inspired Ovechkin spent the majority of his All-Star appearance trying to win a car for Ann and her special hockey team, the Washington Ice Dogs. A few weeks later he delivered it personally.
Ann has come to a few games since then with her mom and friends. On Monday, Mama Schaab and her daughter got tickets for the game seven. Ann’s excitement was overwhelming as soon as they entered DC.
As they left the parking deck near Verizon Center, Ann saw the double decker bus emblazoned with Caps logos and Ovechkin imagery. According to her mother, Ann “started chasing it.” Melissa added, “Ann ran for a block. The Red Rockers noticed her and they stopped the bus and let her on.”
Ann took photos with everyone, including Slapshot.
Photo: Melissa Schaab
That was the highlight of Ann’s night (well minus sitting in the same section as Alex Ovechkin’s father Mikhail), until she was ushered back into the locker room.
Ann met up with Nicklas Backstrom and showed him her sign for Ovechkin.
Photo by NHL.com’s Katie Brown/@katiebhockey
Ann saw Joel Ward and talked to him about his goal.
Photo: Melissa Schaab
“Ann suggested to Joel that in round two the team go for the body and keep their sticks on the ice,” said Melissa.
Then Ovechkin came out.
Ann showed him her sign.
Photo: Patrick McDermott/Washington Capitals
And her playoff beard. Ovi was impressed.
Photo: Patrick McDermott/Washington Capitals
“We thought our night was made with the pre-game bus ride and an exciting win,” Melissa Schaab said. “Getting to congratulate Ovi and his teammates and wish them luck in round two was a surprise and a privilege. They were so, so gracious.”
On the ride home, a beaming Ann told her mother it had been “an epic Monday!”
You can help support Ann’s hockey league, the American Special Hockey Association, by donating to the Caps Beardathon during their 2015 Playoff run. Also, the brand new Honda Ovechkin donated to the Washington Ice Dogs (Ann’s team) is being raffled off. Today is the last day to buy a $15 ticket.
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