Braden Holtby ranks first among active NHL goaltenders in career playoff save percentage and goals-against average, but on Friday, there was one stop he couldn’t make.
During the first period, an orange balloon made its way out from the crowd and hovered over the ice. Holtby left his crease during a stoppage in play to try and knock the balloon out of the air. He failed.
Holtby fails to get the balloon. pic.twitter.com/7aR39hhPYI
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) April 21, 2017
Capitals and Maple Leafs players looked on helplessly for several minutes as the balloon hovered over the ice. Eventually, official Wes McCauley got a hockey stick and took matters into his own hands. McCauley’s errant swings gave the balloon just enought of a push to go into the stands.
Slight delay due to a rogue balloon. pic.twitter.com/iTGw1g9W5d
— Shawn McKenzie (@ShawnMcKenzieSN) April 21, 2017
An orange balloon is causing a huge commotion here in Washington. Holtby couldn’t stop it, so he’s got no chance tonight #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/HhAHF220px
— Dan (@DanStrybos) April 21, 2017
A fan sitting right behind the benches reached up and grabbed the rogue balloon ending the crisis.
The Capitals would go on to win 2-1 in overtime.
Six years ago, a Verizon Center balloon strayed onto the ice. It rallied the Capitals to an improbable victory.
From RMNB’s November 11, 2011 recap:
When the Capitals were down 2-1 in the second period, an unassuming red balloon floated out from the crowd. It hovered ominously twenty feet over Jason LaBarbera’s head. The annoyed Coyotes goaltender swiped at the ‘loon before knocking it up in the air with his stick. No biggie, right? The Capitals promptly scored three inspired goals and defeated Phoenix 4-3.
In conclusion, whenever you see a balloon on the ice at Verizon Center, good things are about to happen.
