Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin invited 13-year-old, cancer survivor Alex Luey to the game Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Luey a youth hockey player for the Niagara Falls Flyers, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancer that lives inside the bone. Luey had part of his right leg amputated, but after a successful surgery and a new prosthetic, began re-playing the sport he loved most.
Ovechkin, inspired by the story, gave Luey tickets to the game in October and the gesture made Luey cry.
Fast forward to this evening and the pair spent most of pregame warm-ups together. Ovechkin and Luey even took a selfie together from the bench.
By the end of the game’s first 20 minutes, Ovechkin gave an even better gift to Luey. He scored twice. His first goal was one of his most beautiful tallies of the season.
END TO END OVECHKIN! #CapsLeafs #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Mcw5LbZySP
— #CapsGiving🦃 (@Capitals) November 26, 2017
Ovechkin’s first goal came 7:17 into the first period. Ovechkin somehow fielded a mid-air pass from TJ Oshie and took the puck end-to-end for a goal.
Luey was excited.
OVI = RED HOT! #CapsLeafs #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/uiyU4PuIM4
— #CapsGiving🦃 (@Capitals) November 26, 2017
Ovechkin’s second goal, a power-play marker, came in the final minute of the first period. After a face-off win by TJ Oshie, Ovechkin went to one knee to fire a shot past Curtis McElhinney. The puck was rolling.
Luey was caught standing up in excitement after the goal.
Pregame, the Luey family got the royal treatment from the Capitals. Luey got to announce the starting lineups.
Cancer Survivor Alex Luey announcing starting lineup before they take the ice #CapsFightCancer #CapsLeafs pic.twitter.com/HWTv1J9Niu
— #CapsGiving🦃 (@Capitals) November 26, 2017
He also gave the boys pounds as they went out onto the ice.
Cancer Survivor Alex Luey 👊 the guys before warmups! #CapsLeafs #CapsFightCancer pic.twitter.com/JGNSkMXZGc
— #CapsGiving🦃 (@Capitals) November 25, 2017
Ovechkin even came over to the bench where Luey was hanging out to say hi.
Best seat in the house for Alex Luey! #CapsFightCancer #CapsLeafs pic.twitter.com/S0LKAbDFTf
— #CapsGiving🦃 (@Capitals) November 25, 2017
The two took an adorable selfie together.
Selfie game strong Alex!! #LueyStrong @ovi8 pic.twitter.com/RTBih322SF
— Christine Simpson (@SNChrisSimpson) November 26, 2017
His night would only get better later.
Alex Luey and his family are all set to meet @ovi8 tonight in Toronto! @Capitals #HockeyFightsCancer @NHL #LueyStrong pic.twitter.com/uLcbH9jnuP
— Hometown Hockey (@hometownhockey_) November 25, 2017
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