During the Ovechkin era, there has been a hockey boom in the DC era and much of that passion has been translated to youth hockey.

Sunday, during the Caps-Red Wings game, an eight-year-old scored one of the most impressive goals in Mites On Ice history.

She was a girl, playing mostly against and amongst boys.

Video

Goal of the YEAR candidate from @AAAMidAtlantic Mite Rachel Steward! #CapsKidsDay #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/vhsMMzxxBz

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 11, 2018

The Goal of the Year candidate was scored by mite Rachel Steward, who plays for the York Devils in York, Pennsylvania. Peeling around Slapshot, Steward accelerated towards the goal and nearly wristed a shot bar down over the goaltender.

The play was so jaw-dropping and impressive, Steward went viral on social media – even garnering her own post on NHL.com.

The breakaway goal was even more appropos considering the NHL is celebrating Hockey Is For Everyone in February.

In the past, the DC area has produced a handful of players at the highest levels. We’ve seen an NHL player (Jeff Halpern), a legitimate hockey prospect (Sam Anas), and several Olympians (most notably Garrett Roe and Haley Skarupa). But that handful may soon turn to a barrel-full as the popularity of hockey expands in this area and the Capitals organization continues to support local hockey and the building/refurbishing of outdoor rinks.