During warmups on Sunday, ahead of Game Two of the Capitals first round matchup against the Blue Jackets, Brett Connolly spotted an enthusiastic — and completely adorable — fan banging on the glass, and decided to make her night extra special.
Though it took a few attempts.
Video
If at first you don’t succeed… try, try, try again! #CapsJackets #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/6S3b5cfXNW
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 15, 2018
Connolly skated up and threw a puck over the glass. However, that puck never made it to her. It was caught by one of the adults standing behind her, and passed to an older boy to her right. The girl looked devastated.
Connolly wasn’t about to give up, and attempted to get a puck to her a second time… only to be thwarted by the same adult, who passed that puck to the other boy on her left.
Connolly banged on the glass, clearly disapproving of the move. He then skated away to pick up a third puck and, thankfully, this one made it to the girl, who was delighted.
“Are we raising gentlemen, or what?” Rob Carlin commented on the broadcast.
Though the moment was one that highlighted just how far Connolly will go for his littlest fans, it also proved that there are still strides to be made when it comes to respecting women — and girls — who love hockey.
It was a shame that the moment was marred by the adults in the situation taking advantage of this poor girl, and upsetting her in the process, to, intentionally or unintentionally, put the boys ahead of her. But kudos to Brett Connolly for ensuring she remains a fan of the sport and got the keepsake he originally intended for her.
Brett gets it! Never stop fighting for your spot by the glass. #girlslovehockey https://t.co/2IAfQzyPET
— Lexi Brown (@lexilafleur) April 16, 2018
The video has since gone viral. In just 18 hours, Connolly’s interaction with this little girl has been watched 2 million times on the NHL Twitter account, retweeted 8,089 times, and liked 29,374 times.
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