Riding a Braden Holtby shutout, the Washington Capitals defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0 in Game Six to force a decisive Game Seven in the Eastern Conference Final.
While the Capitals played a mostly flawless game (focus on the fourth line’s goal and not their corsi), the Capital One Arena crowd was the loudest its been all season long, giving the team energy and pushing them forward.
In fact, Capitals radio’s John Walton thought it was loudest Caps fans have ever been in his presence.
“This is the loudest crowd I’ve ever heard here,” Walton said on Twitter. “This fan base absolutely brought it tonight.”
This is the loudest crowd I’ve ever heard here. This fan base absolutely brought it tonight. #ItsOkToBelieve
— John Walton (@WaltonCaps) May 22, 2018
And Walton may be right. For instance, check him out doing the play-by-play during the final seconds of the game.
VIDEO: Watch (and try to hear) @WaltonCaps final call as the #ALLCAPS beat #GoBolts 3-0 in GM6 of East Final @CapitalsRadio pic.twitter.com/96DG9fz330
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) May 22, 2018
This is insanity. How can he even think? Or talk!
One of Walton’s on-air partners, Ben Raby, said that “as far as constant electricity throughout the game, this was” the best crowd in Capital One Arena history.
I'll say GM6 of East Final @CapitalOneArena was among the best #ALLCAPS atmospheres we've had in the Ovechkin Era. GM7 of 2009 RD1 series vs. Rangers may have been the loudest when Fedorov scored GWG late in P3, but as far as constant electricity throughout the game, this was it
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) May 22, 2018
During NBCSN’s telecast of the game, Pierre McGuire took a moment to salute the fanbase as well.
“There’s an energy in this building, and we’ve all done a lot of games here, I haven’t experienced energy in this building like this in a game without a safety net for the Caps,” McGuire said. “A lot of Game Seven disappointments. This is like a Game Seven. These fans have elevated just like their team has.”
Capitals PA announcer Wes Johnson said afterwards that the crowd “truly brought it.”
Caps fans – you truly brought it tonight. Loud and proud for 60 glorious minutes. Capital One Arena was an intimidating house, both on and off the ice. I salute you all, you Rowdy Red Rockers!! #ECF #Game6 #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/9FYu5CYi4H
— Wes Johnson (@WesJohnsonVoice) May 22, 2018
And he would know, because listen to how loud the crowd was while he announced TJ Oshie’s goal.
PP goal from @TJOshie77 puts the @Capitals up 1-0. Listen to @WesJohnsonVoice #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/9MZ641doqW
— Byron J. Hudtloff (@ByronHudtloff) May 22, 2018
The crowd was ferocious after DSP’s tally too.
2-0 Caps! @smithpelly23 scores and @WesJohnsonVoice announces it! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/33pjZQf0pU
— Byron J. Hudtloff (@ByronHudtloff) May 22, 2018
For me, the tone was set Monday morning, when Alex Ovechkin’s friend and longtime Caps season-ticket holder Abe Hamrah sent us these tweets.
Abe wants some noise tonight so you guys better bring the f*cking noise. https://t.co/qKed6e64Io
— RMNB (@russianmachine) May 21, 2018
@russianmachine This was deafening! This is what it should sound like tonight!!! https://t.co/OVSOpUmxzq #ALLCAPS
— Abe (@DesignoAbe) May 21, 2018
Appropriately enough, Devante Smith-Pelly would score and celebrate right in front of a roaring Abe (wearing a #8 Caps hoodie) sitting along the glass.
Afterwards, Abe had this to say on Twitter.
Thank you Cap 1 Arena for tonight. You represented loud & proud!!!! 👏🏾💪🏾👏🏾💪🏾 cc @russianmachine #1moregame #ALLCAPS
— Abe (@DesignoAbe) May 22, 2018
Yep.
From the Unleash The Fury rally towels to Caps fans celebrating on the steps at the National Portrait Gallery, last night’s win was about as fun and memorable as you could imagine.
Now let’s go win one more.
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