Ahead of puck drop of the Capitals-Red Wings game, the 20 players from each team lined up on the blue line during what, for some, was an emotional pregame ceremony.
Honoring those who have been lost and who are currently fighting cancer, Capitals and Red Wings players held up their sticks while the Capital One Arena stood silent with their phones raised to the sky.
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“The 20 players on each blue line represent 20 years of the Hockey Fights Cancer program,” Capitals PA announcer Wes Johnson said. “Since 1998, the NHL, the NHLPA, our fans, and the greater hockey family has come together to raise awareness and raise funds for hockey’s most important fight. Together we have raised over $20 million and with your help, we are committed to doing even more to provide essential services to patients and their caregivers.
“Now as the players raise their sticks wrapped in Hockey Fights Cancer colors, we invite you to turn on the flashlight on your cell phones,” Johnson continued. “Hold them high during a moment of silence as we honor those who have fought or are currently fighting cancer.”
The imagery was stunning.
The Capitals also posted these photos.
Prior to #CapsWings, the Capitals participated in a league-wide Hockey Fights Cancer Salute with their sticks wrapped in lavender tape. The sticks, along with other #CapsFightCancer items, will be available through a @MSEFndn auction beginning Nov. 27: https://t.co/8runoHpXKq pic.twitter.com/diC3Im4G6q
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 23, 2018
Photos: @CapitalsPR
The sticks from this ceremony will be auctioned off from Tuesday through Friday of next week on Handbid.
More from the Capitals:
Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation will host an auction featuring signed hockey sticks with lavender tape used during a stick salute at the Capitals Nov. 23 game vs. the Detroit Red Wings, autographed lavender player name plates, a team signed Hockey Fights Cancer jersey, and additional items.
Fans interested in bidding will need to download the Handbid app on their iPhone and Android devices or online by clicking here.
Prior to the puck drop, the Capitals and the Red Wings will participate in a league-wide hockey Fights Cancer moment with the sticks. Players from each team will tape their sticks with lavender tape. The players will perform a Stick Tap Salute to honor the patients and families of those battling or moving past cancer, with fans invited to turn on the flashlights on their cell phones to join the salute.
The auction opens at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 27 and will conclude at the end of the second intermission of the Capitals game on Friday, Nov. 30.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit Flashes of Hope, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Fans interested in bidding will need to download the Handbid app on their iPhone and Android devices or online by clicking here.
In addition, fans can visit WashingtonCaps.com/CapsFightCancer to make a donation to the cause throughout the month.
Hockey Fights Cancer, a joint initiative between the NHL and NHLPA, takes place throughout the month of November. The annual campaign has been uniting the hockey community in support of cancer patients and their families since 1998, with 2018 marking the campaign’s 20th anniversary.
