The Washington Capitals’ double-overtime loss in Game Seven was difficult to watch and fathom.
But after the final buzzer sounded and handshakes were done, the team raised their sticks and saluted to the crowd. Alex Ovechkin applauded fans. He also gave away his hockey stick to a little girl in the front row before leaving the ice for good.
The captain gathered the team in the defensive zone. Ovechkin lifted his stick first and the rest of the team followed. After Ovechkin was finished clapping towards the Caps faithful, he appears to have blown a kiss to his wife Nastya in the lower bowl.
NBC Sports Washington cameras captured a young girl holding Ovechkin’s stick after the team had left the ice.
Ovechkin thanked the staff, who had also worked overtime that night, as he left Capital One Arena for the last time this season.
Last year Alex Ovechkin lifted the Stanley Cup and yelled "Thank you, Vegas!" as he left the ice. This year, head down, his wife, Nastya, patted him on the butt a few times. He said "Thank you, guys!" to Capital One Arena staff, waved and left the building.
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) April 25, 2019
TJ Oshie, who came to the game in a suit and sling after surgery on a fractured collarbone, also thanked the fans on Twitter.
It’s never easy when your season comes to an end. It’s even worse when you can’t be out there with the fellas when it does. Thanks #Caps fans for all of your support. We had a hell of a ride as the Champs!!
— TJ Oshie (@TJOshie77) April 25, 2019
