Tuesday night’s game against the Ottawa Senators was the Capitals’ Pride Night. While Braden Holtby, the Capitals’ “Hockey is for Everyone” ambassador, didn’t start the game in net, he led his teammates in celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Many players taped their sticks with rainbow Pride Tape which supports the LGBTQ+ community. The sticks will be auctioned off in June to support the SMYAL organization, who help local at-risk LGBTQ+ youth.
🏳️🌈 full of pride 🏳️🌈@Holts170 | #RockTheRainbow pic.twitter.com/GzpcSZnSLh
— MonumentalSportsNet (@MonSportsNet) January 8, 2020
Nicklas Backstrom, Nick Jensen, Jakub Vrana, Lars Eller, Garnet Hathaway, Nic Dowd, Brendan Leipsic, Radko Gudas, Jonas Siegenthaler, Braden Holtby, Travis Boyd, and John Carlson all used Pride Tape during warmups. (h/t @tiptoe39 for collecting the information!)
Capital One Arena was decked in rainbows inside and out to mark the occasion. The ALLCAPS pride flag was a gift for anyone that purchased their game ticket through a special group night link or through the charity Team DC, which supports LGBTQ+ inclusion in all Washington, DC-area sports.
Fans around the arena also showed up adorned in rainbows and with signs for the occasion.
All are welcome here 🏳️🌈 #ALLCAPS | #RockTheRainbow pic.twitter.com/oGDED35Lo1
— MonumentalSportsNet (@MonSportsNet) January 7, 2020
Not to be left out, Capitals mascot Slapshot and all of the broadcasters rocked the rainbow with buttons and Pride Tape on their microphones.
#PrideNight is underway! 🌈 pic.twitter.com/oMpZSGIzot
— Slapshot (@Caps_Slapshot) January 8, 2020
Pride Night featuring rainbow-colored microphones! 🏳️🌈 #JoeBSuitOfTheNight #CapsSens pic.twitter.com/7ebEWJvrdY
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) January 8, 2020
View this post on Instagram
The @Capitals Game Ops Crew is ready to #RockTheRainbow on #PrideNight! #ALLCAPS
Two members of the Ottawa Senators also used Pride Tape. Mark Borowiecki and Thomas Chabot both wrapped the tape around the shaft of their sticks. Borowiecki also kept the tape on for the game.
The Senators’ Mark Borowiecki using @PrideTape for the Caps’ #PrideNight 💕 pic.twitter.com/oqaCkODfC4
— b. (@youripides) January 7, 2020
Thomas Chabot also used @PrideTape for the Caps’ #PrideNight. Wonderful to see this kind of class from a visiting team. pic.twitter.com/qLV1otFDeE
— b. (@youripides) January 8, 2020
Headline photo: @MonSportsNet
