Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche, the Washington Capitals received more evidence that they are one of the most popular teams in the NHL.
Thousands of red-clad Caps fans packed Denver’s Pepsi Center to watch the Capitals defeat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2. At times, Capitals fans drowned out Avalanche fans and there were chants of “Let’s Go Caps” and “Holt-by” throughout the game.
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Incredible night in Denver for Caps fans. @russianmachine pic.twitter.com/asxD6lUR83
— KC (@KasselderKc) February 14, 2020
“It kinda felt like… a home game for us,” an impressed TJ Oshie said after the game. “It was nice seeing all the fans come out. They’ve always been so good to us. Great seeing them here in Colorado.”
Oshie was particularly impressed by how loud Caps fans were as the Capitals killed a long five-on-three powerplay for the Avs.
“That five on three and all those saves by Holts, it kinda sounded like we took over the crowd even,” Oshie said.
With 2:04 remaining in the game, TJ Oshie scored the game-winning goal after deflecting a Nick Jensen shot from the point. A large throng of fans in the background could be seen celebrating what would end up being the game-winning goal.
Absurd number of Caps fans there. 1500 miles from DC. pic.twitter.com/g2Ev8XEt3q
— Rudy Gersten (@DCBarno) February 14, 2020
One Caps fan in attendance, KC Kasselder, spoke to us about his experience.
My family and I weren’t quite sure how many Caps fans would be in attendance, and we thought maybe we’d just be a small handful of fans wearing red. When we arrived to the Pepsi Center, I seriously thought I was back in DC at the Capital One Arena. There was so much red!
When we got to our seat, we were surrounded by red. There were very few Avalanche fans on that side, as it was the side the Caps shot twice. However, it appeared to look that way throughout the Pepsi Center. As folks began to chant and cheer for the Avs, the Caps fans were louder and drowned out the home fans.
The first period was a bore, and we Caps fans were pretty quiet. Once we got on the board, we started to gain our energy again. The tying goal completely blew open the doors for the Caps fans, and we weren’t silent the rest of the game. Chants of “Let’s Go Caps” filled the arena. The Avs faithful were getting frustrated and did everything they could to get their fans energized, but the Caps fans seemed to have a bit more energy and volume.
When the “make some noise” phrase lit up the scoreboard, the Caps fans did just that! A sea of red on their feet. Holtby gained his focus, and the fans let him know that after some game-saving saves. “Holtby” chants from Caps fans filled the Pepsi Center. Then, pure magic happened late in the third period. The go-ahead goal. Talk about an electric atmosphere for Caps fans…the folks in red lost their minds…and their voices!
As fans left the arena, Caps chants broke out.
The fan support was so impressive the Capitals thanked fans on their Twitter account.
To all the Caps fans tonight in Denver:
We saw you
We heard you
We ❤️ you#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/dCZ9CFfShq
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 14, 2020
“The night was incredible, and I couldn’t believe this was a road game against a team in a completely different conference,” KC said. “I do believe everyone there, Caps or Avs fans, were hoping to see history with #700. Obviously that didn’t happen, but the fans were amazing.”
Out on the street, car horns honked “Let’s Go Caps.” For one night only, Denver seemed more like Chinatown in downtown DC.
