WASHINGTON DC — Friday, the Washington Capitals held their final ceremony to honor Alex Ovechkin after the Russian superstar scored his 895th career goal and became the NHL’s new goals king on April 6. Entitled “The Gr8 City Celebration,” the Capitals opened up Capital One Arena free to fans (after previously scheduling the event to be held at Union Station) to offer more congratulations to The Great 8 and give him gifts.
Perhaps the best present, although temporary, was what Nicklas Backstrom brought on stage for Ovi at the end of the event.
“We now present you, the goat,” Nicklas Backstrom said as Alan May and Tarik El-Bashir broke up in laughter.
Ovechkin, a natural goat dad, cradled the blue bandana’d babe for photos before holding its neck and looking deep into its eyes. The photos of the moment are something else.
Ovechkin wasn’t done with goats though after he left the stage. The Capitals captain was ushered over to the “Gr8ness Goats” area — a pen that held four goats dressed in no. 8 jerseys and Capitals regalia — to hold another baby and feed it a bottle of milk that had goal chase stickers on it.
The “Gr8ness Goats” appeared to be the most popular exhibit at floor level as fans took photos and videos as the animals grazed and baa’d. At the end of the show, another goat² moment happened when Capitals superfan William “Goat” Stilwell was granted permission to enter the enclosure with his fellow species.
“Overall, being able to celebrate a milestone like this for someone who is not only currently playing for the Caps, but has done so and will do so for his entire NHL career is something I never could have envisioned for a long, long time,” Stilwell said. “I really appreciate the organization putting on an event like this, where the fans got to hear directly from Ovi, and gather to celebrate outside the context of a game. And I might be biased, but adding the goats elevated the entire affair.”
The goats were supplied by Squeals on Wheels, an award-winning traveling petting zoo that serves the DC, MD, and Northern VA area.
