The Washington Capitals’ vibes aren’t great, so Brandon Duhaime went to the next level — or I guess, a lower level — to get the team out of their early-season funk.
The Capitals’ checking line forward, nicknamed “Doggie,” got on all fours and barked like a dog as he entered the tunnel ahead of the team’s game against the St. Louis Blues. John Carlson trailed behind, with his stick in Duhaime’s collar, as if he were walking his dog.
“Hold him back!” one player shouted.
Duhaime barked at least a dozen times and even managed to hop a few times, hurling his entire body into the air like an excited junkyard dog.
“Come on, Doggie!” Tom Wilson cheered.
“Well!” Alex Ovechkin said, amused.
Duhaime, of course, earned his nickname “Doggie” during his first season as a Capital after beginning to bark in the locker room, and I suppose other places, too. The reason was that Duhaime, like the internet meme, has that dawg in him. He would also bark for other players who did tough things, such as fighting, blocking shots, or throwing big hits.
Duhaime even showed his feral side during the playoffs when he began eating the lineup card after announcing the starters in the locker room.
Well done, Brandon. You certainly know how to bring some bite to the team.
