When Alex Ovechkin got tripped in the second period, referee Brad Wilson was not happy with the offender… whoever that was. (It was not who they think it was.)
By Peter Hassett 5 years ago
Nathan Walker became the first Australian to ever play in the NHL Saturday. And just to make his debut perfect, he scored his first NHL goal late in the second period in front of his family and friends.
The goal was initially credited to Devante Smith-Pelly, but NHL officials eventually reviewed footage and switched the goal to Walker.
After the game, Walker posed with the puck that he almost didn’t end up with.
It was home opener time at the Capital One Arena (that’s still weird) and boy did the Caps decide to give the red clad crowd a show. Not only did we see the first Australian player in the National Hockey League, but that Alex Ovechkin guy is still constantly making history. Just when you think he can’t top himself, he always surprises in a flurry of power and speed that hockey has never seen and probably will never see again.
Nathan Walker got a great ovation from the crowd, it’s time to drop the puck and Alex Ovechkin has already scored. And then he scored again. And then again. TJ Oshie scored somewhere in between to ruin a portion of the fun, but a 4-0 lead after one period is pretty decent.
Dmitry Orlov turned the puck over trying for the Caps signature “slingshot” play on the power play and the Habs took advantage with a shorty through Brendan Gallagher. Oh, and there’s that guy in red wearing number 8 again for his fourth. Then Walker got his first in the big leagues on a deflection. The official scorer was busy. 6-1 after two periods.
Baila-freaking-mos.
Caps beat Canadiens 6-1!
By Chris Cerullo 5 years ago
Crikey! What a game.
Nathan Walker already made history by becoming the first Australian to ever play in the NHL. So why not become the first Australian to ever score a goal in the NHL too?
Walker did just that late in the second period.
By Ian Oland 5 years ago
The official NHL scoresheet is telling me that Alex Ovechkin has a four-goal game. With a light touch late in the second period, Ovechkin recorded his seventh goal of the season in the second period of the second game of the season.
Nothing makes sense anymore, and it’s beautiful.
By Peter Hassett 5 years ago
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is one of the greatest goal-scorers of all-time and Saturday he accomplished something that no other player has done in 100 years.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS.
The Washington Capitals got some tasty, tasty homecooking on their debut at the rechristened Capital One Arena. The Caps struck thrice in the first 2:31, then Alex Ovechkin wrapped up yet another hat trick before the first period ended.
Yeah. It’s back-to-back hat tricks for Ovi to start the season. He has tied Peter Bondra for the franchise record.
By Peter Hassett 5 years ago
With their guests down 3-0 early in the first period, the Washington Capitals used a TV timeout to thank Karl Alzner for his time in DC.
Capital One Arena erupted in applause for the departed iron man.
By Peter Hassett 5 years ago
Saturday night, Nathan Walker became the first Australian to ever play in the NHL and Capitals players treated the milestone with the respect it deserved.
The team gave Walker the “rookie treatment” where they confused the rookie into taking several warmup laps alone before joining him out on the ice. Sure he accomplished a NHL first, but he’s still just one of the boys.
Earlier today we posted some Australian-flavored signs to welcome Nathan Walker to the Capitals during his first ever NHL game.
Well, you all are awesome and the signs overtook the Capital One Arena. Check out the photos below!
By Cara Bahniuk 5 years ago
