Tonight has the potential to be a very special night for Alex Ovechkin, as he pursues 1,000 career points against the Caps’ biggest rival. For one of his fans, this morning is the beginning of an already special day. It is evident that Ovechkin has impacted the game and has a large following, from his home country of Russia to the Caps fans that fill Verizon Center every night, but one fan traveled great lengths to meet her idol.
Sarah Pereira, 19, of Northern British Columbia traveled 2, 897 miles with the hopes of meeting Ovi. She was in attendance at today’s morning skate at Kettler and had a sign with a brief message to tell her story about her length of travel.
That’s a long way to travel @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/ZuzEq6tk0p
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) January 11, 2017
J.J. Regan of CSN makes a funny yet accurate point on most Caps fans that have gotten to meet “Alexander the Great”.
Oh yeah? Well I battled Northern Va. traffic so pretty much the same thing. #Caps pic.twitter.com/Yq6dcXVBo1
— JJ Regan (@JJReganCSN) January 11, 2017
Growing up a long way from DC and practically living in Vancouver Canucks territory, I asked her about how she became a fan of Ovechkin.
“In sixth grade, I bought my first Ovi t-shirt and I really liked his personality and how good he plays on the ice,” said Pereira.
Four years ago, Sarah and her family flew to Vancouver to watch Ovechkin play, and have made that trek an annual tradition whenever the Capitals were in town.
Sarah, along with her family, traveled for over a day to get to DC. They took three flights. The first from British Columbia to Vancouver. Then from Vancouver to Toronto and then finally from Toronto to Washington.
“We left on Monday morning at six in the morning and we got to Washington on Tuesday at 10 a.m. It was a long time,” Pereira recalled.
From landing at Dulles, they took a shuttle bus to their hotel. They’ll be in town for six days and will be attending all three Capitals home games during their stay in the Nation’s Capital.
With all the sights to see in D.C., numerous historical monuments and museums, I then asked her what else she was looking forward to experience during their trip, which is also her first time in Washington.
“Well that (the Caps games) was my number one thing, that’s all we had planned: seeing Ovi and going to a game so we don’t know yet,” Pereira laughed.
When all was said and done, she got her wish. Way to go Sarah! Enjoy your time in Washington and have fun at all the Caps games this week. Ovechkin getting his 1,000th point during one of these three upcoming home games with Sarah in the stands would be icing on the cake.
Worth the trip! @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/rOWBt4NN8V
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) January 11, 2017
Sarah’s dream of meeting @ovi8 came true, then she had to face our cameras @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/L9D5GDiQt7
— Brody Logan (@BrodyLogan) January 11, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
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Way to Go Sarah!!!! We will be watching for you in the crowds… The Cates Family now in the Kootenay’s
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