Alex Brandon/AP
It’s that time of year again! The Capitals are back in the playoffs looking to deliver the city of Washington their first Stanley Cup. With the city getting behind the team, the Capitals announced plenty of events for fans to partake in, even if you don’t have a ticket to the game.
FROM THE CAPITALS MEDIA RELEASE
The Washington Capitals announced today several initiatives in recognition of the 2017 playoffs presented by Boeing. Capitals fans are invited to participate in several activities to mark the postseason, including:
Boeing Pep Rally at Fort Myer
The Capitals will host a playoff pep rally at Fort Myer Military Base in Arlington, Virginia for Fort Myer military personnel from 11:30 am – 1 pm on Monday, April 10. The event will feature activities and attendance by Capitals alumni Craig Laughlin and Alan May, mascot Slapshot, and the Red Rockers.
Caps Playoff Practices
Fans are encouraged to attend the Capitals playoff practices the week of April 10. Activities will be set up on the mezzanine level of Kettler Capitals Iceplex for children including face painters and balloon artists. Slapshot and the Red Rockers will be in attendance. Practice dates and times will be posted on CapitalsToday.com. In addition, on Tuesday, April 11, CSN will stream Capitals Practice Live hosted by Rob Carlin with Alan May, Tarik El-Bashir, and Jill Sorenson on CSNMidAtlantic.com and Facebook.com/CSNMA.
Caps Uber
On Tuesday, April 11, from 12 – 2 pm, fans in Washington, DC can participate in the Capitals Uber Trivia Challenge. Enter the promo code ROCKTHERED and request CAPS Trivia to request a ride from Capitals mascot Slapshot and in-game PA announcer Wes Johnson. Slapshot and Johnson will host a trivia contest during the ride featuring the opportunity for the passenger to win two tickets to the first home game of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
#CapsPlayoffBaby
Beginning Wednesday, April 12, all babies born at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital during the Capitals’ postseason run will receive a complimentary Washington Capitals package including a blanket, hat, and gift for the mother. Fans can share photos of their newborns by using the #CapsPlayoffBaby hashtag on social media platforms. MedStar Health is the Official Medical Team Partner of the Washington Capitals.
Etihad Airways #RockTheRed Hunt
Capitals fans are invited to participate in a playoffs #RockTheRed Hunt presented by Etihad Airways. Starting at 9 am on Thursday, April 13, special edition #BobbleBeast Braden Holtby bobbleheads will be hidden at different locations throughout the Washington, DC region. Each bobblehead contains a prize such as autographed items, Etihad Airways round-trip airfare to any Etihad network destination, or playoff tickets, among other rewards.
Location clues and updates will be released the morning of April 13 through the team’s official Twitter account, @Capitals.
Caps in School Pep Rallies
The Capitals will host pep rallies for DC Public Schools’ Caps in School program members Lafayette Elementary and Janney Elementary on April 14. The events will feature street hockey as well as appearances by Slapshot and the Red Rockers.
Playoff Stress Yoga
Capitals yoga instructor, Kelly Moore, will host a playoff stress yoga session on the morning of all playoff games on the rooftop of Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va. The one-hour workouts begin at 6:30 am and are free and open to the public. Fans will be asked to RSVP at WashingtonCaps.com once the Eastern Conference quarterfinals schedule is announced.
#RockTheRed Deliveries
Capitals mascot Slapshot and the Red Rockers will visit more than 50 bars throughout the Washington, DC area to deliver Capitals decor, flags, and additional items in celebration of the Capitals playoff run.
Beard-A-Thon®
The Washington Capitals, in conjunction with DC 101 and iHeartMedia, are encouraging fans to participate in one of hockey’s most visible traditions – the playoff beard. The Capitals’ Beard-A-Thon® is an opportunity for fans to grow their own beard and raise money for charity, as all proceeds will benefit the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation.
By joining the Washington Capitals Beard-A-Thon, fans pledge to maintain their beard as long as the team remains in the playoffs. Fans may elect to grow a beard themselves or pledge funds to a beard grower, including Caps players. In addition, Elliot in the Morning Show host, Elliot Segal, is participating in the Capitals’ Beard-A-Thon® tradition. All donations are tax deductible.
To enroll in the 2017 Washington Capitals Beard-A-Thon®, visit WashCaps.com/Beards. The site allows supporters to sign up, create a profile, post beard picture updates, view their donation leaderboard, and promote their cause on social media.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation supports the charitable efforts of the professional teams under its umbrella: the Washington Capitals, Mystics, Valor, and Wizards and the Baltimore Brigade. MSE is committed to the Washington, DC metropolitan area and focuses on the following five pillars to maximize its impact and engagement with the community: youth basketball, football and hockey; education and scholarship; pediatric health and fitness; military and veterans’ affairs; and hunger and homelessness.
MSE Foundation Auctions
Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation will host several postseason auctions during the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. The So Kids Can auction will open April 10, close at the end of second intermission during Game 1, and benefit Martha’s Table Joyful Food Markets. This auction will feature autographed items from Karl Alzner, Nicklas Backstrom, and Braden Holtby along with two suite tickets to Game 2. The Will Over Skill Auction will open on the day of Game 2, close at noon on April 20, and benefit Best Buddies Capital Region. Autographed “Will Over Skill” Capitals hats will be auctioned off and a limited number of the unsigned hats will be available for a “Buy it Now” price of $50 each. The Capitals Miracle 4 Melanie Auction will feature autographed NHL, Capitals, and Wizards memorabilia and will open on April 21 and close at the end of second intermission during Game 5. All proceeds from this auction will benefit Miracle 4 Melanie.
Stay Connected
Beginning Monday, April 10, visit the Playoff Hockey Hub at WashingtonCaps.com/playoffs for the latest playoff information. Fans are encouraged to follow along on social media through the hashtag #RockTheRed. Get the latest news and video from team practices, pregame shows, interviews, live postgame news conferences, expert analysis, and the latest viewing partying locations, contests, and more.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
