Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Washington Capitals are set to open their 2020-21 season tonight against the Buffalo Sabres in New York and with their opening roster set, the team looks to get their 56-game regular season off on the right track. Less than 12 hours before puck drop, the team got a “Good Luck” message from one of the District’s biggest celebrities.
In an adorable video posted to the Smithsonian National Zoo’s Twitter account, Giant Panda cub Xiao Qi Ji (shiao-chee-jee) played with a panda-sized hockey puck while messages of “Good Luck”, “Let’s Go Caps”, and “#ALLCAPS” flashed on the screen.
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji and @capitals? 🐼 Slapshot 🏒 straight to the heart. ❤️ Sending love to D.C. and our hometown team as they start their season tonight. Go Caps! #ALLCAPS #PandaStory pic.twitter.com/Ipg5GCtWfu
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 14, 2021
In the tweet, the Zoo wished the Caps well in the first game of the season, saying “Sending love to D.C. and and our hometown team as they start their season tonight. Go Caps”. The zoo also sent another tweet filled with panda and hockey stick emojis, with the caption, “Pandamonium all over the ice”.
Pandamonium on ice! #ALLCAPS ❤️🏒 https://t.co/BA60tCDX9K
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 14, 2021
Xiao Qi Ji was born on August 21, 2020 to mother Mei Xiang and father Tian Tian and has been adored by many since his birth via the zoo’s webcams, as the zoo has been closed to the public due to the Coronavirus pandemic and he has yet to debut publicly. The Capitals, meanwhile, have been getting put through their paces in a shortened training camp under new Head Coach Peter Laviolette, and are set to play in a newly-aligned NHL this season. Puck drop in Buffalo is 7:00 PM on NBC Sports Washington or the Capitals Radio Network.
By Michael Fleetwood
