Tonight, The Husband and I are headed to Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals. We're ready to cheer on our Washington Capitals and rock the red. My red-headed brother is even coming down from NYC to join us. We, along with most of the DC area, are excited to finally see our home team competing for the best trophy in sports.
I became a fan of the Capitals because The Husband played and loves hockey and adopted the team as his favorite when we started college in DC. When we first started dating, we attended a few games and he explained hockey in terms of football (the sport that I knew better). Since then, we've attended games, bought fan gear, and become devoted follows of the Russian Machine Never Breaks blog.
Being this into one team, particularly one that seems cursed in the playoff season, is a roller coaster ride. We experience great joy when the team wins and despair when we're ousted in the playoffs... usually by the Penguins... in the second round... every damn year.
This year is different. We made it to finals and everything, so far, is pure joy. Best of all, it seems like the entire city is with it. I've seen Capitals jerseys and t-shirts and hats everywhere. The metro and sidewalks are full of Caps fans and, best of all, we always greet each other with a cheer or high five. There is a real sense of community and we're all in for this series.
Even when we're not going to the game in person, the community shows up. The team and city have held viewing parties, bars are open to everyone to cheer along, and, at home, you can watch the game and check in on social media and feel like you're among friends. Heck, with the windows open, I've even heard my neighbors cheering when the Capitals score.
Being a fan can be painful when your team is in a slump or makes made management or coaching decisions. But being a fan pays off when you can jump and cheer and scream with joy. There's nothing like rolling along a wave of pure excitement and anxiety that comes with a playoffs run. This ride may not end in a win, but I've loved every moment.
I became a fan of the Capitals because The Husband played and loves hockey and adopted the team as his favorite when we started college in DC. When we first started dating, we attended a few games and he explained hockey in terms of football (the sport that I knew better). Since then, we've attended games, bought fan gear, and become devoted follows of the Russian Machine Never Breaks blog.
Being this into one team, particularly one that seems cursed in the playoff season, is a roller coaster ride. We experience great joy when the team wins and despair when we're ousted in the playoffs... usually by the Penguins... in the second round... every damn year.
This year is different. We made it to finals and everything, so far, is pure joy. Best of all, it seems like the entire city is with it. I've seen Capitals jerseys and t-shirts and hats everywhere. The metro and sidewalks are full of Caps fans and, best of all, we always greet each other with a cheer or high five. There is a real sense of community and we're all in for this series.
Even when we're not going to the game in person, the community shows up. The team and city have held viewing parties, bars are open to everyone to cheer along, and, at home, you can watch the game and check in on social media and feel like you're among friends. Heck, with the windows open, I've even heard my neighbors cheering when the Capitals score.
Being a fan can be painful when your team is in a slump or makes made management or coaching decisions. But being a fan pays off when you can jump and cheer and scream with joy. There's nothing like rolling along a wave of pure excitement and anxiety that comes with a playoffs run. This ride may not end in a win, but I've loved every moment.
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