They visited Dick’s Sporting Goods on Friday to buy Caps gear.
Gaithersburg, Md (KM). Fans of the Washington Capitals have every reason to boast. For the first time in its history, the NHL team has won the Stanley Cup. The Caps defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 on Thursday evening in the playoffs, winning the series four games to one.
“We’re the champs, baby! A long time in the making,” said Omar Ishaque, who was inside Dick’s Sporting Goods in Gaithersburg Friday morning. The store opened up at 6:00 AM to accommodate Caps fans who wanted a tee-shirt or other gear to show their admiration and support for the team.
One of those fans was Shannon Cross. “My daughter wanted to wear her Capitals championship tee-shirt to school today. So I rolled out of bed, drove over her to get her clothes so she could show her Capitals’ pride at school today,” she said.
Logan Wane was also in the store on Friday morning, but he didn’t stay up late to watch the game or view the post-game analysis. “My dad just like woke up and reminded us that Dick’s opens at 6:00 AM. So he was rushing to the store,” he said.
Adam Berner was also in the store on Friday morning. “I was in the city with all the other fans. It was wild. I’ve never seen the city react to anything like this. I know I’ve been waiting for a while, and city has too,” he said.
For John Reim, this win was a long time coming. “A lot of people have been waiting for this since 1974,” he said. “My father–I wish he was here to see this because he would sit in the kitchen, by the table, listening to the radio every time they’d play when they weren’t on TV. Go Caps! I love the Caps!”
Dick’s Sporting Goods says it will have more Caps tee-shirts, hats and other gear over the next few days so fans can be ready to welcome the team members when they come home.
The Caps website says a parade is planned for Tuesday, June 12th beginning at 11:00 AM in Washington DC. It will start at Constitution Avenue and 11th Street, NW, and continue down Constitution Avenue to 7th Street. It will turn left along 7th Street where it will culminate in an ALLCAPS rally at 7th Street NW and the National Mall. Fans who plan to attend are encouraged to take Metro.
By Kevin McManus