CAPS!!!!
Thanks to my Truland Systems Corporation, I enjoyed my first live hockey game in over 15 years on Tuesday, January 7, 2012. It was an amazing game and Verizon Center does a LOT to maximize the fan experience.
For starters, the proximity of good restaurants to the Verizon Center is a boon to any fan wanting to grab a bite that is both higher quality and reasonably priced. Mrs. Fieldy and I ate at the Green Turtle before the game because it was the first thing we came to, but within a few blocks is a plethora of different food. From fast food (McDonald's, Chipotle, etc.) to fancy food (Clyde's of Gallery Place), from seafood (Legal Seafood) to bar food (RFD, Rocket Bar) there is an amazing variety of food to be had. Of course, you can't forget the ethnic food...it is Chinatown afterall :)
After partaking in one of the many great restaurants in the area, getting into the Verizon Center was a breeze. With several entrances to the building it was a matter of seconds before we were in the building and on our way up to our seats. Staff was helpful and fans were friendly. Unlike other venues in the area **ahem...FedexField...ahem** I would gladly bring children to a game there.
With the way the Capitals have been so up and down this season I had relatively muted expectations for the game itself. The Caps played amazing and soared way past my expectations. Perrault scored 13 seconds in and they never looked back. 2 goals from the Great 8, a short-handed goal from Chimera and 42 saves from Tomas Vokoun and the caps won 4-0 over the division rival Florida Panthers. They were skating fast, hitting hard, and once they were up a couple of goals they really clamped down on defense. With the win they moved into first place in the Southeast division, but only by 1 point, ahead of those same Panthers.
It's a long season, but hopefully what we saw tonight, in a division game that would determine the division winner if the season were over today, means they are learning how to win and can turn it on when it matters.
Recent history being any kind of indicator, as exciting as it was to see them win in such fashion, I won't hold my breath.
For starters, the proximity of good restaurants to the Verizon Center is a boon to any fan wanting to grab a bite that is both higher quality and reasonably priced. Mrs. Fieldy and I ate at the Green Turtle before the game because it was the first thing we came to, but within a few blocks is a plethora of different food. From fast food (McDonald's, Chipotle, etc.) to fancy food (Clyde's of Gallery Place), from seafood (Legal Seafood) to bar food (RFD, Rocket Bar) there is an amazing variety of food to be had. Of course, you can't forget the ethnic food...it is Chinatown afterall :)
After partaking in one of the many great restaurants in the area, getting into the Verizon Center was a breeze. With several entrances to the building it was a matter of seconds before we were in the building and on our way up to our seats. Staff was helpful and fans were friendly. Unlike other venues in the area **ahem...FedexField...ahem** I would gladly bring children to a game there.
With the way the Capitals have been so up and down this season I had relatively muted expectations for the game itself. The Caps played amazing and soared way past my expectations. Perrault scored 13 seconds in and they never looked back. 2 goals from the Great 8, a short-handed goal from Chimera and 42 saves from Tomas Vokoun and the caps won 4-0 over the division rival Florida Panthers. They were skating fast, hitting hard, and once they were up a couple of goals they really clamped down on defense. With the win they moved into first place in the Southeast division, but only by 1 point, ahead of those same Panthers.
It's a long season, but hopefully what we saw tonight, in a division game that would determine the division winner if the season were over today, means they are learning how to win and can turn it on when it matters.
Recent history being any kind of indicator, as exciting as it was to see them win in such fashion, I won't hold my breath.