I attended the IIHF World Championships in Zurich over the weekend and watched Team USA beat Great Britain 5-1 at Swiss Life Arena. I was one of the other almost 6500 fans in attendance and it was a really fun atmosphere. I had no idea that there so many hockey fans from Great Britain! Hats off to British hockey fans. There were plenty of other nations represented: I saw a lot of hockey sweaters from Austria, Germany, Slovakia, and Czechia, and host Switzerland.
Living in Germany, I don’t get many chances to see any Capitals play in Europe. There are the IIHF Worlds and there are a number of former NHLers playing in the many professional leagues in Europe, including some former Capitals. I missed the chance to see Jaromir Jagr and Slovakian great and former Capital Milan Jurcina before they retired in the last few years after playing in the Czech League. I tried a few times to make it happen, but those games are pretty far away from me and waited just a bit too long. I didn’t have the time to bounce around the continent watching hockey games. Yesterday was my first opportunity and I’m going to have to do it again.
Sunday was also the first time getting to see Ryan Leonard play. While no. 9 didn’t get on the score sheet, he had a couple of chances, delivered some hits, and had a very nifty curl and drag move in front of the net. USA wasn’t very sharp in the first period but played much better in the latter two. While Leonard didn’t score, he did throw some hits and had some chances, once with a nice curl in drag that got knocked away before he could get off the shot. But he is a great skater and a lot of fun to watch.
There were a number of NHL jerseys and hats in the crowd, and the Metropolitan Division was the best represented. Rangers, Devils, Flyers, Blue Jackets, and I saw a handful of Capitals jerseys. They waved back when I yelled out “Go Caps!” and I asked anyone in a Metro Division jersey if I could interview them. Most were from Switzerland or Germany and politely declined, but I did manage to find a real-life Capitals fan named Joel.
Joel was wearing a blue hoodie in the old Capitals colors and logo. He was nice enough to talk for a few minutes between periods. Joel, originally from the DC and living in Zrucih for a while now, came out to support Team USA. He said he doesn’t stay up late to watch Caps games because they are on too late. He was kind and gracious with his time and if you're out there Joel, thanks for chatting with me. Nice to see a fellow DC hockey fan so far from home. Let's Go Caps!
Next game for Team USA is Tuesday vs. Finland.
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