The ice hockey team lowered its record to 2-2 after a 7-3 loss against the 2-2 Churchill Bulldogs Nov. 30 at Rockville Ice Arena in a special event sponsored by the Washington Capitals. _
- Seniors pose for a photo with Capitals mascot Slapshot. Students lined up for photos with the mascot and Capitals cheerleaders throughout the night. Photo courtesy Caroline Seibel.
The Capitals held a voting contest among several high school games on their website, offering the opportunity for an appearance from Swedish defenseman and Caps alum Calle Johannson, as well as a chance to have the game taped and analyzed. Students and parents voted all week for the Whitman and Churchill game and won 47.02 percent of the vote. Excited fans lined up at the rink as early as 8:30 p.m. for the 9:50 p.m. puck drop. The parking lot was jammed as the line grew out the door, forming a sea of Churchill green and Whitman blue.
Johannson, a Capital for 15 seasons, dropped a ceremonial puck between captain Lucas Karron and a Churchill player before the game. Both sides were cheering loudly, waving red towels in the tension-filled arena.
Goalie Zach Butler made several incredible saves, but with seven minutes left in the first period, Churchill’s Zachary Arden slipped the puck past Butler to give the Bulldogs an early 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, Churchill’s Zach Satin extended the lead to 2-0.
As the second period began, Arden scored another two goals just five minutes apart at the 11 and six minute marks to make the score 4-0. With 2:18 left in the second period, Viking forward Andy Dexter scored on a play assisted by Karron to give the Vikes a little hope with two minutes to go in the second. However, Churchill quickly struck back not once, but twice with goals at the 44 and 16 second marks.
Early in the third period, Karron scored a goal for the Vikes, making the score 6-2. Just one minute later, Churchill’s Christopher Lai scored, preserving the 5 goal lead. With 8:44 left, Viking Stephen Nowack lessened the deficit with a goal, but it wasn’t enough for the Vikes on the big night.
Zach Butler finished the night with seven allowed goals on 44 shots. The team fought hard throughout the whole game, but Churchill’s capitalization on costly chances ultimately won the game for the Bulldogs. After the game, Capitals commentator Al Koken spoke with Karron about the performance.
“You don’t have this kind of atmosphere every game so it’s really nice,” Karron said in the interview. “It’s the most fun game of the year every year.”
Watch recap and postgame interviews here.
