I hear you and I too am snowed in. And my DirecTV isn’t working to boot.
I have been shoveling and hoping to get to the game today at noon. My neighborhood has had power outages for the last 25 hours or so.
Postponing or rescheduling a game is a tough call for the NHL. If both teams are here and the on ice officials are here and the network trucks and staff are here and the building folks have arrived, then it is game on. It has been that way forever for all sports leagues.
We are playing today. I have great empathy for our fans. I do not want to have anyone be in any danger but the game is on. You will all have to use your own judgement as to whether to come to the game.
We can’t offer exchanges for this game. We don’t have any tickets to exchange. We can’t offer refunds. We have to pay all of our expenses as it is game on.
I empathize and I understand some of your concerns but there are times that we must remember we are a part of a league. That league plays in many cities where there is a ton of bad weather and snow and the games go on.
This game is on national TV on Super Bowl Sunday. It is an important event nationwide for NBC. I apologize to those of you who have voiced concern. I have the exact same issues as you do in getting to the game. It is important to realize that weather plays a role in many cities for many games and that as long as the teams, the officials and the building support staffs are in place and the networks can broadcast – it is game on.
I will review this policy with the league, but for now, all we can do is make the best of a tough decision. Thanks for understanding. Go Caps! Wish us luck today.
I watched this game on tv (missed Joe & Locker) and know that the crowd got the win for the Caps–2 minutes or so after the “Unleash the fury” vid sure enough OV tied it up!
Why can’t something be done to say “THANK YOU FANS” for the ones who showed up and especially the ones who WANTED to show up but couldn’t because of the weather. How about having a charity auction from some of the players gear and using the proceeds to refund Caps fans’ tickets who were not able to attend? Wouldn’t it be worth it for the goodwill generated and “good publicity”?
Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Thanks for reading & Go Caps!!
i for one enjoyed watching the game from my comfy couch…. go caps!
@Greg: “I am not a season ticket holder and had to buy 3 tickets to take my family”
False. No one HAS to buy tickets. You do so with the understanding that sometimes life gets in the way of a game. Lesson learned?
Go Caps!
Ted I trecked to both games from Hanover PA..with no complaints. Probably the dumbest thing I have ever done was drive home from Friday’s game , I could bore you with the story, but like any game the commute isn’t fun but the product on the ice is well worth the hassles and the most important end result, THE STREAK LIVES!!!!!!!
Ted,
What happens to all the hat trick hats? Chicago puts them in Lost and Found.
BTW, your blog’s search box doesn’t seem to work correctly. For some reason, I thought you had a post about this in the past, but I can’t search for it.
Thanks for being an awesome owner. Your care & sincere appreciation of the fans is evident. Thanks for building a big tent.
Ted, One correction: The Verizon Center staff in-fact didn’t show up. I spent 45 minutes with my son waiting for the one food stand that was open. It was unacceptable. As of today, you are a tenant. You’ve got to demand more from your landlord. They’ve got to find a way to get people there if you are going to play the game. There were no ushers either so people in the cheap seats came down and say in our section even though I paid more. The food was the real problem.
Were you able to make it to the game? I hope you were at least able to see it. I was lucky enough that my Dad has a 4WD and the roads weren’t too bad in my neighborhood. The crowd was arguably as loud as Game 7 vs. NYR last year.
I feel the Capitals, NHL and NBC should combine their efforts to refund ticket holders who could not attend the game. I live in Fairfax where our subdivision has not been plowed (VDOT has indicated it will not be until midweek). This was record storm at Dulles, Metro above ground was closed and on Monday the Federal goverment is closed. This was too big a game for the NHL to cancel as they could not replace it with another game. The Penguins did not have an easy time getting here as we all know. I am not a season ticket holder and had to buy 3 tickets to take my family on the ticket exchange from Ticketmaster and when I know we would be unable to attend the game, I went back to the website to sell them and the site indicated that was not possible. I understand this is a business but remember its the fans who support the team and taking care of the customer is the right thing to do.
Hi Ted:
We all made it! You were right to continue with the game as scheduled. Imagine if we canceled the game to be televised nationally. We would be labeled wimps and right fully so. Instead we were rewarded with wings by our grateful players. We live in a neighborhood in Alexandria Virginia. We still have not been plowed. We walked down to Arlandria and hailed a cab(luckily there was one running). That nice gentleman took us right to the Verizon Center. The trip home was a bit more difficult but we made it. We are the next “greatest generation” we have to be tough. Thanks for encouraging people to continue “business as usual” even under adversity. Learning to hang in there will go a long way in every part of our lives. I think we are lucky ….we have a great team and an owner with the biggest heart. Molidietz (Good Job) Judy Albarelli
Mr. Leonsis,
While I appreciate every person’s situation is different, after your Friday blog post I really expected you to make the game, and Verizon Center to be up to the task. Personally I literally moved mountains of snow – the last of it specifically on schedule so I could attend the game. Main roads from VA to DC were in ok shape (I believe someone said 66 was “a joke”). Roads in DC were a different story.
The Verizon Center was hardly staffed for the game. There was one concession stand on the 400 level that was open, and it could not keep up with the orders. I didn’t see any ushers on the 400 level at all. There may have been one or two, but mostly it was everyone for themselves. The stands looked to be at about 50% or so capacity.
Fans for both teams made it, the teams made it, the Red Rockers made it, the VC staff really didn’t make it.
Congrats to the team on number 14. Here’s hoping for better weather. Go Caps!
Ted,
Thanks to your decision and a fellow season ticket holder we enjoyed one great experience today. The fortitude of the CAPS and our fans continues to amaze us. We were not worried at all after it went to 4-2. We knew that we would come back.
The Verizon Center concessionaires who made it tried their best . There were long lines but an upbeat atmosphere.
And I experienced a first. After waiting in a long line, I was told that what I wanted would not be available for 5- 10 min. The vendor took my money and said to come back in ten minutes and my order would be ready. It was ! Win-win for everyone.
Thanks again for a great team and great experiences.
I’ve been through some big snows in DC (’83 and ’96 come to mind) and I’m surprised folks were calling for the game to be postponed, get refunds, exchanges etc. And from the looks of it, plenty of folks made it in, having more than 24 hours for road crews to clear the way and for fans to shovel out. Where there’s a will there’s a way. The Pens made it all the way from Montreal for Pete’s sake. A wonderful, entertaining game. I’m glad it got played. Let’s Go Caps!
The policy is fine, Ted. The team is the WASHINGTON Capitals. For those of us who live within walking distance, today was an awesome experience. Walking from Verizon Center back to Dupont Circle was amazing. A group of us went by the Pens’ hotel and gave hotel workers Caps shirts and hats. It STINKS some people in MD and VA couldn’t get to the game. We MISSED you. But the show goes on… we cheered extra loud for all who couldn’t make it in.
That was possibly the game of the season, so I hope your fans made the effort to get to the arena. *EVERY* NHL matchup should aspire to that level of intensity.
I hate to say it, Ted, but you’re turning me into a Washington Capitals fan. UGH!
Made it the game despite the terrible driving conditions. Just got home and the roads are really dangerous. Stay home and watch the Super Bowl. It isn’t worth the risk driving tonight.
Ted,
We tried to get to the game today but could not get out of the driveway. We watched with our jerseys on and tickets around our necks cheering for every goal and threw our hats when Ovi scored #3 for the day. Scared our shelties with our cheering. I think our neighbors heard us!
LETS GO CAPS!!!!
angel:-)
Ted – Thanks for the very helpful note.
Ted, maybe you could offer an exchange for tickets to a game of the organization’s choice next season? Surely not all 41 will be sold out.
I agree that the game must be played; this is a winter sport and if it was canceled due to snow, the late night shows would mock the NHL unmercifully.
Thanks Ted.
Not too many owners would take the time to address this situation and while there will regardless be some very upset (possibly irate) fans, it is still very much appreciated.
I am on the equipment staff (with the visitor’s side) and I live in Ashburn which received over 30″ so unfortunately I have already made the decision that I cannot safely make it to the Verizon Center to work. I have already been stuck twice and although my driveway is cleared, the plows have not even arrived yet to attack the 4-foot drift that lies beyond.
Hope you can eventually make it to the game and thanks again for all your support.
Jimmy Park
I can’t believe fans would want to reschedule this one.. Come on now. Our boys have been in thier own homes since Friday with plenty of rest. Pittsburgh played less than 24 hours ago, lost and then spent the night on a plane and in a bus. It’s time to play! Come on number 14!!
Ted,
Thank you for our sincere message. My husband and I had a weekend planned to stay in the city last night, but due to the weather it was not possible. However, we did spend the day clearing our driveway and know we can get to the main roads. The Post Office was closed yesterday, with no mail delivery, but the fans of the Washington Capital will prevail and cheer our team to win #14!!!
Everyone be safe, see you at the Verizon!
And that’s as it should be, Ted.
My wife and I will not be at the game. We are socked in. So be it. We’ll watch and cheer on TV. We’re fortunate in that our TV/internet/phone just came on in the past hour, though it was too late to try to use Ticketexchange. This is simply an extraordinary circumstance and we will have to live with it.
Ted: I understand this, but Maryland Men’s Basketball, is telling fans to stay away from that game, unless fans can walk to the game. I still think, the white uniforms, should be worn at home. I know NHL policy;it is time to change back to the traditional look. I have been a Capitals since 1974. Go Caps, Crush the Ock-Ocks(Penguins).
Sincerely,
David Summers
Ted, that’s the right call to make. Hard but right and no one ever said every decision is an easy one. Is it wrong of me to find delight in the article on the Pens website of what their last 24 hours have been, beginning with a nasty loss? I think the right word is ‘schadenfreude’.
Let’s Go Caps!!
Ted, I think a compromise of giving people more time to dig themselves out would have been nice but what do I know. I’ve offered a free ticket on CL to whomever can come and pick me up in Silver Spring. I don’t want to miss this game.
The show must go on!
Build it and they will come!
If they game had been posponed a whole new bunch of people would be bitch n and complaining. The game was scheduled today,the players and coaches and officials are there, it’s game on!
Rock the Red !
Rock the Red for those who could not attend as well!
Hey ted,
I’m walking distance to there Verizon Center and visiting from Pittsburgh where I’m in school, although a lifelong caps fan! Is your suite being used today? I’d love to come and show support for the caps!
Yeah Ted, It’s hockey..Let’s do this!!.Go Caps!!
Well said Ted. Even though I wish I could attend the game today, I am snowed in and excited that it won’t be as boring because from 12-3 I get to watch our Caps play hockey. Good luck to all who attempt to make it to the game and for those of us still inside, we can still Rock the Red on our couches. Go Caps.
We understand TED, verizon will be rocking no matter the weather, especially in 425 !!
If the Pens can make the game, I figure I need to make an effort to get there, too.
I’m so psyched my power just came back 1 hr ago in Potomac so now we got TV. (YES!!) That was my first concern about how I was going to see the Caps game. I thought I might have to sit in my car in the driveway.
Ted, as a STH I understand. The organization can’t control the weather. I just hope we have a great atmosphere at VC today and all of our fans that live near underground metro can make it. I have already given my ticket to a caps fan who lives by Navy Yard an he will Rock the Red in my stead. I hope everyone gets power back soon an enjoys the game on NBC. Let’s go Caps!