Capitals to Host Hockey Fights Cancer Skate and Nov. 19 Night vs. Sabres
Washington will host children affected by cancer at a team skate on Nov. 5, then hold its annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night against Buffalo on Nov. 19.
The Washington Capitals will hold their annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night presented by Leidos on Thursday, Nov. 19 against the Buffalo Sabres, and will bring the whole team onto the ice with children affected by cancer on Nov. 5.
The Nov. 5 skate includes children who are in cancer treatment or remission, along with survivors and families tied to Blood Cancer United Mid-Atlantic, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, MedStar Health and Sunrise Day Camp Greater Washington. After practice, players will be met in the locker room by the kids before everyone skates together.
On Nov. 19, children who are battling cancer or in remission will be announced as part of the starting lineup. Players will arrive at Capital One Arena in specialty Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys. On-ice projections will show the names of people close to fans who have fought cancer, and lavender, the initiative's signature colour, will show up on the digital boards. Every fan in attendance gets a rally towel from Leidos and can write a loved one's name on it at concourse tables. During the game, Leidos will present the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation with a $40,000 cheque for the team's Hockey Fights Cancer beneficiaries. Proceeds from the night's 50/50 raffle go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
The MSE Foundation is also running an auction of the signed jerseys, along with signed pucks and other memorabilia. Bidding opens at 11 a.m. on Nov. 5 at washcaps.com/hfcauction and closes at noon on Nov. 20. Proceeds go to Blood Cancer United Mid-Atlantic, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, the V Foundation and the MSE Foundation.
The team also noted that Alex Ovechkin's GR8 Chase for Victory Over Cancer has raised more than $276,000 to date, and that goalies Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson will meet the top 10 local youth goalies from the October Saves fundraising challenge in November.
