So this is where Redskins fans spend the offseason.
Verizon Center was Rocking the Red again last night. The Capitals finally have bullied their way into second place among local teams in average attendance. They’re also No. 1 in fan experience with a seamless blend of noise regardless of whether the puck is live.
And most of all — they’re winning despite recent ills.
What a novel idea in a town where the Wizards have crashed, burned and seen their ashes spread. Where the Redskins seem one move away from a freefall. Where the Nationals will soon enter spring training without doing anything to improve a 59-win team. Where the Maryland Terrapins lost to Morgan State.
The Caps are doing the heavy lifting — or skating — around town. Unlike the Redskins, Nats and Wizards, they’re not in last place. Instead, the Caps were 10 points ahead in the Southeast Division before facing Edmonton last night.
Yet, owner Ted Leonsis refuses to be pleased despite becoming the only local leader nowadays to fulfill a promise of better times. After crashing the team five years ago, Leonsis has indeed delivered. Maybe not to the point of lifting the Stanley Cup yet, but it’s a young team of stars.
“I’m not satisfied yet. That has to come through clearly,” Leonsis said. “I had a pretty decent team, but I never thought it could win a championship. I’m in business to win a championship. There were [NBA] teams that had to get really bad to get really good. San Antonio built on the back of Tim Duncan, a No. 1 pick. The Lakers built with Kobe Bryant, a No. 2 pick. Cleveland has LeBron James.”
Leonsis took the risk and bottomed out to rebuild. Alex Ovechkin is the young superstar this town has desperately sought since John F. Kennedy took the oath in 1960.
It’s also the best fan experience around town because Leonsis listens. Fans e-mail him constantly. They recommend a new video for the second period. Vote on the music. Even complain about an awkward phrase in his Web site column.
“Listen and see how much better you can improve,” Leonsis said.
The fans weren’t afraid to vent after trailing 3-0 before Tomas Fleischmann’s one-on-four goal revived the crowd, though. It’s finally a hockey town where fans expect to win.
After all, Washingtonians are Ba-rocking nowadays.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
