Billy Lang gets his first game certificate after his second game at Verizon Center via Billy Lang
You may have heard Joe Beninati mention “Billy from Scotland” on some broadcasts over the years. For his 29th birthday, Billy realized a lifelong dream: Watching the Washington Capitals live from Verizon Center.
Prior to Thursday’s 1-0 win over the Devils, Billy spent the morning at Kettler Iceplex. After listening to him call games for more than 20 years, Billy finally met Beninati himself.
A long time ago when I watched the @Capitals I've been listening to @JoeBpXp now I had the chance to meet him at kettler. pic.twitter.com/S3YPwJNDph
— Billy lang (@CAPS365DESIGNS) March 4, 2017
Billy also met Kevin Shattenkirk, John Walton, Braden Holtby, Andre Burakovsky, and Jay Beagle. Everyone Billy met signed his Scottish flag.
Prior to Thursday’s game, there was one more person Billy would meet and sign the flag, Public Address Announcer Wes Johnson.
“[Billy] felt at home in the penalty box, like he’d been there too many times in the past,” said Johnson via Facebook. “Billy is welcome to drop by the penalty box for two minutes (or five) anytime”
Billy would have one more surprise before the end of the night.
Pleasure to meet @Capitals fan Billy, all the way from Scotland at #CapsDevils pic.twitter.com/GI3jyKoEHv
— Slapshot (@Caps_Slapshot) March 3, 2017
Billy said his fascination with the Caps started almost 20 years ago when he fell in love with the symbols of DC, such as the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. He then “discovered” the Caps and has been a fan since.
How did he “discover” the Caps? He knew a guy who wore a Dale Hunter jersey when he played, and ended up gifting the jersey to Billy. Thus a fan was born.
With Scotland being five hours ahead, Caps games often start past midnight.
“[Watching the games] was sometimes tiring,” he said. “I [would] always grind through it… Sometimes I’d never sleep just to watch the games.”
Billy subscribed to NHL.TV. “I can’t listen [to the games.] It hasn’t have the feel.” Despite living outside of the US, Billy still has local blackouts when games are nationally televised. Billy said he still finds a way to watch the game.
Billy works as a graphic designer and enjoys doing some designs of players in photoshop.
LETS GO CAPS 🇺🇸🏒@Kuzya92 pic.twitter.com/DJmoPmDkWi
— Billy lang (@CAPS365DESIGNS) February 24, 2017
#19 St.Nicklas 🏒 pic.twitter.com/cE4LxKg4pr
— Billy lang (@CAPS365DESIGNS) February 25, 2017
Billy is still in town and will be until March 20 so if you see someone walking around Verizon with a Scottish flag, say hello. Billy is also looking to make a trip up to Hershey to see a Bears game.
