Our friend Goat. (File photo by Clyde Caplan)
Towards the end of last season when the Capitals were on the brink of making the playoffs, it got loud inside Capital One Arena.
The players noticed. So did the announcers and coaches. Dylan Strome pointed out the atmosphere after a win against the Red Wings at home. “A lot of Caps fans were really loud. It was a great game,” he said. Beck Malenstyn called the energy in the building “electric.” Spencer Carbery mentioned it was “special” to coach in Washington and feel the energy from those close games where the Arena was just buzzing from the fans.
Players have also made pointed comments at how important fan noise is in the past. During the 2018 playoffs, former Capitals player Brooks Orpik said “[The fans] were loud from the start, which I think we fed off of.” And in 2021, TJ Oshie echoed Orpik’s comments, “I don’t know any Caps fans that shy away from making noise…They’re such a big part of what we do here, such a big part of our success.”
Just in the few preseason games this year, Jakub Vrána picked up on crowd noise welcoming him back to town too, and even said how it helped his game. Vrána said, “I heard the fans…I’m really happy they supported me and were loud.”
The players feed off crowd energy, so don’t be afraid to cheer. Not only is it fun, it actually helps the team.
Here are the cheers and chants you absolutely need to know.
“Let’s Go Caps!” The classic chant. Keep an ear out for this one after the arena horn sounds three times, you hear a whistle three times, or a fellow fan decides to get it going. The “Let’s Go Caps” guy, who sits near section 106 and attends almost every home game, likes to energize the crowd with this chant, too. You can hear it anywhere in the arena.
“[The Other Team] Sucks.” Way too often, opposing fans try to take over Capital One Arena with their cheers. Red Wings, Penguins, Flyers and Bruins fans are probably the worst. When you hear them start to say “Let’s go Rangers” (and trust me, you will), hockey etiquette says the home team responds with “Rangers suck.” It’s not rude, and we can all be friends after the game. It just emphasizes that this is our house, and no one comes in here and pushes us around.
If an opposing players does something cheap, it’s also common to boo that player when he has the puck.
“C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS.” This is a newer chant, but still does the job.
“Refs, You Suck.” More often than anyone would like, the referees make a poor call. So naturally, the fans voice their opinion to hold the refs accountable. Perhaps if the referees know 20,000+ people disagree with them, they’ll be a little better on the next call.
“Ovi.” When Ovechkin scored a clutch goal, sometimes the fans start chanting “O-vi”.
“Who Cares?” After an opposing goal is announced by the PA, we all like to inform the rest of the arena that we actually don’t care what visiting player just scored.
“O” and “Red”. During the National Anthem, Capitals fans specifically yell “O” for the Orioles/Ovi (“O say does that star-spangled…”) and “Red” for the Capitals (“The Rocket’s Red glare…”).
A few other notes. During shootouts, we boo the opposing team’s shooter.
When we get rally towels for the game (or free t-shirts), wave them high any chance you get. T shirt giveaways can double as great rally towels, too. Don’t be afraid to use them.
At the end of every home game, the “Three stars of the game” are awarded. These stars go to the top three players of the game (which can include visiting team players). The Capitals who were awarded a star for the game will come out of the tunnel shortly after the game ends and toss a puck to one of the fans standing near the glass. Many fans stay in their seats to cheer for the Star players of the game even if they are not close enough to catch one of the pucks.
If you get up from your seat while the puck is in play, there’s a fair chance a fan behind you will take offense. In hockey etiquette, it’s disrespectful to block other fans’ view during the game. Most wait until one of the many stoppages in play to get up.
At the end of some winning home games and always at the last home game of the year, Capitals players gather at center ice to salute the fans with stick taps. Fans usually stay to give one final round of applause.
