Capitals Wish kid throws Steve Ott out of ceremonial faceoff, has best weekend ever (Video)
Braden Neinaber is an 8 year old from Saskatoon, Sask., and completely hockey obsessed. He also has Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare disease in which the body produces too many white blood cells, leading to a number of health problems and, in some cases, it can be fatal.
His favorite player is Braden Holtby, goalie for the Washington Capitals. Through the Children’s Wish organization and the Capitals, Neinaber’s dream came true over the weekend: He and his family went to practice to hang with Holtby, and the Capitals had him out on the ice to score goals and simulate fights. He also was given his own jersey and nameplate in the dressing room. It was pretty much amazing.
But it was a moment before the Capitals’ matinee game against the Buffalo Sabres in D.C. that made Braden Neinaber pretty much the fan of the season so far. He participated in the ceremonial puck drop between Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals and Steve Ott of the Buffalo Sabres, one of the most hated players in the League.
So he did what any true fan would do: He threw Ott out of the ceremonial faceoff, to the delight of the home crowd.
Who knew he’d end up making our wish come true?
Normally, Ott would have had to start his faceoff early or encroach on another player to get tossed out by a linesman. Here, it happened ... because he's Steve Ott.
Here’s a longer look at his day with the Capitals via CSN Washington:
Congrats to Holtby and the Capitals for making this young fan’s dream come true. And to Steve Ott for being a good sport.
