Capitals To Host Preseason Game In Baltimore, City's First Hockey Contest Since '97

The Capitals, Baltimore city officials and 1st Mariner Arena yesterday announced that the team will host the Predators "in the Baltimore Hockey Classic, an NHL preseason game on Sept. 20," according to Matt Vensel of the Baltimore SUN. The Predators-Capitals contest "will be the first professional hockey game played in the city since the Bandits of the American Hockey League bolted Baltimore for Cincinnati" in '97. The Capitals have "increased their following in Baltimore, which historically hasn't supported" DC-area sports teams. The club "held a street hockey clinic" in the city last summer. Capitals VP & GM George McPhee said, "We've sold out over 100 consecutive dates in Washington, and we look forward to returning here Sept. 20 and selling out Baltimore." Baltimore City Council President Bernard Young said that "he believes the game will showcase Baltimore as a 'No. 1 class city' and help attract a professional basketball or hockey team to the city in the future." McPhee said that he "hopes the game will be the first of many in Baltimore" (Baltimore SUN, 4/12).