The Capitals hosted the United Arab Emirates Women’s National Hockey Team on Friday, including Fatima Al Ali, the player who showed off her puck-handling skills to Peter Bondra and earned herself international recognition and travel last year.
The women have been in town since Wednesday, attended practice, scrimmaged and toured D.C.
Before Friday’s game against Columbus, they participated in the ceremonial puck drop with Alex Ovechkin and Blue Jackets’ captain Nick Foligno.
After standing for the national anthem, the women went back to the concourse. They were virtually overcome with excitement, screaming during their group hug.