The yr in D.C. Sports activities will more often than not be remembered for one aspect: The Capitals ending the District’s long time-long title drought by way of triumphing the Stanley Cup. But there has been a lot greater that came about. Here’s a refresher of the maximum memorable highs and lows of 2018.

Highs The Capitals win the Stanley Cup.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin hoists the Stanley Cup after their win over the Vegas Golden Knights. (Photo via Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post) With a four-3 victory over the Golden Knights in Las Vegas on June 7, the Capitals won the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. Alex Ovechkin took home the Conn Smythe Trophy, shedding the label as the nice hockey participant to in no way win the Cup. And D.C. Sports fans had been able to rejoice the first identify from one of the town’s 4 main sports crew because the Redskins gained all of it in 1992. One nighttime apparently erased many years of hardships for a town, a fan base, and, in particular, one of the NHL’s biggest stars. “It doesn’t remember what took place before,” Ovechkin stated after the Caps’ Game five victory. “We just gained it.”

“The Save”

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby, center, makes a stick shop on shot via Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch, left. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) Many championship runs have one defining moment that fanatics consult with a simple moniker like “The Catch” or “The Flu Game.” If you speak to any Caps fan approximately their crew’s run to the Cup and point out “The Save,” they’ll realize exactly what you speak me approximately. Caps goalie Braden Holtby’s wonderful game-saving stick keep with two mins left in Washington’s three-2 Game 2 win on May 31 will live on forever in D.C. Sports activities lore. Vegas ahead Alex Tuch looked like he had an extensive-open net whilst a diving Holtby stabbed at the percent together with his stick and erased the Knights’ danger of tying the game and doubtlessly taking a 2-zero series lead within the Stanley Cup Final. “Holts simply makes the keep of the 12 months,” Capitals forward Jay Beagle said after the sport. “Maybe the save of an entire life. It’s unreal.”

The parade

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom hoists the cup all through a parade for the Stanley Cup champs. (Photo through Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post) Tens of heaps of Caps lovers packed Constitution Avenue NW to have a good time, the District’s first main expert sports identify in 26 years. The Caps ended their championship parade with a lager-soaked, profanity-laced rally on the Mall in what changed into the precise culmination for the gamers’ wild dayslong drunken binge. “Sorry about my voice. We’ve been partying within the streets for more than one day,” Caps forward, T.J. Oshie said on the level before beginning an “again-to-returned” chant.

Audi Field opens with Rooney.

D.C. United ahead, Wayne Rooney kicks the ball beyond Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah at some stage in the primary 1/2 in a primary round playoff sport at Audi Field. (Photo by using Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)
July 14 turned into the start of new technology for D.C. United, with the opening of Audi Field and the debut of English big-name Wayne Rooney. United had the fewest factors in MLS when it defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps three-1 in its first night time within the new stadium. Fueled via its big midseason acquisition, United went 12-2-1 at Audi Field to make the playoffs and host a knockout-round recreation, which it lost to the Columbus Crew in penalty kicks. In 20 games with United, Rooney had 12 goals and seven assists.

Harper wins the Home Run Derby.

Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper celebrates his Home Run Derby win at Nationals Park. (Photo through Katherine Frey/The Washington Post). Wearing a D.C. Flag bandanna, Bryce Harper stepped to the plate in front of a roaring crowd of extra than 43,000 human beings at Nationals Park and overwhelmed towering blasts into the stands July sixteen to win his first professional Home Run Derby identify. During a ninety-2nd span inside the very last, Harper hit nine homers on 10 swings to tie Kyle Schwarber in regulation. Then, Harper hit a shot to the straightaway middle at some stage in bonus time to pinnacle the Cubs slugger, flipping his bat in the birthday celebration. “Just having the gang accessible and absolutely feeding off them [helped],” Harper stated. “We have a number of the first-rate fans in all of baseball. … That’s an exceptional second, no longer simplest for me but the business enterprise and the Nationals lovers.”

Mystics attain WNBA Finals.

Washington Mystics ahead Elena Delle Donne drives the lane in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals towards the Seattle Storm at George Mason University. (Photo via John McDonnell/The Washington Post)
For the first time in the franchise’s 20-yr records, the Mystics advanced to the WNBA Finals with an 86-eighty one victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 5 of the semifinals on Sept. Four. Elena Delle Donne averaged 19.6 points in line with recreation inside the playoffs and fought thru knee harm to cast off the Dream. “We’re right here because we’re persistent, we’re resilient, and we play together,” teach Mike Thibault said after the Game 5 victory. But Washington could not get past Breanna Stewart and the Seattle Storm, getting swept in the WNBA Finals.

Lows Virginia dissatisfied by using No. Sixteen seed UMBC

Virginia defends Kyle Guy, left, reacts to No. Sixteen seed UMBC celebrating their upset of No. 1 seed the University of Virginia within the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament. (Photo via John McDonnell/The Washington Post) If you’re a Retrievers fan, you will record this in the “highs” column. But this sport will hang out with Cavs enthusiasts for years, as Virginia has become the primary No. 1 seed to lose to a No. Sixteen seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. On March sixteen, Virginia, a 20.5-factor favorite, misplaced 74-54 to UMBC, which became making its 2nd NCAA tourney appearance. UMBC senior defend Jairus Lyles scored 28 points is considered one of the most important upsets in sports activities history.