Nearly 500 fans helped the Washington Capitals raise $304,900 for charity at the second Caps Care Casino Night and Auction this week at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Alexandria, Va.

A majority of the money raised will benefit Washington Capitals Charities, which supports community programs in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Some of the most popular auction items at the event included:

• A coaches' cocktail party at Bruce Boudreau’s home with Bruce and Crystal Boudreau, Dean and Sherry Evason and Bob and Mary Sue Woods that raised the most money of any item ($25,000).
• Wine tasting with the Bruce and Crystal Boudreau, Mike and Megan Knuble and David and Diondra Steckel in a private room at Total Wine & More featuring eight hand-selected wines, stemware and an educational handout for tasting notes ($11,250).
• A hockey clinic for 20 people at Kettler Capitals Iceplex with assistant coach Bob Woods, forwards Matt Hendricks and Brooks Laich, defenseman Mike Green and goaltender Semyon Varlamov ($10,000).
• Two lucky Caps fans will watch John Wall and the Wizards take on LeBron James and the Miami Heat in VIP seats with Caps captain Alex Ovechkin and left wing Jason Chimera. After the game, the group will be escorted to the floor for a photo ($8,000). 

Doors opened at 6 p.m. to VIP ticket holders, who mingled with the entire team along with coaches and owners. After that the players entered the gaming area, which featured blackjack, craps, roulette and Texas hold ’em. There were instructional tables along with video game stations – Wii bowling and Rock Band. Participants were treated to complimentary food – lamb pita, shrimp and boursin filo bundle, quail, Maryland crab cake sliders, kobe beef sliders, cubano sliders, a sushi bar, a sate bar and a liquid nitrogen ice cream bar – along with beer, wine and signature cocktails. 

Coach Bruce Boudreau was celebrating more than casino night -- it was his birthday!

Alex Semin and Alex Ovechkin, looking serious. (Ovechkin is also featured in the main photo.)


Photos by Peter Hassett -- read more on his blog about this fun night!