With patriotic banners and chants of "U-S-A, U-S-A", pro sports returned to the United States capitol late Tuesday for the first time since terrorists attacks here and in New York a week ago.
The Philadelphia Flyers' 6-1 trouncing of the Washington Capitals in a pre-season ice hockey exhibition that was less meaningful than the act of returning life to normal for players and fans after the devastating attacks.
Only about 5,000 spectators were on hand at MCI Arena, few in the most expensive seats, for a game that players had openly admitted they felt might be a target should terrorists wish to commit another atrocity.
"Everybody in the building was nervous the first 15 minutes. Then I think everybody sort of settled down," Capitals defenseman Brendan Witt said.
After a moment of silence during which players from both teams lined up along center ice to show unity, a color guard presented the American flag and a spectator yelled "Yay, America" to arouse a cheer from the crowd.
After the US anthem was sung, the fans began a chant of "U-S-A, U-S-A" heard most notably in a hockey rink during the 1980 US Olympic gold medal team's stunning upset of the Soviet Union, the "Miracle on Ice".
Spectators were given cardboard American flag replicas as they entered through toughened security and bag checks. Fans waved the banners during a first-period stoppage during a standing ovation for police, firefighters and rescue crews.
Banners on display included "God Bless America," "Proud to be an American," and "I Will Not Fear".
Another memorialized Garnet "Ace" Bailey, a member of the original Capitals' squad and an 11-year National Hockey League veteran who was aboard one of the airplanes which crashed into the World Trade Center.
On the ice, four-time defending NHL scoring champion Jaromir Jagr scored his first goal for Washington since being obtained in a deal from Pittsburgh.
But the Flyers got two goals and an assist from Pavel Brendl and a goal and two assists from Jeremy Roenick in the romp. Roenick was in his first game for Philadelphia after leaving Phoenix. Brendl arrived from New York in a deal that sent Eric Lindros to the Rangers.
Spectators filed out of the building after a game without incident to the sounds of more patriotic songs, including "Proud to be an American" and Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA."
Some of American football's Washington Redskins spent Tuesday visiting those injured at the Pentagon. Quarterback Jeff George was touched by fans who exhorted the team to win Sunday at Green Bay from their hospital beds.
"They are laying there and saying, 'Good luck on Sunday'," George said. "After what they have been through, they are thinking about us. That there is touching” -- WASHINGTON (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
