Editor’s note: Caps Snaps’ Chris Gordon was your man on the street for the Capitals’ outdoor skate at Chevy Chase yesterday. Here’s his report.

Ovi sported a grease mustache for the practice.

The Caps got a little taste of outdoor hockey on Wednesday at a venue that was somewhat less imposing than Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The practice at the Chevy Chase Club’s rink was closed to the public, but with the Winter Classic just three days away it still attracted a sizable crowd of club members.

“I think we’ve been looking forward to this all year, since they announced it,” Mike Green said. “It couldn’t come quick enough, now here we are, able to play in the game on Saturday. I know everybody is excited.”

“You wish the whole season was played outdoors.” added Karl Alzner.

The players certainly had fun during their skate in the elements. Every member of the team sported eye black, but some players took it further than others, including captain Alex Ovechkin who drew a mustache above his upper lip. “Just have fun, like laugh,” Ovechkin said. “Like, make a joke.”

“We had a couple ultimate warriors out there. I have no idea what [Ovechkin] was doing. He was different,” head coach Bruce Boudreau explained.

As for the game itself? “Once you get out there and you’re practicing today, you can’t wait,” Boudreau said. “It’s pretty exciting. We’re looking forward to it. I hope mother nature does their part and we have our way.”

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the coach offered a contingency plan. “If that doesn’t work a game of floor hockey at a local school would be really good,” he quipped.

“I’m really looking forward to it, so I’d be pretty bummed out if it didn’t go on.” John Carlson added.

Sun-soaked Photos Courtesy of Caps Snaps