NHL service dogs meet during Caps-Isles game

Two of the NHL service dogs in training met for the first time on Saturday during the Capitals-Islanders game.

Two of the NHL service dogs in training met for the first time in real life on Saturday at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New York ahead of the Washington Capitals-New York Islanders game.

Already internet friends, hockey dogs Captain the Caps Pup and Tori the NY Isles Pup finally got to meet in person, and it was as terrific an experience as can be imagined.

They are both yellow Labradors, born within a week of each other, and both are being trained by America’s VetDogs, to eventually help a veteran in some capacity, if everything works out as they’re hoping.

They are both part of the second class of NHL service dogs; Captain is his team’s first, while Tori, named after the Islanders’ general manager Bill Torrey, is the first second-generation team service dog, as Radar is off at puppy college undergoing more strenuous instruction.

Washington, of course, has one of the strongest canine fanbases in the National Hockey League, led by Ovie the Bulldog, and host a Caps Canines club and playoffs event each season.

Captain can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at the handle @CapsPup, while Tori can be followed on Instagram at the handle @NYIslesPup.

In the actual game itself, Alex Ovechkin scored a hat trick in a high-scoring contest, paving the way for the Caps’ 6-4 win.

Now at the All-Star break, Washington’s record now stands at 33-11-5 and 71 points to lead the Eastern Conference’s Metro Division, while the Islanders are currently third in the Metro with 60 points and a 28-15-4 record.

For more news, analysis and opinions on the DC and New York hockey scenes, be sure to check out our FanSided Network sister sites of Empire Writes Back, Eyes on Isles, Puck Prose and Stars and Sticks.