Just like the Vancouver Canucks did on Sunday, the Washington Capitals hosted their own Hockey Fights Cancer night at Verizon Center. The Capitals wore purple jerseys during warm-ups (photos) and 11-year-old blood cancer survivor Ryan Darby got to participate in the ceremonial faceoff with Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg and Caps captain Alex Ovechkin.

Darby, cute as a button, clapped wildly as Ovechkin made his way to the dot. Then he got a special surprise when they were done: a game-used stick from Alex Ovechkin.

This is wonderful stuff. Way to go, Ovi!

Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Red Wings