Capitals owner Ted Leonsis offers seats, plans to meet girl who wanted puck

Kevin Allen | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Why the Vegas Golden Knights can win the Stanley Cup SportsPulse: The Vegas Golden Knights are rewriting the history books on what it means to be an expansion team and in the process captivating a city. Our NHL insider Kevin Allen believes their magical run could end with a Stanley Cup.

The magical story of Washington Capitals forward Brett Connolly and a young girl's attempts at getting a puck, which went viral this week, is adding another chapter.

The Capitals have confirmed that owner Ted Leonsis has invited 6-year-old Caps fan Keelan Moxley and her family to sit in seats along the glass for Game 5 of the Washington Capitals’ playoff series against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus leads the series 2-1.

Leonsis plans to meet the family before the game, according to the Capitals.

Connolly was universally praised for his efforts to toss a puck to Moxley after the warmups for Game 2 at Capital One Arena.

The first puck Connolly attempted to throw over the plexiglass to Keelan was snared by a man and then handed to a boy next to him instead of Keelan.

Noting the disappointed look on Keelan’s adorable face, Connolly banged on the plexiglass to show that the next puck was intended for Keelan.

More: Why Golf Channel is broadcasting NHL playoff games

More: Wild coach Bruce Boudreau rips NHL refs: Non-call on cross-check to neck 'cost us the game'

More: In defying odds, Golden Knights' success is not so good for sports books

The next puck that went over the glass was grabbed by the man and handed to a different boy.

Connolly refused to give up. He tossed a third puck over the glass and the unidentified man grabbed it again. Finally, he handed it to a very happy Moxley.

NBC cameras captured the entire drama and it was tweeted all over the world.

The world loved Connolly’s effort to make sure Keelan got a puck. Some believed erroneously that the unidentified man who grabbed the puck was Keelan’s father and was spreading the wealth among his children.

But Keelan’s mother tweeted later that Keelan’s dad, a lifelong Capitals fan, had stayed a few rows back because he didn’t want to block the kids’ view. Keelan is an only child and her parents wanted her to experience a playoff game.

Hi guys! This is my daughter from last nights game! Just want to clarify, the “Dad” catching the pucks was not her father, & she is an only child. Need to say that since her dad was there but about 7 rows back as to not take up space for other kids & he’s an amazing father! — Lauren Moxley (@Moxser) April 16, 2018

Thanks to Connolly’s kindness, Keelan is now famous as Washington’s "puck girl" and she will have an audience as the Capitals' owner meets her. We are going to guess there will be gifts involved.