Photo by clyde.

Photo by clyde.

Update: Both the Capitals and the Wizards are postponing their games scheduled for today and tomorrow.

Scott Hall, the Wizards’ senior director of communications, confirmed to DCist that tomorrow’s game against the Utah Jazz is postponed. He says the team plans to reschedule the game.

The Capitals will have a decision about Sunday’s game tomorrow morning.

Original: Area officials are telling folks to “shelter in place” by 3 p.m. but the Washington Capitals still plan on dropping the puck for their game later this evening.

The NHL announced today it was rescheduling the Caps’ game against the Anaheim Ducks tonight at the Verizon Center, from 7 p.m. to the earlier 5 p.m., though for now the game is still on. The organization said the change was “due to the severe snowstorm impacting the Washington, D.C., area and in light of Metro’s service changes.”

Not everyone thinks that’s enough.

Executive Director of the Governors Highway Safety Association Jonathan Adkins has a ticket for tonight’s game and could walk to the Verizon Center, but still believes the game should be cancelled. “Playing the game sends a conflicting message to the public. On the one hand, public officials are saying it is dangerous to be out after 3 p.m. Yet, the NHL is saying it is safe to come out and enjoy a hockey game. Safety should come first.”

A Caps fan named David, who has tickets for tonight’s game, sent this email to Deadspin:

Fans are getting screwed, and must either put themselves in a dangerous situation or lose money on unused tickets. So in my case I am losing out on $500 on four tickets, because I will not risk the 30 mile drive in a massive snowstorm.

And ticket holders aren’t the only ones flummoxed by the decision.

The Caps also have a game on the books at the Verizon Center this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins at 12:30 p.m., for which they “remain in communication with the NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins and local government officials.”

They’re not the only team hoping to ball in the District this weekend. As of now, the Washington Wizards’ basketball game this Saturday against the Utah Jazz is still on for 6:30 p.m., also at the Verizon Center. The Wizards’ website says that the organization “continues to monitor the situation, and will remain in constant communication with the NBA and the Utah Jazz.”

Washington Post sports reporter Jorge Castillo is reporting that the Wizards game is postponed.

However, when reached over the phone, Scott Hall, the Wizards’ senior director of communications, says that “no official announcement has been made.”

At a press conference this morning, Emergency Management Agency Director Christopher Geldart said that the agency highly encouraged the NHL and NBA to cancel their games, though “if the team wants to put players in danger, it’s their decision.”

Filed Under: blizzard, nba, NHL, washington capitals, washington wizards,