Obama called out on Caps broadcast

With the Capitals wrapping up their Game 6 rout of the New York Rangers, NBC play-by-play announcer Mike Emrick had a shout-out to President Barack Obama.

He told the listening audience -- and I'm paraphrasing here -- that President Obama has never been to a hockey game, and that with the Caps now forcing this series to its max and bringing it back home to Verizon Center, well, he'd never miss a Game 7.

For you White House schedulers reading, that's Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the big arena in Chinatown, about 8 blocks or so from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

It's a somewhat timely appeal. The President played golf on Sunday morning at Andrews Air Force Base (his foursome: Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, presidential aide Marvin Nicholson). And on Monday, the President is playing host to the University of Connecticut’s women’s basketball team at the White House; the Huskies recently capped their unbeaten season with an NCAA title.

So far since taking office, the president has attended a Washington Wizards game against the Bulls (who he also welcomed to the White House), and just last week he hosted the Florida Gators football team to congratulate them for winning a second national title in three seasons. But he also turned down an invitation to throw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals' home opener earlier this month.

If he does show up, well, rest assured he'll have a good seat.

Caps owner Ted Leonsis has been outspoken about saving a spot for the president in his luxury box if he wants to catch a game. And he delivered the message in person recently at a speech at Georgetown (Leonsis is an alum), saying he'd "love to host you at a playoff game." Obama's response: "I have heard great things about your team and I bet it will be a lot of fun. We will get back to you."

Stay tuned ...

- John Taylor