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Capitals fan goes to first NHL game for 101st birthday (Video)

Photo via NHL on Twitter

Gert Friedman waited over 100 years for the ride of a lifetime.

At Saturday’s Game 5 between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, Friedman, who was decked out in a Braden Holtby jersey, got to sit on the ice resurfacer in between the first and second intermission.

It was also Friedman’s first NHL game. She turns 101 on Tuesday.

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"It was great fun sitting up on the ice resurfacer seat and seeing the thousands of people," Friedman said according to NHL.com. "I'm very impressed with the skills and finesse and grace and speed of the players and their remarkable ability at playing the game. Thank you to the Caps and the NHL for creating this first-time, lifetime amazing experience."

NHL.com said Friedman has lived in Arlington, Virginia since 1940. She was born in Brooklyn, New York and attended Brooklyn College. Later she became a school teacher and was a docent at the National Gallery of Art and then the Hirshorn Museum.

Her husband, Herbert Friedman was an astrophysicist who received the National Medal of Science. Herbert worked in the Naval Research Laboratory.

Said the American Astronomical Society in an obituary on Herbert Friedman, who died in 2000:

He was a recognized pioneer in the space sciences for his contributions to solar physics, aeronomy and astronomy but he also made fundamental advances in the application of X-rays to material analysis.

Maybe the Capitals should bring Gert to Pittsburgh for Tuesday's Game 6 for good luck. After the first period, the game was tied 1-1. Washington then scored two goals in the second period to win the game 3-1 and prevent elimination from the postseason.

Phot sent by Washington Capitals
Phot sent by Washington Capitals

"What a fabulous experience that I've never had before and a perfect way to celebrate my birthday," Gert said.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!