The Washington Capitals defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 in an overtime game at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh last night, forcing a seventh game between the two teams in the second round of the National Hockey League playoffs. The teams will play again on Wednesday at the Verizon Center.
If the Caps win the seventh game, they will go on to the third round and potentially render the Verizon Center unavailable as a Commencement backup site. The building would be unusable if the Caps have a third-round game scheduled Sunday at the Verizon Center. The backup site would only be necessary in the event of life-threatening weather such as lightning.
University spokeswoman Tracy Schario said if the Verizon Center is unavailable during Commencement, the Smith Center would be used as a alternative site. Because the Smith Center holds 5,000 people, only graduates and the commencement platform party – the individuals who sit onstage during Commencement – would be present. Friends and family would be able to watch the ceremonies from multiple video viewing sites.
“in the event of a rainout” –this is misleading. It is still held on the Mall if it rains. It is only if it is dangerous weather that it gets moved.