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Cody Eakin during his NHL debut

We watched him grow for four years in a Broncos uniform, and now a dream has come true for Cody Eakin. He suited up for his first regular season NHL game Tuesday night as his Washington Capitals beat Anaheim 5-4 in overtime.

"Before the game I was pretty nervous," Eakin said. "There is so much going through your head."

"When you get out there it's just another game, or at least I try to tell myself that."

Eakin played 13:19 of even strength action for the Capitals. He had an even plus/minus and fired three shots on goal.

"When the first puck was dropped and when I got my first shift you kind of just get out there and... it's just a game," Eakin said. "It's a fast game, but it's just a game."

Eakin wore #50 and skated on the left wing with Marcus Johansson and Alexander Semin. He was called up on Tuesday after scoring 8 points in 10 games with the AHL's Hershey Bears.

He was one of four former Broncos on the ice in the NHL on Tuesday night.

Dale Weise had an assist as his Vancouver Canucks beat Calgary 5-1; Ian White and the Detroit Red Wings lost 2-1 to Minnesota in overtime; and Zack Smith fought Gregory Campbell, but his Ottawa Senators lost 5-3 to Boston.

Eakin played parts of four seasons for the Broncos before being traded to the Kootenay Ice in January.

Visit the Capitals official website to find video of Eakin post-game

Click here for the game boxscore