ARLINGTON, Va. –The Washington Capitals will host Dollar Dog Night, presented by Esskay, on Thursday, Jan. 24, when the team takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Verizon Center. Hot dogs will be on sale for $1 at concession stands throughout the arena.

The evening is also a Student Rush Night, featuring special ticket pricing for students who purchase tickets at the Verizon Center box office (with a valid student ID) beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday. The best available upper level seats are priced at $10, while lower level preferred seats are available for $25 during the Student Rush.

A hot dog eating contest is slated to take place during the game’s second intermission, featuring contestants representing several local colleges and universities. Students may register to be selected to participate in the contest by visiting the team’s website, WashingtonCaps.com. The “Black Widow” Sonya Thomas, one of the top-ranked competitive eaters in the world, will be on hand to train the contestants taking part in the challenge. She will also judge the competition and meet with fans on the concourse prior to the game. The student who eats the most hot dogs will win a pair of round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines to celebrate spring break anywhere Southwest flies.

Capitals’ mascot Slapshot and members of the team’s promotional staff will be on campus at several local colleges and universities next week to promote Dollar Dog Night and distribute free hot dogs and flyers to students.

Note: Hot dogs will be available for $1 while supplies last with a limit of four dogs per transaction.

Students may sign up for an opportunity to participate in the hot dog eating contest here