Kukla's Korner Hockey
Entries with the tag: alexander+ovechkin
Is Ovechkin The Best Left Wing In NHL History?
by Paul on 11/20/09 at 12:09 PM ET
Comments (11)
Adam Proteau of The Hockey News answers some email,
Adam – Gordie Howe has, for the past couple of years, expressed much admiration for Alex Ovechkin. So, even though he is just 24, I’m ready to put Ovechkin as the first team left wing on my all-time all-star team, which would have Howe at right wing, Gretzky at center and Bobby Orr at one of the ‘D’ positions.
The great Red Army goaltender, Vladislav Tretiak, strikes me as the all-time best goalie, but I could be convinced otherwise. Who would you put at goal and at the other all-time ‘D’ position?
Ovechkin would be on my all-time team as well, as would Gretzky, Howe and Orr.
However, I think your supposition that Tretiak is the best netminder would cause many a longtime hockey observer to wave his hands in the air as if he did in fact care and demand you consider Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur or Glenn Hall in that category instead.
Personally, I’d go with Brodeur. And my other defenseman would be Nicklas Lidstrom – although I could probably be persuaded to slot Ray Bourque in there.
more Q & A…
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Washington Media Plays 20 Question With Ovechkin
by Paul on 11/03/09 at 12:55 PM ET
Comments (1)
And he still doesn’t break.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Ovechkin Injury Doesn’t Appear Serious
by Paul on 11/02/09 at 02:58 PM ET
Comments (0)
from Tarik El-Bashir of Capitals Insider,
Alex Ovechkin managed to sneak out through a back door at Ketter Capitals Iceplex this afternoon after receiving treatment on what is believed to be a left arm or shoulder injury, and thus avoided a handful of reporters who were camped outside of the Arlington practice facility.
But Slava Malamud of Moscow-based Sport-Express told me he caught up with Ovechkin on the phone. According to Malamud, Ovechkin declined to divulge the precise location or nature of his injury but said that “tests” taken came back negative and that the injury is not believed to be serious. Malamud also said that Ovechkin does not expect to play Wednesday in New Jersey.
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IMG Signs Ovechkin
by Paul on 11/02/09 at 10:10 AM ET
Comments (0)
from MarketWire,
“We are very pleased to welcome Alex to the global team at IMG,” said David Abrutyn, IMG’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Global Consulting. “He is clearly one of the world’s greatest athletes and one of the NHL’s brightest stars. His electrifying play and charismatic personality will make him one of the most sought after athletes for companies and brands to grow their business. We are looking forward to working with Alex and his family, the Capitals and the NHL to build the Ovechkin brand and the game of hockey around the world.”
“As one of the most exciting players the game of hockey has seen, Alex has captured the imagination of fans around the globe and he is well on his way to establishing himself as one of the world’s great sports icons,” said Brad Pelletier, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of IMG Canada. “The excitement and personality he brings to the game is not only great for hockey, but also for his personal brand, which we look forward to working with him to grow around the world.”
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Ovechkin With Upper-Body Injury
by Paul on 11/01/09 at 08:09 PM ET
Comments (3)
The Capitals post-game show said Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said Alexander Ovechkin has an upper-body injury.
He collided with Raffi Torres in the 2nd period, skated off the ice and did not return.
added 8:15pm, Boudreau now has added AO is day-to-day.
added 8:39pm, via Tarik El-Bashir of Capitals Insider,
Asked what happened during the scrum, where it appeared he was originally injured, Ovechkin said: “It was just a moment of the game. Nothing happened. [Jason Chimera] hit me, I hit him. It was a little battle over there but nothing happen. I can’t tell you how I got hurt. It’s day to day, but just in case I didn’t go back on the ice.”
Asked if he thought the injury was serious, Ovechkin said: “I don’t know.”
Ovechkin didn’t want to say much, but he did confirm that the injury is upper body in nature. He also took several drinks from his Gatorade bottle with his right hand, but did seem to be doing much with his left arm, though he was not wearing a sling.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Old School vs. New School
by Paul on 10/30/09 at 01:15 PM ET
Comments (4)
from Mike Milbury at CBC,
Please don’t wax poetic about Hull and Howe and Shore. Today’s players are bigger, stronger, faster, better conditioned, better coached and with better equipment. The players of the 50s couldn’t keep up. And there’s so many of them that you don’t need to consult the standings to name a bunch of them. Kopitar in LA. Bobby Ryan in Anaheim. Duchene and O’Reilly in Colorado. Toews and Kane in Chicago. Stamkos in Tampa. Kovalchuk in Atlanta. Gaborik in New York. Parise in New Jersey. Crosby and Malkin and Fleury in Pittsburgh. And on and on.
But it is in Washington where the new generation’s poster boy resides. Hey, Alex Semin, Nick Backstrom and Mike Green are all stars in their own right, but the lightning rod is Alex Ovechkin.
The attraction? He is the next Mr. Hockey, the newly-defined Mr. Hockey. The computerized, twittered, facebooked, instantly gratified and accessible Mr. Hockey.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Evening Line
by Paul on 10/24/09 at 09:17 PM ET
Comments (0)
“I love you as a guy, and as a player. You play my type of game.” … [But] you’re going to be very, very sorry one day because someone is going to cut you in half.”
-Don Cherry on Coach’s Corner tonight speaking about Alexander Ovechkin when reviewing his recent slew-foot. More from Don at CBC.
added 9:32pm, Watch Coach’s Corner from tonight.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Don+Cherry,
Ovechkin Fined For Slew-Foot On Peverley
by Paul on 10/23/09 at 05:36 PM ET
Comments (13)
from NHL.com,
NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, Colin Campbell, has confirmed media reports that Capitals’ right wing Alex Ovechkin has been fined but will not be suspended for his slew foot of Atlanta’s Rich Peverley in the final minute of Washington’s 5-4 road victory on Thursday night. Ovechkin was whistled for a two-minute tripping penalty.
The fine comes one day after Anaheim’s Evgeni Artyukhin was suspended three games by the League for slew-footing defenseman Matt Niskanen of the Dallas Stars, though no penalty was called on the play. The Ducks’ right wing, who loses $34,756.11 in salary, will miss Saturday’s game against Columbus, Monday’s game against Toronto, and an Oct. 30 contest against Vancouver.
“It is unfair to draw any parallels [about the two slew-foot incidents] other than the players that [Ovechkin and Artyukhin] tripped both fell down,” Campbell told NHL.com
added 5:58pm, Video of the incident…
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Rich+Peverley,
Have Crosby & Ovechkin Peaked?
by Paul on 10/11/09 at 11:08 AM ET
Comments (4)
from Brian Costello of The Hockey News,
As much as we think the wizardry of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will be with us for the next 10 to 15 years, chances are their otherworldly scoring exploits are at a peak now and will trend downwards in the coming seasons.
At 22 and 24, Crosby and Ovechkin are sure to be the cream of the league for the next decade. There’s little question of that. But in terms of over-the-top scoring totals, they’re in their prime right now. Thing is, however, their “prime” is such a narrow range, if history is to be a barometer.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Sidney+Crosby,
The Best Of AO, Off The Ice
by Paul on 10/08/09 at 12:50 PM ET
Comments (1)
TSN style…
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Gordie Has High Praise For Ovechkin
by Paul on 10/06/09 at 07:30 PM ET
Comments (0)
from Adam Kimelman of NHL.com,
One member of the sold-out Wachovia Center crowd watched Tuesday’s game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals with a bit of extra interest in a certain player.
Gordie Howe, one of the all-time legends of the game, had a prime spot to watch one of the League’s current greats, Alexander Ovechkin.
Howe said that while he hasn’t seen too much of Ovechkin, he’s certainly liked what he’s seen.
“If he got any better he’d be scary,” Howe told NHL.com.
Howe said Ovechkin won him over the first time they met, last season.
“There’s 18 guys sitting down and he’s the only one who jumped up to shake my hand,” Howe said. “He shows respect for the older players.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Gordie+Howe,
Ovechkin Chasing Gretzky
by Paul on 09/30/09 at 09:51 AM ET
Comments (9)
from Corey Masisak of the Washington Times,
Wayne Gretzky’s career total of 894 goals is supposed to be unreachable, but if Alex Ovechkin were to duplicate what he has accomplished in his first four seasons three more times, he would begin the first year of his new contract within reach of the Great One’s hallowed achievement.
History says not so fast, but is the Great No. 8 the guy who can defy it?
“I don’t think there is anything out of reach for him,” Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee said. “He’s got everything. He’s got ability, he’s got the drive and he’s got the strength. He’s got all the physical attributes, but he’s got all the intangibles as well.”
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Nothing But The Cup Will Satisfy Ovechkin
by Paul on 09/28/09 at 08:08 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Dan Rosen of NHL.com,
Heading into his fifth season in the U.S. capital, Ovechkin believes the time couldn’t be better for his Capitals to go the distance. They have enough playoff experience (and heartache) that they are no longer the happy-go-lucky team out of the Southeast Division that puts a smile on everyone’s face.
Anything short of hoisting the Cup and Ovechkin will consider the season to be a bust, a complete washout.
“It’s time to win some team trophies,” said Ovechkin, the back-to-back Hart Trophy winner.
Ovechkin feels he stands on firm ground in saying the Caps are ready to take home the hardware even though the Pittsburgh Penguins will again be standing in their way.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Good For Ovechkin
by Paul on 09/10/09 at 11:13 AM ET
Comments (2)
from Ted Leonsis of Ted’s Take,
Good for Alex Ovechkin. He spoke from his heart yesterday about his desire to play in the Olympic Games in 2014 in his homeland. He is the two-time reigning MVP. He speaks with passion and he cares deeply about the game and his country…
Several folks have written to me about Alex’s comments. My response is simple. We love and respect Alex Ovechkin. He does everything with passion. He loves the game. He loves our team and our city and he is all about winning a Stanley Cup. We have his back and we will work together to do what is in the best interest of the game, the NHL and our team.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Alexander Ovechkin Goes For A Zamboni Ride
by Paul on 09/09/09 at 06:00 PM ET
Comments (3)
Ovechkin on the Zamboni in NYC.
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All Ovechkin - Video Style
by Paul on 09/02/09 at 10:55 AM ET
Comments (0)
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All Alexander Ovechkin
by Paul on 07/28/09 at 01:21 PM ET
Comments (1)
from Russia Today,
RT: You did really well in that series (Pens/Caps)… going into the final game in front of your home crowd it must have been very disappointing to go 5-0 down in the first period?
A.O.: Well, yeah, of course it’s disappointing, especially when we play at home, in our building, for our fans. I didn’t score in my first shift, with a breakaway chance… you know, if I scored one goal maybe it would have been a different game.
RT: Do you think these series have gone any closer to say who is a better hockey player? I mean, Aleksander Ovechkin or Sydney Crosby?
A.O.: Evgeny Malkin
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Ovechkin Will Miss His Russian Friends
by Paul on 07/26/09 at 08:28 AM ET
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via Russia Today,
Washington Capitals superstar Aleksandr Ovechkin says it’s a pity that his partners Sergey Fedorov and Viktor Kozlov quit NHL and returned to Russian hockey.
“My attitude towards their departure is negative. We became great friends – that’s why I was a little upset when they left. But it’s their decision and I won’t judge them,” Aleksandr Ovechkin said to Sportbox.ru.
NHL veterans 39-year-old Sergey Fedorov and 34-year-old Viktor Kozlov will continue their careers in the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League), having signed deals with Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Salavat Yulaev respectively.
However, Aleksandr the Gr8 is not going to follow the example of his elder friends and return to Russia any time soon.
“It’ll happen only in case of an NHL lockout, if there’ll ever be any, of course,” he said.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Hey AO, How About The Stanley Cup?
by Paul on 07/15/09 at 08:03 AM ET
Comments (10)
from RussiaToday,
Ovechkin was playing as goalie in the first half, but couldn’t keep the net untouched. In the second, Ovechkin appeared as a forward, determined to upset the Sochi clerks. And he managed to do it, sending the ball in the high left corner of the net after a perfect distance shot. However, this time around, it wasn’t about the winner or the loser, and the result took a backseat.
After the match, Ovechkin made sure to praise Russia’s efforts in securing the 2014 Winter Olympics.
”I’m very proud of my country. I’m proud of Sochi for winning the bid to host the Olympic Games,” said Ovechkin, adding that his “own focus next season is on the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.”
more on the soccer match Ovechkin participated in....
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Obama Pleased To Have Ovechkin In His City
by Paul on 07/07/09 at 07:55 AM ET
Comments (5)
via Stephen Dinan of the Washington Times,
We knew he was into basketball, but apparently President Obama keeps an eye on Washington Capitals hockey as well namely NHL MVP Alexander Ovechkin.
The Caps left wing made Mr. Obama’s list of great Russian contributors to the world, along with scientists, cosmonauts and pioneers of literature such as Pushkin.
“As a resident of Washington, D.C., I continue to benefit from the contributions of Russians—specifically, from Alexander Ovechkin. I’m very pleased to have him in Washington, D.C.” Mr. Obama said, drawing a laugh from the graduating class at the New Economic School in Moscow on Tuesday.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, President+Obama,
Ovechkin & Kesler Skate In Vegas
by Paul on 06/17/09 at 09:10 AM ET
Comments (5)
Some great pictures from the Las Vegas Sun of Alexander Ovechkin and Ryan Kesler skating at outdoors at Caesars Palace. Both players were there to participate in a NHL 2K10 outdoor motion capture session.
Also some video of AO in action…
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Ryan+Kesler,
AO Cover Boy
by Paul on 06/11/09 at 10:55 PM ET
Comments (3)
from Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy,
The official announcement from 2K Sports is due on Friday, but here it is: Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, your NHL 2K10 cover boy. Will virtual Don Cherry criticize his video game box celebration?
read on for a picture of the cover and some commentary…
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
The Battle Between Crosby & Ovechkin
by Paul on 05/14/09 at 09:57 AM ET
Comments (2)
from Mike Wise of the Washington Post,
Penguins-Capitals was never merely about a tremendous Stanley Cup series showcasing the NHL’s brightest stars going the distance, one full of riveting theater until an abject dud of a Game 7.
No, to the hard-core traditionalists who view most uber-skilled players from overseas as little more than Euro trash, this was about validating their xenophobia.
Sidney Crosby, the quiet farm boy from Nova Scotia, won; his Pittsburgh team is going back to the Eastern Conference finals. Ovechkin, the YouTube demigod who once pretended his stick was on fire after a goal, got his just dessert.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Sidney+Crosby,
Evening Line
by Paul on 05/09/09 at 11:34 PM ET
Comments (7)
“You can see first shift [of overtime], Stecks miss empty net and I say, ‘Jesus, where is our luck? Puck bouncing, and next shift they get power play and score goal. It’s not about when you score the last five minutes of the game, it’s all about when you play hard, how we want to play and how we can play. I think today we played good, but it’s not good enough, so next game is gonna be different. There was in that situation when they [were losing] 2-0, and they come back and they winning right now. But it’s not over yet. If somebody thinks it’s over, it’s not over.”
-Alexander Ovechkin after tonight’s loss to the Penguins. More post game quotes from Dan Steinberg at D.C Sports Bog.
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Superman Wears #8
by Paul on 05/09/09 at 10:12 PM ET
Comments (1)
Nice tribute to Alexander Ovechkin from HNIC tonight.
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Gonchar Could Be Out Several Weeks, His Agent Responds
by Paul on 05/09/09 at 01:55 PM ET
Comments (24)
from Darren Dreger of TSN,
Sources tell TSN Pittsburgh defenceman Sergei Gonchar suffered an apparent knee injury and will miss the next several weeks, perhaps the remainder of the season....
The National Hockey League has ruled out the notion of supplemental discipline which has prompted reaction from Gonchar’s representative, JP Barry.
‘’We now have Exhibit A of the extreme double-standard that exists in the NHL’s approach to discipline. Alex clearly cuts back with his knee after missing his check with devastating results. But of course, because it’s Alex, its all Sergei’s fault,’’ Barry told TSN.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, J.P.+Barry, Sergei+Gonchar,
Going Crazy In Russia
by Paul on 05/09/09 at 09:21 AM ET
Comments (3)
from Slava Malamud at NHL.com,
It’s the Stanley Cup Playoffs’ marquee series, and even those members of the Caps’ Russian contingent who are not capable of giving interviews in English are in high demand, forcing Russian hockey writers like myself into moonlighting as interpreters. But my real job this night will involve writing another 3,000-word article on the Capitals, the Penguins and their Russian stars, which will likely make front-page news at home. I can also be quite sure that the next day my editors will be on the phone screaming for more. This at the time the World Championships are being played in Europe – unthinkable!
Yes, Russia has gone certifiably crazy for the Capitals and Alex Ovechkin. The latter’s popularity in particular has eclipsed all conceivable limits and has reached the point where it is actually becoming fashionable to hate Alex, if for no other reason than bucking the national trend.
from Reed Albergotti of the Wall Street Journal (written before last night’s game),
In Washington, where the Capitals have long been the poor stepchild to football’s Redskins, Mike Kardash, an attorney in Gainesville, Va., dumped his Redskins tickets two seasons ago and began attending more Capitals games. “It’s just more fun to watch,” he says, comparing Mr. Ovechkin to longtime Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington, for his bruising hits and speed. Mr. Ovechkin, he says, “he’s why people go.”
more & thanks to a KK member for the WSJ pointer…
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Ovechkin Says Hit On Gonchar Was An Accident
by Paul on 05/09/09 at 08:07 AM ET
Comments (15)
from Tarik El-Bashir of Capitals Insider at the Washington Post,
Opinions among the media varied regarding Ovechkin’s right knee to right knee hit on Sergei Gonchar at the end of the first period. Gonchar had to be helped off the ice and speculation around here is that it could be serious. We should know more in the morning.
We should also know tomorrow morning whether the league felt the hit warranted a fine or suspension.
“It tried to hit him and he tried to move to his left, and I don’t have time to realize what is going on and I hit [him with] my knee,” Ovechkin said. “It was accident. I’m not the kind of guy who wants to injure a player like this, especially [because] I know Gonch. I tried to hit him with my shoulder and he moved left but his legs were in the same spot.”
A couple of Penguins had a different take on it.
more and Bob McKenzie of TSN doesn’t expect a suspension. If you missed the hit, watch it here....
added 8:14am, Craig Custance of Sporting News Today says it is hard to imagine the NHL suspending Ovechkin with the Capitals playing their biggest game of the year tonight.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Sergei+Gonchar,
Ovechkin Hit On Gonchar Tonight
by Paul on 05/08/09 at 08:08 PM ET
Comments (24)
Watch the CBC view of the play…
added 8:54pm, via Scott Burnside of ESPN,
...just the replay a couple of times in the press box and it definitely looked like Ovechkin stuck out his knee and took Gonchar knee-on-knee as the Pens defenseman tried to spin away from the Caps star. Now, it’s not quite Bryan Marchment, but it was definitely a dangerous play. And seeing Gonchar writhing on the ice by himself while the play went into the Capitals’ zone on the delayed penalty was pretty scary.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Sergei+Gonchar,
Tight Security In Pittsburgh
by Paul on 05/08/09 at 02:00 PM ET
Comments (5)
via Roy MacGregor of the Globe and Mail,
A big bus pulls up and undercover security leaps out, scowling through their dark glasses and cordoning off the sidewalk. A Globe journalist, fully credentialed, was even blocked from entering the walkway to the garage The area secured, the bus door opened again and a grim-faced Alexander Ovechkin fast-marched to the rink, followed by the rest of the Washington Capitals.
Such is the world of goofy 17-year-olds mouthing off in the digital age.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
Report- Ovechkin Receives A Death Threat
by Paul on 05/07/09 at 03:51 PM ET
Comments (15)
from WPXI,
PITTSBURGH—Channel 11 News learned Thursday that Pittsburgh Police are investigating a death threat made against Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.
Penguins’ spokesperson Tom McMillan told Channel 11 that the Penguins are aware of the threat and will be releasing a statement shortly.
added 4:36pm, The threat was made on a message board, according to WPXI.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin,
The ‘Pied Piper’ Of Hockey
by Paul on 05/05/09 at 09:20 PM ET
Comments (0)
from Roy MacGregor of the Globe and Mail,
Children love his absolute joy of playing. They love the leap into the boards after every goal. They love the new Hip Bump with which 23-year-old Ovechkin and young 21-year-old Nicklas Backstrom celebrate victories. They loved Ovechkin’s clown getup for the shooting competition at the all-star game. And they loved his stick-on-fire routine following his 50th goal of the season.
Don Cherry attacked Ovechkin for this on Coach’s Corner, and the support for Ovechkin’s bringing a little delight to the game was so overwhelming that, in subsequent weeks, Cherry backed off and even began praising the Russian star.
Ovechkin is not only good for the game, he is becoming the game, just as only Gretzky has done previously.
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Dual Hat Tricks
by Paul on 05/05/09 at 09:31 AM ET
Comments (0)
This surprises me: Ovechkin and Crosby’s matching hat tricks is only the fourth such occurrence in Stanley Cup playoff history. The other three times were:
April 25th, 1996 - Trevor Linden, Vancouver and Joe Sakic, Colorado
April 26th, 1993 - Ray Ferraro, NY Islanders and Al Iafrate, Washington
April 14th, 1983 - Paul Reinhart, Calgary and Mark Messier, Edmonton
added 9:42am, from Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post,
“When Crosby gets one, then Ovie comes back with a couple, and then Crosby gets another, and Ovie gets another,” Capitals forward Brooks Laich said. “It’s unbelievable to see two of the best going at it like that. . . . In the biggest moments, usually your biggest guys step to the front. That’s what Alex did tonight.”
In the Pittsburgh locker room, the Penguins said the same about Crosby. Thus, in the series’ first two games—both won by Washington—unmatchable hype is being matched, because the two best players have four goals apiece and are delivering the kind of performances that forge true rivalries.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Sidney+Crosby,
Both On Top
by Paul on 05/05/09 at 07:08 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Elliotte Friedman of Blogs and Columns at CBC,
On Monday night in Washington, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin pushed one another to the highest of levels, raising their games to places only the best can reach. Maybe it wasn’t a Game 7. Maybe it wasn’t the Stanley Cup final. But it was something special, something spectacular, something we can only hope to see again.
When it was over, the home crowd booed as Crosby, who did not appear, was named the second star. I was disappointed in that, and hope those people reconsider. Crosby deserved respect for his brilliance in defeat, as much respect as Ovechkin deserved for his greatness in victory.
The Crosby vs. Ovechkin debate should be retired after this one. If you love sports, you can like both. You can recognize that these are the best young players since Gretzky and Lemieux.
added 7:16am, from John Buccigross of ESPN,
In the opening scene of “Batman and Robin,” Chris O’Donnell (Robin) and George Clooney (Batman) fight Arnold Schwarzenegger and his legion of ice-skating villains. At one point, Robin turns to Batman and says, “This is a hockey team from hell.”
Playing against Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals in D.C. can sometimes feel like that. Ovechkin, feeding off the energy of the home crowd like a solar panel, becomes a hockey player from hell. On ice. You can tie your CCMs with those laces of irony.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are Pittsburgh’s Batman and Robin fighting Ovechkin and his waves of teammates. Pittsburgh has complementary pieces, but make no mistake, the Penguins will only go as far as Batman and Robin will take them.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Sidney+Crosby,
Crosby vs. Ovechkin
by Paul on 04/30/09 at 01:51 PM ET
Comments (4)
Sidney Crosby talks about playing against Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Sidney+Crosby,
Ovechkin An All-Time Great
by Paul on 04/26/09 at 08:32 AM ET
Comments (1)
from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,
Bobby Orr is the most mes merizing player I have ever seen. Well, he was. He was until The Alex Ovechkin Show hit the NHL.
Ovechkin’s combination of ferocity, passion, talent and showmanship is unique in NHL history. He is a great player, already an all-time player after just four seasons in the league, who isn’t afraid to let the world in and see the excitement he gets from performing, from excelling; from playing.
This is the athlete who would be worth the price of admission in even Yankee Stadium, and please, while we’re at it, let’s get the Caps into The Bronx for an outdoor game.
continued plus some Tortorella, Wild, Briere mentions among others…
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Another Highlight Goal From Ovechkin Tonight
by Paul on 04/24/09 at 08:55 PM ET
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added 9:48pm, Watch the Versus feed of the goal below…
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Afternoon Line
by Paul on 04/20/09 at 02:55 PM ET
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“He is the guy who wants to win more than anybody, and sometimes he has the tendency of trying to do everything by himself. That’s just something that we have to talk to him and say, ‘Hey, Alex, you’ve got 19 other guys here to help you.’ His personality is to want to do everything so hard and so well and you can’t fault him for that. You just have to reel him in sometimes.”
-Washington coach Brude Boudreau on Alexander Ovechkin. More on the Caps/Rangers from the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs Blog at CBC.
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AO On E:60
by Paul on 04/17/09 at 12:59 PM ET
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ESPN’s award-winning primetime newsmagazine E:60 will profile National Hockey League star Alexander Ovechkin in the episode airing Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. ET. The program, which launched in October 2007, combines investigative reporting, in-depth profiles of intriguing sports personalities and features on emerging star athletes. These stories are presented in a fresh and innovative format that incorporates producer/correspondent meetings.
E:60’s Rachel Nichols has an all access pass inside the life of this megawatt hockey god who is equal parts everyman, equal parts rock star. In this revealing portrait, viewers see what makes Ovie run 100 miles per hour on and off the ice: his unabashed joy and enthusiasm, his love of fast cars, his simmering rivalry with the other name on the NHL’s marquee, Sydney Crosby, his hell bent for leather style of play that leaves defensemen swiveling their heads, and his burning desire to turn the nation’s capital into a hockey mad city.
The Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky, NBA star LeBron James, Caps owner Ted Leonsis and iconic hockey commentator Don Cherry are among the voices in the feature.
Watch a one minute preview of the show below…
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Energy = Ovechkin
by Paul on 04/08/09 at 10:46 AM ET
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from AlexOvechkin8.com,
Just in time for the Stanley Cup™ Playoffs, today Energizer Canada Inc. announced a new sponsorship arrangement with NHL™ superstar Alex Ovechkin. While the full program is gearing up for a Fall 2009 launch, it centers around Energizer’s Ultimate Lithium product *“The World’s Longest Lasting ‘AA’ Battery in High-Tech Devices”
“With our Ultimate Lithium product offering 8X the power of our premium alkaline, it only made sense to partner with The Great #8 as he is the World’s Best Player (in my view)” said Kent Hatton, Brand Group Director of Energizer Canada Inc. “Alex is known throughout the league to play with incredible energy, determination and intensity, a perfect fit with the Energizer Bunny and our Keep Going® brand promise”.
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AO Meets King James
by Paul on 04/03/09 at 08:15 AM ET
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from Dan Steinberg of D.C. Sports Bog,
I was getting ready to go into the Wizards locker room when I was told Alex Ovechkin would meet LeBron James in the other direction, and so I switched directions too. Because the Wizards will win more games and have more feel-good moments, but it’s a pretty rare thing to watch two of the greatest athletes in the world meet for the first time.
added 12:21pm, Watch video of the meeting below…
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, LeBron+James,
“They’re Laughing At You Alex”
by Paul on 03/21/09 at 09:08 PM ET
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The words of Don Cherry on Coach’s Corner tonight.
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Let The Celebration Continue
by Paul on 03/21/09 at 09:07 AM ET
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from Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post,
Let the Great Eight celebrate.
The last thing the NHL needs is to inhibit its most exciting star for the sake of maintaining the decorum that every other major sport abandoned 30 years ago.
That includes Bruce Boudreau, the Capitals’ excellent but old-school coach who apparently paddled Alex Ovechkin in private yesterday, then said: “I’ve never seen him do a celebration like that. But I don’t expect it to happen again.”
If it does, just take a few deep breaths. Join the 21st century, or, for that matter, the last quarter of the 20th. Ovechkin doesn’t need to stop his goal-glorifying antics, not even his controversial premeditated “hot-hot-hot stick” pantomime on Thursday night after scoring his 50th goal of the season.
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The Ovechkin Celebration Talk
by Paul on 03/20/09 at 12:23 PM ET
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from Mike Brophy of Sportsnet,
And frankly I didn’t see anything wrong with the NHL’s most charismatic player going a little overboard to celebrate his monumental goal, just the way I can still see Theo Fleury racing to centre ice, dropping to his knees and spinning with his arm pumping the air in one of the most enthusiastic goal celebrations in NHL history.
So when my colleague Nick Kypreos went on the air after the Leafs game and ripped Ovechkin, I thought he was just nitpicking, a la Don Cherry who is sure to rip the Russian Saturday night on Coach’s Corner.
After he was off the air, Kyper continued his rant and I continued to disagree with him. Right up until he said to me, “Would you want either of your boys to do that?”
Without hesitation I responded, “nope.”
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Ovechkin’s 50th Goal Talk
by Paul on 03/20/09 at 08:38 AM ET
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from Tarik El-Bashi of Capitals Insider,
Here’s what Alex Ovechkin had to say about his goal celebration tonight: “Me, Jose Theodore, [Nicklas] Backstrom and [Mike Green] said if I score goal, Jose tell me just put the stick on the ice and try act like it’s so hot. Backie stopped and Greenie stopped, so I have to do it myself.”
When I asked him if he expected to be ripped by Don Cherry, he shot back with a big smile: “Oh yeah, he’s going to be [ticked] off for sure. I love it. I can’t wait ‘til he says something about me. Old coaches, old system, you know?”
more inlcuding reaction from Boudreau and Tocchet.
If you missed the goal and celebration, watch it here.
added 8:55am, Damian Critodero of the St. Petersburg Times has more from the Tampa side…
added 10:57am, Locker room video added below…
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Ovechkin With 50!
by Paul on 03/19/09 at 07:59 PM ET
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Alexander Ovechkin scored his 50th goal of the season midway in the first period against the Lightning.
AO followed the goal with a celebration with his hands wiggling over his stick which he had placed on the ice.
added 8:36pm, via Tarik El-Bashir of Capitals Insider,
After ripping a shot past Mike McKenna, Ovechkin dropped his stick then bent over it and attempted to pick it up. But each time he reached down he pretended that the stick was too hot to touch.
The Lightning fans didn’t appreciate the gesture and booed Ovechkin. Can’t wait to see what Don Cherry will have to say about it on Coach’s Corner on Saturday night.
video added 10:25pm…
added 10:47pm, Extended version of the video added below which was provided by On Frozen Blog....
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Ovechkin Or Malkin
by Paul on 03/19/09 at 08:08 AM ET
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Every week, the NHL on TSN panel voices its opinions on the hot topics of the day in the Wednesday Night Hockey Quiz.
Question No. 3: Penguins fans are saying that Geno Malkin is the league MVP. Good evidence in the last game - he got five points, he hit the 100-point mark, he leads it by 10. Who’s your choice? It’s basically coming down to Alex Ovechkin or Malkin.
Pierre McGuire: Ovechkin. The big thing on Ovechkin is that he’s probably scored the best goal of this NHL season against the Montreal Canadiens. He does this virtually every single night. If he’s not part of the Washington Capitals, they’re probably not leading the Southeast division, they’re not pushing for home ice in the playoffs. He’s the most valuable player. Take him off the Capitals, they’re not anywhere near as good.
Keith Jones: For me, it’s Malkin. You think of Mike Green with the Capitals, you think of Sergei Gonchar with the Penguins. Gonchar playing now just 15 games, Malkin over the 100-point mark again. Without a great defenceman on the blueline for much of the season, Malkin has gotten the job done.
more and two other questions answered…
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Evgeni+Malkin,
Comparing Ovechkin To ‘Rocket’ Richard
by Paul on 03/16/09 at 02:59 PM ET
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from John McGourty of NHL.com,
There never has been another Rocket Richard, a fiery blend of speed and strength, a stocky body with overwhelming strength, plus a wild look in his eyes as he bore down on goalies. A product of Montreal who played for the Canadiens, Richard also embodied Gallic pride and wore his ethnicity as a chip on his shoulder. It’s doubtful the city and all of Quebec ever will embrace an athlete as it did “The Rocket,” who died May 27, 2000, at age 79.
By the same token, there hasn’t been a player since Richard that so closely resembles him in size, strength, skating, shooting and scoring as Ovechkin, whose passion for winning closely rivals Richard.
“I think that’s a great comparison and as good a comparison as I’ve heard in a long time,” Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. “The only thing Alex doesn’t have is the temper that Rocket had, where he would blow up and go nuts. Alex is the same fiery type of guy with the same physical attributes that Rocket had in his day that Alex has in this day.”
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Don’t Quit Your Day Job Alex
by Paul on 03/09/09 at 08:34 AM ET
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More on this commercial from D.C. Sports Bog by Dan Steinberg and also check this link
Thanks to On Frozen Blog for the pointer..
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Early Success
by Paul on 03/06/09 at 03:43 PM ET
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from Alan Ryder of the Globe and Mail,
What has quickly become the NHL’s spiciest rivalry continues Sunday afternoon in Washington, assuming that Sidney Crosby’s sore groin is ready to go.
Alexander Ovechkin won Round One, capturing the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 2006. Crosby won the Art Ross and Hart Trophies in 2007 to claim Round Two. But Ovechkin trumped that last season with an unprecedented sweep of the Ross, Hart and Richard trophies.
These two are such great talents and still so young. So the question just dangles – how good could they be over time?
The answer to this question is in career projections. This exercise is much like trying to forecast the weather over the long term – accuracy is very challenging. But the exercise is awfully interesting.
continued with charts comparing the two to some of the greats of the game…
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Sidney+Crosby,
