That's why I run this blog

Have you seen that commercial about a hockey fan who just became a parent?

Hey, baby!
I love you!
You're awesome, you're the best! You own this nursery!
(Pointing at other babies): Loser! Loser!
(Pointing at his baby): Best thing in the World!

That's what probably J.P. did :-)

But I'd like to paraphrase it:

Hey, Ovie!
...
You're awesome, you're the best! You own this league!
...
(Pointing at Ovie): Best hockey player in the world!

:-)

SI.com by Allan Muir, Jan. 25

MVP: Alexander Ovechkin. Leading the league in both goals and enthusiasm, Ovechkin has established himself as the game's most dangerous and, with apologies to Sid, must-see player.

Now here's another great story from the greatest Washington Post beat reporter Tarik:

I had arranged to meet the all-star winger at his downtown Atlanta hotel for an interview. But before we could head to lunch, Ovechkin was asked to sign a couple dozen items, from jerseys to pucks to goalie helmets - typical first day of All-Star Weekend type stuff.

When he finished, he was handed iPod as a thank you gift (as if the guy needs another iPod.) He clapped hands, and with a big smile announced to the room: "It's good to be Ovie!" (I'm thinking there's about 124 million other reasons why it's good to be Ovie.) But it still cracked me up, along with everyone else.

Ovechkin had lots of other interesting things to say about the team's turnaround, his remarkable season and his friendship with Nicklas Backstrom. I plan to share that stuff with you in my Sunday story.

As for Backstrom, he's been in town for only a few hours and he's already made some rookie mistakes. Such as misplacing one of his bags. It could be in the back of a cab or maybe at the airport. He doesn't really know. But he knows this much: his shoes were packed in that bag.

Don't worry. The Caps' first line center isn't walking around Atlanta without shoes. One of Ovechkin's associates bailed him out and loaned him a really nice (read: expensive) pair. They look great. Unfortunately for Backstrom, they are also about two sizes too small.

"My feet are really hurting," Backstrom said with a grimace at the YoungStars press conference.