Lightning goalie Mike McKenna apologized to Ovechkin

 By Damian Cristodero, Lightning blog, Mar. 28, 2009 "Paper trail, and McKenna apologizes to Ovie":

Here's something you don't see every day, a package of game notes being thrown into the stands from the Lightning's press box suite at an opponent's stadium. But that's what happened early in the third period of Friday's game with the Capitals.

It was 2:30 into the period when a cross-checking penalty on Tampa Bay's Evgeny Artyukhin nullified Jeff Halpern's goal that would have tied the score 3-3. All of a sudden the notes came flying out of the suite and into the stands. Fans threw them back.

GM Brian Lawton, who was in the suite with Lightning owner Oren Koules, said he was not responding to the game but to fans who threw something into the open-air suite first. Either way, there were smiles all around as Lawton and the fans laughed the whole thing off.

As for Lightning goalie Mike McKenna, you might recall he was one of those who criticized Washington star Alex Ovechkin for his celebration last week at the St. Pete Times Forum after his 50th goal.

Ovechkin was in the hallway leading to the Lightning locker room after Friday's game talking to his buddy Artyukhin. McKenna saw him and approached and said he wanted to apologize for the criticism. McKenna said the emotions of the moment got the best of him.

"I wanted to tell him there was nothing to it," McKenna said."It's water under the bridge."

...hhmmm... I wonder if he would apologize if the Bolts would win. What a dipshit.


By Corey Masisak, TWT, Mar. 27, 2009:

Why does Mike McKenna have such a sour disposition? First, he took a shot at Ovechkin for his goal celebration (seriously -- how sweet would it have been to see No. 8 do a spin move in front of McKenna after scoring?). But he must have complained to the officials six times tonight.

Look, at the beginning of this season he was no higher than FIFTH on Tampa Bay's goalie depth chart (behind Mike Smith, Olie Kolzig, Karri Ramo and Riku Helenius) and now he is getting a chance to start some NHL games. Just saying, maybe he needs to lighten up a little.

WASHINGTON - MARCH 27, 2009: Keith Aucoin #20 of the Washington Capitals celebrates the game winning goal by Brian Pothier #2 (not shown) against Mike McKenna #30 of the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 27, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The Capitals defeated the Lightning 5-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Capitals Insider, Mar. 27, 2009:

When I was walking out of the Caps' room, I saw Lightning goalie Mike McKenna seek out Ovechkin and shake his hand. I asked McKenna what that was all about, and the goalie said, "I just wanted to tell him that there was nothing to it. It's water under the bridge."

McKenna, who has appeared in exactly 12 NHL games, was one of the Lightning players who complained publicly about Ovechkin's goal celebration last Thursday.

Funny thing is that McKenna also got bent out of shape tonight. After Backstrom's second score, the goalie felt the Caps were celebrating a little too close to his crease and he responded by shoving a few players from behind.

By Thom Loverro, TWT, Mar. 28, 2009:

"Can't touch this," read one poster, with a drawing of a flaming hockey stick.

Boudreau had done all he could to defuse what was seen as a volatile situation resulting from Ovechkin's celebration. It ruffled some feathers, but the Capitals' coach had met in person with Lightning coach Rick Tocchet to calm the situation.

"I respect that he came by my office face-to-face," Tocchet told the St. Petersburg Times. "It was a nice gesture."

Tocchet also said he thought everyone was "blowing it out of proportion."

"I'm sure you'd like to see our players react, but reacting is playing in Washington and playing abrasive and not playing stupid."

This is what happens when you have a superstar whose presence is growing beyond hockey arenas. You have TV crews from Canada coming to the District to fan the flames, so to speak. You can't have it both ways.

Everything about Alex Ovechkin will be blown out of proportion because there are no proportions to measure a Russian athlete becoming one of the biggest sports stars in North America. This is unchartered territory, and Boudreau and the Capitals better get used to it.

The heat will always be on.

If someone would "donate" the picture of that poster, where there is stick in flames and the sign "Can't touch this", I'd appreciate it. I loved it.

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