Ovechkin is what a Canadian hockey player is supposed to be, except he is Russian.
By Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun, Dec. 19, 2009:
There's a phenomenon that existed when an icon like Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux came to town which made the shared experience of a dad taking his son to the game an enduring memory -- not just of the player, but of the father.
We're getting close to that stage with Ovechkin on this trip.
It'll almost assuredly be there when he returns to play here, oh, maybe sometime after the next lockout.
What makes this one different is that this player isn't a Canadian. He's a Russian.
And, while we wanted Sidney Crosby to be the Next One, this 24-year-old, who is now being called the most exciting player in the game since Gretzky,has become the No. 1 reason not to bet on Team Canada to capture the gold medal in Vancouver in February.
But maybe the thing that's making him grow on us the most is that he combines skill with toughness, passion and emotion.
He's the complete package of what a Canadian hockey player is supposed to be -- a combination which seems to be in such a short supply on Canadian teams like, oh, say the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens ... and the Edmonton Oilers ...
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Is Ovi injured?
This is what Bruce Boudreau said on Monday, Dec. 14, 2009:
[Boudreau explains why Alex left the practice early] "He was feeling sore. He's got the body part that sore. So I told him do you shooting drills and take care of your injury."
Russian media reported it was groin, but they obviously have no clue. Anyhow it is apparent that Ovi is nursing some kind of a minor injury. In the last two games vs. Avs and Canucks he would start great and then he'd disappear. Is he aggravating his injury while the game progresses? Let's just hope it won't get worse.
Ovi speaks after the loss to Vancouver.
Tarik:
Ovechkin answered only a few questions and clearly was frustrated with his performance and his team's. He mustered only three shots - one was added to the scoresheet late - and went without a point for just the sixth time this season.
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3 comments:
I've been thinking exactly that. Ovi must be hurt. And hurting pretty bad, though he's good at not showing it. But if he *is* hurt, he ought to sit out again and let his teammates take care of business.
My guess is that his shoulder never fully healed and actually requires surgery, but he can't do that before the Olympics, plus he has to stay in game shape for the Olympics so he has to play.
So the Caps will continue with 2/3 of a top line, and maybe Sasha ought to play on the top line for more than the last five minutes of the game.
If it would be his shoulder, I don't think Bruce would tell him to finish his shooting drills, because it involves shoulder.
Hmmm. You may be right about that.
But he is still not playing like himself.
Get well soon, Ovi.
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