What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
By Mark Spector, Sportsnet, Dec. 18, 2009:
Somewhere that skilled-but-small, not overly physical Russian prototype we all had in our heads - the Pavel Datsyuk, Slava Kozlov, Ilya Kovalchuk kind of player - has gone out the window.VancouverSun.com, Dec. 18, 2009:
This Russian Messier, we Canadians have to admit, we kind of like him.
Canuck coach Alain Vigneault knows he won't have to deliver any kind of pre-game pep talk to his team tonight.
"The buzz around this game is obviously huge," he said. "We know we are playing against one of the best teams in the NHL with one of the most fun players to watch. I think everyone is excited about this opportunity, excited about this game."
Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said the hype for tonight's game has exceeded anything he's seen in other Canadian markets.
"It's crazy," Boudreau said. "I asked Alex this morning, 'Is this more than Montreal or Toronto?' He said it's about the same as Montreal. That's pretty wild. I think it's more. It's the most hype I've seen coming to a Canadian town."
The Canadian Press, Dec. 18, 2009:
VANCOUVER, B.C. - As Washington Capitals star sniper Alexander Ovechkin walks down the busy Vancouver streets, he can go nary a few steps without being recognized.
"Everybody just comes to me and says, 'What's up?' It's pretty cool. I feel like a movie star," Ovechkin, flashing his trademark toothless smile, told reporters Friday.
He's yet to appear in any Hollywood feature films, but Ovechkin might be the National Hockey League's leading man when it comes to awe-inspiring YouTube clips.
The 24-year-old two-time most valuable player has put together a highlight reel complete with tumbling goals and bone-crunching hits, earning him a legion of fans who are every bit as passionate off the ice as Ovechkin is on it.
Ovie's first visit to Vancouver in more than three years generated no shortage of buzz. More and more red Capitals jerseys suddenly started springing up around the city as Friday's tilt with the Canucks drew closer.
Thursday, hundreds of fans lined up at a downtown Vancouver store for an Ovechkin autograph signing.
Friday, dozens more waited outside General Motors Place after a Capitals skate, hoping Ovechkin would have time during the two-metre walk from the door to the team bus to greet the crowd.
Among Ovechkin's fans are his on-ice opponents.
Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo, who will head to the Olympics himself as a member of Team Canada, raved about Ovechkin's mix of power, speed and skill.
"He's an exciting player to watch and he brings a lot to the game," Luongo said, quickly adding his appreciation for Ovechkin ends as soon as the two players hit the same ice.
Vancouver defenceman Willie Mitchell echoed Luongo's words Friday.
"(Ovechkin is) the most exciting player in the game, I think. I love his passion, I love how he plays, I love his celebrations. I like how he plays physical," Mitchell said.
When asked how his game has changed since he entered the league, and if he prefers to score goals or see his teammates light the lamp, Ovechkin, characteristically, answered with a grin.
"It's probably 55 per cent to score, 45 per cent to get assist."
Eyewitness:
saw a lady going to the game tonight wearing a Canucks jersey with "Ovechkin" on the back... whatta thought.
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