Canadiens respond to Ovechkin's comments

TSN.CA, Apr. 18, 2010:

MONTREAL -- Goaltender Jaroslav Halak declined to speak to the media on Sunday, sending word through the Montreal Canadiens staff that he did not want to get into a "war of words" with Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin.


Washington Capitals right wing Eric Fehr, right, celebrates his goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak during the first period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey playoffs, Saturday, April 17, 2010, in Washington. The Capitals won 6-5 in overtime.


After posting a goal and three assists as the Capitals erased a 4-1 deficit to beat Montreal 6-5 in overtime in Game 2 of their NHL Eastern Conference playoff series, Ovechkin opined that Halak was "shaking" after giving up a goal.

Before the series started there was a mini-controversy when Montreal centre Tomas Plekanec was quoted as saying that the Washington goalies were no Martin Brodeur or Ryan Miller (two of the leagues best) and that they "don't have a dominant goaltender." Caps goalie Jose Theodore cleverly shot back with "Tomas who? Jagr?"

Ovechkin didn't stop at Halak, either. He also raised some eyebrows by saying that defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron, who he slammed with a crushing check early on, is "not that strong."

Cammalleri said he likes that Ovechkin is expressive on the ice and outspoken off it.

"It's good for the game," he said. "He speaks his mind. I have no problem with that. I like a little flair in the game, so good for him. We'll have some fun with it.

"It makes a bit of a soap opera out of it. It's our version of whatever reality show you watch -- get the heroes and villains, as they say. And who is the hero and who is the villain now?"

Cammalleri believes that the day of dramatic pronouncements turning around a series are gone.

"It used to be so 'don't say anything,' but I have no problems with personalities like Alex Ovechkin and the new era. A little individuality -- as long as your teammates appreciate it, that's the important thing.

Gomez, one of the Canadiens who has won a Stanley Cup along with Brian Gionta, Travis Moen and Hal Gill, also drew some laughs when asked if he would counsel Halak on recovering from setbacks.

"I don't know anything about goaltending, so I can't talk to him," he said. "Goaltenders are different, they're wierdos, so I don't think I can go up and make any sense to him. You'd need (courage) to go up to a goaltender and say what you think he should be doing different at this level, especially in the playoffs.

WASHINGTON - APRIL 17: Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scores a second period goal against the Montreal Canadiens in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on April 17, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Capitals defeated the Canadiens 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)



WASHINGTON - APRIL 17: Nicklas Backstrom of the Washington Capitals scores his third goal of the game in overtime and is joined Alex Ovechkin as they defeat the Montreal Canadiens 6-5 in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on April 17, 2010 in Washington, DC.. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)



WASHINGTON - APRIL 17: Scott Gomez of the Montreal Canadiens mixes it up with Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on April 17, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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