Ovechkin speaks after game 7 loss to Montreal
Apr. 28, 2010
Caps Captain speaks about the game 7 loss to Montreal
Dan Rosen, NHL.com:
WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin finished the first round series against Montreal with 5 goals and 4 assists. But he was shut down in Games 6 and 7 -- and that's a big reason why the Washington Capitals are going home a heck of a lot earlier than anyone could have predicted.
A shocked Ovechkin met the media in front of his stall inside the somber Capitals' dressing room at Verizon Center following Montreal's 2-1 win in Game 7 on Wednesday night. Here is what the captain had to say:
What does this feel like?
"I think we're all disappointed, but I have nothing to say right now."
How difficult was it trying to solve Halak over the last couple of games?
"I think he played great. I don't have words to say something on Halak. I think everybody is disappointed."
Have you ever felt like this?
"No, first time."
Are you in shock right now?
"Yeah."
How much was it them playing great defense and blocking shots compared to you guys just not executing?
"I don't know. I just don't know."
What did you think of the disallowed goal?
"Nothing to say, it's done."
Can you compare this to anything you've felt in your entire career?
"No."
Did you even contemplate the possibility this could happen before the series began?
"I think we all know we have a pretty good team, but we didn't win when we had to win, so I don't know."
Can you point at one thing and say 'this is what we needed to better'?
"No, it's a fact that we lose, and I don't know what I have to say right now. It's a terrible feeling right now."
It's only 10 or 15 minutes after it happened so this might be hard, but what does this team not have right now that it needs to win in the playoffs?
"I don't know. I think we have everything and we just lose the game. I don't know. How do I say? I really don't know what to say right now."
Is it just Halak beat you guys. Is that how you look at it? Did he beat you and not the Canadiens?
"He just played great and they used their chances but we didn't use our chances, so…"
Did Bruce (Boudreau) say anything to you guys after the game or did you say anything to each other?
"He said we played hard. I don't know. We didn't do what we have to do."
When you get 96 shots on goal in two games and you don't win either one of them, that's not really the hockey you'd expect, right?
"You are going to watch how we play and how we scored, I don't know. I'm in shock right now and I really don't know what to say."
Is this loss harder to take because of how successful you were in the regular season?
"The season is the season, and this is the second season and it's the much harder season. It was great to go up 3-1 in the series. It's only one more step to reach four, but we didn't get it."
When the goal is a Stanley Cup and you come up this short, as a two-time MVP and a guy that is expected to lead the team deep in the playoffs, how much does that hurt you personally?
"You know, it's hard for me but for everybody. We know we can win, but we don't win it. It's pretty hard."
Have you seen a replay of the goal that got waved off?
"No."
Do you want to see a replay of the goal that got waved off?
"He made the call and it's no goal, so why do I have to see it. It's the decision and it is what it is."
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16 comments:
Mike Green sucks. No wonder he was left off the Canadian Olympic team.
In many ways probably his best interview yet. I'm not being facetous either, it was a truly humble and candid interview. If he did more of this maybe folks who aren't Caps or Ovie fans would truly understand he's as great a person as he is hockey player.
Sadness!!! I hope he has a great summer full of opportunities to relax and regroup. I think this season has been a learning experience for him, although he might not see it now. I think he will come back stronger and more mature. I wish him only the best!
It´s a really big shame. I feel sorry for Alex, this is a bad year for him, especially since Olympics. But he´s still the best player and always will be.
Not a shocker. It's the freakin' Habs. They get it done when they need to. You can't win the cup with pure offense and you can't win without a goalie. That second Habs goal in game 7 should never have gotten by him.
I told you that the caps weren't a playoff team.
If this blog still defines Ovechkin as the best player in the world, I don't think Pens fans want Crosby to be the best player in the world according to that definition. You can have all the flashy and exciting REGULAR SEASON play. We'll take the winning, thank you very much.
Ovechkin did awesome and HE IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD. I think he's genuine and truly loves hockey. and if thats the definiton pens fans dont want Crosby defined as, fine he isnt. and if the Habs never had Halak and they put Price in, well that would be a whole different story. the only reason the Habs won was Halak. Varlamov was damn good even though he might not had raised the bar as high as Halak. I think the Caps did awesome, and they tried to take as many chances as they could.
Joshua,
Where was Crosby last year in playoffs? He was supplanted by Malkin. Ok, Malkin doesn't have a good year now, but he is still a far better player than Crosby. Crosby will never be the best player, he can be called the most improved player, I agree, but never the best player in the NHL. Just by his physical limits, he is smaller, doesn't have a decent slap shot or a wrist shot, he works hard, have to admit it, but he is not and never will be the best player in the world.
As for whining, we'll take it.
I feel so bad for Ovie right now. He played his heart out in the playoffs and now is getting ripped for it. I think his spirit was damaged during the Olympics and I hope he gets it back during the offseason though I think he will got to the world championships if Russia asks. I'm really sick right now of hearing how wonderful Crosby is and how Ovie failed his team. Hopefully Ovie learns from this season and comes back next season stronger than ever and proves once for all who the better player is with a Cup victory to go along with his individual awards.
this is really hard to watch.
Ovie IS the best hockey player in the world. He will come back from this huge disappointment. This interview shows the depth of his passion for hockey. He is devastated and it is so hard to watch him like this. I'm sad to see him go back to Russia like this but he will be with family and many friends and hopefully he will have a wonderful summer. Much love to you Ovie and please believe that your time to hoist the Stanley Cup is coming soon!
Caps "fans" don't know shit about hockey. I'm glad we owned your pathetic heartless team.
Yeah, we don't know shit, that why we are rooting for you in the next round. Come on, Habs, show us what you're a really worth.
I hate to say it but OVIE hasn't been OVIE since his second suspension. His game is as much hitting as goal scoring.If he doesn't hit his scoring is not as good.He has to play at 110% all the time to be effective.The NHL has neutered OVIE. Mike Knuble didn't help matters by telling OVIE to calm down and pick your hits better. "The Rocket and Gordie" couldn't play in today's (Crosby) NHL its a POWDER-PUFF LEAGUE DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE LIGHT Weights. Crosby knows only the cross-check leading from behind. He has never thrown a hip check in his POWDER-PUFF life---HE'S A WIMP.
Tj, i totally and utterly agree with you. your the man! Pens and Habs fans can say what they want, but you better watch out for next year, i have a feeling Ovi will get some much needed inspiration in Russia this summer :)
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