Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Ovechkin is still the best player in the World, just a reminder
Ovechkin will lead the Caps to win the Stanley Cup one day and will quiet his haters just like Stevie Yzerman did with Red Wings a while ago.
Yes, Ovi's stock went down after a loss to Canada in Vancouver. But remind you it was Ovechkin who singlehandedly took Canada out of Olympics in Italy 4 years ago. This year there were questionable suspensions by NHL, unbelievably unprofessional coaching of team Russia in Olympics, unfortunate accidents with Russian reporters and Ovi was never the same after coming back from Vancouver. His goal in game 7 was disallowed by Canadian refs. Luck was not on Ovechkin's side this year.
Luck was on Crosby's side though. He was non-factor and -3 when Canada lost the first game to team USA. He should be thankful to Gionta who forced overtime. No overtime, no mentioning of Crosby. He was non-factor in the last game vs Senators and in minus territory, but his other teammates like Matt Cooke scored and propelled Pens to the next round. Lots and lots of luck for Crosby. Do you think it's gonna last? We'll see, but I am rooting for Habs though I am not sure they would be able to show the same level and intensity as they did vs. Caps.
One day the army of Ovechkins will win it, Ovechkin will still be the best player in the World, Crosby will still be the Whiny One, you can't change that. And that is the difference.
Joe O'Connor, National Post, Apr. 28, 2010:
The Stills rocker writes song about Ovechkin
Tim Fletcher is a musician and an artist--one of those real creative types. When he closes his eyes he can see things. Things like a 17th century hamlet out on the Russian steppes surrounded by fields of swaying golden wheat tended by honest hardworking peasants oblivious to the terror headed their way.
The approaching menace, in Fletcher's mind, is not pestilence, a plague or even a marauding band of Cossacks. It is the captain of the Washington Capitals.
"I see an army of Ovechkins marching over the hills in Siberia, by the tens of thousands, and I see fields and hamlets and small towns in 17th century Russia that have no idea they are about to be sacked and pillaged and looted," Fletcher says. "I see a giant spectre, a shadow covering the land and it is in the shape of Ovechkin."
Fletcher sees all that, but the first thing he saw -- and the thing that inspired the two-time Juno Award winning member of the Montreal indie rock band The Stills to write a tribute song to Alexander Ovechkin -- was Ovechkin playing hockey.
Fletcher was not interested in watching hockey, or any sport, until the Russian came along. But Ovechkin's wild rushes, thunderous body checks, highlight reel goals and ecstatic celebrations resonated with him. The 30-year-old musician found an unexpected muse.
"Ovechkin is living life in an unbridled way," Fletcher says. "He is not navel-gazing or over-thinking things, he is just like: 'I love hockey. I love to score goals and I love to play my heart out.' A lot of people dream of living with that kind of freedom. He is rock and roll on skates."
But Fletcher's ode to Ovechkin is anything but rock and roll. Simply titled Alexander Ovechkin, the tune, which is 80 seconds in length, sounds more like a march or a Russian funeral dirge.
Martial in tone, and muscular in structure, the song features the verse: "Alexander Ovechkin, he will hit you and break your bones, ride like eagle to glorious, Alexander Ovechkin."
Fletcher closes his eyes and sees Alexander the Great sweeping across the Russian steppes. Another listener might shut theirs and picture Red Square, Nikita Khruschev and the Cuban missile crisis.
"I was also toying with him hanging out with Tolstoy and maybe writing some plays," Fletcher says. "But I need to word that verse properly. There is some Cold War stuff as well, and some Khruschev vibes and some political wrangling and spy work. These are all verses I am toying with for a bigger version of the song, hopefully with a 237-piece orchestra."
To bring his opus to life, Fletcher will need to live to see another morning. He is a Montrealer after all. And Ovechkin is the enemy. An enemy the musician reverentially refers to as: The Glory. Pushed to the brink by the Glory and his Capitals, the Canadiens have been pushing back, forcing Game 7 in Washington tonight.
"I have taken heat from some friends," Fletcher says of his devotion to Ovechkin's team. "But I haven't taken any violent-style heat, like threats, or the crooked evil eye or anything like that. I haven't felt scared for my physical safety yet."
The songwriter does not know if Ovechkin has actually heard his song. But he knows he knows it exists. Fletcher told Ovechkin about it last summer at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto. The musician even got to hang out with his muse when Ovechkin, thanks to The Stills, wangled an invitation to an after-party hosted by Nickelback.
"It was really strange to be there," Fletcher says. "It was totally Twin Peaks. I told him, 'Dude, I wrote a tune about you.' He was excited. He was a really good dude."
Fletcher, meanwhile, is an accomplished musician, a dedicated artist who stands behind his work. "Game 7, I am going for the Caps, and I hope that they blast the tune I wrote for him over the PA," he says. "I want everyone to sing along, and for Ovechkin to pump his fist in the air and go out there and score seven goals."
And ride like eagle to glorious.
H/t to our field reporter Emily.
Related post: The interview with Tim Fletcher
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Ovechkin, Semin and Varlamov will join team Russia in Germany
The head coach of team Russia Vyacheslav Bykov speaks to Sport-Express after the first game of Swedish games tournament in Helsinki, Finland...
How do you like the play of Sergei Fedorov? Do you agree that he played great, as befits to the leader...
It's not a surprise for us. We have always believed in Sergei, believe in him now and hope he will continue to play at the highest level. Today, he fulfilled his mission.
Have you already talked with Semin and Ovechkin?
Yes, I have already been in contact with them. I can say that the guys want to join us for the World Cup. But it is very hard for them now. I can tell it by the voice that they are very sad.
Semyon Varlamov agreed to go to Germany too.
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."
TWEET THIS: http://tinyurl.com/ovetjkin
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Today is Wednesday
After 1st period:
"Heroes are made and goats are talked about on TSN on the highlights for the next year."
~ Bruce Boudreau
Great first period and then a stupid penalty by Green. Boudreau should sit him, he is nothing but disaster lately.
Is it the end? It's the beginning of the end. I can see the overtime where Caps will lose the series. The good thing is: I am not an Oracle. :-)
Ovi's stats:
TOT 06:10, SHF 8, AVG 00:46, EV 06:10, SHOTS 1, A/B 2, HT 5, TK 1
After 2nd period:
"Whoa, we can be done by Wednesday of next week..."
~ Bruce Boudreau
Another bonehead play by Green. Ovi could've score the goal in the last minute of the 2nd. He didn't. Caps look like a lost team there.
TOT 13:40, SHF 16, AVG 00:51, PP 03:29, EV 10:11, S 4, A/B 6, HT 5, GV 1, TK 1
Capitals Insider (Gene Wang):
Playing in a Game 7 they didn't expect to be in, the Capitals came out firing before a frenzied crowd that included Vice President Joe Biden, whose last major sporting event was the women's Final Four in Houston earlier this month
3rd period is over:
"Whoa, we can be done by Wednesday of next week..."
~ Bruce Boudreau
Today is Wednesday.
C'mon, Canadiens, can you show the same game vs. Pens? Probably not.
Ovechkin talks after morning skate before game 7
Morning Skate Pregame Show, Hear from Bruce, B-Mo, Ovi (@5:50), Alzner, Carlson,Cammalleri, Moen
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Ovechkin is tired, but he's not looking for vacation
washcaps: Ovechkin speaks to the media about Game 7 tomorrow night in DC
OK, Ovi is tired, but he is not ready for a vacation:
Alex Ovechkin on the Game 6 loss and Game 7 at home Wednesday
Apr. 26, 2010
Via Dan Rosen, NHL.com:
Was that all Halak in that game or did you guys misfire?
Well, there's nothing to say. You can see how we play. I think we played great and we just didn't score. It's only one guy. They just score goals and go back and leave all the pressure for their goalie. We have to find a way to score goals.
Do you think you have to say more before this Game 7 now that you're the captain?
Every time when you play hockey you want to win the game. You want to win and they want to win. They score goals and like I said, they just give all the pressure to the goalie and he makes an unbelievable job. What more can you say?
Now that you've blown a 3-1 lead with one game left to play, is there a question of confidence with this team?
No, I think we have lots of confidence. No panic, nothing. What can you do? We didn't score the goals. We had lots of chances, just didn't score.
Is this the best performance you have seen from a goalie so far in the playoffs during your career?
Well, every year we make a goalie feel unbelievable. We played against Philly and (Martin) Biron was good. (Henrik) Lundqvist was good last year and this year we just make Halak feel good. It's always about this team and we'll find a way to break it and win it. So, no panic, nothing. It's just a game.
Did the line changes help or hurt because it seemed like you guys were changing lines a lot?
No, it doesn't hurt. I think everybody had chances and you can see how we started the game. It was a great start and he just makes a couple of saves. They score on the power play and after that they scored another one, but we didn't score.
Mike Wise of Washington Post:
George McPhee, resigned to his fate, slowly walked up the stairs toward the elevator at Bell Centre at the end of the game. "We played great," Washington's general manager said. "Their goalie was just greater."
He paused, looked up, and added, "Another [expletive] Game 7."
If Halak will come up with another play like yesterday I think we screwed. It's not a year for Ovi.
Canadian Press:
MONTREAL - This time, Alex Ovechkin kept his spray of ice well clear of the kids with the Montreal Canadiens flags.
As he led his Washington Capitals onto the ice before Monday night's playoff game, Ovechkin skated hard and jammed on the brakes, but sent the snow into boards in front of his team's bench.
On Washington's last visit, the Caps' star upset some by spraying one of the two boys on skates in Montreal gear who wave Canadiens' flags beside the rink entrance near the benches.
Ovechkin said later he meant no harm and that it would give the boy something to remember.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Caps have a will, but they don't have a willpower
0:2 after the second period...
As far as I remember Caps always had problems running into a hot goalie, and that's the case tonight. In the second period there were probably at least 5 moments where Caps would usually score, and Halak robbed them from all of them. And what is disturbing, Caps don't crush the net as they used to in previous games. Why? Hard to understand it. Caps have a will, but they don't have a willpower.
Ovi's stats after 2 periods:
TOT 15:28, 12 shifts, AVG 01:17, PP 06:18, EV 09:10, 5 shots on goal, 4 attempts blocked, 2 missed, 1 hit
Very long shifts, not good and it showed... Ovie had at least a couple of very good chances, but it was at the end of his very long shifts...
Can it be changed in the third? If Caps would score one goal, but they will have to crash the net, there's no alternative...
Final: Caps - Habs 1:4
Ovie ended up with 8 shots on goal, but Caps sinked.
Ovechkin speaks after morning skate in Montreal
washcaps: WATCH: Two Man Advantage Game 6 Preview from Morning Skate in MTL: Ovi, Bruce, Martin, LaPierre, Knuble
via Dan Rosen, NHL.COM:
Alexander Semin was the only player not to skate this morning. Have you seen him today and is he OK?
"Yeah, he's my roommate, so he's here. He's fine."
Is he upset about the goal drought he's been going through in this series?
"I think he's not upset about how he plays; he has a chance to score goals, you can see that. Every player who scores goals has a period of time when you can't score goals. When you score one goal all the pressure in your mind is going to be OK. Last game he had pretty good chances and he didn't score. I hope today he's going to."
Was Bruce (Boudreau) calm, cool and himself yesterday? Because he was pretty hot after the game Friday.
"I think everybody was pretty hot after the game. Everybody was a little bit upset and a little bit disappointed, but it's the playoffs. We got a lead, 3-1, and still didn't win the series. Last game, by the 10-minute mark, we had played terrible. It was our worst 10 minutes in a long time."
You guys must feel confident coming here, given your success in Games 3 and 4 in this building?
"Yeah, we love playing here. It's a great building and the pressure is not on us. When we play at home we want to show the crowd what we can do and maybe we don't get into the game and need a couple of minutes to wake up and make some good plays. Here we know it's going to be a hard time for us, but it'll be all right."
Do you feel like you've unlocked some of the mysteries of the power play to get that part of the game untracked?
"We know and all understand that in playoffs it's not the same as the regular season and everybody gives attention to power play, shorthanded and five-on-five. Again, we had lots of good chances, but we didn't score. That's our key to score goals in order to win the game."
Your line was on the ice for both of the Canadiens' goals last game. Was it just a matter of circumstance? Or do you feel that your line didn't have a great game?
"One goal was my mistake, I was too high on the blue line and didn't stay in the middle of our zone and they scored the goal. But, still, it doesn't matter whose mistake it is. If somebody makes a mistake we have to cover it."
Do you know who P.K. Subban is, the young defenseman Montreal called up today?
"Yeah, I've heard of him a couple of times, but have never seen him play."
Every series has gone seven games in your career, so how much do you want to avoid that now?
"I think it's not about me -- the whole organization wants to win this game right now and not go back to play a seventh game in Washington. It's going to be hard, but I think we can do it."
Your coach is getting upset that he keeps getting asked about Mike Green not producing. The same thing happened in the playoffs last year. Is he playing different or down on himself?
"No, the playoffs and the regular season are two different things and I think he is trying to play more defensive than offensive. Everybody knows we have good forwards who can score goals. What Greenie needs to do is play good defensively. I don't think he's playing bad."
With a guy like Semin or a guy like Green, do you say anything to them, joke around with them or just act the same way?
"No, I don't think we have to joke about it or talk about it a lot with those guys. They're professionals and they have experience and know exactly what they have to do. We just try to help them, but the most important thing right now is it's not about personal results; it's about the team results. If we win the game nobody is going to say this guy played bad and this guy played bad. If we lose the game, everybody played bad."
By Mike Vogel:
Since Washington is the team that lost the last game, all eyes are on Boudreau to see what alterations he has in store for tonight. What we know is this. Defenseman Shaone Morrisonn is back in after missing the last two games with an injury, and Tyler Sloan will be out as a result.
Center David Steckel will be back in the lineup for tonight’s Game 6, and Brendan Morrison seems to be the likeliest corresponding healthy scratch.
Those two moves account for the personnel changes, but some personnel shifts are also in the cards. It’s possible that Boudreau will juggle the Caps’ line combinations in an effort to jump-start struggling sniper Alexander Semin, who is without a goal in his last 12 playoff games.
You can also expect some changes on Washington’s power play, perhaps even the inclusion of John Carlson as a point man and a move of Alex Ovechkin to the front line.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Habs plan to 'set the tone' with flag-waving kid
Mr. Nate Ewell and Caps must intervene with that!
Here are previous tweets from Nate Ewell, Director of Media Relations for the Washington Capitals:
nateewell:
1) Kid shouldn't stand in front of our bench
nateewell:
@emptynetters I know you're doing your job mocking the Caps, but there's zero harm here.
And the kid should. Not. Be. There.
Alex talks after Sunday practice
Apr. 25, 2010 Ovi, Backstrom, Boudreau and Poti
Chicago Tribune News Services:
Nashville coach Barry Trotz compared the hit to one that Washington's Alex Ovechkin put on Brian Campbell last month, breaking Campbell's collarbone and resulting in a two-game suspension for Ovechkin.
"I don't even know the difference looking at the two. The league will handle it. I trust the league's judgment. They've been fair all the time," Trotz said. "It's unfortunate Hossa comes out and scores the winning goal. Ironic how that works out, but that's the way it is."
NateEwell: Kane on Ovi's hit: "I wouldn't say was a dirty hit; it was just an unnecessary hit where he put Campbell in a bad situation,"
Update:
NHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell conducted a phone hearing with Hossa earlier Sunday afternoon. Campbell made the following statement after the meeting:
"I have made the decision that this play does not warrant supplemental discipline after considering all of the facts, including reviewing the video and speaking with Mr. Hossa," said Campbell. "This play is distinguishable from recent incidents by a number of factors, including the degree of contact involved; the fact that the consequences of the play do not appear to be as severe; that this was a hockey play involving a race for the puck; that Mr. Hossa is not a repeat offender; and that the call of a major penalty by the referee was significant and appropriate."
Eff you, NHL.
Scott Burnside, ESPN:
In a preemptive statement, Campbell also wrote Hossa's incident was different than earlier incidents (read: the Ovechkin hit).
"This play is distinguishable from recent incidents by a number of factors, including the degree of contact involved; the fact that the consequences of the play do not appear to be as severe; that this was a hockey play involving a race for the puck; that Mr. Hossa is not a repeat offender and that the call of a major penalty by the referee was significant and appropriate," Campbell wrote.
The Predators were incensed Hossa wasn't ejected from the game (he could have received the same game misconduct penalty for boarding as Ovechkin did) -- and he should have been. They're no doubt unhappy Hossa will play in Monday's Game 6 in Nashville -- and he shouldn't. He should have been suspended for one game.
But Campbell's follies continue unabated. Not that anything surprises us at this point when it comes to trying to make sense of the league's disciplinary policy.
Carry on.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Semin the Cat
And he is also a huge reason why Ovechkin and team Russia won the World Championship in Quebec.
Does the Tomcat understand when he is taking others down? Yes, and yes one more time. In one of the Russian interviews he said that he was totally upset how he had played at the Olympics. He calls Ovechkin a brother and he is serious about it, but he couldn't help Ovi and Caps in these series. You can't put a cat on a leash, you can't.
strymeek — October 21, 2009 — Bought our pet Meep a harness. He's generally pretty active but the moment we put a harness on him, he lies on floor refusing to move.
Hopefully Semin will wake up and help Caps in playoffs run. I am pretty sure he is hoping for that too.
Update: The state of Semin's English is open to debate.
By Barry Svrluga, Washington Post, Apr. 26, 2010:
The job as Semin's spokesman falls largely to Ovechkin, his Russian compatriot and closest friend on the Capitals. During practice, after Semin knelt in front of Boudreau as the coach dictated instructions to the entire team, Ovechkin leaned in and spoke to his buddy -- who he calls, almost exclusively, by his nickname "Sasha" -- to make sure Semin understood. The state of Semin's English is open to debate. "He can speak it," Ovechkin said last year, "when he wants to." In any case, he rarely addresses reporters in anything but Russian.
"I think mentally it's a good thing he doesn't speak English," Ovechkin said Sunday, smiling. "He can't listen to [the media]. But I think mentally, the most important thing is [that his] teammates help him a lot. He's trying, and I think last game he played very well. He played pretty hard, made some hits, shoot the puck."
Friday, April 23, 2010
Ovechkin speaks to media after game 5
Ovi, Varly and Brendan Morrison talk to media after the loss in game 5
Ovechkin: "Sasha [Semin] has to score in the middle when he had the chance. Flash [too]. Our top guys have to score goals."
Get 'em, Ovi... Really, what can be done to jump-start Semin? It's not that the guy is trying, he is trying hard, but he looks like an impotent...
Varly looks older, one year older :-)
This is hilarious
This is so funny, when they asked Halak about Ovechkin's comment that his hands were shaking, Halak got dead serious...
Watch it...
via Puck Daddy:
After the game Coach Bruce Boudreau said his scorers missed really good looks, called out Semin for "12 games in a row that he hasn't" scored a goal, and said the Capitals let a game slip away. "We had a Game 5 in our building, and we played like crap in the first 10 minutes, and the game's over."
Again, as I said in previous post, it was a great decision for Habs to go with Halak because Ovi couldn't score on him from his usual favorite spots. He did it on Price, but couldn't on Halak, the only goal he scored in game 5 was crushing the net which is not his usual way to score the goals.
Quote of the day:
"If you squeeze the bottle your hand is going to shake."
~Jaroslav Halak
Donald Brashear in Washington on Ovechkin's invitation
Gone, but not forgotten...
Greg Wyshynski: HUGE ovation for Donald Brashear, in the house watching Caps. Showed fight clips on Jumbotron. Chant of "Don-ald."
Dan Rosen: Donald Brashear in the house. He's getting a standing ovation. I'm serious. Donald Brashear is getting a standing O. They love this guy here
TarikElBashir: Mike Wise reports that he ran into Donald Brashear downstairs at VC. He's Ovechkin's guest.
HOWARD FENDRICH, AP:
After spectators in Montreal booed the U.S. national anthem before Game 3, a few jeers were heard at the outset of the Canadian national anthem Friday, but they were quickly drowned out by applause.
The crowd roared and gave a standing ovation when former Capitals enforcer Donald Brashear was shown on the above-ice video screen, sitting in the stands. Brashear acknowledged the cheers by blowing a kiss.
Caps in game 5 vs Montreal
WASHINGTON DC, DC - APRIL 23: Alex Ovechkin skates away as the Montreal Canadiens celebrate their second goal of the first period scored by Travis Moen #32 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on April 23, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
After the 1st period:
Ovechkin's stats:
+/- -2, TOT 07:32, 9 shifts, AVG 00:50, PP 02:47, SH 00:11, EV 04:34, 1 shot on goal, 1 giveaway
Knuble, Backstrom also -2, the first line was on ice for both Habs goals.
It was definitely a great decision to go with Halak for Habs. Carey Price can't stop Ovechkin, but Halak can. Other goals vs Halak were very tough to stop with Caps crushing the net and there was a bit of luck involved.
Can Caps lose tonight? Big chance. With two goals down and Halak playing his top game, it's a big chance. Let's keep the fingers crossed that it won't happen.
2nd period is over:
After Ovechkin has scored by crushing the net (by the way, it seems like the only way to put the puck behind Halak and in the net) the momentum was on Caps side. But then a string of unnecessary penalties and the score stays at 1:2. Ovi was very impressive, 5 shots with 2 blocked.
Ovi's stats after the 2nd:
1 goal, +/- -1, TOT 14:35, 16 shifts, AVG 00:54, PP 05:07, SH 00:16, EV 09:12, 4 shots on goal (3 in the 2nd), 2 attempts blocked, 1 giveaway, 1 blocked shot
Knuble got one assist, Carlson (!) got another.
Game's over, but the series are not. Hafta go back to Montreal and deliver there. My prediction was Caps in 6. So... Halak is back and that's the worst part. Semin looks like impotent, he tries hard, but...
I am always cautious when Caps come back to play at home. Why? Because on the road they pay more attention to defense which is Achilles' heel for Capitals. Do you remember the last year's game 7? Just like tonight it was 0:2 quickly in the first. Caps MUST finish Habs in game 6 or it will be déjà vu all over again.
Go, Caps!
Ovi's stats:
TOT 24:47, SHF 23, AVG 01:04, PP 07:07, SH 01:23, EV 16:17, S 6, A/B 3
OvechkinW — April 23, 2010 — Ovechkin gets another
Alex Ovechkin scores in his fourth-straight game and brings the Caps within 1 in the second.
4/23/2010 1:09 Mins
Ovechkin speaks to media after morning skate
Apr. 23, 2010 Two Man Advantage.
Ovechkin speaks to media after morning skate (also Boudreau, Laich, Schultz)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
"Alexander Ovechkin" song By Tim Fletcher Of The Stills
Stills frontman Tim Fletcher's written this amazing new song about the Washington Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin... despite being from Montreal, whose Canadiens are battling against the Caps in the NHL playoffs. Its not even a minute-and-a-half long, but there's a lot to love, and it basically explains why Fletcher thinks the Russian left-winger is the greatest athlete ever to live.
Much ado about nothing
Much ado about nothing by Ovi's haters. Oh well, there might be some innocent morons bystanders who believe the haters.
But this post is not for the two categories described above. This is for Ovechkin's fans who might run into this on some message board or on a hockey forum. So you need to be informed and prepared.
I saw the video yesterday and just shrugged, there was nothing there. But then the story was re-tweeted, the video was re-posted all over and I couldn't believe how many tweets were going out there. That's why I'd like to thank Dave Stubbs of Montreal Gazette and his blog "Habs Inside/Out".
Watch how Ovechkin hits the brakes, his skates are turned away from the kid, if he really wanted to spray the kid, he could've turn left, instead he turns right to avoid spraying the kid.
Here are some tweets about it from Nate Ewell, Director of Media Relations for the Washington Capitals:
nateewell: 1) Kid shouldn't stand in front of our bench 2) guarantee he's bragging to friends about having snow sprayed by Ovi
nateewell: @emptynetters I know you're doing your job mocking the Caps, but there's zero harm here. And the kid should. Not. Be. There.
(Update) More reaction from Montreal:
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Captain Ovechkin, a.k.a the best hockey player in the world: "I'm just getting in shape"
MONTREAL- APRIL 21: Alex Ovechkin celebrates his first period goal in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on April 21, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images) Capitals win the game 4 (6:3) to take a 3-1 lead in the series.
Ovechkin makes it 1:0, Alex is on the board early:
AspArtanEx — April 21, 2010 — The Great 8 scores again.
Ovechkin's second goal makes it 3:2:
CapitalsHD — April 21, 2010 — amazing
Ovi's stats:
2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, +/- +3, total 21:10, 23 shifts, average shift 00:55, PP 05:04, even 16:06, 3 shots, 1 missed, 4 hits
Backie finished with 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points, +4.
Mike Knuble with 2 goals and +3.
8 points, +10 for Caps first line. Lethal.
Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin, right, of Russia, celebrates his second goal with teammates Nicklas Backstrom, upper left, of Sweden, and Alexander Semin, also of Russia, during third-period, Game 4, NHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal hockey game action Wednesday, April 21, 2010, in Montreal. The Capitals defeated the Canadiens 6-3 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. (AP Photo/The Canaian Press,Paul Chiasson)
Apr. 21, 2010 Alex Ovechkin - Postgame
Caps Captain speaks to the media about his two goal effort in the Game 4 win.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Ovechkin speaks to media after Tuesdays' skate
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Lindsay Applebaum
washcaps: WATCH: Boudreau, Ovi and Gordon speak with the media after Tuesdays' skate looking ahead to Game 4
LOL, That was funny... "Why people boo Cindy, sob sob..." :-)
Alex Ovechkin's post game
Apr. 19, 2010
Caps Captain speaks to media about the 5-1 win in game 3 against Montreal
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