Back to practice
11/16/10 Back to practice
washcaps: Ovi, Laich, Bruce and Steckel speak after the much needed practice
Next game vs Sabres, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010
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Tuesday, November 16, 2010
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NBC Sports with Alex Ovechkin
Quick hits with Ovi
Random things I got to find out when talking with Alex Ovechkin in quick hit fashion. Some of these things you might know already, some you might not, others likely won’t surprise you at all.
Favorite place to be in D.C.: “Verizon Center. It’s like home.”
Thoughts on countryman Evgeni Malkin: “We’re buddies. We’re teammates when we play for Russia, but we like to beat each other. It’s part of the fun.”
Thoughts on how he and Alex Semin are doing this year: “He’s great. We’re playing very well but we can get better.”
Favorite city to be in aside from Washington: “Montreal. It’s a great place to be. I love the people, I love the excitement. It’s a fun place to be.”
Least favorite city to be in: “Buffalo. It’s just tough there.”
Reason for wearing #8: “It was my mother’s number in basketball.”
It all comes back to family.
Read more...
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The Sporting News Interview with Alex
Capitals star Alex Ovechkin released his behind-the-scenes DVD on Tuesday, featuring an inside look at his life in both Washington D.C. and Russia. Alex Ovechkin: The Gr8 hits the market just as HBO cameras are following him around for the HBO all-access series setting up the Winter Classic.
Ovechkin chatted with Sporting News writer Craig Custance on Tuesday (Nov. 16, 2010) about life in front of the camera for one of hockey’s most visible stars:
I saw some highlights from the DVD release party on Monday night. Any problems with a hangover?
(laughs) It’s OK.
It has to be challenging when cameras are constantly following you around. What was the hardest part about shooting this DVD?
Actually, the hardest part was bringing all my friends together. Sometimes, it was just my family was there — not all of them, but most of them. A couple friends couldn’t make being a part of the DVD. That’s too bad. But I think it’s fun. Fans are going to love it.
Hockey players typically don’t like self-promotion or to bring attention to themselves. Do you consider yourself different from other players in that regard?
No. Some people don’t like telling about personal life. I don’t like it, either, but you want to tell the fans where I’m growing up, how I did it, who supports me — see my house, my family. It’s nice.
What was your family’s response to being a part of the DVD?
They were happy; they like everything. We watched the DVD and my family say it was good.
So what didn’t make the DVD that you thought should have?
Wow, it just showed my life and how I live in Russia. Most of the things you see in it, it’s true.
Do you act any differently when you’re in Russia than you do in the States?
No, I have a lot of friends here, too. I think fans and people that know me want to see how it is over there.
HBO has been shooting you and your teammates for its series setting up the Winter Classic. Is it a distraction to have the cameras constantly around?
It’s easy. They don’t bother us. It’s fun—you’re going to be in the show. You’re going to be on TV again.
Do you act any differently when the cameras are on?
No, sometimes when it just started, you want to show how good you are. After that, you feel normal. You just don’t pay attention.
So the next step has to be an Alex Ovechkin reality show, right?
I will be in a reality show. On HBO.
I was thinking something more like Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
(laughs) No. I’m not ready for that right now.
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Dan Steinberg's video interview
A huge post with ton of pictures by Dan Steinberg who chats on this video with Ovechkin outside of Hudson Restaurant in D.C.
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Alex Ovechkin on FOX 5 to Talk About his New DVD
Alex Ovechkin on FMN (Video#1)
myfoxdc.com:
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin's meteoric rise to being one of hockey's biggest stars goes back to when he was just two years old when he discovered a hockey stick in a Moscow toy store and hasn’t let go since.
Now, his fans get to see him in a more intimate light with the release of his new profile DVD, Alex Ovechkin: The Gr8, that takes us back to his roots in Russia where it all started.
Alex Ovechkin joined us in studio with more.
Videos:
Alex Ovechkin on FMN (Video#1)
Clip from Alex Ovechkin: The Gr8 (Video#2)
Family photos (Video#3)
1-on-1 with FOX 5’s Sports (Video#4)
Clip from Alex Ovechkin: The Gr8 (Video#2)
Family photos (Video#3)
1-on-1 with FOX 5’s Sports (Video#4)
Also check updates on DVD release party.
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Alex at Lavar Arrington Show with Chad Dukes
by Adam Vingan, Half Smokes, Nov 15, 2010
Alex Ovechkin has been a busy man lately, promoting his new DVD, "Alex Ovechkin: The GR8," which hits stores Tuesday. And, you know, playing hockey. But on the Lavar Arrington Show with Chad Dukes Monday, Ovechkin made some interesting points, including what to expect to see on his DVD (here's a hint: "his body and his vacation") and his All-Star Game selections.
On Alex Semin's fast start and future in Washington: "I think [he's] playing great. He always has a good start all the time. He helps out team...I hope [he's] going to stay for next year for Washington."
On who he would select with his first pick of the All-Star Game: "I don't know the rules, so it's pretty interesting." (Asks Arrington and Dukes if they know the rules). "I'm going to take probably Semin."
On what to expect on the DVD: "It shows my life, my hometown, my family, my friends. They are going to see some crazy stuff, like a little of my body and a little of my vacation."
On what he wants people to learn about him from the DVD: "People know me as a hockey player. Most of the guys, and most important the girls, want to know who I am outside of hockey rink."
Do girls like him? "Some girls yes, some girls no. It depends."
Later, DC Sports Bog's Dan Steinberg separately asked Ovechkin why he is shirtless for most of the DVD. His response? "I have great body."
Sometimes, the stories just write themselves.
Here's more for your reading pleasure...
By tuvanhillbilly, Japer's Rink, Nov 16, 2010, "Ovechkin: Where Would I Be Without Semin?"
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Monday, November 15, 2010
Ovechkin: Quick Q & A
By D. Shumin, Nov. 16, 2010, SovSport.ru:
How Washington Capitals team of this season is better than the one from the last season? Back then you won President's Trophy as the best club of the regular season.
In principle there's no difference. It is the same team. We lost some players, we got some. The usual business.
What is your personal goal for this season? It is understandable that you want to win the Stanley Cup. Waht about the title of the top scorer in the league, or a sniper?
It is impossible to predict what you can win. You just go out on the ice up and play. I want to win all the trophies that you've mentioned. But what is most important is to get into the playoffs and play there.
Who do you think is the main competitor for individual trophies?
I've just played against one of them the other day. Stephen Stamkos of Tampa, one of the best snipers of the league. Yes you saw it yourself; he has created one scoring chance, and scored one goal. It's hard to play against him, he needs constant attention.
How long did you shoot the movie "Professor Ovechkin's head?
Three hours.
Do you wish that you would have the head in the locker that would give you advices?
God forbid! I already know what I need to do.
Is it true that you recently got hooked on Facebook?
Why do you think so?
Well, you hang out there all the time.
It's an illusion! I just write there sometimes.
Let's try quick questions and quick answers:
What's better for you? Summer or winter?
Summer. Moscow, friends, leisure.
Songs or dances?
Dancing. I love to move a lot.
Mikhalkov, or Tarantino?
Mikhalkov. Our kin.
Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger?
Stallone. "Rambo".
Turkey or Madagascar?
Turkey. I vacation there often.
Sponge Bob or Homer Simpson?
Sponge Bob. I have Sponge Bob boxers.
Eminem or the Beatles?
Eminem. I am his fan.
Ovechkin or Crosby?
Semin!
Source: http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/419072
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DVD release party (video update)
washcaps:
Staff in Ovi's CCM clothing line; DVD airing on each TV at the release party
washcaps: Ted and Alex with Brian Jennings of the @NHL
washcaps: The DJing has gotten noticeably better as Ovi takes over
By Corey Masisak, NHL.com:
WASHINGTON – Alex Ovechkin has become one of the most famous people in the world in his profession – a genuine celebrity on multiple continents.
For all of the superstar's accomplishments on the ice with the Washington Capitals and for his native Russia, much of Ovechkin's life away from hockey and this city has been an unknown entity. A new 60-minute documentary entitled "Alex Ovechkin: The Gr8" will fill in some of those blanks, and Ovechkin was on hand Monday night at a local restaurant for a VIP launch party.
"I think fans know about me as a hockey player, but they don't know about me and my life and how I'm growing up," Ovechkin said. "They know I'm from Moscow, but they never see my school or my home and my family. They're going to see it and I think they're going to enjoy it."
Added David Abrutyn, Senior Vice President for IMG Consulting, which represents Ovechkin: "There was a commitment from the NHL and Warner Home Video to back to Moscow with him and see where Alex's roots are and where he came from. Everyone knows the creation story of Wayne Gretzky was in his backyard on an ice rink his dad made for him. If you watch this DVD, you'll see where the birthplace of Alex Ovechkin's hockey life was and I think it will surprise people how basic it really was and something kids around the world will be able to relate to."
Ovechkin was joined by about 100 people at Hudson, a posh restaurant and lounge on the edge of the DuPont Circle neighborhood in Washington, D.C. While it was an invitation-only event, fans were able to attend through radio giveaways and online contests.
Read more...
By Dan Steinberg, Washington Post, November 16, 2010:
We see Ovechkin trying to decide whether he more resembles his mother or father, before deciding "I'm from up there," with a gesture to the sky. "From above."
We see Ovechkin dropping 1,600 rubles (about $50) at McDonald's, and Ovechkin's personalized Russian license plates, and Ovechkin promising to finally show his crazy lifestyle - with his doting grandmother.
"This is my lovely grandma," he tells the camera. "Soon, we're going to the nightclub with her. She's relaxing before that."
We see Ovechkin playing basketball without a shirt, and Ovechkin playing tennis without a shirt, and Ovechkin riding an elevator without a shirt, and Ovechkin introducing his girlfriend to the cameras without a shirt, and Ovechkin playing with his three dogs without a shirt. He spends approximately half of the 60-minute DVD in various states of undress.
"Yeah, I have great body, man," the winger joked Monday night, during the DVD's launch party at Hudson Restaurant and Lounge. "Girls love it."
Read more...
From Ted's Take, Nov. 16, 2010, "Alex's DVD":
It is well done. It shows Alex as he really is: Happy, funny and with gusto for life and for his sport.
He loves his family. He loves his teammates. He respects his coaches and staff.
He loves our fans and he is so very happy to play here in Washington, DC.
I attended the opening event party last night and found Alex to be talkative; reflective; supportive; grateful; and working the crowd and cooperating with the media. He even signed some autographs for members of the media. He and I sat for an interview with the Dan and the Sports Bog. I crashed the interview just to be supportive and to have some fun.
“We’re lucky to have this life.” How many young men have that kind of great outlook and perspective?
Watch the video. You will enjoy it I believe. It shows Alex as he really is.
I also believe the HBO 24/7 series will also show an unfiltered Alex Ovechkin. He was mic’d for Sunday’s game and as he said to me, “I wasn’t happy when I turned the puck over on the power play and they scored short- handed. I cursed too much and then the coach wasn’t happy with me and he was cursing too. I bet George wasn’t happy either. I have work to do on my game. I promise I will play better. Don’t trade me yet Ted.”
Humble; funny; and he curses really good in English. :-)
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The strangest goal ever
Ovi scored the strangest goal I've ever seen in my life.
Now he has the goal, and the strangest goal. :-)
Joe Beninati (Happy B-Day, Joe!):
The prettiest goal of the night came via an Ovechkin saucer pass that hit Alex Semin in stride for him to deke Mason and pot his team-leading 13th goal.
NBC Sports: Goal of the night: Ovechkin to Semin make one hell of a pairing
What is more exciting to watch nowadays? Ovi scoring his goals or setting up his partners?
John da man! How Boulton survived his right hooks is a mystery. Strap your helmet tight, I guess...
John Erskine vs Eric Boulton (Atlanta Thrashers at Washington Capitals game on Nov 14, 2010)
Sexy lumberjack, this is how Caps fans call John, scored a game winning goal and was 1 assist short of Gordie Howe hat-trick. Gordie himself had only a couple, this is how hard is to get them.
Ovechkin's stats after 2nd:
1 goal, 1 assist, total ice time 12:05, 13 shifts, average 00:55, PP 03:46, even 08:16, 1 shot on goal, 3 attempts blocked, 1 hit, 1 giveaway
Final:
1 goal, 1 assist, total ice time 17:52, 19 shifts, average 00:56, PP 03:46, even 14:03, 1 shot on goal, 4 attempts blocked, 3 hits, 1 giveaway, 1 takeaway
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Sunday, November 14, 2010
Vanek does it
What's the saying? You win some and you lose some... And funny thing is, Sabres were not that good to deserve a win. I guess the same applies to Caps.
AP:
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Thomas Vanek scored his second goal of the game with a minute left in overtime to provide the Buffalo Sabres their first home win of the season in beating the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Saturday night.
MIller's save on Ovechkin was a difference-maker, coming 15 minutes into the first. In alone from the right circle, Ovechkin drove in on Miller, who held his ground in the crease and kicked out his left pad just as the sniper attempted to stuff the puck inside the post.
"I was just happy to get it," Miller said. "He set himself up to make that hard forehand move that basically blows the goalie into the net. So I just tried to push as hard as I could into him."
Ovechkin failed to register a point to end an eight-game streak, in which he had five goals and 10 assists.
Miller also made two solid saves on bang-bang chances in the final minute of the first period, first stopping Tyler Sloan's point shot, and then getting across to hug the right post to prevent Marcus Johansson's shot from a bad angle.
Ruff remembered Miller's save on Ovechkin, describing it as a momentum changer, particularly with the Sabres already trailing 1-0.
"(It) was good for the team," Ruff said, "and it was good for Ryan at the same time."
Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin, of Russia, reacts after missing a breakaway shot on Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010. Buffalo won in overtime 3-2. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Ovechkin's stats after the first:
+1, total ice time 06:25, 6 shifts, average 01:04, PP 01:50, even 04:35, 1 shot on goal, 3 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 1 hit, 1 giveaway
after 2nd:
total ice time 11:54, 14 shifts, average 00:51, PP 01:50, even 10:04, 1 shot on goal, 4 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 2 hits, 1 giveaway
after 3rd:
total ice time 16:53, 20 shifts, average 00:50, PP 01:50, even 15:03, 1 shot on goal, 4 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 5 hits, 1 giveaway
ot/final:
-1, total ice time 17:38, 22 shifts, average 00:48, PP 01:50, even 15:48, 1 shot on goal, 4 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 5 hits, 1 giveaway
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Saturday, November 13, 2010
NHL sneak preview of Great Eight dvd
Alex Ovechkin with this sneak peak from the dvd...
Alex says: это место... это священная площадка александра овечкина [this place... is a sacred site of Alexander Ovechkin]
was translated as "This is a hockey birthplace of Alexander Ovechkin"
And I was right, they did go to his dacha...
Alyonka, Aug. 7, 2010:
Big dinner to keep me fueled for tomorrows big day of interviews with the Ovechkin clan...
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Friday, November 12, 2010
Stamkos 1, Ovechkin 1
Stamkos scores, Ovechkin counters
But the real hero was the siberian panther (this is how Ovechkin's Dad called him), Sasha Semin, who scored hat-trick, had 6 shots on goal, etc. That's good news for Caps if Sasha will be playing like that in playoffs. You need the tandem in playoffs, like Steve Yzerman & Sergei Fedorov, Joe Sakic & Peter Forsberg, Pavel Datsyuk & Henrik Zettenberg and recently Evgeny Malkin (MVP) & Sidney Crosby.
AP:
Alexander Semin insists he isn’t doing anything differently. The playful smirk on his face after his second hat trick of the season suggested otherwise.
Semin scored three goals during a wild third period and added two assists, Alex Ovechkin(notes) had a goal and two assists and the Washington Capitals defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3 Thursday night for their sixth straight victory.
“It wasn’t anything special,” Semin said through a translator. “I was just going out there and playing like I do every other game. Most important thing is for the team to win and that’s what happened tonight.”
Ovi, Neuvirth, Semin and Poti talk to media after 6:2 victory over Bolts
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Dan Ellis looks back at a puck that got past him for a goal scored by Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, in Washington. The Capitals won 6-3. Photo AP via Yahoo.
Ovechkin's stats after the 1st:
Total ice time 05:51, 7 shifts, average 00:50, even 05:51, 1 attempt blocked, 1 hit
After 2nd:
+1, total ice time 11:54, 14 shifts, average 00:51, even 11:54, 1 attempt blocked, 2 missed, 2 hits, 1 giveaway
Final:
1 goal, 2 assists, +4, total ice time 17:47, 23 shifts, average 00:46, PP 00:16, even 17:31, 2 shots on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 3 missed, 2 hits, 3 giveaways
Ovi got the highest plus/minus in the team, +4. Steckel, Bradley had the same amount of hits as Ovi, 4.
And look at his average shift, a record low, 00:46! Why? Because there was no power play, that's why. So talks about Ovechkin's long shifts are highly exagerated, usually the average time gets inflated by PP where Ovi plays full two minutes.
Everybody got unbelievable average shift time, the highest average was for Mike Green 00:55. Again, that's mostly because there was virtually no PP (only two minutes to Moore for hooking) and secondly great coaching tonight. Give the credit when it's due.
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Thursday, November 11, 2010
Chat with Alex Ovechkin
Welcome to SportsNation! On Tuesday, Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin stops by to chat.
ESPN SportsNation:
In his five previous seasons in Washington, Ovechkin lead the Capitals in both points and goals scoring over 90 points and 45 goals in each season. In the first month of this season, Ovechkin has 20 points and 8 goals. With his on ice presence, Ovechkin was named NHL MVP for both the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons.
On Tuesday (November 16), Warner Home Video will release Alex Ovechkin: The Great 8 on DVD. An in-depth glimpse of behind-the-scenes footage into the daily life of the two-time NHL MVP. From picking up his first hockey stick at two years old in his native Russia, to him seeking redemption after his Capitals fell far short of the team's goal of winning the Stanley Cup. A wound that has inspired him to train harder and condition his body like he never has before.
Send your questions now and join Ovechkin Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. ET!
Best Buy - Sterling:
COME SEE ALEX “OVIE” OVECHKIN!
Location: Sterling, VA Best Buy
Schedule: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 6:00pm – 8:00pm
ONLY AT YOUR STERLING BEST BUY!
This Tuesday, Nov. 16th from 6pm – 8pm.
Purchase the Alex Ovechkin The Gr8 DVD and have him sign it for you in-store!
45575 Dulles Eastern Plz Ste 188
Sterling, VA 20165
Phone: 703-430-2150
H/t to Cathy W for Best Buy link
If you don't want to drive to Sterling, sponsor this blog, buy on Amazon (click on any Amazon link on this blog and buy anything you want there, not just Great Eight DVD)
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Caps talk about Stamkos after morning skate
Ovi, Gordon, Boudreau on Stamkos @02:00, Fehr, Alzner (stache) and more
Boudreau:
"If we won't take any penalties tonight, we'll be fine."
That's what Stamkos said about their game (because of Caps PP)
Morning skate at Kettler. Ovechkin is in the house!
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Defense vs offense, Boucher vs Boudreau, Stamkos vs Ovechkin
Here's an interesting post by Damian back on Nov. 3, 2010:
Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy apparently has nothing better to do. The owner, coach, general manager of Quebec of the junior Quebec league, said that the system Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher used from 2006-09 as coach of Drummondville of the Quebec league, was not only too defensive it has permeated the league and stunted the development of some Quebec league players.
Roy then told the Journal de Montreal that, "Boucher did nothing to help our league advance. His defensive system was copied by many other teams. I know my comments will not please Guy, but for me hockey should be focused on offense not defense."
So perhaps the Lightning, with its 1-3-1 system tries to stifle teams in the neutral zone. It does have elements of the trap, after all. And the Lightning does send two defensemen into the corners of the defensive zone to harass puck carries, and that does force the forwards to come back to the defensive zone to take defensive positions abandoned by the defensemen.
And no one can argue Tampa Bay's transition from defense to offense is quick and dramatic.
We can see the great debate again, defense vs offense, Jiu-Jitsu vs Muay Thai, Vasily Zaytsev vs Major Erwin König, Stevie Y. vs.... ok, you got it, right?
By Joe Smith, tampabay.com, Nov. 11, 2010:
From players to the Lightning's coaching staff and system — they believe the Lightning is better equipped for the challenge.
"I think that's just the way that game unfolded," Downie said. "They took it to us a couple times and had pushed us around, even the year before that when they were celebrating their goals. I think guys got fed up with it."
Damian Christodero, March 27, 2009:
As for Lightning goalie Mike McKenna, you might recall he was one of those who criticized Washington star Alex Ovechkin for his celebration last week at the St. Pete Times Forum after his 50th goal.
Ovechkin was in the hallway leading to the Lightning locker room after Friday's game talking to his buddy Artyukhin. McKenna saw him and approached and said he wanted to apologize for the criticism. McKenna said the emotions of the moment got the best of him.
"I wanted to tell him there was nothing to it," McKenna said."It's water under the bridge."
Down goes Downie (per Damian Christodero):
Lightning coach Guy Boucher said this morning that RW Steve Downie will not make the team's two-game trip to Washington and Pittsburgh, meaning the team will be without another top-six forward in the tough back-to-back matchups.
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Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Great Eight plays more and more like Peter the Great
Really, after today's game the tendencies in Ovi-2011 play are more evident; he plays more like a center setting up his teammates. As soon as the opposite team tries to gang up against him, as soon as Ovi draws everyone, his partners get open and Great Eight sets them up. Just like the center named Peter the Great, a.k.a Foppa used to do. Backstrom was not very good as center recently (he was decent in this game) and Ovi got in his shoes, even won 100% of faceoffs tonight (see the stats :-)
Ovi Sets the Table (from NHL video center):
Alex Ovechkin deals through two Rangers, flipping a shot off Henrik Lundqvist's stick before Mike Knuble's easy open net goal.
I think Alex got a little mad because just before that he had a takeaway, got into Rangers zone and instead of shooting tried to set up his teammate. Rangers intercepted his pass and went on attacking Caps net. Their offensive effort ends where the video starts, and this is where Ovi showed "don't eff with me" effort. And that was at the end of his shift!
AP:
Ovechkin glided past Sean Avery as he surged into the New York end and then made his way around lunging defenseman Marc Staal before shoving the puck on net. Lundqvist got his stick on it, but directed it in front right to Knuble, who scored into an open net at 9:18 for his first goal in 14 games.
Mike Knuble sacrificed a goat for that. That's fine with me as soon as it's not oveja :-).
Nobody noticed, but Matt Hendricks got a Gordie Howe hat-trick tonight, 1 goal, 1 assist and a fight with Sauer that Matt won. Nice! I like him more and more with every new day.
www.hockey-fights.com Mike Sauer (New York Rangers) scraps with Matt Hendricks (Washington Capitals) after Hendricks takes out Eminger. No fighting majors given after Sauer vs. Hendricks 4 min each roughing.
Ovi's stats after 1st period:
1 assist, total ice time 08:00, 7 shifts, average 01:08, PP 04:15, even 03:42, 3 shots on goal, 5 attempts missed, 1 hit
after 2nd:
2 assists, +1, total ice time 14:48, 13 shifts, average 01:08, PP 04:36, even 10:09, 3 shots on goal, 6 attempts missed, 2 hits
final:
2 assists, +1, total ice time 21:51, 21 shifts, average 01:02, PP 04:36, even 17:12, 3 shots on goal, 7 attempts missed, 4 hits, 1 takeaway, 1 faceoff win, faceoffs win percentage 100%
washcaps: Knuble, Ovi, Hendricks on the win over the Rangers 5:3
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It's time for everything, it's time to get it done
This week's Hockey News magazine:
Nov. 15, 2010 via 100% Ovechkin 100% of the time
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Monday, November 8, 2010
Green, Holtby and Ovechkin talk to the media
It's all good for Caps tonight: out-shooting the opponent, but what is more important, creating a whole lot more scoring chances, beating hot Flyers team 3:2 in overtime, a team who had 6 wins in a row coming to Washington and testing a talented rookie goalie Braden Holtby who let two goals early, bent, but didn't break.
Ovi had a good game, but nothing spectacular this time. Here are his stats:
after the 1st:
Total ice 07:08, 6 shifts, average 01:11, PP 00:48, even 06:20, 0 shots on goal, 2 shots missed, 2 hits, 1 takeaway
after 2nd
1 assist, total ice 14:29, 13 shifts, average 01:06, PP 04:05, even 10:24, 3 shots on goal, 2 attempts blocked, 3 shots missed, 3 hits, 1 takeaway
final
1 assist, total ice 23:02, 21 shifts, average 01:05, PP 07:12, even 15:50, 6 shots on goal, 4 attempts blocked, 4 shots missed, 4 hits, 1 takeaway
Green, Holtby and Ovi (@04:05) talk to the media after 3:2 win over Flyers:
Green: "I noticed that both guys were taking away Ovi I had a lane. Two of their guys were closing and I just had to get it through that slot and hopefully their players screen the goalie and they did."
Philly.com:
WASHINGTON _ Facing a 21-year-old goalie making his first NHL start, the Flyers wanted to throw a lot of shots at the net and create traffic in front Sunday.
Didn’t happen.
Instead, they let Washington control the tempo in the Capitals’ hard-fought 3-2 overtime win at the Verizon Center. The Flyers were outshot, 39-25, and outscored on the power play, 2-0. Washington had six power plays, while the Flyers had two.
Flyers’ goalie Sergei “Bob” Bobrovsky made 36 saves and was the best player on the ice, but somehow did not get one of the game’s three stars.
“We fought hard today for that one point,” captain Mike Richards said. “I thought we probably could have played better, but Bob kept us in the game.”
Braden Holtby made 23 saves for Washington (10-4). The loss ended the Flyers’ six-game winning streak.
Bobrovsky enjoyed facing fellow Russians Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin, who combined for a goal, an assist and 13 shots.
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Sunday, November 7, 2010
Alex Ovechkin filming a new Reebok commercial
As our field reporter EmilyB. relays, Alex Ovechkin is filming in Kalorama Harris Teeter on Saturday Night a new Reebok commercial:
Ovi's car at the scene
17th and Kalorama NW – he was filming upstairs at the old roller rink and shooting pics in the empty retail space below last night. that is his tricked out white mercedes which he came in with his dad. Yeah he was there and emerged from the rented space below the HT (used to be roller skating rink) around 8:40 last. He had been filming and doing photoshoots for Reebok ads for a few hours. He was nice and signed autographs for me and my wife.”
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Saturday, November 6, 2010
How hard Alex Ovechkin shoots the puck?
This is what Sidney Crosby would never be able to achieve even if he'll practice it 24x7, Ovechkin's shot is a God-given talent.
By Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun, Nov. 5, 2010:
Tim Brent felt like he’d been hit in the knee by a sledgehammer and confirmed it when he took off his pad on Wednesday night.
The damage was courtesy of Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals, the NHL MVP who stepped into a howitzer during a 4-on-3 in overtime. Brent was right in his line of fire.
“There were a lot of ice bags yesterday, but it’s just another bruise, another war story.”
Here is the tale of dented mask, back in 2007, and Ovi used a wrist-shot!
NJ goalie Scott Clemmensen: "I have been hit in the mask a lot, but never like this. When it hits the wiring, the wiring bents and takes the velocity out of it. I couldn't believe it went in after that."
Here's his another wrist shot captured on YouTube video, these protective plastic covers are built to withstand the puck shots! Let's say average shots, because Ovi is above and beyond the average.
Ovechkin scores on breakaway and breaks the goalcam's protective plastic against Penguins.
Commentator: So much velocity, it breaks the goal cam.
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Bradley: "When I’m done I can say I played with Ovechkin"
By Allan Maki, Globe and Mail, Nov. 06, 2010:
Always, it’s about Ovechkin. Even for players such as Mike Green, Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom, three special talents in their own right, when the Great 8 shows up, they’re the Washington Whatevers – props. You’d think it would get tiring, always being the second and third violin in Ovie’s orchestra. But the Capitals insist that’s not the case. Several Capitals were asked to speak freely and reveal the down side of being trapped in Ovechkin’s orbit. They did so providing they be identified and quoted on the record.
This is Matt Bradley’s 10th season in the NHL. Most people have already forgotten he was a fourth-round pick of the San Jose Sharks in 1996. The Caps’ grinding winger loves watching Ovechkin play but feels oh so differently when asked to get his teammate’s autograph.
Terrible.
Then there’s having to sit next to Ovechkin in the Capitals’ dressing room, at home or on the road. The media constantly surrounds Ovechkin before and after games, sometimes four or five deep, which makes it impossible for the player sitting next to Ovie to reach his locker. Guys have to stand around in their stinking hockey gear until the last question is asked and Ovechkin hits the showers, possibly looking to borrow someone else’s soap.
“That can be tough,” acknowledged defenceman Tyler Sloan.
What about rooming with him in hotels?
“[Fans] call every room to find out where he is,” Bradley said.
“There are so many autograph seekers we always send him out first,” Sloan added.
Shocking.
“We’re always asked, ‘What’s he really like?’” said Laich, the former sixth-round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2001.
So? What’s he really like?
Laich admitted, like Bradley, he is always asked by family and friends to get Ovechkin’s autograph. Six of Laich’s family members and buddies recently drove from Regina to Saint Paul, Minn., to see the Capitals play the Wild. Ovechkin had a photo taken with each one of them, which reminds Bradley of one more thing.
Such is the cost of living in Ovie’s world.
Read more...
I can tell you, Bradley is the funniest guy in the world. You've got to be pretty smart to have such sense of humor. I am still laughing at his announcement about hockey clinic to other Caps players when he scored in shootout and won the game for Caps. (Was it last year?)
I am glad to hear about Laich and his family as Ovi's fans. I am glad because I hope the incident at the worlds is over. "Yeah, Ovi, you are my bro, but tonight I am playing for my country spelled C-a-n-a-d-a." Or maybe there was no incident at all, it's just Varly speaking to Russian media. He thinks if he is over there, nobody would know what he said. Not so.
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Caps solve Tim Thomas, Chara
In the previous two games that Caps lost to Bruins Tim Thomas saw every single shot that was coming to him. This time he didn't see Sloan's slap shot at all, there were like 7 people in front of him. And that was it, it's interesting how the energy flows from one team to another, it is called momentum. Yes, Caps blew the 3:0 lead, but Tim Thomas was proved to be mortal and Caps finished Bruins 5:3.
I guess that's the only way to solve hot goalies, like Thomas or Halak, and it requires a lot of luck. But once they let one goal in, it's like "when it rains, it pours".
Capitals Insider:
"I felt really good tonight actually my leg, hip had no problems," said Sloan, who also earned praise from Boudreau. "I had a meeting with Bruce and he said just play, play with confidence. And he mentioned shooting the puck, shooting it hard, through traffic and getting it on net so I tried to do that.
"Flash had a great faceoff, the puck came right back to my stick," Sloan said about his goal. "I just took a half wind up, put my head down and buried it. I just wanted to make sure it got through."
By Fluto Shinzawa, The Boston Globe, Nov. 6, 2010:
In the third period, with Thomas mercifully pulled, the Bruins finally started to pick up their game. Down, 3-0, the Bruins scored three straight goals. But just as inserting Rask stabilized the Bruins, Washington coach Bruce Boudreau went with a similar approach, pulling Michal Neuvirth for rookie Braden Holtby after Thornton’s tying goal. It was Holtby’s first NHL appearance.
“I was pretty shocked when Bruce told me,’’ said Holtby (four saves in 10:09 of playing time). “But it was kind of cool to go into a tight game. Definitely got the heart pumping.’’
At 13:25, Natick, Mass., native John Carlson netted the deciding strike. First, David Krejci was tossed from the circle on a defensive-zone draw. Milan Lucic replaced Krejci, then lost the draw to Boyd Gordon. The puck slid back to Carlson at the right point, and the defenseman smoked a slap shot that beat Rask to snap the tie. Alex Ovechkin added an empty-netter at 19:08.
VogsCaps: Boston blueliner Zdeno Chara finished at minus-4, his first minus-4 since Dec. 22, 2007 in a 4-1 loss to St. Louis.
Ovi's stats after 2nd:
1 assist, +1, 1 penalty (2 min), total ice 15:29, 15 shifts, average shift 01:01, PP 02:38, even 12:51, 1 shot on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 1 missed, 2 shots blocked
Final:
1 goal, 1 assist, +1, 1 penalty (2 min), total ice 22:28, 22 shifts, average shift 01:01, PP 03:58, even 18:30, 3 shots on goal, 2 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 1 takeaway, 2 shots blocked
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Friday, November 5, 2010
Crowd chants: Ovie, Ovie, Ovie...
Tiesto's Outro at Fur letting Ovechkin drop some Adagio for Strings. October 16, 2010
Related post...
Work hard, play harder... or should it be "Play hard, play harder"? ...hmmm :-)
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Alex Ovechkin with his dog Ghera
From ovechkin.tumblr.com: Alex Oveja :-) and his German shepherd Ghera
Gawd, she is so cute...
Ghera Ovechkin #8, a pedigree German Shepherd
Age: Still a puppy
DOB: 2010
Sex: Female
POB: Cologne, Germany
Citizenship: German, Russian, American
NHL Seasons: 1
Drafted by Ovechkins in May 2010.
H/t to BobbyG
Update: I didn't want to, but based on demand, here's another picture of Ghera :-)
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Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Ovechkin scores on shootout
Ovi scores a shootout winning goal, Semin's goal was more like insurance. Going into the third period Ovi didn't register a single shot on goal. Did he play bad? No, I would not say so.
He set up Backstrom who couldn't score on an empty net, he gave a perfect pass to Green from behind the net, but Green couldn't handle it. There were a couple more moments like that, but his partners couldn't finish.
Ovi was doing what Nicklas Backstrom was supposed to do, setting up his partners. I actually don't remember when last time Backie set up Ovi, maybe it was last season. :-) It was not Backie's night, he was also horrible on faceoffs winning only 24% of faceoffs.
At the end Ovi took the game in his own hands, cruised all over the place and almost scored. The game was stopped because Ovi got slashed and Caps went on PP. Two goal posts later Caps couldn't finish Leafs in regulation, then comes overtime, shootout, Backie misses, Leafs' Kessel and Kulemin couldn't solve Neuvy, but Ovi and Semin scored.
I was extremely upset how Caps played defensively for the most part of the game, especially because of all that recent talk about improvements in that area. If it looks like a Swiss cheese, you know, then it is a Swiss cheese.
Here's what Brooks Laich said to Corey Masisak recently:
“Overall I think our team defense has improved, but it is not where we want it yet. We still have strides to go there,” Laich said. “I’m not satisfied with it yet and I don’t think our team is either. I think we’re still giving up some chances. Especially early in games, we’re giving up too many quality scoring chances and we’d like to eliminate that. Five-on-five we don’t want to give any goals up. I think 5-on-5 should be the strength of this hockey team. I think we still have for improvement in our defensive-zone play.
“The little things matter so much. Just chipping a puck out in the first opportunity and not giving them a second opportunity, good passes out of the zone from defensemen to forwards and forwards making a good pass to your center – sharp things like that keep the puck out of your net.”
"The little things"? It should be a system, you won't go that far in playoffs with "little things". When a system, a variation of a neutral zone trap, is installed, it dictates you not to give up scoring chances to an opponent.
Here's an excerpt from today's article about Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher and his defensive system by Damian Christodero:
So perhaps the Lightning, with its 1-3-1 system tries to stifle teams in the neutral zone. It does have elements of the trap, after all. And the Lightning does send two defensemen into the corners of the defensive zone to harass puck carries, and that does force the forwards to come back to the defensive zone to take defensive positions abandoned by the defensemen. But the goal is to get the puck. And as Boucher said, "I'm all about the transition. ... I'm a forward game type of guy."
That's what the system does, it's not about "little things", it forces "the forwards to come back to the defensive zone to take defensive positions abandoned by the defensemen." This is what left wing lock, installed by Red Wings did: it forced the left wing to play defense.
It is the same when we talk about the goalies, one is acrobatic, takes unbelievable saves and then goes down with groin injury. Another one is solid in positioning, is drilled to take the right position with the right angle at the right time.
Chances are, you can still win without a system doing little things here and there, no question, or you can also win a lottery and retire to your own island. :-)
Ovechkin (nice NFL undershirt), Chimera, Green and Gordon talk to he media
Ovechkin's stats:
2 assists, -1, total ice 23:11, 26 shifts, average 00:53, PP 05:52, even 7:14, 3 shots on goal, 5 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 3 hits, 1 takeaway, 1 blocked shot
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