Alexander Ovechkin - the latest news
(Александр Овечкин - последние известия)
Ru: Александр Овечкин, Sv: Aleksandr Ovetjkin, CS: Alexandr Ovečkin, FI: Aleksandr Ovetškin, FR: Aleksandr Ovetchkine, DE: Alexander Owetschkin
She was in Miami training two weeks ago but then she ended up in Arlington training indoors with the George Washington University tennis team. It's hard to find any news about Igor unfortunately but he and Maria haven't been seen together since Cincy I also noticed she doesn't wear her ring anymore.
Thanks to our reader AB for the comment... Oh yeah, that's @DesignoAbe for sure on the right, the one who drove batmobile all summer long, Ovi's right hand man :-)
It means even if they are "not dating", they are "seeing each other"... haha
1 assist, +1, total ice time 16:46, 23 shifts, average 00:43, PP 00:20, even 16:26, 1 shot on goal, 3 missed, 4 hits, 1 giveaway
Nothing changed for Ovi, same very short shifts, not much of ice time, but he looked like old vintage Ovi. Only after today's game you can understand Pavel Bure's comment about Ovi, "you can't play at this level forever". Only now you can appreciate how Ovi was able to play at this level for 5 unbelievable seasons. But now I agree with Bure, it is impossible to play like old vintage Ovi for a long time. Something's gotta give...
In all seriousness, putting aside the fact that this is pretty good gossip, if you’re a Russian tennis player and you choose … Arlington, Va. for some indoor practice, it’s probably not because you’re an American history buff. I mean, she could be practicing absolutely anywhere on the planet.
Elena Dementieva didn’t practice in chilly Buffalo because of the wings, y’know what I mean?
Hunter is a Caps legend, a former Captain of the team who could help Ovie grow into the role. Hunter is a no-nonsense guy, well-known for his gritty style of play who will make very clear his expectations for the team in general and the team leaders in particular. He won't accept his team being out-hustled or out-worked by the opposition, so I expect to see the Caps consistently play a full 60 minutes and not fall into the habit of taking shifts or entire periods off. The Ontario Hockey League-leading team Hunter coached, the London Knights, are known for their swagger. IMO Hunter was chosen to bring some of that swagger--and a more disciplined work ethic--to the Caps. Hunter also is known for giving the stars of his OHL team the most ice time, so it will be interesting to see if Ovie's ice time is increased with Hunter at the helm.
Now back to you in the studio,
this is BobbyG.
Thanks, BobbyG. I think Dale Hunter could be the best thing for Ovi since Vancouver Olympics. There were a lot theories why Ovi is not the same guy he once used to be and I think the best answer was (and I don't remember now where I read it) that he lost his mental edge.
He was fading before our own eyes; Vancouver Olympics was to Ovi as a concussion to Crosby.
Here comes a new coach who is mentally mean and tough, and this could revive Ovechkin's career. Only time will tell, of course, but now there's something we can hope for.
New Capitals head coach Dale Hunter will address the media following the team’s practice that will now be held at approximately noon. Practice is expected to run between 60 and 90 minutes.
Capitals players will be available to the media in the Capitals locker room following Hunter’s media availability.
Dale Hunter, 51, becomes the 15th coach in Washington Capitals history and will make his debut behind the bench tomorrow as the Capitals host the St. Louis Blues at Verizon Center.
The three previous times Ovechkin finished as a minus-4 came on Nov. 20, 2008 at Los Angeles, Dec. 8, 2006 against Anaheim and Oct. 5, 2006 at the New York Rangers.
The Russian rocket was again on the ice. Since the end of his playing career in 2003 when Pavel Bure played his last game in the Rangers uniform, no one saw him playing, and that changed last Friday when he and his illustrious veterans of Russian hockey played a friendly game along with the Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Pavel Bure was interviewed by Igor Rabiner of Sport-Express. Pavel said that to stay in shape he got into combat jiu-jitsu. He is doing it for over 2 years now and seriously. He trains 6 times a week with each session lasting half a day. He also said that his brother Valeri, who married Candace Cameron, former co-star from Full House, lives in California and is engaged in a wine producer business.
He then was asked about Alex Ovechkin:
What can you link to a serious setback in the past and this season in the game of your successor, the best Russian hockey sniper Alexander Ovechkin? From the fact that it is very hard to play for a long time at the level that Ovechkin played. The opponents take a close look, browsing the videos, searching for the finest nuances in your game and analyze what they can do to oppose you moves.
So what one can do? You have to search for something new. And it's not so easy. People look and think, here player skates, shoots, scores dozens of goals. But behind all of it is a lot of hard work.
Could you advice something to Ovechkin? Not in the media. If Sasha would be interested in my opinion, I would have talked with him personally, and I would start thinking how I could help. But it's not my style to give a public advice. He a grown man and should not be taught.
Russia just signed an agreement and will broadcast NHL games (for the most part with the teams who have Russian players) all over the country, from sea to shining sea.
Here's more of what I missed while celebrating Thanksgiving in the cabin...
This is what Russian defensemen do the best, the hip checks, Slava Fetisov comes in mind... And Ovi did it too, remember his fight with Dubinski after?
Dmitry Orlov talked to sports.ru after his first NHL game...
How do you feel? I feel great. It was my the first NHL game. I am very pleased that I was called and was given the chance to play. One can say, my childhood dream came true. And it's good that we won.
You've played all the shifts with Alzner. For Carl, it's not his first year in the NHL. He helped me, advised me as the game went on, so I felt confident and comfortable to be paired with him.
How is it important for you to play on the left or right? In principle, no difference. I can play left or right. I will play whatever they'll tell me.
With Kuznya and in the junior national team you played as a right defenseman. When I started in Hershey, I was asked where it was more convenient for me, to play on the left or on the right; I said "I will play where you will put me". They placed me on the right. And this season they moved me to the left. From my very childhood I played on the right and more fond of playing right, but I also could play left. And now, in principle, no difference.
Where you surprised to learn that Semin was benched? Well, I guess I can't comment on that. It was not discussed in the locker room, the coach made the decision, that's it. I think Sasha himself understands it. So...
Did Ovechkin help you with advise? Of course. He said, don't panic, play relaxed, don't be afraid of making a mistake.
Were the coaches satisfied? Did they communicate with you at all? They congratulated me with the first game. On the bench they were telling me where I made a good play, where I had to correct something, not to make mistakes, not to lose players in the neutral zone. Before the game they talked to me, told me not to worry, to play my game.
Apparently your English is better. Well, yes, it is, I feel better now. At first I couldn't understand anything. Now I understand almost everything at practice, I understand what they telling me during the game. I no longer have to ask again and ask for help from both Alexes. It's still hard for me to speak. In Hershey I studied English with the teacher. Now, however, I paused my English classes and I don't know how long it will be delayed.
By the way, do you know anything about your future with Capitals? Still don't know anything about it. So far I am in Washington and don't know what will happen next. If they will allow me to play more I'll try to prove I am worth it and help the team.
And how do you feel in the AHL? Prety good, in principle. I've already adapted to this league and last season's experience has helped. This season I already know all the guys, coaches, know what is needed from me. It seems to me I played well, was more or less pleased with my performance. As a result I was called to the first team.
Jeremy Jablonski, Jon Mirasty and Kip Brennan were involved in the street fight at the wedding in Magnitogorsk in August during KHL's pre-season exhibition tournament. Sport-Express says that they were provoked by drunk guests of someone's wedding.
Russian and English profanities unite in this video :)
Second video in case the first will be pulled..
Here is the comment via Sport-Express of their head coach Andrei Nazarov:
Back in August these Canadian guys were only acquainted with Russian folk traditions. And did not know that there's no wedding without a fight...
haha
Yep, there is even a song by a Russian equivalent of Bob Dylan Vladimir Vysotski about Russian wedding:
Потом у них была уха [Then they had ukha]
И заливные потроха, [And the jellied tripe,]
Потом поймали жениха [Then they caught the bridegroom]
И долго били, [And beat him up for a while]
Потом пошли плясать в избе, [Then they went to dance in the house,]
Потом дрались не по злобе [Then they fought each other not out of malice]
И все хорошее в себе [And all that was good in them]
Доистребили. [Was destroyed]
Pardon my translation... :)
Jon Mirasty told to RIA Novosti, "I don't know anything about it. Maybe it was someone that looked like me."
Update:
I forgot that Evgeny Kuznetsov was recently married. His wedding was unusually peaceful, but they made an effort for that:
Q: Any fist fights at the wedding?
Kuznetsov: Everything was quiet, peaceful and calm. Even if someone was on bad terms with each other, we had seated them in a correct way, as they say.
When asked if Crosby's return would motivate him, Ovechkin said "yeah," but followed by saying: "It doesn't matter; Sidney over there, somebody else over there … I have to play my game."
As for Crosby's four-point night in his return to the ice, Ovechkin said: "I didn't see the game, so … it's good for him, coming back from long-term injury. So it's good for him."
Ovi's stats:
1 assist, +1, total ice time 18:15, 20 shifts, average 00:54, PP 04:24, even 13:51, 1 shot on goal, 3 attempts blocked, 2 missed, 3 hits, 1 takeaway
The one [stat] that leaps off the page as most pertinent and most inexplicable is the 18:43 of ice time per game that as of Friday ranked — get this — 67th in the league among forwards who have played at least 10 games.
Ovechkin's last name means the "little lamb" in Russian, people with gentle temper were called like this. And Ovi is gentle for the most part, but one thing he won't ever forget is when someone limits his ice-time. Trust me, I've been following Ovi with the national team and in the NHL for years now.
More from Larry:
Unless Ovechkin simply is not in good enough condition at the age of 26 to play approximately the 23:03 a match he averaged over the course of the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons during which he was the NHL’s most electrifying athlete, then limiting his ice time so people such as Cody Eakin or Joel Ward can get a few extra spins is strategy from another planet that is doomed to fail.
...if I were aligned with any of the NHL’s other 29 teams, well, I absolutely would want Ovechkin to have the puck as little as possible, so I would be thanking the Caps very much for attempting to hammer the charismatic, multi-dimensional peg into a vanilla, one-size-fits-all hole.
Until this season, Ovechkin had never been lower than 11th among all NHL forwards in average ice time; he was 11th in his sophomore season of 2006-07 and never lower than eighth in the league in any other season.
Ovechkin talks to media after practice, he looks so sad, he is hell now, no matter what he'd say...
Phase 10 of "The Life Cycle of An NHL Coach." Dead Man Walking:
The players don’t listen because they don’t have to—and the coaches don’t even try anymore because they know the players aren’t listening. At this point, it’s only a matter of time.
A great article as usual from Elliotte Friedman though this time I don't agree on everything he said about Bruce Boudreau. I am a huge fan of Bruce Boudreau, he is kind of a legend to me because of Slapshot movie to start with. Maybe that's why for a long time I was sitting on the fence and hoping that Bruce will pull another trick, like "let's play trap" from last year.
This time it feels like his bag of tricks is empty. The team has never excellled in trap system he installed and no wonder, he has never coached it before, he has never played it himself. For a long time I watched how he played musical chairs with goalies and now I can say, it didn't work right. I agree with Varly that playing a lot of games, which number one goalies do, builds confidence, Bruce is not a right track with Vokoun on that. That means another early exit in playoffs.
"Firing Boudreau is craziness. Plus, who are you going to find that's better?" says Friedman. True, there's no one seems to be available now. But it was the same when Hanlon was fired. As life cycle of NHL coaches is teaching us, to be fired is part of a job, even the greatest coaches were fired. Sometimes you've gotta fire a coach just because nothing works otherwise.
Will we get a "vote of confidence" from the owner and/or GM if Caps will lose a couple more games? if so, that's phase #9.
then you kind of laugh about this tweet:
The coaches should work with Ovi on video clips where he makes mistakes on defense, I agree, he looks like an amateur player first time in the NHL. I have no clue why he is so bad right now in defense. Give Ovi ice time when short-handed, it will increase his ice time and will give him more practice playing D. Again, trust Ovi, trust your number one goalie, they both deserved it, especially the Great Eight:
Elliot: "Ovechkin generally had his run of the place over the past six seasons and he gave the Capitals a lot in return. There were 300 goals and millions of dollars in ticket sales. Much of that comes from him."
Give Ovi and Vokoun more ice time that builds confidence, or else.
Ovi's stats:
-3, total ice time 19:29, 19 shifts, average 01:01, PP 06:39, short handed 00:08, even 12:42, 8 shots on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 1 missed, 2 hits, 1 faceoff lost
Ovi, Brooks, Knuble and Wideman after the game
Wideman:
"If we won't correct it soon, we'll find ourselfs looking up"
Evgeny Kuznetsov gave interview to a local newspaper in Chelyabinsk. Here are some excerpts...
The excellent performance of 19-year-old Tractor and team Russia forward Evgeny Kuznetsov at the Karjala Cup showed all hockey fans that the young talent is becoming a mature master, who was able to decide the outcome of the game at the right time against any opponent. The decisive shootout goal against the Finns, the game winning goal in a meeting with the Czechs is a confirmation to it. After Evgeny returned home our correspondent met with him after the team's training.
When you were drafted by Washington, did you think about going or not going overseas? Was it hard to stay in Chelyabinsk? No. And last year nobody even offered me to do so. They said, play in Russia. It is now that I have a keen choice, Washington is calling me for real now.
Do you still do not think about it? What do you mean, "do not think"? The negotiations already are going on with the other party, I was offered a contract.
Is it a decent contract? A standard contract for a rookie. Standard conditions, housing. In principle, the contract is ready, you just need to sign it. But I'm not in a hurry. I want to finish the season with Tractor.
Earlier this summer you were married. Like they say, got married, settled down... I still have an ardor. But now I try to devote more time to my wife, hurry home. Besides that nothing really has changed after the marriage.
Do you still love powerful cars? I'd say, fast and powerful. It fits my lifestyle. When I was buying my first car, I wanted a faster and more powerful one. I'm not the one who loves such classics as "Mercedes." I like sports cars.
What kind? I have a Range Rover and Audi R8. Enjoy life while you're young.
One can't say that fame came to you suddenly. You got it gradually. And now people in Chelyabinsk think that you are charismatic. Until I get the key to the city, like Ovechkin, I will not leave(laughs). Wish they would give me a key for a day and would say, do what you want. Then you can leave.
How would you use this opportunity? Not a single car on that day, just go out and race as much as you want.
Do you have a feeling is that you're a leader of the team? First of all, leaders are veterans. On the ice and in the locker room. The men who have seen a lot. I just have a little more luck, score. But the mood and how team plays depends on the veterans.
Is it easy for you to be happy right now, to be that buoyant guy we know that you are?
“Well, of course it’s hard to be happy when you think about the game, because we’re losing. But it’s not the end of the world. Tomorrow, we have a game. We’re going to win the game, and we’re going to be happy again.”
Everybody’s asking: And the question is ‘what’s wrong with Alex Ovechkin?’”
“Everything’s OK with Alex Ovechkin. Yeah. Everybody thinks I have to score 60 goals right now, and everybody thinks I have to have 100 points. But if I’m playing well and the team is not playing good and we’re losing, everybody says, ‘well, he’s playing well,’ and nobody’s going to say (anything) about the team. We’re not here to win the Art Ross or something. We’re here to win the big thing. I do my best. I try to score goals. I try to do what I have to do. Sometimes, I just can’t score.”
Is it hard being Alex Ovechkin sometimes, just because you do get so much attention?
“Actually, it’s fun. It’s great to be Alex Ovechkin.” (smiles)
But with all the defencemen studying you so closely …
“I love when I have attention. It would be bad if I don’t have attention. When I’m playing well, the fans start talking about it. When I’m not playing well, the fans are talking about it, and you guys are talking about it all the time. Sometimes in your career, you’re going up and down, up and down. And if you’re going down, you have to find a way to respond to it, and bounce back to that. I don’t think that I’m really down.”
Ovie, you guys came here expecting to practice today — is getting a day off maybe better for you guys mentally and physically?
“Well, of course. I think sometimes you just have to forget about hockey for a couple of hours. I know lots of guys have families here and friends. Have some dinner, lunch and be ready for tomorrow’s game.”
I found a funny article through Google called life cycle of an NHL coach. If this is even half true where it looks like we are at in the BB cycle he won't finish the year.
This year we experienced (for the first time ever!) the phase #7 (Mutiny) and just yesterday phase #8 (BB: I don't want to talk about him tonight)
And then comes the worst ever article by Gary Lawless of WFP about Ovi, calling him "run of the mill" and comparing him with "one of those gutless four-cylinder Mustangs that Ford plopped off the assembly line in the '80s." Ouch!
But Gary ends his article with this:
It's not enough to just let Ovechkin play and do his thing, he must be harnessed in order to put team first. Understood.
But pulling on the reins until he chokes is too far the other way.
If it's balance the Capitals want, maybe they should administer a little of their own.
Will we get a "vote of confidence" from the owner and/or GM if Caps will lose a couple more games? if so, that's phase #9.
Here it is, "The Life Cycle of An NHL Coach" by MATT REITZ:
1. The Press Conference:
The new coach will say that he has to get used to the players. He’ll say things like, “there’s a lot of talent in this room,” and “this organization does things the right way.” The players talk about how it wasn’t the former coach’s fault and that they needed to play better for him.
2. Honeymoon Period:
The team initially has success; mostly because the players are putting their best foot forward. The media will talk about how the players “get his message” and other bullshit analysis—but the success is really just because the players are trying harder than they did for their former coach. A lot of times we’ll even see the team skyrocket up the standings and even make the playoffs. Everyone will sing the praises of the new coach and management for making such a great move.
3. Plateau Period:
Team will level off for a couple of years. The players remember how badly it ended with the last coach so they continue to put SOME effort into the preparation and games. But they no longer have that “immediacy” like they did right after the new coach was brought in.
4. The Death Rattle:
After a few years, the team will make a strong run. Sometimes it’s a strong half of the season, sometimes it will result in a deep playoff run and can even result in a Stanley Cup. Oftentimes, the coach is recognized by being named as one of the 3 finalists for the Jack Adams Award for Coach of the Year (see: the 2007-08 Jack Adams Award winner as the NHL’s coach of the year). Take this moment and enjoy it—because as the Grateful Dead said, “When life looks like Easy Street, there is danger at your door.”
5. Going Down Like A $2 Hooker:
In the season immediately following their Death Rattle, the team will start to dip. The coach hasn’t changed, but the players playing for him have a different effort level. They forgot what they did that made them good the year before and the stop doing the little things that require effort. For a young team, this is the point that the young players will suffer a bit of a dip in their development. With all of the promise that they showed in the Death Rattle phase, they noticeably regress. As a whole, they’re not trying to impress the coach as much, so the effort level dips and the wins don’t come as easily.
6. Desperation:
Coach will start doing anything they can do to get the team back on track. This is the time that the announcers will talk about how Coach X is “thinking outside the box.” You’ll hear about how the coach skipped practice so the team could do a scavenger hunt or all-you-can-eat buffet to help team building (see: Capitals cancel practice in Toronto; Boudreau: ‘I just want them to take the time off and rest’).
7. Mutiny:
Start to hear rumblings from players that they don’t like the coach. It might be a slip up in an interview, it might be the tone of articles from the beat reports or might be the overall demeanor of the team. Whatever it is—even fans can tell that the team isn’t having as much fun and their success (or lack thereof) on the ice reflects.
8. Confusion With a Hint of Acceptance:
Team will continue to underperform—multiple cameras at multiple games will catch the coach just staring off into space in the general direction of the ice as if to say, “What the hell is going on? I have no more answers.” As a fan, you look and try to figure out what he’s thinking—but it’s total nothingness.
9. The Kiss of Death:
The owner and/or General Manager will publicly give the coach a “vote of confidence.” He’ll usually say something like, “I see signs that we’re turning things around. I’m confident we’re moving forward here.” Seriously. The coach might as well start lining up his list of references, update his resume and pack the lucky bamboo plant and bobble heads that are on his desk.
10. Dead Man Walking:
Team will go on an extended losing streak. Team will lose something like 8 out of 9 games and everyone knows that the coach is a lame duck. The players don’t listen because they don’t have to—and the coaches don’t even try anymore because they know the players aren’t listening. At this point, it’s only a matter of time.
11. The Deed Is Done:
About a week after the public “vote of confidence,” the coach gets fired. But he is thanked for his loyal service—so it’s OK. Management will say something like, “Coach X is a great coach and I’m sure he’ll find a new job in NO time—but we just felt like it was time to go in a different direction.”
12. New coach comes in and we start the process over at Step #1
What the difference a good knowledgeable hockey fan crowd could make? You saw it today, with that crowd Atlanta could probably had a Stanley Cup already. You could see the crowds' energy flowing into Jets players, unbelievable...
Caps lost undeniably to Jets, who were a better team tonight.
Ovi, Halpern, Alzner talk to the media after the game
The good news is Ovi had a lot of chances, it's a good sign...
Ovi's stats after the 1st:
total ice time 05:20, 8 shifts, average 00:40, PP 01:29, even 03:51, 1 shot on goal, 2 missed
After 2nd:
total ice time 12:49, 15 shifts, average 00:51, PP 04:53, even 07:56, 4 shots on goal, 2 missed
Final:
total ice time 18:12, 20 shifts, average 00:54, PP 05:11, even 13:01, 5 shots on goal, 2 missed
Only Marcus Johansson had more ice time at even strength (13:26) than Ovechkin among forwards. Still, BB needs to give more to Ovi to make him going. The superstar needs the ice time of a superstar...
@2:00 Boudreau:
I don't wanna talk about Alex tonight. I mean, everywhere we go, people ask me the same question, I just don't wanna talk about him tonight.
At first you think, oh well, what he knows about the NHL back there, in Russia. But when you think of it, there's a big chance more ice time can jump-start Ovechkin career again. That's what Sergei Fedorov always demanded, playing for Red Wings. Scotty Bowman balanced it with letting Fedorov playing both on power play and short-handed. As a result, Fedorov routinely could get more ice time than even most of defenceman. After Bowman left, Lewis cut Fedorov's time and that was unforgiven, Fedorov signed his next contract with Ducks.
Anyhow, I think Bruce Boudreau should experiment with playing Ovi in short-handed situations. First of all, Ovi will get more ice-time that can rejuvenate his career. Second, he will improve his defensive side of the game. Yeah, there's a chance he could get hurt by blocking shots, but if you don't want to take risks, don't fly.
Ovi, BB talk to media before the game in Winnipeg
Ovi:
I think about it all the time what I have to do differently [to score more goals]
Pavel Lysenkov (SovSport.ru) conducted an interview with Ilya Nikulin, Ovechkin's teammate from the national team. Here are some excerpts:
How did you meet Ovi? We both had the same agent, Dima Goryachkin. [First time] we crossed our paths at Sheremetyevo airport. Back then he then was about 16 years old. Or even 15 and a half. Then he came to watch Dynamo training sessions. We chatted. And somewhere the middle of the season Ovechkin was called to play for the first team. We had common interests, became roommates on the road.
He is noisy. I know Sasha differently. Absolutely quiet, well-balanced guy.
Did you invite him to your wedding? Yes, Ovechkin was the only hockey player there. Katya and I were married in August of 2007. All the guys in our league have already been at pre-season training wit their teams. We had about 60 guests, close friends.
Baptism of Ignat, Ilya Nikulin's son, Jurmala, Latvia, June 29, 2010
Have you immediately decided that Ovechkin will be the godfather? He asked me about it. I offered him the role of a witness at the wedding. Ovechkin said he wanted to have something to be a little closer, to be a godfather of my first child. Katya wasn't even pregnant back then. But Sanya was already chosen as a godfather.
Nowadays many people criticize Ovechkin. It is said that he has just one move that everybody knows. Can you tell as a defenseman, should Alexander change his style? His ice time is cut, he shoots less, hits less... I've never played against Ovechkin. But I believe that he is extraordinary forward. Maybe now it is not the most productive period in his career. But I don't think that Sasha's playing badly.
Any coach before the game says that Ovechkin should be covered personally. One or two players always skate by his side. It is twice as difficult for Alexander than to any other forward. But, then, his partners get more freedom.
Why Ovechkin should change? He is already at the top of the hockey hierarchy. He needs to keep his game. Of course he does not stop to improve his game, and understands that if did not score today, he needs to score a double in the next game. I know him well. Sanya is taking it hard when his game is not going right.
But if I would be in Ovi's shoes I wouldn't get upset. His performance is related to the fact that his ice time was cut. I believe that forwards of his statue should be given as much ice time as they want. It's ok even if he'd spend 60 minutes on the ice as soon as it give results. Fans in Washington go to see Ovechkin. And he justifies what is expected of him.
As of hockey writers, this is their personal opinion. That's it. And Ovechkin did not become less liked in America and Canada because of his critics.
Detroit— The Vladinator is performing once again, and in a whole new way. This time, Vladimir Konstantinov's talent is on display in a medium other than hockey. He’s an artist, and his work will be on display in a gallery exhibit opening Thursday in Royal Oak.
The show is titled "Animals and Inspiration."
Since the brain injuries Konstantinov suffered in the automobile accident six days after the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 1997, he has rehabilitated, with remarkable results, against some considerable odds.
He now occasionally walks around the dressing room at Joe Louis Arena with only a cane after years of using a walker.
Konstantinov often nods to greet people. But speech remains difficult, as does conveying feelings, according to those close to him.
Click here to read more. Here's some of Владимир Константинов (ВК) art...
Former Red Wings defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov’s artwork “Bird Flying” is on display at the Gallery U in downtown Royal Oak. (Photo by Clarence Tabb Jr./The Detroit News)
"Fast Horse," paint blots sandwich (Photo by Clarence Tabb, Jr./The Detroit News)
The President of Russian Hockey Federation Vladislav Tretiak just came back to Russia from his visit to North America that lasted more than a week. Here are some excerpts from his interview to Sport-Express.ru:
Which Russian NHLers did you have a chance to talk to?
I met with Ovechkin, Gonchar and Kulemin. Ovechkin and I agreed to organize a joint charity auction in Montreal in February, 2012 . Sasha and me in the eyes of Canadians are the most popular Russian hockey players, and by some expectations there will more than a thousand guests.
What will be sold at the auction?
There will be interesting exhibits from my personal and Ovechkin's collections and the money will go to hospitals and orphanages of Ulyanovsk city. I do believe that our stars should remember about their own country and at every opportunity help the needy compatriots. While you are making millions, don't miss the chance to make someone's life brighter. Sasha agrees with me on that.
Is Ovechkin aware that his current career slump could affect his value in the eyes of the new coaching staff of team Russia?
Sasha says that he really started a new season not as good as he wanted. But as soon as I came to Washington his team won [He is talking about 5-1 victory over the Hurricanes - tj]. But Ovechkin is finding time to follow the national team. He has already managed to meet and talk with Bilyaletdinov about their future cooperation. They will have even more thorough discussion this winter. I recalled to Ovechkin that team Russia's coach sees him as one of the pivotal players and is willing to listen to his views on major issues of the national team. Ovechkin is happy that he has such support.
Here's Ovi talking about Tretiak and the national team after the game with Canes:
Q: Do you follow national teams, junior and main team?
Ovechkin: Yes, yesterday I met with Tretiak and I know that team Russia won, congratulations!
Knuble, Vokoun, Ward, Ovechkin talk to the media after the loss.
Ovi was playing the right wing half of the game, was on ice for the first and third (empty net) goals by Preds.
Ovi's stats after the 1st:
total ice time 6:11, 6 shifts, average 01:01, PP 00:55, even 05:16, 1 shot on goal, 2 attempts blocked
After the 2nd:
total ice time 12:31, 11 shifts, average 01:08, PP 03:17, even 09:14, 3 shots on goal, 3 attempts blocked, 1 hit
Final:
-2, total ice time 16:56, 18 shifts, average 00:56, PP 03:17, even 13:39, 4 shots on goal, 3 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 3 hits
“I think for the most part we limited his time and space,” Weber said. “I think he had a couple of good chances, and Peks came up with huge saves. Not only is (Ovechkin) one of the most skilled players in the world, (but) he’s a big and strong guy, so it’s fun. A lot of times we get the super-skilled guys who aren’t the big hitters. But he’s one of those guys who likes to play aggressive and physical as well.”
“My job is to score goals, not to make hits,” Ovechkin said. “The second period, I probably had three chances to score, but I didn’t do the right thing.”
Well, at least Ovi scored in shootout.
After the first period Ovi had registered 6 hits. In the second, he had only one hit on his fellow countryman Volchenkov behind the net and it knocked out Volchenkov's helmet.
His -1 was a bit unfortunate, he just got to the ice when Devils scored.
Ovi's stats after the 1st period:
total ice time 06:25, 7 shifts, average 00:55, PP 02:19, even 04:06, 1 shot on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 6 hits!
After 2nd:
-1, 1 penalty (2 min), total ice time 12:23, 14 shifts, average 00:53, PP 04:42, even 07:41, 1 shot on goal, 4 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 7 hits
Final:
-1, 1 penalty (2 min), total ice time 20:14, 23 shifts, average 00:52, PP 05:47, even 14:27, 2 shots on goal, 8 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 11 hits!
Awesome goal by Ovi! Why awesome? Because there's no way you can stop these kind of goals. This is what Ovi needs to do, to go to the net, score on rebounds. It is one area Ovi hasn't explore much, hasn't excel yet. Crosby did because Crosby has no wrister, no slapper, no choice. As of "vintage Ovechkin" goals, they will come naturally along the way.
Here is what Zubrus says about Ovechkin "being solved" to nhl.com/ru (in Russian):
Q.: A lot of talk in the media about Ovechkin being solved by the opposing teams, they know all his moves, especially the one... Do you agree with that?
Zubrus:
I haven't heard about that and... I doubt it, to be honest. He has lots of moves... To solve this player... even if you solve him, he, instead of skating around you, will go through you... So...(shaking his head) Let them say whatever they want.
And this is exactly what Ovi did, he went through Adam Larsson.
Watch Happy 19th Birthday to Adam Larsson from Alex Ovechkin @0:30
Adam Larsson:
It was a good hit. He got me a little bit in my mouth with his shoulder. I was a little bit out for a minute. I have to learn to keep my head up next time.
Devils coach Pete Deboer agreed:
It looked clean from the bench to me. A clean open-ice hit. He's a tough kid. He won't make that mistake again. That's one of those first time through the league mistakes you don't make twice."
Ovi's stats:
1 goal, +1, total ice time 20:25, 22 shifts, average shift 00:55, PP 05:26, even 14:59, 2 shots on goal, 2 attempts missed, 2 hits, 1 shot blocked, 1 faceoff lost
"He's like the shark in Jaws, circling in the water waiting for blood. They should play that music from the movie – da-duh, da-duh, da-duh - when he's out on a shift. He doesn't just go after loose pucks, he hunts them down."
~John Davidson, President of Hockey Operations for the St. Louis Blues.
Blog o Alexovi, psaný anglicky, je vážně kvalitní a aktuální
Just wanted to thank you for posting my book on your blog, which I consulted a fair bit while researching and writing the book. In particular, the comprehensive list of links on alexovetjkin.blogspot.com is the best library on Ovechkin material available anywhere.
Regards,
Geoffrey Lansdell
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