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Saturday, December 31, 2011

All I need for NYE is for Caps to win!

Thank you Caps, thank you Ovi and Happy New 2012 Year to all Capitals fans!


Happy New Year! Happy New Year!


AULD LANG SYNE


Ovechkin's stats after the 1st:

total ice time 6:38, 6 shifts, average 01:06, even 06:38, 0 shots on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 1 missed, 1 face off lost


After 2nd:
-1, 2 min penalty, total ice time 12:14, 12 shifts, average 00:56, even 12:14, 2 shots on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 1 missed, 1 face off lost

@kcarrera: Ovechkin and Derek Dorsett square off after a bit of a shoving match. Both head to the box, Ovechkin for roughing Dorsett for cross checking


After 3rd:
2 goals, +1, 2 min penalty, total ice time 17:53, 20 shifts, average 00:53, even 16:41, 6 shots on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 1 missed, 1 face off lost









Twelve pix of Ovi in 2011

Happy New Year to all our readers!

January 2011


February 2011


March 2011


April 2011


May 2011



June 2011


July 2011


August 2011


September 2011


October 2011


November 2011

2 for holding

December 2011





Friday, December 30, 2011

Sabres 1, Capitals 3. 12/30/11

Great 8 is back!

Ovechkin's stats after the 1st period

1 goal, total ice time 07:17, 5 shifts, average 01:27, PP 03:08, even 04:09, 3 shots on goal, 2 missed, 1 hit

After 2nd:
1 goal, +1, total ice time 14:51, 12 shifts, average 01:14, PP 03:08, even 11:43, 3 shots on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 2 missed, 2 hits

Ovi is getting the ice time, most among forwards in 5 on 5 and on PP. H/t to Dale Hunter!

Final:
2 goals, +2, total ice time 19:59, 18 shifts, average 01:06, PP 03:08, even 16:51, 4 shots on goal, 1 attempt blocked. 4 missed, 4 hits


13th


Ovi scores his 14th goal and leads the team in goals like he used to...


Ovechkin, Ward, Brouwer, Vokoun speak to the media after the win over Sabres

Photos by Marge:
Backie got his 100th, Vokoun got an assist and the W and Ovie with two awesome Ovie-like goals!! love it!

Ovie's first goal celebration


Ovie's second goal celebration


Ovie congratulating Vokoun on the win


2nd star


Summary by Jill Sorenson



"I heart SR"

Here's some investigative journalism :) from Sara Kogod, NbcWashington.com:

Ovi took a break from his all Nike, all the time wardrobe to don a vest that caught the eye of some media members after practice the other day.



When asked about his "I Heart SR" vest, which he wore over a Nike T-shirt, Ovi responded that it was “from Moscow.” A simple answer, but he looked a little sheepish about it, and perhaps with good reason.



Here's the last picture from SR (July 7, 2011):


Soho House style lounge and restaurant offers Moscow’s hippest social scene that requires you be pretty or rich but not a paying member.

Yep, here are Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher at Soho Rooms' charity event sponsored by Escada, Cartier and Moet. Among the items sold during the auction were ... Alexander Ovechkin's hockey stick, dances with Demi and Ashton.




Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Caps 4, Rangers 1

Lots of luck, lots of Vokoun and then comes my fave (after Ovi :) player:

 Mike Green 
Mojo gets us on the board atta kid!

The second period comes, Caps play defense first and as promised, goals come. Still lots of luck with the puck bouncing off defensemen's sticks in their own zone, but as the game progresses, the momentum swings and Caps start looking like the Caps who dominated the league in regular seasons in the past few years.

Ovi looked very very promising. Haven't seen him for quite a while working so hard, chasing the opposite players on the breakaways. One more game like that, please, you are finally getting there, Ovi!



Ovi got two assists on Semin's goals (his open ice hit on Brad Richards was awesome and led to the goal), he also made a nice setup pass on the power play when Troy Brouwer fanned on the puck and missed the open net.

Ovechkin's stats:
2 assists, +1, total ice time 18:20, 20 shifts, average 00:55, PP 02:46, even 15:34, 2 shots on goal, 2 attempts blocked, 3 missed, 4 hits, 1 giveaway, 1 faceoff won.


Ovi, Halpern, Brouwer, Vokoun apeak to media after the game


Monday, December 26, 2011

Caps 2, Sabres 4, at least Titanic had Ovechkin

You could see Ovi got mad after Kaleta's trying to take his knee out. In old times when Ovi would get mad, he'd score 4 goals. He scored 1 goal tonight, at least, while the Washington Capitals ship sinked.



Ovechkin's stats after the 1st period:

2 min penalty, total ice time 07:41, 7 shifts, average 01:05, PP 2:43, even 04:58, 3 shots on goal, 2 attempts blocked, 2 hits, 1 giveaway

After the 2nd:
2 min penalty, total ice time 14:30, 13 shifts, average 01:06, PP 5:29, even 09:01, 4 shots on goal, 2 attempts blocked, 3 hits, 3 giveaways 1 blocked shot

After the 3rd:
1 goal, 2 min penalty, total ice time 22:02, 21 shifts, average 01:02, PP 6:13, short handed 00:26, even 15:23, 5 shots on goal, 4 attempts blocked, 5 hits, 4 giveaways 1 blocked shot


After the game: Brouwer, Hendricks, Ovi, Alzner, Vokoun








Former Ovechkin's fitness trainer talks

Pavel Lysenkov talked to former Ovechkin's fitness trainer Dmitri Kapitonov. Here's an excerpt...

Everyone knows that in the summer hockey players work out to build a foundation for their entire season. In those years when Ovechkin broke the records and collected personal awards he worked in the offseason with former marathoner Dmitri Kapitonov. Maybe it's a bold statement, but Kapitonov is one of those people who made Alexander the Great.

In this pre-season Ovechkin was working with Dmitry's brother Alexander who is also a strength and conditioning coach. And the training was somewhere between July 20th to August 20th. Ovi used to train till September and then leave to America.

"I think Sasha did not have enough time to prepare," says Dmitry Kapitonov. "My brother worked with him for about a month and then Ovechkin trained by himself. We used to start training on July 15. We'd train from the ground up, get into it..."

Lysenkov: I've seen before Ovechkin almost cried during your workouts.
Kapitonov: Something like that.

Did the training change with your brother?
It has become more interesting. There was an interval work on the ice, in mixed mode. I don't see that Ovechkin has any problems with the fitness. I watched the games and Sasha looked in a top shape. I was particularly pleased with his goal against Ottawa, when he skated around half of their players and scored.

There was a discussion this summer that Ovechkin appeared fat.
Fat? It's all fraud as the rumors of doping. This is ridiculous. First, he didn't fail a single test. Second, what doping gives? Extra strength and aggression. Ovechkin doesn't need it. When he is hitting everybody is flying.

As a marathoner you set Ovechkin's endurance. How good is it now?
My brother said it was not bad. Sasha left to America in a good shape.

Why then his playing time was cut?
Washington changed the system. When Ovechkin is on the power play he stays on the ice about 30 seconds and gets replaced. And before that he'd spent on the ice all 2 minutes. A double penalty, he'd play 4 minutes. That's why his total ice time is low.
I believe that the Capitals should go back to their attacking style. Washington used to lead the league, win the regular season. Now they are not in the playoffs. Let Ovechkin, Backstrom and Semin play together more.
If Ovechkin will get 23-25 minutes again instead of 16, his stats will be back, and Washington would win more games.

Two things, first Ovechkin said that he started training this pre-season two weeks earlier than usual. This is not what Kapitonov said. Second, no one questions Kapitonov as a fitness trainer, but he seems to know less about hockey, "attacking style"? Who wins playoff or major tournaments with attacking style?

And still, what happened between the two? Why he is no longer available to Ovi? Yes, he is now with SKA in St. Petersburg, but so is his brother Alexander. This is what Pavel should've ask Dmitri.



Friday, December 23, 2011

Caps 3, Devils 4 SO

Here are Ovi's stats after the 1st period:

Total ice time 07:43, 7 shifts, average 01:06, PP 02:59, even 04:44, 1 shot on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 3 missed, 1 hit

After 2nd:
-1, total ice time 14:07, 14 shifts, average 01:00, PP 03:39, even 10:28, 1 shot on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 4 missed, 1 hit

After 3rd:
1 assist, total ice time 23:35, 25 shifts, average 00:56, PP 03:39, short handed 00:02, even 19:54, 2 shots on goal, 2 attempts blocked, 5 missed, 2 hits, 1 giveaway


Ovi didn't score, but he was present on the ice. It almost feels like Ovi has accepted the new strategy in the last 2 years, pacing, to get him into playoffs.


AP:
Brodeur followed with his glove save on Ovechkin's bullet on a play where he teased the Russian by moving his glove up and down.

"He came in on the broadside and had a lot of options," said Brodeur, who had 22 saves. "The way he was coming at me, I had to protect the short side and I think I took that away. It was very lucky that he shot it right into my glove. It's a big challenge, facing one of the top players in the league. He's unbelievable in the shootout and with his skill, he's hard to stop."


One game, vintage Ovi, another game, mostly recently, a solid game without any high reel situations. This strategy is wise, you gotta save energy for the main event, and Ovi's fans, including me, have to suffer a bit to accept it. On the other hand, it gives you more appreciation what Ovi has done/given to the NHL/World/fans for his years in the NHL.




"We-we love you like a love song, baby" :-)



Just shoot the fucking puck Ovi!




Thursday, December 22, 2011

1-2-2? Kuzya is ready.

RED DEER - Michael Zislis of Sport-Express.ru talked to the Capitals prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov who is the Captain of Russian junior national team. Here are some excerpts...

On the forthcoming IIHF world junior hockey tournament you will be one of the main stars. At the time of Ovechkin and Malkin Canadians tried to rough them up, play very physical against them. Now they will surely do the same to you. Are you ready?
It's a good thing if they start chasing me, because then the guys will have more open ice. I'll get up there in the corner and wait until someone runs at me (smiles). On the contrary, I find it is easier to play when someone wants to hit or hook you. So much more interesting.

It's less than a week before the start of the tournament, what are you thinking about the most now?
Everyone is looking forward to the tournament and to the first official game. I can tell you briefly about our team, it is very good and ready to battle. It has a lot of pretty good players, so we all should be fine. We'll be playing team hockey with emphasis on defense. Everybody must work hard back there, only through this we can get some results.

In Russia, however, many have criticized Zinetula Bilyaletdinov for the play of the national team, accusing him of being too cautious ...
(Interrupting) These people don't understand hockey! Now the whole world is playing from defense: the better you play defensively, the more chances to win. The defense is everything. If you run 'n' gun, other team will score a bag of pucks on you. The skill level of players on many teams is about the same. Anyone can deal with one or even two opponents. Therefore everybody must work hard defensively.

Do you play a similar style with Tractor as with your junior team?
Yes, eventually you realize that the better you play defensively, the more chances you have to score. If there are less turnovers, counter attacks, it is a lot easier for your goalkeeper and your defenders. This is another important point. At the same time you must be able to use your scoring chance as effective as possible and play competently on power play. Then we can count on the overall success.

But it is believed that ice hockey at the junior level is about offense. Is it not so?
It's all true, but the one who will be the first to understand how important is to use defense first approach, will find success in offense. Now the main task is not to let goals in our net.
Source: http://hockey.sport-express.ru/reviews/18639/



Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Nike Sportswear presented by Ovechkin

Alexander Ovechkin presents a new winter collection of Nike Sportswear, which includes a classic Nike Destroyer jacket, Air Conquer Boots and the legendary AirForce1 Duck boots.
























Source: http://www.etoday.ru/2011/12/aleksandr-ovechkin-nike-sportswear.php




Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Preds 1, Caps 4



Dale Hunter should be credited on the first goal after making Ovechkin playing against Nashville defenseman jonathan Blum instead of Shea Weber. Obviously Hunter had a home ice advantage vs. Trotz[ky] on the line change, but it is still very cool. Hunter 1, Trotz 0. That's what the winningest NHL coach Scotty Bowman was all about, matching the lines to his preference.

Ovechkin's stats after the 1st period:

1 goal, +1, total ice time 05:36, 9 shifts, average 00:37, PP 01:23, even 04:13, 3 shots on goal, 2 hits

After the 2nd:
1 goal, +1, total ice time 09:39, 15 shifts, average 00:38, PP 01:23, even 08:16, 3 shots on goal, 2 hits

After the 3rd:
1 goal, +1, total ice time 15:05, 21 shifts, average 00:43, PP 01:50, even 13:15, 7 shots on goal, 1 missed, 3 hits
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Photos from our freelance photographer Marge:

Ovie's goal


Ovie's celebration



2nd Star



Ovie wearing #22


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Saturday, December 17, 2011

Ovechkin, Varly talk after morning skate 12-17-11



Bonus:

Varly talks to media

Look how good his English is! And Semin still have problems, unbelieavalbe.

Varly:

Me, Ovi, Semin and Orlov had dinner yesterday. I hope they enjoyed it like I did.


Friday, December 16, 2011

Great Eight defends the net 12-16-11

 Katie Carrera 

Ovechkin and Neuvirth switched gear. Ovi putting on glove, blocker and mask. Neuvirth with normal gloves and No. 8's helmet. Ha. 




 Sergey Kocharov 

 in net during end of practice


как дети ей богу... :-)



Thursday, December 15, 2011

A bit of luck, a lot of Neuvy


Neuvy, Chimera and Ovi (@3:35) talk after 1-0 win over Jets

Wow, sweet vistory! If it wouldn't be Neuvy and a bit of luck, Caps could've been buried in the first. But as the game progressed and neither team could score, Caps started to gain confidence.



Comes third period and two of my favorite forwards finally deliver at 18:46. Marcus Johansson sets Ovi while obstructing the view to Pavelec and Ovi's deadly weapon, his wrister, strikes! A game winner for Ovi. The mofo finally scored like he always did before. Chew on this, effing Loserpeg-ers. :-) You want to boo Ovi, huh?



Ovi's stats:
after 1st:

total ice time 05:10, 6 shifts, average 00:51, even 05:10, 1 missed shot

after 2nd:
total ice time 10:32, 11 shifts, average 00:57, PP 01:41, even 08:51, 1 shot on goal, 2 attempts blocked, 1 missed shot

after 3rd:
1 goal, +1, total ice time 16:41, 18 shifts, average 00:55, PP 03:18, even 13:23, 3 shots on goal, 2 attempts blocked, 2 missed shots, 1 hit

Did Ovi play in the first? Ok, just kidding. He got better in the second and in the third, right before he scored the goal, he leveled pretty hard someone behind the net. It was like, wow, and then Joe Beninati says, it was Byfuglien. What? You can't possibly level that big mofo, he is way too big and too strong. One can guess Ovi got energy after that big hit, it's not like every day you can level Byfuglien.

Enjoy Ovi's game winner while it lasts. Good night and hopefully somewhere in Denver Varly will see the highlights of tonight's game. Great Eight is coming to town.



Ovechkin talks before the game vs Winnipeg 12-15-2011


Ovi and Halpern talk before the game




"The solar system is so humongous big"


I totally agree with this comment: "Hate Flyers, love Bryz"

Read (and watch) Greg Wyshynski's post about HBO 24/7 Flyers Rangers, there's a big chance you will get HBO after that. At least I will.



Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Caps 1, Flyers 5

Semin was roughed up in the 1st by Braydon Coburn and Maxi Pads Talbot. Ugh. In the second the whole team, all four lines and d-men were losing their battles one on one. This is where a great Coach would make some changes, take control, didn't happen and Flyers scored the 2nd goal. After that all hell broke lose. Everything was going in for the Flyers tonight, but Caps still were outcoached and outplayed again. One should assume that it takes time for a new coach, especially from the juniour's league, to learn and adjust and it sounds like the adjustment is going way beyond this season.

I think for the first time in his career Ovi was outhit, this is the area where Ovi always dominated. Tonight every hit he gave or received was according to Newton's third law of motion: it was returned or given with an equal and opposite force. His second -1 (plus/minus) was embarasing, he lost the battle to Coburn at their blue line, Flyers countered and scored. Ugh.

Still Ovi was present, he tried, but it got out of control quickly.

Ovechkin stats:
1st period:

total ice time 7:52, 7 shifts, average 01:07, PP 02:28, even 05:24, 1 missed shot, 1 hit, 1 takeaway

after 2nd:
total ice time 13:24, 13 shifts, average 01:01, PP 02:28, even 10:56, 2 missed shots, 1 hit, 1 takeaway, 1 blocked shot.

2nd period:
-2, total ice time 5:32, 6 shifts, average 01:01, PP 02:28, even 05:32, 1 missed shot, 1 blocked shot

3rd period:
total ice time 5:32, 6 shifts, average 01:01, PP 03:44, even 04:46, 3 shots on goal, 1 giveaway

Total:
-2, total ice time 19:26, 19 shifts, average 01:01, PP 03:44, even 15:42, 3 shots on goal, 2 missed shots, 2 hits, 1 giveaway, 1 takeaway, 1 blocked shot




Apology? I don't think so.

Our blog's reader 'yv' comments:

I thought I missed this posting here but you provided old AO postings. There was new significant developments to that Ovi's "non-story" and it looks like not covered at-all, because that Pitt. reporter published now sort of extensive apology and correction in the same publication

http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sports11/12-10-2011-steigerwald-column

It seems some litigation problems have forced this 'reporter' and edition to publish it.

All right, let's look... First of all, where is an apology about Ovechkin's Mom? (Our post: Steigerwald(talk show): Ovechkin used steroids because his Mom is a Russian athlete)

Here's our first post "Irresponsible journalism", with the summary of what Ryan Lambert said:
1. Alex Ovechkin had unbelievable season up to the beginning of the Vancouver Olympics. If he used roids he had to quit them long before to pass the Olympics testing. IOC has more stringent testing than the NHL.

2. Ovechkin's so called "personal doctor" Anthony Galea never treated him.

3. A chiropractor, whom the Capitals admit treated some of its players for various chiropractic reasons, never treated Alex Ovechkin. Here's the list of Caps players who received the treatment: Eric Fehr, Matt Bradley and Shaone Morrisonn.

4. Ovechkin, who regularly participates in IIHF events like the World Championships, is tested for drugs more often than any other Capitals player. He is randomly tested to 3 different tests, by NHL, IIHF and IOC.

5. Ovechkin, having completed his Olympic participation nearly two years ago, could have gotten back on his apparently-needed steroids any old time he wanted since then.

Sorry, I don't see "apology" there though it called "A correction and an apology, with an educated presumption". All Steigerwald said is this:
I incorrectly and unfairly wrote that Ovechkin was in some way linked to a Canadian doctor, who had been charged with trying to bring steroids over the U.S. border from Canada and had treated lots of famous athletes, including Tiger Woods. Ovechkin's name was, in fact, never linked to that doctor.
And we've heard that already, when Ryan Lambert was at his radio talk show. Nothing new, but look how he phrased it, "Ovechkin was in some way linked to a Canadian doctor". "Some way"? He called that doctor Ovechkin's personal doctor!

Steigerwald even says this:
I don't understand why he or anybody else would be upset by the presumptions of one person - no matter how much play those presumptions get on the World Wide Web - it's still one man's opinion.

Is this an apology? I don't think so.

Here's the last line:
John Steigerwald writes a Sunday column for the Observer-Reporter.

For one man's opinion he needs to go to HF Boards and post it there, not in the Sunday column for the Observer-Reporter. That's a big difference.




Monday, December 12, 2011

Ovi talks after morning skate 12-12-11


Not much, Ovi wants to be politically correct about coach changing, etc.




Great Eight is showing a bit of magic


Vintage Ovi? Check it out.




Ovi's hit on Phaneuf




Ovi vs. Phaneuf, all episodes and more


Lots of chances for Ovi in the game vs. Toronto. He got increasingly more ice time as the game progressed. Imagine that, he didn't score and was -1, but what is more important, his game is back.



Sunday, December 11, 2011

Spies-R-Us

What Ovi is doing on his day off?



Jordan Rivera
Just drove past Ovechkin's house and i almost had a heart attack and crashed the car when i saw him outside!!


Meanwhile there are news from our Czech fans and seems like Damien Cox book is not selling well in Czech Republic either. That's good news!


From our anonymous Czech fan:
This is a commercial of Sazka (czech betting shop) with Jágr. At the end is book about Ovechkin with a sign "Sale". In the commercial they say: "Win in Sportka (game of Sazka)and just do what you really enjoy!"



Saturday, December 10, 2011

Ovechkin talks after Saturday morning skate 12-10-11


Ovi is in a good mood, nice!


Ovi hits the ref:

Sorry, buddy, are you alright?

Ovi played great vs Toronto. Yeah, he was -1 and didn't score, but at times he looked authentic to #8 who led the league for 4 years in a row. He's back!

Ovechkin's stats in the 1st:

total ice time 05:31, 7 shifts, average 00:47, PP 00:33, short handed 00:09, even 04:49, 2 shots on goal, 1 attempt blocked, 1 hit

in the 2nd:
1 assist, -1, total ice time 07:01, 8 shifts, average for the game 00:50, PP 02:41, short handed 00:09, even 09:09, 5 shots on goal, 1 missed

in the 3rd:
1 assist, -1, total ice time 08:10, 7 shifts, average for the game 00:56, PP 02:54, short handed 00:09, even 09:09, 1 shot on goal, 1 missed, 1 hit, 1 giveaway, 3 blocked shots

Total:
1 assist, -1, total ice time 20:42, 22 shifts, average 00:56, PP 06:08, short handed 00:09, even 14:25, 8 shots on goal, 3 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 1 hit, 1 giveaway, 3 blocked shots

3 blocked shots in the 3rd! Like Hendricks said, "Ovi blocked shots because he was in the right position, right place defensively." I still lobby for putting Ovi on the ice short-handed, it will increase his ice time, it will improve his defensive play.

Put 3 euros on one line and you can see the magic, that what Backstrom's line did. The the magic, the creativity, fun to watch! I am sick and tired of watching dump 'n' chase hockey, just like anyone is sick and tired of dumb trap that took over the world. Dale Hunter is a genius putting Ovechkin-Backstom-Semin together, as if he read my post here:
Caps are becoming a simpleton team, a dump 'n' chase team, just like Chimera. You will never utilize a full potential of European players like Semin, Backstrom, Johansson, Ovechkin playing like that. Besides that you are becoming too predictable to the opponents. What's the point of drafting Russian players like Evgeny Kuznetsov? He'll arrive and you'll tell him, dump the puck and chase it?

And Dale's answer is NO. Thank you, Sir.



Friday, December 9, 2011

Ovechkin talks before the game vs Toronto 12-9-2011



Ovi says more ice time from Dale Hunter definitely helped him. "It maybe just a couple more shifts, but it helps". He almost repeated word by word what he said to Slava:

"Sometimes you try everything and it doesn’t work. Sometimes you shoot the puck from the redline and it goes in, you never know when pucks will go in. Especially against Ottawa like first period I had three 100 percent chances to score goal but I didn’t score. Third period again, I have chances to shoot the puck perfectly and make the move but I didn’t score. I say ... what’s going on? Why the puck doesn't want to go in the net?


Ovechkin: I just popped a roid and here we go

Slava Malamud talked to Alex Ovechkin right after the game with Ottawa where Ovi scored his 9th goal of the season and ended a drought of 5 games in a row. And not just that, it was a high-reel vintage Ovechkin goal.


Here's Slava's interview... (Слава, ну ты как всегда, ё моё, хрен переведёшь :)

You probably got nostalgic to scoring the goals like the one you've scored, going one on one with such determination, power...
Well, I just popped a roid and here we go.

Sounds like these insinuations are like stepping on your last nerve.
One shouldn't pay attention to it, of course, but still it is frustrating when people think that way.

But it is unlikely a lot of people think like that. The article was full of blatant allegations.
Yes, it's clear that this is total nonsense, but still... It's an idiocy to write the stuff like that, and people who write it are morons.

After such win your confidence should go up.
You have seen yourself what kind of game was today. We should've set the outcome of this game in the first period. I should've scored at least three goals, those were like 100% scoring chances. And then you start thinking, "It didn't go in again, when it will?"

Even if it didn't go in, "vintage Ovechkin" was all over the ice. I know you hate this phrase, but it is about your brand called "couldn't stop him".
I really don't understand when they say, "What's wrong with Ovechkin? Why he doesn't score?"

You are responsible for those who you tamed. You raised the level for yourself by yourself.
So... I'm trying to keep it. I am not planning to drop it. But scoring -- it's a separate issue. You're trying to do everything to score, but it's just not going in. I do not go out just to be there to get my paycheck and say, "Come on, who cares?"

You were in a mood there. Juggled the puck and Neil's family jewels as well.
I don't understand what happened there. I was just passing by, my hands moving, and got him accidentally.

And what were you talking with Neil after that when you two got together on the ice again?
I told him that I didn't do it on purpose, I'm not such kind of a player. And he said that he was not the kind of player who dives.

Neil, as it seemed, tried to challenge you [to drop the gloves].
And what's the point? He knows that I am not a fighter. I'd just go down and that's the end of it.

After the loss to Florida did you personally wanted to finally show what you can do?
I have nothing to do with it. Today the whole team had as many shots on goal as ever. It is evident that we got accustomed to the new system. Besides Semin was put on our line and it means a lot. He can beat one on one, can make a beautiful pass and can score. But today all the lines played well. Brouwer had a Gordie Howe hat-trick (goal, assist and a fight).

Igor Kravchuk, the team Russia scout, was today at the game.
Really? I didn't know about it.

I think you are becoming a serious candidate for team Russia.
Only if you write something good about me. Recently all that the newspapers write about me is, "What's wrong with Ovechkin, what's wrong with Ovechkin..."


Source: http://hockey.sport-express.ru/reviews/18359/


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Ovechkin : "His best game in about a month"

To continue quoting Craig Laughlin:

Alex Ovechkin is Alex Ovechkin tonight.


The 7th shot of Alex Ovechkin @13:50 in the third makes it 3:2.

Alex Ovechkin had multiple chances tonight and finally he got it! A game winning goal for Alex Ovechkin, his 9th goal this season.

I like how Ovi skated a full circle and then suddenly did 180 at the blue line to set himself free. Nice move to shake a d-man. If you've never seen him doing that before on YouTube, it means the opposite team didn't either, that is very positive.

 Mike Green 

 Your the boss apple sauce.

What I would add if I were Ovi (haha); I would do the same sudden break before shooting when hiding behind the d-man. Everybody knows that Ovi is going to shoot, so opposing player closes on him and tries to block his stick. If Ovi would stop suddenly, it would create an extra space, and d-man won't be able to block Ovi's wrister. Kind of like what Fedorov did in the playoffs vs. Rangers (see below).




Ovi's stats after the 1st:
Total ice time 07:09, 7 shifts, average 01:01, PP 01:40, even 05:29, 4 shots on goal, 1 missed, 1 hit, 1 takeaway

1st and 2nd:
-1, total ice time 13:33, 13 shifts, average 01:02, PP 03:26, even 10:07, 4 shots on goal, 1 missed, 1 hit, 1 takeaway

2nd:
shifts: 6
PP: 1:06
even: 4:38
shots on goal: 0

Ovi had less ice time in the 2nd, as he had zero shots on goal maybe as a result.


Final:
1 goal, total ice time 18:06, 19 shifts, average 00:57, PP 04:25, short handed 00:08, even 13:33, 7 shots on goal, 1 missed, 1 hit, 1 takeaway

3rd:
shifts: 6
PP: 00:59
even: 2:56
shots on goal: 3


In the third Ovi finally scored. He had less shifts and less icetime in the third, but probably because Caps got a 2 goal lead before the 10 minute mark in the third.


Enjoy it. Boy, it feels like it has been an eternity since Ovi scored the last time!


 Adam Vingan 

You have to wonder what Steigerwald is thinking at a time like this. "Alex Ovechkin is back on the 'roids."
Bahaha...

 Katie Carrera 

Ovechkin on what happened w/ Neil: "I'm not that kind of player. Everybody said it was spear, but I don’t try to spear somebody." 



That definitely looked like "diving call" for Neil. Why? Because even if it was an accidental spear, it was sideways, not a front thrusting spear that Danny Briere did on Ovechkin.

Update:
Here's what Neil said afterwards via Ottawa Sun:
“Obviously (the referees’) eyes weren’t on that play. I don’t see (Ovechkin) as that type of player and we played each other hard the rest of the night.”