Article on Alex Ovechkin

Different post today. I wrote a piece on the controversy surrounding Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin. Not much news in the world of Ohio Sports today, anyways. Enjoy the article.

Alex Ovechkin - Dirty? Reckless? Entertaining? All of the Above.

NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin's passion should not be questioned. He plays hard. For the most part, he plays how everyone loves hockey to be played. He’s physical, he’s fast, he’s strong, he’s excellent in the offensive zone. He’s great at what he does – as close to a generational talent as we have seen since Gretzky and Lemieux retired. When his career is over, he may go down as one of the best scorers in NHL history. His talent simply cannot be debated. But his acts on the ice are drawing more criticism from many people.

Ovechkin has been criticized by hockey purists for actions not related to dirty play. For example, when Ovechkin secured himself as the first Washington Capitals player with three, 50-goal seasons in his career, he celebrated by acting like his stick was on fire. An act that was humorous to some and disrespectful to others – but a rather innocent act in the grand scheme of things. No matter how innocent, some viewed this act as arrogant. The recent troubles that Ovechkin has faced are related to his decisions on ice during play, however. Ovechkin was suspended by Colin Campbell, Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for the NHL. This is Ovechkin’s second suspension this season. The most recent suspension was a consequence of Ovechkin recklessly checking Chicago defenceman Brian Campbell from behind, causing Campbell to crash into the boards. Campbell suffered broken ribs and a broken collarbone and may be lost for the season, and maybe even the playoffs. Campbell is an important player for Chicago, a team with strong Stanley Cup aspirations this season. Ovechkin’s first suspension this season was from a knee-on-knee hit against Carolina’s Tim Gleason. That knee-on-knee incident was not the first of its kind for Ovechkin. Pittsburgh’s Sergei Gonchar was injured after a knee-on-knee hit from Ovechkin in the playoffs last year. There have been other incidents as well, including a feud between Ovechkin and Philadelphia’s Daniel Briere, a boarding incident against Buffalo’s Patrick Kaleta and a slew-foot against Atlanta’s Rich Peverley.

The league has seen an alarming number of headshots this year. The hit from Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke on Boston’s Marc Savard is getting the most publicity, and deservedly so. Cooke appears to have actively checked Savard’s head right after a shot on goal from Savard. Savard may not return this season and, like Campbell, is a very important player for his team if they wish to be successful. Many of Ovechkin’s hits have been more reckless than dirty, but it seems that some of his recent incidents have been more on the dirty side than the reckless side. And it’s the accumulation of these questionable hits that has fans questioning his play and players answering questions about his on-ice behavior.

“He’s an aggressive player.” Carolina’s Tim Gleason said, after being asked about the knee-on-knee incident between he and Ovechkin.

“I think it’s one of those things where he’s just going to play the way he plays. That’s what put him here,” Gleason added.

Players are sure to be a little more forgiving for acts like this because they understand the speed of the game and the fact that reactions must be made in a split-second. That does not mean that Ovechkin’s actions should go unpunished, and it appears that the league agrees. Colin Campbell declared the hit “reckless” and awarded the suspension in addition to the five minute major that the Blackhawks received, and a game misconduct.

Don’t expect Ovechkin to change his style of play. Should he? That’s another story entirely. The fact is that Ovechkin brings fans in bunches to arenas around the country, and his reckless style of play is half of what makes him exciting. You never know what you’re going to get with him. He’s a polarizing figure in the hockey world, and one that can either dazzle you with skill or knock the wind out of you when you least expect it. It’ll be a shame if Ovechkin changes. The unquestioned skill, passion and controversy are why Ovechkin is who he is, and partly why the NHL is what it is today. For the sake of your game, and the game, don't change, Alex. I know you wouldn't anyways.