Archive for the 'Alexander Ovechkin' Category

Oh, Good

Published by Matt Saler on March 17, 2010 at 12:55 pm in Alexander Ovechkin and Links. 0 Comments

A few NHLers I spoke with this week about Ovechkin were upset at his actions and offered up comments such as, “He’ll get his,” and, “His day is coming.”

Uh, right, because that’s the right response, guys. Meh, the high ground’s harder to take, anyway, right?

And good luck with that. He seems to have pretty solid survival instincts to have avoided the outcomes of such ominous statements by likely League knuckle-draggers to this point…

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One More: Mirtle on Ovechkin/Campbell

Published by Matt Saler on March 16, 2010 at 8:30 am in Alexander Ovechkin, Links and NHL. 0 Comments

Last one (probably). Just couldn’t ignore what James says here.

That play, call it a push if you will, is always a penalty – and often a severe one – in hockey. I’ve seen that called my entire life, in the WHL, when I played in house league, in the NHL – everywhere. There’s very, very little grey there; it’s as black and white as it gets.

A convincing framing of the issue—it’s brought me around. I have to admit, given Ovechkin’s repeat offender status, the suspension makes sense.

I was a bit stupefied by the NHL letting Cooke walk while punishing Ovechkin, but after further thought, what I said about the Richards incident after the Cooke announcement applies here: a previous wrong doesn’t justify another one.

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Okay, One More Ovechkin/Campbell Link

Published by Matt Saler on March 15, 2010 at 11:14 pm in Alexander Ovechkin, Links and NHL. 0 Comments

The Hat being all sober and perspective-y and crap…

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Followup: Two Games for Ovechkin

Published by Matt Saler on March 15, 2010 at 4:46 pm in Alexander Ovechkin, Links and NHL. 0 Comments

Figure I might as well close the loop on this story. Whatever, NHL.

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Ovechkin Facing Suspension Due to Campbell Injuries

Published by Matt Saler on March 15, 2010 at 11:57 am in Alexander Ovechkin, Blackhawks, Capitals, Links and NHL. 0 Comments

Via Bob McKenzie:

I will be surprised if Ovechkin is not suspended for a couple of games. Campbell’s injury is the big factor now.

Campbell reportedly suffered a broken clavicle and rib on the play.

Gotta say I disagree with the reasoning that says you determine a suspension based on the results of the play. To me, a hit is bad whether or not the victim happened to get injured. The results of a dirty hit can be a coin toss. Does the fact that a player escaped without injury absolve the hitter of responsibility for making the hit? I don’t think so.

As far as I’m concerned, intent needs to be the biggest factor. The Cooke hit wasn’t bad because it injured Savard. It was bad because there was clear intent to injure. Had Savard somehow managed to escape without a concussion, I’d still be appalled the NHL didn’t suspend Cooke.

As for this case, I just don’t think you can argue there was intent. Suspend him for being reckless and too stupid to know when to hold up, but don’t base it on Campbell’s injury.

http://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/statuses/10522162115

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About That Automatic Suspension for Ovechkin…

Published by Matt Saler on March 14, 2010 at 4:15 pm in Alexander Ovechkin, Blackhawks, Capitals, Links and NHL. 0 Comments

Turns out he’s off the hook for that per the NHL’s rules. That doesn’t mean the League couldn’t hand out a decision suspension anyway, but it won’t be automatic (and isn’t likely anyway). And if he doesn’t get punished further, it won’t be because of the Malkin Exception.

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Suspension for Ovechkin? Or Malkin Exception?

Published by Matt Saler on March 14, 2010 at 3:02 pm in Alexander Ovechkin, Blackhawks, Capitals, Links and NHL. 0 Comments

Greg Wyshynski notes that Ovechkin should be suspended for a game by rule after his second game misconduct for boarding this season was handed out today. Will it happen? Or will the NHL invoke the Malkin Exception?

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Uh, Yeah

Published by Matt Saler on March 14, 2010 at 1:47 pm in Alexander Ovechkin, Blackhawks, Capitals and Links. 0 Comments

That’s boarding. And a stupid, stupid play. On the fence about the game misconduct, but Ovechkin cannot do that.

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On the Caps

Published by Matt Saler on April 23, 2008 at 10:52 am in Alexander Ovechkin and Capitals. 1 Comment

Going off topic here for a minute:

The Caps’ playoff run ended at 7 games last night with a 3-2 OT loss to Philadelphia.

I was listening on the radio and was sorry to hear the Flyers win, to be honest. Wherever you stand on the marketing ploy of Crosby-versus-Ovechkin, I would think you’d have to admit that the League was better off with him in the playoffs than with him on the sidelines. He gave people a reason to tune in, just to see what he’d do next. In contrast, there is no special reason to watch the Flyers/Habs series if you’re not already a fan of either team.

Of course, there’s still Sidney Crosby. As great as the Kid is, however, I don’t know that he can match Ovechkin for sheer excitement.

One thing about the Caps’ elimination is that the Pens will be playing in New York, which will give the League plenty of attention. Of course, if the Caps hadn’t been eliminated, they’d be playing Pittsburgh, which may have generated an even bigger spotlight.

Anyway, if you’re interested in reading more on the Caps’ loss, see On Frozen Blog, Japer’s Rink, A View From the Cheap Seats, and Off Wing Opinion.

The new NHL ad

Published by Matt Saler on February 13, 2007 at 3:47 pm in Alexander Ovechkin, Dion Phaneuf, Eric Staal, Joe Thornton, Jordan Staal, Links, Martin Havlat, Marty Turco, Phil Kessel, Roberto Luongo, Sheldon Souray, Sidney Crosby and Video. 0 Comments

Update (4:05 PM): The Globe and Mail’s Allan Maki has more on the NHL’s current marketing campaign, including the interesting bit that Brendan Shanahan had a hand in its creation. Shanny is really getting involved in everything these days, isn’t he? Maybe Maki’s suggestion at the end of the article won’t seem so far-fetched in 10 years. - Matt

This is great:

Pretty funny, eh? Nice to see the NHL continue to make great commercials (the last batch, with the Ovechkin/Leonsis spot, in particular, was great too). (via Kukla’s and Japer’s Rink.)

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