11:21 AM ET
RALEIGH, N.C. — Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals are looking to defend the Stanley Cup — and they’re no longer happening without a fight.
Ovechkin fought — and knocked out — Carolina Hurricanes ahead of Andrei Svechnikov within the first duration of recreation three within the teams’ first-spherical collection on Monday evening.
About Ovechkin
Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin (Russian: Александр Михайлович Овечкин, IPA: [ɐlʲɪˈksandr ɐˈvʲetɕkʲɪn]; born 17 September 1985), steadily referred to as “the Great Eight” or “Ovi”, is a Russian skilled ice hockey winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the nationwide Hockey League (NHL).
Previous to coming into the league, Ovechkin played for Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Superleague for four seasons, from 2001 until 2005, and returned to play for them, in brief, all through the 2012–13 NHL lockout. A highly touted prospect, Ovechkin used to be selected by using the Capital’s first total in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. With the 2004–05 NHL lockout canceling the season, Ovechkin remained in Russia unless 2005, becoming a member of the Capitals for the 2005–06 season.
He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as a rookie of the yr, scoring 52 objectives and 54 assists to lead all newcomers with 106 factors and ending 0.33 total in league scoring.
Ovechkin has led the NHL in goal scoring (for which the Rocket Richard Trophy is awarded) eight times, which is probably the most times with the aid of a participant in the NHL’s historical past. He first did so in the 2007–08 season, when he recorded sixty-five objectives and 112 points.
That yr he additionally led the league in factors, winning the Art Ross Trophy, and in addition, won the Hart Memorial Trophy because the league’s most precious player and Lester B. Pearson Award as the best player as voted on by using the NHL gamers’ association.
Ovechkin would once more win the Hart Trophy and Pearson Award in 2009, together with the Richard Trophy, and gained the Ted Lindsay Award (the renamed Pearson Award) for a 3rd consecutive 12 months in 2010; it additionally marked the fifth straight yr that he used to be named to the first All-star group.
After a pair of years of lowered scoring, Ovechkin once more led the league in targets in 2013, incomes the Richard Trophy and his 0.33 Hart Trophy. He would repeat because the Richard Trophy winner from 2014 to 2016, scoring at least 50 goals every season and in doing so changing into handiest the third player to attain 50 objectives in a season on seven occasions.
He marked 500 occupation NHL targets within the 2015–16 season and likewise led the league in goals for 4 straight seasons from 2012–thirteen to 2015–16; as such, Ovechkin is considered by using many to be one of the finest purpose scorers within the history of the NHL. In 2017, Ovechkin has once named probably among the 100 best NHL gamers of all time. After ten playoff runs with the Washington Capitals, Ovechkin received his first Stanley Cup with them in 2018, and also received the Conn Smythe Trophy as essentially the most treasured player in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Internationally, Ovechkin has represented Russia in multiple tournaments. His first IIHF event was the 2002 World U18 Championship. the following year he made his debut in the World Junior Championship, helping Russia win the gold medal.
He performed two extra years on the World Juniors, in addition to all over again on the World U18 Championships. Ovechkin’s first senior match was once the 2004 World Championship, and he additionally played in the earth Cup that yr.
Ovechkin has additionally played for Russia in the wintry weather Olympics in 2006, 2010, and 2014. overall, Ovechkin has represented Russia at eleven World Championships and three Olympics in his profession, winning the sector Championship three times.
Ovechkin KO’s Svechnikov, 19, in sport three combat
About KO’s
Svechnikov, 19, is the youngest player in the NHL playoffs this season. a native of Barnaul, Russia, Svechnikov has mentioned he grew up idolizing Ovechkin, his countryman who’s 14 years his senior. Svechnikov looked as if it would provoke Ovechkin, and the 2 exchanged words before dropping the gloves. Svechnikov bought just a few jabs in sooner than Ovechkin dropped Svechnikov with three arduous rights.
- The Canes shut out the Caps, whereas the Leafs held off a livid rally at home. Highlights and recaps from Monday, with a look ahead to Tuesday here.
Ovechkin KO Svechnikov, 19, in game three fight
- From the first spherical throughout the Stanley Cup ultimate, ESPN has you coated. check out the full playoff image and coverage on every team.
- After two fall internships with the Capitals, Alexa Tanzi was offered a job. In her first full season, she and the Caps received a Stanley Cup title.
2 associated
Svechnikov’s head hit the ice on the best way down. Svechnikov stayed down on the ice for a few minutes, then used to be helped off through Carolina trainers. He did not return to the game.
It used to be Ovechkin’s first combat when you consider that Dec. 12, 2010. He got a 5-minute main penalty.
“to start with, I am hoping he’s adequate,” Ovechkin stated. “Yeah, I’m now not an important fighter, and he is the same. He asked me to struggle and stated, ‘Let’s go.’ i hope he’s good enough. you do not want to peer a man get harm or something. and you simply go a different way.
“We acquired possibly a little bit pissed off and too assured. We just have to put out of your mind about it and transfer forward.”
The Hurricanes gained their first residence playoff game in a decade, routing the Capitals 5-0. Washington has a 2-1 collection lead, with recreation four on Thursday in Raleigh.
Carolina didn’t have an update on Svechnikov after the game. Hurricanes show Rod Brind’Amour stated Svechnikov had left the building ahead of the game was once over.
“Such approach lots to us. young child. just grew to become 19. He has a distinct bond with our staff, with me too,” Brind’Amour mentioned. “whilst you see that it makes you sick. I’m nonetheless ill to my abdomen about it. … it is just a little bit difficult, as a result of I just heard Ovi speak about it; he stated our guy challenged him. So, if that is the case, it’s a bit different. for those who watch the video, he slashes him twice — Ovi, whack, whack — then Svech gets him back. I don’t know if there may be words exchanged, however one man’s gloves come off manner first. and that’s Ovi, not our guy.
“So, it’s slightly however irritating, as a result of the bought hurt. it is his first battle. he’s performed 90 games. he’s never fought in his lifestyle, and I am lovely sure Ovi knew that. So, that stuff bothers me.”
Svechnikov scored two objectives and tallied one aid within the Hurricanes’ first two video games in this sequence.
Ovechkin gained his report eighth Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy this season because the league’s top purpose scorer. He had one purpose and two assists in the Capitals’ first two games in these playoffs.
“I simply hated for the reason that. I just hated the entire part of it. just one thing you by no means want to see,” Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton stated. “I just feel so unhealthy for [Svechnikov], and hopefully he will get better quickly. the game doesn’t in the point-of-fact subject when something like that happens; you just can not get it out of your head. I simply hope he’s good enough.”
