Wells Would

Is Alexander Ovechkin, possibly the biggest star of the NHL and hottest man alive, a dirty and reckless player? All signs point to yes. Ovechkin, also known as AO, OVIE, O.V.8 and Caveman, is an exciting player to watch, whether you like him or not, but there has to be a growing concern for the careless play he is bringing, especially in the last year. I’ve provided a few video clips, to show you how dirty Ovechkin has been, and what some defenders will call “playing hard”, i call “careless”

Example 1: The Briere/Ovechkin Incident, December 2^nd 2006. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxMJrQhGoSg

- Th They don’t get more malicious then this folks. The puck was long gone, Briere wasn’t even in a play, his back was turned and Ovie skates by and gives him a shove into the boards. Ovechkin received 5 mins for boarding, 5 mins for fighting (?) and a game misconduct, but no suspension. The score was already 4-1 for the Capitals at this point, here is his explanation...he does a great job of clearing everything up *cough*.

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hcqeS0IujI&feature=related

Example 2: Ovechkin knocks out Jamie Heward, January 1st, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSM7IpXYvk0

- M Maybe the least dirty of the examples, but still, a careless play against a former teammate. Ovechkin received no penalty, no fine, and no suspension. Heward received a concussion, and has yet to play competitive hockey since, all but ruining his career.

Example 3: Knee on Sergei Gonchar, May 8^th 2009, Game 4 ECSF

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwxTrxESWjI

- Everyone remembers this, Ovechkin clearly cuts back with his knee after missing with a hit, its an intent to injure and Ovechkin only receives a 2 min penalty for tripping. No suspension, No fine, nothing. Gonchar did come back in the series, but the severity of the injury could have been worse, in the end Karma’s a bitch, right Ovechkin?

Example 4: Slew Foot on Rich Peverely, October 22^nd 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0QGStjCKRw

- O One of the worst things a professional could do is slew foot a fellow professional. Ovechkin gets 2 minutes for tripping, no suspension, and a $2500 fine. In the same week, Anaheim’s Evgeny Artyuhkin was suspended 3 games for slew footing Matt Niskanen of Dallas, the difference? According the Colin Campbell, Ovechkin was not a repeat offender, Ovechkin did not intend to hurt Peverely, and the game was close...

Example 5: Rough hit on Kaleta, November 25^th, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x3-dufZHg4

- O Ovie was back at it a month later, this time he takes out a fellow dirty player in Patrick Kaleta of the Sabres. It’s clear that Ovechkin actually does not hit the head, or back of Kaleta, but he does take about 18 steps towards him and destroys him into the boards at full speed. The awkward body position Kaleta is in provides the dramatics for the fall, and the injury. Ovechkin gets 5 mins for boarding, and a game misconduct. This is Ovechkin’s first misconduct of the season; he receives no suspension or fine.

Example 6: The Knee strikes back, November 30^{th, 2009}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSUamCd35_w&feature=related

- 2 2 games later, Ovechkin is back at it again. Almost similar to the knee on Gonchar, Ovie receives his first NHL suspension, which becomes null when he declares he is injured because of the knee-on-knee. Ovechkin got a 5 minute major for kneeing, and 10 minute game misconduct; his second misconduct of the season, and in the same week.

Example 7: Hit from behind on Campbell, March 14^th, 2010

http://bit.ly/dq300g

- A After coming off an electrifying “CLEAN” hit on Jaromir Jagr at the Olympics, and a week after the “Matt Cooke incident” Ovechkin loses his mind for a moment and pushes Campbell in his back, into the boards, ending Campbell’s season by breaking his clavicle and breaking a few ribs. Ovechkin a repeat offender, only gets 2 games?