Alex Ovechkin’s Big Hit: A Fan’s Take

On January 23, Washington Capitals superstar center Alex Ovechkin was suspended for three games by the NHL’s chief disciplinarian Brendan Shannahan.

A video clip of Mr. Shannahan’s statement as well as Ovechkin’s offense is available on the NHL website.

The incident occurred late in the second period during the Capitals game against the Florida Panthers when Ovechkin launched himself into Panthers defenseman Zbynek Michalek. After the game, Ovechkin told the Washington Post that he did not want to comment on his hit.

Shannahan released a video statement on NHL.com and said, “[Ovechkin] has Michalek lined up for what could and should be a clean hard body check, however he launches himself to deliver the hit.” No penalty was called on the hit, but the video clearly shows Ovechkin launching into Michalek and as a result Michalek’s head hits the board. Shannahan states it is important to note, “Ovechkin has been suspended or fined four previous times in his six season NHL career.”

The timing of this hit couldn’t be worse for Ovechkin or for the NHL. At a time when NHL players seem to be dropping like flies to concussion symptoms, superstar players like Ovechkin need to be playing the puck better and cleaner than the next guy. The point of a body check is to gain control of the puck, Michalek had long cleared the puck around the boards before Ovechkin launched into him. Not only was this a dirty hit, it was a dirty hit delivered by the man who is undoubtedly the best (healthy) player in the NHL at the moment. Ovechkin is one of the most productive scoring machines of his generation. His skills with the puck are so magnificent, he should never even have to hit anyone, rather he should focus on carrying the puck into the opposing zone. No matter if Ovechkin likes it or not, he is an ambassador for the NHL. As such he has the responsibility to set an example for his teammates and the rest of the league of how the game should be played correctly.

The entire hockey world is feeling the affect of concussions to players. Although Michalek was not injured as a result of the hit, the “charging rule” which Ovechkin violated is a rule in place to avoid such injuries. Just a few days ago the wife of Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger gave an emotional interview about her husbands struggle with his concussion and just one day after Ovechkin’s suspension another superstar, Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane was placed on the IR citing concussion symptoms.


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