Illegal Stick an Issue for Ovechkin?

The Pittsburgh Penguins are down 2-0 in a best-of-seven series. That's hardly a desperate situation, but it's very close to one, considering the record of teams down 3-0 in a best-of-seven.

With that in mind, some Penguin fans are starting to reach. With their power play in shambles and no one on the team outside of the captain playing consistently, it's apparently time to shift focus and complain about whether Alex Ovechkin's stick curve is illegal and, therefore, giving him an advantage on goalies.

More: Sidney Crosby Unhappy With Caps Fans' Celebration

I'm all for a little between-games drama. But I don't see this working out for Pittsburgh.

Several times last night you could see Ovechkin switching his stick for another one on the bench. Why? Is he very particular about his lumber? Or is he trying to hide something?

After scoring his second goal of the game on the power play during yesterday's contest, Ovechkin remained on the ice as the Penguins returned to even strength. His stick did not.

Ovechkin scored the goal, celebrated and then quickly switched sticks before the faceoff. Again, the question is why?

For starters, the chances of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, or Sergei Gonchar skating over to a referee and requesting that Ovechkin's stick be checked are virtually nil.

The writer, Rick Moldovanyi, admits this would be a desperate move by the Pens, but he argues it's a justifiable one with little potential harm to the Penguins.

What he doesn't count here is the court of public opinion. Yes, Crosby is already branded as a diver, a whiner, and a cheap-shot artist by fans who dislike him. But most hockey fans appreciate the good qualities about Crosby over anything negative. If Crosby requests a check of Ovechkin's stick, and it turns up legal, he has just cost his team the series, and he has destroyed much of the positive image he's worked so hard to build up for himself.

Not only that, but the last thing the Penguins need is to do something like this, only to end up with a two-minute minor of their own out of it. That's the punishment for having a legal stick checked. What if Ovechkin's stick is legal? Is that a risk worth taking? Given how Pittsburgh is struggling during these playoffs, having played dominant hockey for only small stretches of their first eight games, why would they willingly risk giving up any momentum in a game or a series?

I may be a bit old-fashioned on this, but I believe the Penguins have a chance to win until they lose their fourth game. They've only lost two. Resorting to a ploy like this could blow up in the face of Crosby and his team, and I don't see them going that route.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-05-2009 @ 12:53PM

pladd said...

This isn't about image. It's about winning. The Penguins should ask for a stick check if they suspect something illegal. If Sidney Crosby receives criticism for trying to win within the rules, he could give a Ken Linseman's rear end.

5-05-2009 @ 2:27PM

SQUAD DAT said...

hahahahaha wow what more can the pens do? crosby is already a little bitch, kunitz wants to kill varli, orpik hits semin down low cause he's a homo....this is beyond pathetic....a feeble attempt to stir some controversy....i hope ovie lets the nhl check all his sticks...yeah they are curved, he's been using the same since hes been in the league....sad sad shitsburgh

5-05-2009 @ 4:58PM

Jim said...

The Caps are clearly in Pissburgh's head. Great stuff.

5-05-2009 @ 5:44PM

geoffball said...

On the powerplay he plays the point (left D) and is more likely to take a slapshot. While at even strength, he plays left wing and is more prone to take a wrist shot. I'm sure OV has preferences for each of those roles. He probably wants accuracy for a wrist shot (more curve and/or less flex) on wing and power for a slapper (less curve and/or stiffer flex) on the PP. He may even use more profiles than just two. He might even have 14 sticks in his bag.

This doesn't mean his stick styles are legal or illegal. It just means they are based on game situation.

Calling for a stick check is gamesmanship that's gone out of vogue over the last few years. And IIRC it's done by the coach not a player on the ice--or least requested by the on ice Captain or Alternate at the coach's behest. Crobsy wouldn't ask unless he was told to. Before the lockout I distinctly remember successful checks of Jagr and Sellane sticks resulting in delay of game penalties. They were usually called for in a late game situation by a coach who either hoped to get a powerplay to improve the chances of tieing the game. There are also strict rules for calling for a stick check during the shootout (loss of shot).

Another note, since the lockout, the allowable curve of a stick was doubled.

5-05-2009 @ 6:04PM

phantom834 said...

This is dumb , the only reason this topic is coming up is because Cindy Crosby can't stand the fact that Ovechkin's beating the piss out of his team. The man has been using the same stick all his young career ..why on earth would they just now think it's not a legal curve? , let's just face facts he is just that good plain and simple and I think if you gave him an old school flat stick he would still pull off a 45 to 50 goal season. So stop your issues and play hockey.

5-06-2009 @ 1:29PM

Ovechkin has yet to win one playoff series in his career. Please make a note of it.