After reports surfaced this morning that Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar would be a game-time decision for Saturday's game 5 in Washington, TSN's Darren Dreger is reporting that the veteran rearguard will miss several weeks, perhaps even the remainder of the season with "an apparent knee injury."Also in the report is word that the NHL will not suspend Alex Ovechkin for dishing out the hit that resulted in Gonchar's injury. That news isn't exactly surprising, but it's still not sitting well with Gonchar's agent, JP Barry.
From Dreger:
''We now have Exhibit A of the extreme double-standard that exists in the NHL's approach to discipline. Alex clearly cuts back with his knee after missing his check with devastating results. But of course, because it's Alex, its all Sergei's fault,'' Barry told TSN. ''It was a extremely negligent hit and if anyone else in this league does the same we all know they will face serious discipline,'' Barry continued. ''Part of being 'great' means playing with respect. He is wreckless and this isn't the first or last time he will get a free pass from the NHL, and the best part is he knows it.''At least he didn't hold back. Just in case you haven't seen the hit in question, here it is one more time (and it probably won't be the last time you see it, either).
In 10 playoff games this season, Gonchar has averaged over 25 minutes of ice-time per game, while also registering nine points (third most on the Penguins behind only Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin). He scored the Penguins' first goal in their 5-3 win on Friday night, beating Capitals goalie Simeon Varlamov with a slap shot as he entered the offensive zone.
It's just another storyline in what has already been a heated, physical series.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-09-2009 @ 3:15PM
StevefromSacto said...
What am I missing here? Watch the video closely. Ovechkin planted his legs several seconds before the hit. From then on he skated in a straight line. He didn't move his leg at the last minute in order to hit Gonchar. OK, two minutes for tripping. But a deliberate attempt to injure? No way! After their player cross-checks our goalie in the neck and gets nothing for it, Pens fans are hypocrites calling for the death penalty for Ovechkin.
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5-09-2009 @ 7:17PM
EDWARD J GRINDLE said...
same as kobe in the nba double standard, pitt send your thug out there and put him out for the playoffs. player for player quit the worry with the bottom line money and put his ass out.
5-09-2009 @ 9:38PM
pladd said...
Here's what you're missing:
1) Ovechkin made no attempt play the puck but went out of his way to play the man.
2) Overckin slid out his lower leg just before he initiated contact.
3) After Game 2, Ovechkin hinted strongly at payback for a hit earlier in the series.
OK, now connect the dots.
5-09-2009 @ 10:08PM
phoenixlg said...
What do you mean, 'got nothing for it'? He got fined, but the Great Ape got a lousy 2 minutes.
5-09-2009 @ 3:36PM
archerace16 said...
It's hard to pick up on, but Ovechkin lunges forward at the last second into the hit. He also continues angling towards Gonchar when it's clear he's going to miss, and does get the knee out for the hit.
The simple matter is Ovechkin was lining up Gonchar the moment Gonchar turned around. There are far too many penalties that should have been called on that play, from Charging to Kneeing to Intent to Injure. The idea that Ovechkin will get no repercussions for his actions is infuriating. And btw, Kunitz was fined for his blow to the back of Varlamov's head.
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5-09-2009 @ 4:15PM
shummey327 said...
caps fans are blind and don't know anything about rules. I guess what Brashear did was ok too. learn the rules
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5-09-2009 @ 10:34PM
av8trap said...
Ovechkin is a goon with some talent. The only thing I hope for is that the Pens get a big lead, and someone runs Ovechkin. Blow his knee out, see how he likes it. It will happen to him someday because of the cheap, thug style of hockey he plays.
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5-10-2009 @ 2:59AM
Cleetus Awreetus said...
Ovechkin represents all that is bad in pro sports and hockey was free from. He is a cheap show boater, a prima donna and a whiny baby. Too bad Ulf Sammuelson isn't around anymore, that would clean up the league rather quickly. Sooner or later (I hope sooner) someone will grow sick enough of this egomaniacal punk and take out the trash.
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5-10-2009 @ 12:40PM
apckrr3 said...
Ovechkin is a very talented hockey player who does not have to resort to the crap he does. Sooner or later someone will run him and give him a dose of his own stuff.
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5-11-2009 @ 7:57AM
kfogs1957 said...
The worth thing to be called in sports is dirty, and Ovechkin has played that fine line for as long as he's been in the league. Had Matt Cooke done rthis to Mike Green, or OV, Backstrom or Semin, every Cao fan knows they's be screaming about this. It was a dirty hit, and he walked, bottom line. Be Objective Caps fans. By the way, take OV off that team and what have you got?? A 4 game sweep by Pittsburgh, don't think the league doesn't know that. This was pretty bad, and the guy walked. It has nothing to with other so called penalties either. Gonchar is done, everyone else is still playing , so don't use the Kunitz situation to make your case.
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