Posted by For a completely different take on the already much maligned Celebration Shunned ‘Round the League check out Matt Leighton’s post here.
By now everyone has seen the video of Alexander Ovechkin celebrating his third 50-goal season, but if you haven’t here’s a clip:
With that out of the way I pose the following questions: What is everyone so miffed about? The fact that Ovechkin scored 50 goals, his having a personality that doesn’t resemble 10-grit sandpaper or him seemingly scoring at will and making the rest of the league look like Pee-Wee players? So the guy’s celebration was a bit off color. Who cares? This isn’t someone “showboating” or “grandstanding;” this is simply a hockey player who has just achieved a personal milestone, is head and shoulders above the rest of the league and knows it. If that pisses people off then so be it.
News flash: If the NHL wants to attract more people to the game this is how it’s done. Not with glowing pucks, not with ridiculous arena props and certainly not by listening to Brian Engblom’s mop wax philosophical about the intricacies of winning faceoffs. None of that nonsense even comes close to putting asses in seats than a guy that loves the game and isn’t afraid to liven it up a bit.
If Ovechkin wanted to celebrate a goal by lighting a fart then I’d offer the guy my Zippo. It’s refreshing to me to see a goal celebration that doesn’t induce sleep, especially when said goal carries with it such weight. I expect someone to be happy when they accomplish something, not act like a robot.
One of the comments over at YouTube states that “first we complain that the Russians didn’t celebrate at all (and) now that they do celebrate apparently they do it to much.”
I agree 100%. Beggers can’t be choosers, and if something were to happen (on-ice retribution, fines, etc.) as a result of something that is, in the grand scheme of things, so ineffectual then the players as well as the National Hockey League as a whole should be ashamed of themselves.
Paul Benvin covers the Detroit Red Wings for The Hockey Writers. Feel free to contact him with tips, video, or general dissension.
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Capitals Try to Get Edge; Send Ovechkin to Spy on Rangers?
Capitals Prove They’re NHL’s Best
Ovechkin Suspended for Two Games for Hit on Brian Campbell
He Scores!!! ooops
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I agree with your comments. Its just a joke when people whine about a guy getting totally pumped every time he scores. I say bring it on AO! The more the merrier! Here is my take on it, entitled Ovechkin Pots 50 – Shut Up Kypreos: http://www.motherpucker.ca/nhl-news/ovie-pots-50-shut-up-kypreos/
I can’t say I have a problem with it… I kinda sorta understand the people that do. If anything, his execution was a bit off, it looked a bit silly. But I remember goal celebrations being something to watch. A glove thrown high in the air then “shot” down with a hockey stick a la Duck Hunt. Riding your stick down the ice. Found this stuff on youtube. The top 5 are classic. I would have no problem seeing more like this. Classy? No, not really. Tacky? Probably. Enjoyably? I think so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axmOCYuukQo&feature=PlayList&p=1222549DA05C449B&index=16&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL
I’m going to go ahead and pass on encouraging choreographed celebrations. When Ovechkin did his celebration, I felt embarrassed to be a Capitals fan. It was selfish and it could have resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Sure his goal celebration was the teensiest bit braggy, but it was entertaining, and I think you’re right it attracting fans. And at least it was politically correct. A college player I saw recently pulled out the ol’ “blind man’s cane,” a comment on the goaltender’s failed shootout save, no doubt. AO was pretty tame with this one…I’m sure he could have called up his buddy Malkin and they could have cooked up something far more outrageous. Canada hat and sunglasses optional. Those who were embarrassed by his little show should count their blessings.