Alexander Ovechkin Suspended 3 Games for Hit on Michalek

(courtesy of Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

On Sunday night when Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin launched himself into Pens’ Zbynek Michalek many wondered whether he would face disciplinary action from Brendan Shanahan. Earlier today they got their answer as the VP of player safety handed a 3 game suspension more commonly known as a Shanaban. His third suspension in his career, the hit was deemed dangerous not only because Ovi’s elbow made contact with Michalek’s head but also because he left the ice which is a big no-no in the NHL today.
Read more…

Share

No Comments

Sergei Miledin, January 23rd 2012 | Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Around the League

Comrades of the Night-Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin


(courtesy of Getty)

If you’ve followed this website since it’s infancy, you know by now that the Comrade of the Night feature is reserved for the best Russian who racks up the most goals, points, or saves on a given night. Last night however, two of the biggest names in Russian hockey joined forces to help the wives and children left behind after the plane crash which took the Lokomotiv Yaroslalv team in early September.
Read more…

Share

No Comments

Sergei Miledin, October 14th 2011 | Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Comrade of the night

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’s History Will Not Stop

(Photo courtesy of hclokomotiv.ru; translates to “Our team, forever”)

The headline you see above was a direct quote issued by the president of the KHL, Alexander Medvedev, as he and other officials, both hockey and government, arrived to the city of Yaroslavl amid the tragedy that has sent waves throughout the sporting world and front pages across the globe. From the hundreds of Lokomotiv fans gathering for candlelight vigils to the arrival of President Dmitry Medvedev, the city has been in thoughts of many and in the hearts of millions.

From a Russian hockey standpoint, many of the players both here in America and back in the KHL have connection to the club whether as opponents on a yearly basis or growing up with some of those who perished. From the biggest names in the sport such as Alexander Ovechkin who played with Alexander Galimov, the lone survivor of the Lokomotiv roster, in 2005 at the World Juniors, to alumni and fans in 10 countries which have lost their hockey heroes and icons.
Read more…

Share

6 Comments

Sergei Miledin, September 8th 2011 | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in KHL

Finland Dumps Russia 3-0; Heads to Final

It took one rather gutsy decision by Finland’s Mikael Granlund that would eventually break Russia’s bid for their fourth straight gold-medal game as Finland beat Russia for the second time in the 2011 Men’s World Championships earlier today. Granlund scored what would stand as the game-winner when he accurately executed a lacrosse-like goal which has since gone viral and even has the likes of TSN calling it the goal of the year.
Read more…

Share

No Comments

Sergei Miledin, May 13th 2011 | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Slovakia 2011

Good bye and good riddance…

The last line has been spoken, the final curtain cast, and Broadway is now a much better place seeing that Alexander Frolov won’t be parading around the Big Apple any longer.  What started out as a very solid career took a turn for the worst when Frolov signed a 1 year contract to play for the New York Rangers this season.  Hopes turned from high to dire in a matter of months and Frolov gave New Yorkers what they feared most…a lackluster effort, abysmal performances, and a waste of his 3-million dollar contract (as if Glen Sather couldn’t get blamed anymore for bad contracts…)
Read more…

Share

No Comments

Shawn Reznik, May 12th 2011 | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Around the League, KHL

Comrades of the Night-Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin

It’s rare that we award the ever prestigious comrade of the night award to more than one player but such is the case for Washington’s Alex’s. The Russian duo scored both goals in DC’s opening game tonight as they renewed their hostilities with the New York Rangers to start their quest for the team’s first Stanley Cup. Ovechkin helped knot up the game in the 3rd period when stuffing in Semin’s effort past goalie Henrik Lundqvist for his 21st playoff goal.
Read more…

Share

No Comments

Sergei Miledin, April 13th 2011 | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Comrade of the night

Dueling Russians

This year’s NHL draft brings about a lot of talent, as it does year after year.  However, the crop of Russian players is not as copious as years past (most noticeably the 2010 NHL Entry Draft).  You will not find the likes of a Burmistrov, Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, Kabanov, Galiev, or Kitsyn.  But a new breed of Russian hockey player is quickly coming into the fold.  The two notables in this year’s draft are, the OHL’s, Vladislav Namestnikov and Alexander Khokhlachev.  Most likely first or second round draft picks, these two Russians have taken the next step in achieving their dreams of playing in the NHL by coming across the ocean from Russia to play in the top junior league in the world.

Read more…

Share

No Comments

Shawn Reznik, April 12th 2011 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in NHL Draft, Prospects

Malkin and Ovechkin headed to ASG, Dadonov Brings Skills

Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin are headed to Raleigh later this month to feature in the league’s 58th installment of the All-Star Game. What they don’t know is whether they will be teammates or rivals come face-off on January 30th. Thanks to the league’s new format letting the two nominated captains draft their own fantasy team it’s possible Geno and Ovi would be pitted against each other in the event for the first time.

The live draft will be held on the 28th, ahead of the weekend’s event where Sidney Crosby and Jonathon Towes will select round by round who they want on their team. The schoolyard element should be a fun treat for fans as they patiently await to see who will be picked last. Seeing how Crosby is teammates with Malkin that should be a no-brainer unless the league adds a last-minute rule change forbidding teammates to play together.
Read more…

Share

No Comments

Sergei Miledin, January 11th 2011 | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Around the League

Malkin and Varlamov Shine at Winter Classic while Ovie Curses


(courtesy of the AP)

Two of Russia’s youngest stars shined brightest under the rainy lights at Heinz Field last night as the Washington Capitals defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 in the Winter Classic. For once it wasn’t about Sidney Crosby vs Alex Ovechkin as both stayed off the score sheet but rather about the guys who get lost in the hype when these two teams meet.

Malkin opened the scoring when he played a bank pass from Kris Letang to go near post on Varlamov for his 14th goal of the year. He would become just the second Russian to score in a Winter Classic and notch his 11th point since returning to the Pens line-up. Fans would wave terrible towels to celebrate their home team’s goal as they do touchdowns for the tenants of Heinz Field, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Read more…

Share

No Comments

Sergei Miledin, January 3rd 2011 | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Winter Classic

Russia’s Time to Shine at the Winter Classic


(courtesy of http://ovechkin.tumblr.com/)

There’s beating a dead horse and then there is the Alex Ovechkin vs Sidney Crosby rivalry. The NHL’s two biggest stars, rivals on the ice yadda yadda yadda. The league received much criticism when it awarded this year’s Winter Classic (tonight at 8pm NBC) to Washington and Pittsburgh with the Crosby led Pens appearing in their second Classic in the event’s short four year existence.

While the league is doing what’s best to generate interest and revenue by pitting their poster boys against one another outdoors in front of what’s expected to be 67,000 fans it leaves many who have been fans before this new rivalry feeling slightly cheated.
Read more…

Share

No Comments

Sergei Miledin, January 1st 2011 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Winter Classic
« Older Posts