Caps defenseman Sami Lepisto lifted Team Finland to the semifinals with his overtime game-winning goal against the young and plucky Team USA earlier today in IIHF World Championship action. 

Lepisto’s goal came after the Americans erased a 2-0 deficit in the final five minutes of regulation on goals by Phil Kessel and Drew Stafford. The two Team USA tallies came just 37 seconds apart. The Americans then managed to kill off a 5-on-3 man-disadvantage for three minutes to get the game into overtime.

Lepisto ended the proceedings at 3:59 of the extra session with a blast from the right point, and assists from a couple of Finnish heavyweights, Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne. It marked the second year in a row that the Finns bounced the Americans in the quarterfinals, needing overtime to get it done both times.

It’s not the first time Lepisto has starred while representing his country.

After being passed over in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Lepisto totaled eight points (four goals, four assists) in seven games at the 2004 World Junior Championship in Helsinki. He was named to the All-Tournament team and was also named the tournament’s Best Defenseman.

Finland will face Team Russia in the semis on Friday in Quebec City. Russia blanked Switzerland on Wednesday, getting a goal and an assist from Sergei Fedorov, a goal from Alex Ovechkin and a goal from Alexander Semin. All three Caps were a plus-3 in the game.

Mike Green had two assists in Team Canada’s 8-2 win over Norway and Nicklas Backstrom had a helper in Sweden’s 3-2 overtime win over the Czech Republic. Canada takes on Sweden on Friday in the other semifinal match on Friday.

Thanks again to our friend Dmitry Chesnokov for sending in this translation of Alex Ovechkin’s Saturday interview with Sovetsky Sport.

As a result of a poll conducted by “Sport” [Russia’s public sports channel] and Sovetsky Sport [Russia’s largest newspaper], Washington Capitals and Russian national team forward Alexander Ovechkin was named Athlete of the Month in April. Alex received 51.4% of the vote, overtaking Evgeni Malkin who received 48.6%. This interview Alexander Ovechkin gave to Pavel Lysenkov and Vitaly Slavin of Sovetsky Sport in Hotel Concorde two hours after the end of the Russia-Sweden game [3:2], where Alex the Great scored the game winner.

I WOULD START BEATING THE SWEDE TOO

Honestly, we did not expect Ovechkin to give a candid interview. Right after the game Ovechkin entered the mixed-zone [you all know that access to players in the NHL is way better than the IIHF regulations], but he looked so tired that he only gave interviews to TV crews. When Ovechkin saw dozens of print media reporters, he sighed and went back to the locker room. Such incidents are very rare for Ovechkin, who always finds time to talk to the media.

What saved us at Sovetsky Sport was that a day before Alex promised to give us an interview. And he always keeps his word. 

Are you getting ready to go out for dinner? Let us wait for you at the hotel.

“No, let me wait for you,” Ovechkin replied. “How much time do you need? Twenty minutes? Let’s sit down right here then, on this couch, and talk.”

Congratulations on becoming Athlete of the Month!

“Thank you, fans. But I would give it to Evgeni Malkin. He is still in the playoffs carrying Pittsburgh on his back. In my spare time I watch the Stanley Cup playoffs, and I am happy about the way Malkin is playing. What a goal he scored against Philadelphia! He was hit, but still made it and slapped one behind Biron … I stand by my prediction that the Penguins will win the Cup this year.”

And what will you say about the game against Sweden?

“That the Swedes played very dirty in the first period and did not give us a chance to play our game. They started hitting us right away. As a result, we lost Morozov due to injury, and then Kovalchuk for fighting. Kovy was absolutely right when he stood up for his captain. If I were him, I would also show my fists to the Swede.

“I was very surprised that Ilya got a game penalty. Why? Kovalchuk didn’t even drop his gloves. If he  did drop his gloves, only bits and pieces would be left of the Swede … I also think that Sweden intentionally went for this exchange – sacrificed this [Doug] Murray  to injure our captain and rid us of our best scorer.”

Did you miss Morozov on the ice?

“We were left with only 6 wingers instead of 8. All the other guys had to work more. But Nabokov played very well and saved us.”

Was it hard for you?

“For me personally, no. I played every other shift. Same way I play in Washington.”

Do you think Murray did it on purpose?

“I am absolutely sure. The puck was nowhere near. Morozov was turning trying to get back into his own zone, but was hit.”

After that you started playing very physical …

“I started playing very physical. And I didn’t care whether I get a game misconduct penalty or 2+10. I was very angry that the Swedes cowardly rid us of two players.”

But if you had got a game misconduct, our team would have been without our third leader!

“I didn’t think about it at the time. My mind was fixed on hitting someone and splashing them across the boards.”

Did Bykov calm you down during the intermission?

“Not only him, but Danny Markov who told me: “We have to beat the Swedes. No one needs this two minute penalty exchange.” Then everyone calmed down and got back to their game.”

Did Sweden with a cold head provoke Team Russia to act recklessly?

“Yes, in the first period they achieved this goal. It was our fault too. We had to play simple, for example during power play. We had to score, but it was a chaos after Morozov got injured. Emotions took over us.”

Did you see Alexei [Morozov]?

“He said he was alright. There was headache and pain in his chest … Although how could he be alright when he was spitting blood in the locker room?”

It seemed that Team Russia was not prepared for such aggressive game from the Swedes.

“We were prepared. But the Swedes and the Czechs are always like this … pests. Do you know what I mean? Yes, we were expecting a more skilled game from Sweden because they have great players. But the opponent started hitting us with sticks, and do God knows what.”

Do you remember your game winning goal that you scored with six seconds remaining in the third period?

“Six seconds? I didn’t even notice that. I was trying to shoot on goal, because Sema (Alexander Semin) passed to me quite hard. If the pass was ordinary, I would shoot a one timer. But I had to skate towards the goal trying to control the puck. I shot, it ricocheted off Lundqvist’s pad, and the puck went up … “

And what were you thinking?

“I didn’t even see it flying. There were a lot of people in front of the crease. If I had seen the puck, I would have tried to hit it in the air. Actually, I thought the puck had landed behind the goal. And only then did I realize it was a goal. I raised my hands, and in the next second Sema [Semin] was jumping on me with excitement.”

What are your relations like with Lundqvist?

“We’re not friends … On the ice? I scored two goals against him. Not the most difficult ones, but very important.”

Nabokov and Lundqvist are finalists for the Vezina Trophy this year.

“I would give the trophy to Zhenya [Nabokov]. Lundqvist was good [today], but Nabokov won us the game.”

Let’s get back to the topic of “exchanges.” Has it ever happened in your career before? We remember the final of World Juniors when one of the Canadian players injured your shoulder, and Team Russia lost easily.

“This example is not very good. That time I was hit cleanly but was not prepared for it. It was my fault. Now I play different and don’t get lost in the physical game.”

What moments in today’s game were key?

“When Nabokov did not let in a goal when we were 3 against 5, when he made a save after one on one … “

We could play Sweden in the quarter final. Will there be some special motivation?

“We will motivate ourselves for the quarterfinal. We are not going to plan revenge and kill someone. Victory is our main priority, and not to  injure the opponent.”

We saw two fans holding a sign “Ovechkin for President.”

“Interesting, what did they mean by that?”

One of two: either the Washington Capitals win the President Trophy as the best team in the NHL, or Ovechkin will one day become the president of the United States.”

“I definitely don’t need the second. I am Russian.”

We spoke to some Quebec City residents, and they say that they support Team Russia [They love Radulov there.]. Do you feel as if you’re playing at home?

“Absolutely not. We feel like we’re playing in Canada.”

It is interesting that after the game against Belarus, Afinogenov’s goal was given to you. Why did this happen?

“I have no idea. Here’s what happened: I shot the puck, Max [Afinogenov] touched the puck and it ricocheted into the net. It was obvious that Afinogenoc scored that goal. When I found out about the news from papers the next morning, I immediately went to Max and said: “I don’t know what’s going on. We are supposed to be in Canada, home of hockey. And there are such mistakes. [The decision was eventually overturned again, and the IIHF gave the goal back to Afinogenov.]

“And here is another interesting situation. Mozyakin was scratched for the game against Sweden, but in the official statistics he is listed as having played 10 minutes. Very funny. Did he get all this ice time while sitting on the bench?”

You were yelling at the referee for giving penalty to Zinoviev.

“It was amazing, because a Swedish player hit our defender after the whistle provoking him. Zinoviev approached him and didn’t do anything simply pushing [the Swedish player] away with his stick. It is very common. But somehow he went to the penalty box and not the Swede.

“To be honest with you, I don’t understand sometimes what’s going on at this World Championship.”

Do you want to say that last year in Moscow the tournament was organized better?

“That’s not the point. The refs are the same. They make the same mistakes and don’t call when they’re supposed to. I think that right now there is absolute bias [provocation] against Team Russia.”

Russian head coach Bykov thinks that this situation should be addressed and handled by our IIHF representatives. Alexander Steblin, for example.

“I don’t know about Steblin. But I am telling you what I see. If this continues, it will be very difficult for us. There are situations when refs are simply killing us.”

Maybe it’s because they want to see Canada win gold, and Russia is the main challenger?

“When the Worlds were in Moscow last year, not one ref was trying to “drown” Canada. And here we see every attempt to leave Russia shorthanded.”

For example, in the game against Belarus, Fedorov got hot in the face with a stick. The ref was quiet.

“If we combine all questionable situations against our team in this tournament, we will write a book.”

Do we have a chance to win this tournament with such officiating?

“I don’t know what’s going to happen next. But right now I see that the refs can do a better job. No one is asking to pull Russia by their ears.”

What would you like to tell your fans?

“Thank you so much for voting for me as the Best Athlete in April … But I read our newspapers on the Internet and see the comments left by readers. After every game there are comments about Team Russia such as: we played bad, no one is scoring, someone made a mistake in defense … It sounds as if we’re not a team but a pillow on the couch. Guys, relax! We are playing for our country and are doing everything possible to win! We want to see good comments and feel your support. Notice the positive too! We have not lost a game yet. And if we beat an outsider 10:0, it won’t mean we’re Worlds Champions. Once again, let’s take it easy. Let’s cheer on Russia all together! We are playing for you!” – Ovechkin concluded his speech.

After that he left an autograph and wrote: “For Mor and Kovy!” No explanation is needed who Ovechkin dedicated his game winner to. [Morozov and Kovalchuk]

Here are a few more quotes from Caps goaltender Olie Kolzig from our lunch meeting on Friday.

I asked him whether he could feel himself slowing down as an NHL netminder:

“Not really. Earlier in the season there were points when I was a little tired. I changed things around right before we played in Toronto [on Jan. 23] for the rest of the year. From that point on, I felt great. And you know what? Sometimes it just takes a little something like that to realize that you’re not 28 anymore, you’re 38. The more rest, the better. You don’t need pregame skates. You know how to stop the puck.

“Bouds likes to say, ‘Get a sweat, get an appetite, eat and get to sleep.’ It’s great for the young guys; it’s fine. But I’ve come to finally realize that it’s not great for me. Conserving my energy like that, just doing some stuff in the mornings like riding the bike and taking the cold bath I really found that my energy level excelled.

“We had that conversation that historically my numbers got better after the all-star break. I really think this year it is because I made that adjustment, whereas in the past maybe I didn’t need to make that adjustment; for whatever reason it just took off. This year, I attribute my game preparation as the reason [for that improvement].”

Kolzig mentioned that he would be tweaking his off-season workout program, and I asked him to elaborate.

“For me, I’ve always been a big guy. I’ve always been anywhere from 223 to 227 depending on training camp and what I’ve done in the summer. My goal this summer is to get down to 220, get rid of a little bit of extra weight of possible. I try and try and try, whether it’s dieting or cardio or whatever, but I’m a big-boned guy and it’s tough to get rid of those two or three extra pounds. I am really going to make a conscious effort.

“I’m even changing my training a little bit where instead of just getting in there and doing squats and core, I’m doing more of a cardio-style workout where I’ll do some sort of weight exercise and then get on the treadmill for a minute and a half. Do a core exercise, and get on the treadmill for a minute and a half. So you’re always constantly keeping your heart rate above a certain point so that you burn more calories and subsequently you lose more weight. I started on Monday and we’ll see where it takes us.

“Every year you have to make adjustments, depending on how the season went, how your body feels and how old you’re getting. This year is no different. I said last year that it’s becoming a grind in the summer. You have to work out twice as hard now as you did when you were 28 to maintain the same level. I’ve got three kids now and I’ve got some business interests.

“I get back in the summer to Tri-Cities for two and a half months and you’re getting torn in all these different directions; I’ve got a couple three charity events that I do. And so that commitment to the gym and getting ready for the season becomes a bigger burden, but it’s something that I’m still willing to do in order to one day hopefully raise the Cup. I’m going to try this regimen here for the next month and see where it takes me, and adjust accordingly. I’m going to try to get on the ice again right at the beginning of June three times a week. We’ll see where it goes.”

Finally, here’s a little more from Kolzig from when I asked about what type of situation he is seeking for next season. He mentioned wanting to play for a winner, and also discussed his current mindset a bit: 

“Again, I don’t think there is a better situation than Washington. People probably don’t really understand what I’m going through. They’re looking at it like, ‘This guy has made money his whole career and now he’s pouting because they brought in another guy and now he’s leaving.’

“People really don’t understand. They don’t get it. This is the only place I’ve wanted to play. And now this might be the best team we’ve ever had in Washington in my 19 years. And for me all of a sudden to say I’m going somewhere else or I’m not coming back here and we’ll just see where the summer goes. People don’t understand how much that hurts. So for me it has to be a team that has a chance.”

You can read the entire piece in its entirety here.   

There is a much different tempo to the off-season for those of us in the hockey business. During the season, you’re in a constant “go, go” mode because there are always practices, games, planes, buses, press conferences, scrums and dozens of other things demanding your immediate and/or constant attention.

The pace of the off-season is slower, more consistent. It has its own rhythm; there are the World Championships, there is the combine, there is the draft, there are qualifying offers, there is free agency, there is rookie camp. These events provide brief spurts of frenetic activity, but nothing like the constant and controlled (yet beautiful) chaos which characterizes the seasons themselves.

Shortly after the rookie camp has ended, there is training camp, when all is new and hopeful again and the frenetic 82-game NHL campaign — and, if you’re fortunate, the Stanley Cup playoffs that follow — looms directly ahead.

Every so often, a different day dawns, a day that does not belong in the context of the rest of the off-season, a day where that pace unexpectedly picks up again. Maybe it’s a trade, maybe a big announcement or a press conference of some sort. For a day or two, the pace picks up again. There is a flurry of activity and interest before our off-season hibernation resumes.

There was a Friday morning in May six years ago when one phone call turned a tranquil off-season Friday into a “red ball,” to coin a phrase from my years of watching “Homicide” and “The Wire.” Word came down that Ron Wilson would be relieved of his duties as Caps head coach; that was six years ago tomorrow.

Today is one of those days.

Tarik El-Bashir’s story in today’s Washington Post has Caps goaltender Olie Kolzig saying that he believes he has played his last game as a Capital. As is almost always the case when an athlete decides to move on from a city where he has played all or most of his career, there are reasons and circumstances for the movement, and those layers and circumstances hold their own layers and degrees that run as deep or deeper than the athlete’s roots in that city. Those layers and degrees can’t always be adequately untangled in the space of a newspaper article, or even several newspaper articles. 

And more often than not, time is the most necessary element in making sense of it all.

At the conclusion of Washington’s season, much was made of Olie Kolzig’s “unwillingness” to talk to the media and his decision to take his nameplate down from above his locker at Verizon Center. I didn’t address either of those issues in depth. I actually believed it was good for Olie to take as much time as he believed he needed to take before talking to any of us. And he did that before sitting down with Tarik yesterday. 

As for the nameplate thing, it was nothing as far as I was concerned. Olie is not the first nor will he be the last player to remove his nameplate. When a guy has spent as much time with one organization as Olie has with the Capitals, it would be more of a story if he didn’t take his nameplate, or some other small memento of his time with the organization.

Today brings more of a sense of finality; of the end of an era. And for me, it’s personal, too. 

Kolzig is the last remaining player from the 1995-96 team, my first year as a day-in and day-out regular on the beat. He was a single guy, a backup goaltender with two NHL wins to his credit back then. Now he has a family, 301 regular season NHL wins and legions of fans everywhere who adore him and wish him the best.

Years ago, my kids did a photo shoot with Kolzig for a “Reading is Cool” community event. Those pictures of Olie and my kids are still on the mantle here in our palatial estate in Baltimore. Hell, Olie played in Baltimore before he went on to establish himself as an excellent NHL goaltender. He’s always been a first-class guy from my standpoint, and that point was driven home again today when he agreed to meet with me later on the middle of today’s maelstrom of activity. I’ll have more on caps.com later, after I get back from our meeting.

There is certainly a sense of sadness and a sense of getting older that accompanies today’s news, at least for me. But there is also a sense of appreciation and good fortune. Kolzig’s rise was not that probable. It was a story of perseverance and belief. And to me, that’s why we are where we are today. Kolzig believes he can still play in the NHL, and he is now setting out to prove that.

Like many others, I wish him the best and I won’t be betting against him.

Extreme thanks to our friends Dmitri Chesnokov and Pavel Lysenkov for passing along this lengthy Sovetsky Sport interview with Alex Ovechkin.

Sovetsky Sport continues the tradition of “on the road” Q&A sessions with players at major hockey tournaments. Sunday night, right after the game against the Czech Republic, NHL’s highest scorer and simply a great guy Alex Ovechkin answered questions left for him by our readers at our website www.sovsport.ru.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Concord Hotel in Quebec where the Russian National team is housed. Pavel Lysenkov and Vitaly Slavin of SovSport brought a few magazines with them with Ovechkin on the covers.

“Wow!” Ovechkin said. “What am I doing on the cover?”

Do you remember who you gave these interviews to?

“No. I am trying to figure it out using the photos. Let’s see.” Ovechkin is flipping pages. “Oh, this one was taken during the first season with the Capitals. I even have the front tooth in place. All right, I will read it in my spare time.”

Well then let’s get to fans’ questions. User Hedgehog is asking: this was the first year you played in the NHL playoffs. Are these really such special incomparable to anything else games?

“Actually, yes. During the Stanley Cup playoffs every game is treated as if it’s the final battle. How can I explain it? Do you remember the Olympics in 2006 in Turin when we had a great game against Team Canada in the quarterfinals [2:0 - Ovechkin scored the game winner]? So with Washington I played seven such games against Philadelphia! When we needed either to win, or to die.”

Is it true that an NHL player is only paid during the regular season?

“Yes, we do not get paid for the playoffs. Not even bonuses.”

So why would you “die?”

“Everyone want to win the Stanley Cup. Believe me, these are not just empty words.”

User Fight: The game against Team Italy you played wearing CCCP jerseys. I, as an old fan, became so nostalgic. Do you remember who, during the Superseries-72, wore a Soviet jersey with number 8 on the back? Four options: Mikhailov, Maltsev, Starshinov, Tretiak.

“Let’s see. Tretiak is eliminated right away – he wore number 20. Maltsev [Ovechkin’s childhood idol] wore 10. Mikhailov … definitely not number 8. Starshinov? I think so.”

Absolutely! User Anabolic: how did you become so physically fit this season?

“And this comes from Anabolic? No, steroids had nothing to do with it.” Ovechkin is joking. “One of my best finds is that Kostya (my manager who also lives in Washington) introduced me to Dmitry Kapitonov: a former marathon runner who became a fitness trainer. He is a Professional with a capital “P.” He helped me a lot to improve my physical conditions that I felt great throughout the season.”

User Alwa: did the whole insurance [for the World Championship] ordeal affect your readiness for the Worlds? You couldn’t even practice on the ice.

“Yes, I missed six days. But I didn’t become rusty at all. Once again my preseason workout helped. I felt the puck right away, as if I never stopped training.

Uncomfortable question. Do you thingk when it comes to playing for the National Team that you’re in a slump that started last year in Moscow? Only one goal in two games.

“No one would have said this if I had scored six goals in two games. I had my chances, but it would hit the post or miss altogether. I am not worried about this. Let’s say I score 20 goals and we do not win a medal. Would anyone be happy?”

Have you spoken to Alexander Eremenko, who got injured in the game against the Czechs? [Russians lost two of their three goalies, until the Sharks crashed out of the NHL playoffs, and Nabokov agreed to come to Canada and play for the National Team.]

“Yes, he’s got something with his knee. Doctors can’t say anything certain at this point. He needs to do some x-rays.”

At the press conference Bykov [Russian coach] said that Michalek intentionally tried to injure our goalkeeper.

“I only say what happened on a replay. I won’t blame anyone. But the Czechs have always been known for being dirty. Although at war, all methods are good.”

Did the team understand that the game against the Czechs was a “concealed” quarterfinal? If we [Russia] get the first place in our group after the second round, then in the playoffs, most likely, we will play Switzerland or Belarus. It is much easier than playing the Czechs or the Swedes.

“We were motivated to play the Czechs regardless. They are some Italians, and certainly not the Chinese or the Japanese. The Czechs have won the Olympics, the Worlds a few times. The motivation was beyond serious.”

After injuries to goalkeepers will our team [Russia] play close to our own net?

“Not at all. We have a lot of experienced guys who know that being too nervous will lead to defeat.”

What if Biryukov [the only goalie Russia had left until Nabokov arrived] gets injured? Would you be willing to take his place if Bykov orders?

“Yes, of course. What else could I do?”

We look at you and can’t stop to wonder. You looked Italian in the NHL playoffs with long hair and a beard. But when you came to Quebec you got a haircut and a clean shave.

“Washington didn’t make it to the quarterfinals. And I didn’t want to carry with me to the Worlds the load of the past. And, just like in ancient times, I decided to cut my hair.”

User SSSR: are you ready to shave your head and sell your hair at an auction for the gold medal in Quebec?

“I think no one would buy my hair.” Ovechkin is smiling. “Actually, I have already been bold before. Back in 1996, when I was 11. And no, I won’t tell you why I did it. But I don’t want to do this experiment again.”

How many millions of your contract are you willing to give up for the gold at the Worlds?

“I don’t have them yet, those millions. The $124 million contract doesn’t kick in until next season.”

You don’t want to answer?

“I think that buying trophies and victories is bad. And boring. It is so much more interesting to earn it through hard work.”

User Ildars: I heard that Team Russia is now playing under pressure, and you will peak during the second week [of the Tournament]. It is interesting, is weightlifting included in the gym workouts?

“We train on the bike, working on accelerations. Some people work with weights. I don’t need it. I hurt my tailbone in the Stanley Cup playoffs. That’s why I can’t even sit down with a weight.”

User Anabolic also wants you to name three best NHL goaltenders, in you opinion.

“Luongo from Vancouver, Nabokov from San Jose, and Brodeur from New Jersey.”

So, who of the three will win the Vezina Trophy?

“I think that Nabokov will win. I see him play and can’t stop being amazed. And his stats are unbelievable. If Nabokov doesn’t win the Vezina Trophy, who should? By the way, when we are done talking, I am going back to my room to watch Dallas play San Jose. Actually, I watch all playoff games.”

And what’s your prediction?

“I am sure that Pittsburgh will win the Stanley Cup. They have to do it. Malkin is having an unbelievable season. Hossa has found chemistry with Crosby. They have a great goaltender in Fleury. Their defense is pretty even. Pittsburgh is that good, they don’t have challengers.”

I remember your fitness trainer Kapitonov telling me that all hockey players are bears [sleep a lot]. And that Ovechkin is the most typical example and can stay in bed an entire day.

“Dima lied a little bit. Entire day? That’s too much! But during the regular season I do sleep a lot. I wake up at 10 in the morning, go to practice. Then I have my mandatory sleep. And when I have a day off I can sleep until lunchtime.”

That’s where you get your energy… User Lyubanya: this summer will you and other Russian NHL players train in St. Petersburg again?

“I haven’t made such plans yet.”

Why do you come specifically to St. Petersburg?

“Because Kapitonov lives there. But if he lived in Vorkuta, for example, I doubt we’d fly there.”

User Max-vereya: the game against the Czechs was so stressful that my heart almost jumped out. Don’t make us so nervous! By the way, you owe us a hat-trick in the game against Denmark! Promise?

“During games like that one you shouldn’t take heart pills, but drink beer!” Ovechkin is laughing. “It would get you better. About the hat-trick, I will try of course. Within the boundaries of team play.”

User Kedrush: sometimes I have a feeling that you are too tense on the ice, as if you’re nervous. And then – an emotional explosion, like the one you had at the end of the regular season in the NHL. How do you explain it?

“I can’t! Sometimes you score absolutely crazy goals that if you try to purposely do it again, it will never happen. And then you have an emotional uplift. But sometimes you go one on one against a goalie. A great chance that you just waste and ask yourself: ‘Goodness, what has just happened?’”

I saw your game against Montreal in Washington. Your nose got broken, and it seemed that you got so mad that you started crushing the opponent, flying in the offensive zone. That’s the explosion.

“Is that what it looked like from the stand? It’s an illusion. I played like I normally do. I took up good position and I shot.”

Yes, right, and it was absolutely coincidental that you scored four goals … OK, let’s talk about tactics. Do you feel comfortable that in your power play unit Kovalchuk plays at the point and not you?

“That means that the team needs it that way. I have a different goal, like sometimes I do in Washington, I stay above the crease screening the goaltender.”

Did Bykov and Zakharkin [Bykov’s assistant] change from the last Worlds?

“What do you mean?”

We are talking about the approach they take with their players.

“It’s all the same. No changes.

Can you imagine that you will be in the same situation as Kovalev is now [Bykov does not like Kovalev for some reason, and refuses to ask him to join the National Team]? Let’s say you’re 35, you just had an amazing season. But the National Team coach says: “Sorry, Ovechkin, we are trying to make the squad younger. You’re not going to the Worlds.”

“Of course I can imagine this. Life is such a funny thing. By the way, if you see Kovalev, please say hello from Sasha Ovechkin.”

Funny! Just a day earlier one of us went to Montreal, and Kovalev asked to tell you the same thing.

“See how we think alike,” Ovechkin smiled.

And a minute later Ovechkin was writing a message to SovSport’s readers: “All Russian Fans! Good luck and much success! We are the best!” He left his autograph with a number 8 and a heart drawn on top of it.

Congratulations to coach Jared Bednar and the South Carolina Stingrays are in order this morning. The Rays blanked the Columbia Inferno 2-0 last night in Game 5 of the best-of-five South Division finals at North Charleston Coliseum. They’ll now move on to face the Cincinnati Cyclones in the American Conference finals. The Cyclones won Game 7 of their series with the Reading Royals last night by a 6-1 score.

Game 1 is in Cincinnati on Friday, and Game 2 is in the same location. The next three games would be in South Carolina, and Games 6 and 7 (if necessary) would be back in Cincy. 

After missing the playoffs for the first time in their history last season, the Stingrays are now headed to the conference finals for the first time since 2001, when they won their second Kelly Cup title. 

As was the case with Bruce Boudreau and the Capitals’ run to a playoff berth, superstition has played a part in South Carolina’s springtime run.

The 2008 IIHF World Championship gets underway today in Quebec City and Halifax. Sixteen teams will be competing for the gold medal, and Canada will attempt to defend the gold it won in Moscow last spring. Among the participants in this year’s tournament are 11 players from the Washington Capitals’ organization. Those 11 players will represent seven different nations:

Canada: Defenseman Mike Green
Czech Republic: Left wing Tomas Fleischmann and center Jakub Klepis
Finland: Defenseman Sami Lepisto
France: Goaltender Cristobal Huet
Russia: Center Sergei Fedorov, left wing Alex Ovechkin, left wing Alexander Semin and goaltender Simeon Varlamov
Sweden: Center Nicklas Backstrom
Switzerland: Right wing Peter Guggisberg

We’ll do what we can to keep you informed of the games, the progress of the tournament and the exploits of the Washington players involved as the tournament wears on. Earlier today, I posted a tournament preview on washingtoncaps.com.

Some news of the “not so good” variety filtered in today, courtesy of our friend Dmitry Chesnokov. He informs us that goaltender Varlamov — Washington’s first-round choice (23rd overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft — injured his foot in one of Team Russia’s last practices prior to the start of the tournament.

As a result, Varlamov has been left off Russia’s preliminary round roster for the tournament. Russia will have a chance to add Varlamov back to its roster before the start of the qualifying round next week, if his foot improves sufficiently in the interim.

There are some great storylines to be followed with Washington’s players. Green figures to be a key performer on Canada’s backline. Fleischmann and Klepis might be top six forwards on the Czech team; it will be interesting to see how they handle that. Both players are at a stage in their careers where they need to step up to the next level, and players have used good performances at the Worlds as career springboards in the past.

Lepisto should log decent ice time on a very green Finnish blueline, and he’ll be playing under the watchful eye of Team Finland general manager Jari Kurri, who also happens to be Lepisto’s godfather.

How far can Huet push Team France?

How will Varlamov fare if he gets healthy enough to play? Will the Russian coaching staff give Ovechkin a big enough role? He was essentially a fourth-liner in last year’s tournament. Fedorov will be playing in the Worlds for the first time in 18 years; the front of his jersey read “CCCP” the last time he played in this tournament. And, Fedorov will be playing alongside his brother, Fedor. Semin will be making his fourth appearance at the Worlds, but he was left off the team last spring because he reported a few hours late to camp.

How will Backstrom hold up after playing nearly 100 games this year, nearly twice the amount to which he is accustomed? And how will he do being the go-to forward on the team and attracting the opposition’s top checkers?

Canada will be tough to beat, Russia will be fun to watch, and Team USA is in the midst of an intriguing rebuild. Team captain Jeff Halpern turns 32 tomorrow, and he is the oldest player on the team by five years. The Americans are green, but they’re also very skilled. A medal of any kind for the Americans would position Team USA as a force to be reckoned with as the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver loom on the horizon.

Sure, the Stanley Cup playoffs are ongoing, but the second round series are mostly snoozers. Do yourself a favor and check out some of the World Championships action, especially some of the prime match-ups in the qualifying and medal rounds. You can watch on a paid subscription basis at wcsn.com.

June 12 could prove to be a very busy night for the Washington Capitals contingent at the NHL’s 2008 Awards Presentation.

Alex Ovechkin, who has already claimed the 2008 Art Ross and Maurice Richard Trophies, today was named as one of three finalists for the Lester B. Pearson Award, which is presented annually to the “most outstanding player” in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA. Ovechkin joins Calgary’s Jarome Iginla and Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin as the three finalists.

Ovechkin, Iginla and Malkin were earlier named as finalists for the Hart Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s most valuable player.

The news of Ovechkin’s nomination came hours after Caps head coach Bruce Boudreau was named as one of three finalists for the Jack Adams Award, given annually to the coach who has contributed the most to his team’s success. Caps center Nicklas Backstrom is a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded each year to the league’s top rookie.

Ovechkin is the first Capital to win the Ross and Richard Trophies; he would also be the first Washington player to claim the Pearson and the Hart awards. Boudreau is seeking to join Bryan Murray (1984) as the second Caps coach to win the Adams and Backstrom is hoping to follow in Ovechkin’s footsteps as the second Caps player ever to claim the Calder. Ovechkin won the Calder in 2006.

June 12 could mark Washington’s biggest hardware haul in nearly a quarter century. In 1984, the Caps skated off with four of the league’s major awards. Rod Langway won the second of his two consecutive Norris Trophies, Doug Jarvis won the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward, goaltenders Al Jensen and Pat Riggin shared the William Jennings Trophy for fewest team goals against, and Murray won the Adams.

The Caps could win as many as half a dozen trophies in Toronto six weeks from now.

As we witnessed this season, most of the pieces of the next great Washington Capitals teams are already in place and merely need to ripen alongside each other for the next several seasons. The one notable exception is defenseman Karl Alzner, who spent this past season with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL.

Alzner was Washington’s top choice (fifth overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and the second defensemen chosen in last year’s draft. He will celebrate his 20th birthday just days before the opening of the 2008-09 NHL season and has a much better than decent chance of cracking Washington’s opening night roster.

Today, Alzner was named both player of the year and defenseman of the year in the WHL. Additiionally, he is one of three finalists for the 2008 Canadian Hockey League MVP award which will be announced in late May.

Ex-Caps defenseman Yvon Labre, whose No. 7 sweater hangs from the rafters of Verizon Center, is back behind the bench. Labre was named as the coach of the 16-and-under Baltimore Stars for 2008-09.

Congrats to Yvon, and to the lucky kids who will be learning the game from him.