Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Capital Olympians: Day 6 (Quarterfinals)

Alexander Ovechkin, RUS - Game-winning goal (5), 4 shots on goal, 2 penalty minutes, even in 2-0 win over Canada

Ivan Majeksy, SVK - No points, no shots, even in 3-1 loss to Czech Republic; Slovakia eliminated from the tournament

Olaf Kolzig, GER - eliminated from the tournament

What they're saying:
  • [Alex Ovechkin,] the 20-year-old Washington Capitals rookie sensation proved the key to the match as he flicked a wrist-shot from just in front of the goal right past Brodeur for the first goal of the game." - Eurosport
  • "Canada and Russia, international ice hockey's two superpowers and fiercest rivals, engaged in another classic battle that featured riveting non-stop end-to-end action and brilliant goaltending that in the end was decided by Ovechkin, the young Russian who is expected to become the NHL's next star.

    The Washington Capitals rookie sensation shattered the golden dreams of hockey-mad Canadians with just 1:30 gone in the third period...." - Reuters
  • "Canada had trouble clearing its zone and Viktor Kozlov jumped on a loose puck and fed it to Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals rookie scoring sensation, for a shot into an open side.

    'It's the biggest goal of my life,' Ovechkin said.

    The large contingent of Russians in the near-sellout crowd at Torinto Esposizione went wild in the stands as a joyful Ovechkin touched gloves with his teammates at the bench." - CP

  • "The Great One took full responsibility for Canada's 2-0 loss. He also credited Russia and its dynamic players such as Alexander Ovechkin... ." - CP
  • "They were standing about five feet apart in the mixed zone, an ashen Joe Sakic and the Russian kid, Alexander Ovechkin, fairly bouncing off the walls.

    The captain of a Canadian team that seemed built for gold with oodles of talent, experience and grit, and the exuberant star of a team that never seemed to get it right at these tournaments.

    One of them was going home. The other was high-fiving Russian writers and getting ready for a semifinal date with the plucky Finns." - Scott Burnside, ESPN.com

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