Don Cherry Targets Ovechkin Again – Video
March 23, 2009 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Goals, NHL, News, Players, Television, Video, Washington Capitals
I’m sure none of us are surprised by the fact that Don Cherry ripped in to Alexander Ovechkin again during his “Coach’s Corner” segment of Hockey Night in Canada. He criticized the Washington Capitals star for his on-ice antics after making history by scoring his 50th goal of the season (the first player to accomplish that feat three times).
image: TSN.ca
The ever-observant former player/coach was quick to point out that Ovie’s teammate, Mike Green, skated away from him when he put his stick down on the ice and pretended to warm his hands over it. Cherry then directed his comments straight at Ovechkin: “You should be a role model, you don’t need to do it like this, you’re above stuff like that. You’re the best hockey player playing today. Have a little class and do it right.”
He wasn’t done yet. Cherry added (and I agree with this part): “How would you like to be playing for Tampa? They’ve gone through a nightmare season, it’s in their building, they’re being beat 5-1 and you score on a rookie goalie. I mean how do you think (Tampa goalie Mike) McKenna feels about this?”
“You think the people from Tampa came to see (Ovechkin) act like that?” Cherry said. “That is not class and he knows it, (Washington coach) Boudreau knows it. You don’t do that. Everybody said that he’s taunting (the Lightning). The guy’s not a mean guy, he’s not taunting them, he didn’t mean to taunt them. But think how bad the rookie feels. You can’t do stuff like that and not make people feel bad. But he’s not a mean guy, he’s just having a good time. But you know what, even your own coach talked to you about the whole thing.”
Watch the video of Cherry from “Coach’s Corner”:
What do you think about Ovechkin’s celebrations? I know some people have been quick to point out that Cherry is really hard on Russian players (he’s been on Ovechkin’s case in the past) and I agree that he definitely favors Canadians but I think he might have a point about these flamboyant celebrations, especially when teams are fighting for a playoff spot (or, in the Bolts’ case, having a MAJORLY sucky season). I’m okay with guys who pump their fists and go crazy when they score a goal in overtime or something but this is a bit excessive.
