Alex Ovechkin angered at Bruce Boudreau's decision in previous matchup but understands -NHL Update
Being one of the top ranking players in the National Hockey League (NHL) and not being able to participate in the crucial moments during a contest with your team would certainly be a confusing situation for anyone, but after a heated moment during Tuesday’s
matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, Alex Ovechkin realises that his coaches decision was for the better.
The two-time NHL Most Valuable Player (MVP), Alex Ovechkin, was kept on the bench during the final moments of the Washington Capitals matchup against Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, November 1, something which angered him, but showed him the positive side as time
passed and his team won in overtime.
"Well, I was (ticked) off", Ovechkin said Wednesday. "Of course I want to be in that situation on the ice, and you know it doesn't matter who I said it (to) and what I said. It look funny on TV. It's right now a big story. It's just a little bit frustrating
because I'm a leader on the team and I want to be on that kind of responsibility".
Washington was down, 3-0, entering the final period, which had the entire arena in shock whether their team could manage a comeback or not and by seeing Ovechkin sitting on the bench, the situation turned into panic.
Capitals head coach, Bruce Boudreau, knew what he was doing and it worked out perfectly in his favour as not only did the team score three straight to force an overtime extension but also win in overtime as Nicklas Backstrom potted the game-winner.
Boudreau knows how Ovechkin plays and admitted that he is the player that always gets the job done, but looking at the situation, it was time to give others a chance at taking on the responsibility and allowing them to be held accountable later on.
"Ninety-nine percent of the time Alex is the first guy I'm looking at", Boudreau said, "but these guys were going pretty good." "All our players - they're all competitive", he added.
Allowing other players to play in key moments will not only build specialised pressure teams to handle the most difficult of tasks, but allow others to show what they are really good at.
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