Pittsburgh Penguins' James Neal to replace Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin in NHL All-Star Game
Pittsburgh Penguins’ heated up forward, James Neal, is reported to have been the player that will replace the Washington Capital’s captain and star forward, Alex Ovechkin, in the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star Game, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 29, 2012.
The move was not surprising as Alex Ovechkin has currently been suspended for three-games following his hit on Pittsburgh Penguins’ Zbynek Michalek earlier this week, which fortunately, did not result in any injury on both sides.
After the announcement, it was wondered whether he would be allowed by the league to participate in the contest, but now as the reports have been confirmed, the suspension will stay intact and missing out on the annual All-Star Game, which attracts millions of viewers worldwide, will count in the total amount of games to be missed.
"I love the game", Ovechkin told reporters at the team's practice facility in Arlington, Va. "It's a great event. I'd love to be there, but I'm suspended. I don't want to be a target. I don't feel like I deserve to be there right now. If I'm suspended, I have to be suspended".
It has also been learned that under the league rules, Ovechkin would be allowed to participate in the game, but has opted not going himself to stay out of the limelight, being potentially career threatening for the player.
“My heart is not there”, Ovechkin said. “I got suspended, so why I have to go there?”
Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals superstar player and former top draft pick, has played in 47 games with his team this season for a total point count of 39 (20 goals, 19 assists).
Having Neal on the roster instead of Ovechkin will certainly be exciting as the former has caught fire in the past few contests, ever since Pittsburgh lost their captain, Sidney Crosby, due to his reoccurring concussion issues.
Seeing Neal continue his amazing performance in the mighty All-Star Game, which consists of the top players from around the league will be interesting if he manages to keep the work up, as Ovechkin’s shoes will be no ordinary to fill.
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