Washington Capitals’ left wing Alex Ovechkin accepts coach Dale Hunter’s choice of benching him
Washington Capitals’ left wing, Alex Ovechkin, said to be pleased with leaving the decision of benching him in the game against the Boston Bruins on Thursday, April 19, 2012, to the wisdom of coach, Dale Hunter, but admitted he wanted to be on the ice.
Ovechkin returned to be on the sidelines for almost the entire game, which Capitals won, 2-1, and the coach said that the decision was made as per his game plans, warranting him to bench the player.
Ovechkin was given the opportunity to take the ice for just 15 seconds into the concluding period of the game.
The player said:
"It doesn't matter how many minutes I play. Of course I want to be there, but it's his decision."
The coach explained the situation by pointing out that certain Bruins lines were out on the ice.
Hunter did not detail out the plan in clear terms, but it looked to be the concern for safety of the winger most important factor behind his move.
He said:
"At the end of the game there, you've got your shot-blockers out there, and you want your best players blocking shots, but your offensive guys, you don't want them breaking a foot, either.”
Ovechkin apparently did not find himself comfortable with the decision, but did not have another choice than to accept it without much protest.
However, some of other players of the team have refused to appreciate the wisdom of the coach behind the move.
They did not see any threat coming to the player when he was out on the ice for only a brief period of time.
Capitals’ forward, Troy Brouwer, said:
"Just because he's not on the ice, doesn't mean he's not a big part of the team. He's paid to score goals. He's here to score goals, and make sure we're in games and giving ourselves a chance to win games.”
Their concerns are graver due to the fact that the team had only one goal lead to protect, which luckily they were successful to do. Otherwise, the role of the players like Ovechkin would have become more crucial.
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