Ovechkin's 50th Goal Celebration

[babinator77]

I noticed there was no discussion about the 'contraversial' 50th goal celebration despite a number of articles about whether or not it was appropriate. (feel free to move or close this thread if the mods deem it unnecessary.)

i thought it was great and tend to side with those who consider it good for the sport.

here's ovechkin's take on it. he's priceless (i've put my highlights in bold):

TORONTO - Washington Capitals sniper Alex Ovechkin is making no apologies for the celebration that followed his 50th goal last week.

The Russian star followed through with a plan to put his stick on the ice and pretend to warm his hands over it. It sparked a debate on how far celebrations should go in the sport.

"If you win the lottery -- a million dollars -- you go to the bar and drink a lot," Ovechkin said Tuesday before the Capitals' 3-2 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs. "I scored 50 goals and I just celebrated."

Ovechkin scored the opening goal in a 5-2 victory over the Lightning last Thursday. His celebration was front-page material in sports sections and on websites, a top item on sportscasts and a hot subject on radio phone-in shows.

Some hockey observers think Ovechkin is a breath of fresh air in a sport that could use a little pizzazz. Others think he went too far.

Ovechkin said he didn't mean to disrespect his opponents -- he just loves to score and have fun on the ice.

"It's good for our league, it's good for our fans," Ovechkin said. "Some players are just like robots. They score goals and it's like OK, no emotion, nothing, they basically go OK. You have to show emotion if you're an emotional guy -- show it.

"You don't have to think about if somebody doesn't like it. I don't care about it if somebody (doesn't) like it. I play myself, I enjoy my life, I've enjoyed my whole career. If somebody (doesn't) like it, don't watch my game, don't watch what I'm doing on the ice."

Ovechkin scored his 51st goal against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, and his celebration was far more subdued this time. With 21 seconds left in the second period, Ovechkin cut in from the right wing and effortlessly beat Leafs netminder Martin Gerber. He calmly raised his stick with one hand then pointed skyward with the other as he was congratulated by teammates.

Many NHL players follow the same script after scoring a goal -- raise stick, hug teammates, head to bench for high-fives.

Not Ovechkin.

He seems genuinely thrilled every time he scores. He has been known to jump against the glass, leap into the arms of a teammate, and cup his hand to his ear to generate more cheers from the fans.

However, not everyone was impressed with his display last Thursday.

Tampa Bay coach Rick Tocchet said Ovechkin "went down a notch in my books after that." CBC personality Don Cherry criticized Ovechkin on "Hockey Night in Canada." Ovechkin's teammate Mike Green was on the ice at the time but preferred to watch from a distance.

Others thought it was great to see a player having fun.

"I thought it was awesome," Canadiens forward Georges Laraque said this week. "He's the best player in the world, the most entertaining player the NHL ever had and it's not like it was his 20th goal, it was his 50th goal."

Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau talked to Ovechkin after the game and said the 23-year-old had no idea that people might not like his display.

"He has all these celebrations that no team worries about," Boudreau said. "But when it was something out of the ordinary, somebody might get upset about it even though his thought process wasn't, 'I'm doing this to show you up.' It was, 'I'm doing this to celebrate my 50th goal.' I hope we put that (issue) to bed.

"There was no animosity toward anybody. It was just him being a really emotional, energetic young man."

Boudreau was also asked if he thought Ovechkin was approaching the level of planned celebrations that are often seen in pro football.

"If it was a continued thing, I would say yes," Boudreau said. "But it's a one-time incident. End of story. I would like to see him score another goal and soon. But I don't think he's going to be taking out a pen and writing on his stick and handing it over to (Leafs coach) Ron (Wilson) after he scores. It's the first time he ever did that, so I think we have to cut him a little slack." (i wish he had done that. )

Ovechkin, who won the Hart Trophy as most valuable player last year, had 52 goals as a rookie in 2005-06, 46 in 2006-07 and 65 last season. He is the franchise's first three-time 50-goal scorer.

He said Tuesday that he wasn't bothered by Cherry's comments on his "Coach's Corner" segment. Cherry wasn't over the top with his criticism but did think the celebration was excessive.

"He can say whatever he wants," Ovechkin said. "I think fans love when something is going on around the league. His TV show is very popular, I think, and I like it."

Ovechkin and some teammates got loose before Tuesday's game by playing with a soccer ball outside the locker-room. Ovechkin, showing his sense of humour, was dressed in a "Coach's Corner" T-shirt and "Hockey Night In Canada" boxer shorts. The word "RESPECT" was printed in black letters across the back of the shirt.

Wilson also weighed in on the celebration issue after the Leafs skate.

"I don't think anybody wants to see orchestrated things in this league," he said. "If that's why people watch the NFL, I don't think people are really on to what the NFL is all about, you're not waiting to see what the celebration in the end zone is going to be.

"But seeing how excited he is when he scores, I think we need more people like that. Just the exuberance. He looks like he loves what he's doing. I think that's very important and we need more players like that."

courtesy of tsn

i don't know how anyone can argue he's not good for the league.

as for his goal celebrations...let's not forget he goes equally crazy when a teammate scores.

[FlHabsFan]

I know some fans here were ticked off, but I wouldnt call it a big deal. The guy is 23 and has over 200 goals to his name already. Hes potentially the Brodeur of forwards who when done will probably rewrite the record books for decades. The guy isnt showboating, he is actually thrilled to be this good.

[babinator77]

I know some fans here were ticked off, but I wouldnt call it a big deal. The guy is 23 and has over 200 goals to his name already. Hes potentially the Brodeur of forwards who when done will probably rewrite the record books for decades. The guy isnt showboating, he is actually thrilled to be this good.

i can see how fans would be upset especially if the media is going to compare it to the nfl but i'm with you, three 50 goal seasons, the first to hit the 50 mark this year...if it were me, i'd be celebrating too. and really, fanning a stick that's too hot to hold (lol), is that really showing up the opposition?

you have no heart if you don't show emotion and you're showboating if you do. what's the middle ground?

[BigBADHabs]

I think we should have more celebrations like that it's great to see professionals enjoying what they do and do it with style. Nothing wrong with having fun out there

[Zonave]

overrated. let the man do what he wants, because even if they outlawed his celebrations, his skill and emotion would make it legal, for only him. THe guy is priceless, and you can't change it.

[Kubby31]

I think we should have more celebrations like that it's great to see professionals enjoying what they do and do it with style. Nothing wrong with having fun out there

Exactly ,he's the best/most exciting hockey player to come around in a longgggggggg time.

I am a huge ovie fan,love what he brings to his team & to the NHL.

Just keep bringing it ovie,i for one am loving it all.

This in no way is tarnishing the game,what the heck is all the noise.

I have to admit i am a cherry fan too,but i do not support his views on this topic.

He is the complete package & he brings it everynight,so he can back it up for sure.

GO OVIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[ruuvimeisseli]

I love Ovechkin. He is funny and shows tons of emotion and is not a girl like crosby.

[gracie12]

Hes potentially the Brodeur of forwards who when done will probably rewrite the record books for decades. The guy isnt showboating, he is actually thrilled to be this good.

Not to go off tangent, but I dont think many records are going to be at risk. In order to break Gretzky's single season record (92 goals) Ovechkin would have to add almost 40% to his best ever output. In order to break gretzky's career total for goals (894) Ovechkin will need to score 50 or more goals for the next 13 years...thats a heck of a lot...and there havent been many 36 year olds scoring 50 goals in a season...not to mention that Ovechkin's style of play will likely start to wear him down & take its toll.

Im not saying its not possible, but I think a LOT of things have to come together (health, linemates, league play, consistency) before we can even imagine anyone "rewriting the record book"

As for the celebration itself...I dont have a huge concern over it to be honest it seemed a little silly, but it didnt bother me. Personally i always prefered the kovalev "nod" or the shayne corson 'wrist shake' - seems so much cooler & makes a statement like "yeah, i did it, no big deal" - the jumping around always makes me think of tiger williams where he was like "whoo! I finally scored!!")

[johnnyhab-eo1]

Ovechkin could douse his stick in lighter fluid and torch like Jimi Hendrix torched his Fender Stratocaster if he popped in 50 per season on my team

[LeafHater]

haha i was actually looking for an Ovi celebration thread the other day. didn't know if it was worth starting, but thanks! I think its okay. He likes what he's doing, he's enjoying himself he's allowed to celebrate. The 50th goal one was perhaps a little over the top, but you know what? he probably deserved to have the celebration he wanted and i think it shows his sense of humour. I think different players have different ways of celebrating and we get accustomed to it. but i much much MUCH rather see a player celebrate than one who kind of skates away. Just like we are aloud to give ourselves a pat on the back (ok maybe not litteraly) and a smile if we do something good at our job (if there's team work involved, there may even be some highfives when away from the office). I think his celebrations show that he loves what he's doing.

[bananorange]

I'm all for people celebrating but this was over the top. I understand he scored 50 goals and I know he wants to celebrate but this is the NHL not the NFL. Guys in this league have more CLASS then this. Some of my favourite ones would be Teemu Selanne, Jaromir Jagr and Pavel bure when he scored on that beauty deke and threw his stick and went nuts. Anyways to each his own I guess but to me the NHL has always been the classiest sports league and this even though many of you like it does not belong in this game. If he wants to throw himself into the boards, yell, scream, get hugged by his teamates that's fine, but this is over the top.

On another note I believe Pavel Datsyuk is the best player in the NHL. Maybe not the most exciting but the best alla-round player.

[FlHabsFan]

Actually, celebrating in the nfl gives your team a penalty. Way to suck the fun out of a game.

Ill ask the same question I posed on the lightning board. If this occurred in Washington instead of Tampa, would anyone care?

[babinator77]

Ovechkin could douse his stick in lighter fluid and torch like Jimi Hendrix torched his Fender Stratocaster if he popped in 50 per season on my team

i like boudreau's 'unacceptable' celebration: signing his stick and handing it to the opp's coach.

Actually, celebrating in the nfl gives your team a penalty. Way to suck the fun out of a game.

Ill ask the same question I posed on the lightning board. If this occurred in Washington instead of Tampa, would anyone care?

aside from cherry and tocchet? no. although, the article implies that mike green wasn't too keen on it and yet i read that green, theo and backstrom helped him come up with it.

[gracie12]

Ill ask the same question I posed on the lightning board. If this occurred in Washington instead of Tampa, would anyone care?

Context definitely had something to do with the reactions, yes.

[SteenIsThaFuture]

Actually, celebrating in the nfl gives your team a penalty. Way to suck the fun out of a game.

Ill ask the same question I posed on the lightning board. If this occurred in Washington instead of Tampa, would anyone care?

Or even a better question, if Ryan Malone did this in Tampa, what would the reaction be?

[Bourne]

I loved it myself and the NHL really needs to lay off this gentlemanly nonsense. Ovechkin and his antics is the type of player that will put butts in the seat, to quote an old wrestling announcer. He is exciting, passionate and above all an absolute blast to watch. Who cares if he overcelebrates his goals? Leave the man do celebrate however he chooses; personally I would love to see more emotion showed around the league after a scoring. You have Crosby at times looking as if someone just shot his puppy with a rifle after he scores.

When will the NHL learn Ovechkin is their golden boy and cease their love affair with Crosby? Even Malkin is more of a marketable player because he shows passion, which Crosby lacks at times.

[SteenIsThaFuture]

I loved it myself and the NHL really needs to lay off this gentlemanly nonsense. Ovechkin and his antics is the type of player that will put butts in the seat, to quote an old wrestling announcer. He is exciting, passionate and above all an absolute blast to watch. Who cares if he overcelebrates his goals? Leave the man do celebrate however he chooses; personally I would love to see more emotion showed around the league after a scoring. You have Crosby at times looking as if someone just shot his puppy with a rifle after he scores.

When will the NHL learn Ovechkin is their golden boy and cease their love affair with Crosby? Even Malkin is more of a marketable player because he shows passion, which Crosby lacks at times.

The problem is not that the NHL is naive, its their targeted market. Listen nearly EVERY intelligent NHL fan will tell you they would watch Ovie over Crosby any freaking day of the week, however that is not the issue.

Its the NON-informed fanbase which is causing it. Look you have barely watched a sport, you are midly informed about the players and it and may or may not know the rules and team names, you see two guys. One is a North American and the other is Russian, as a North-American, without seeing these guys and being able to analyze them fairly for a decent period of time, whats your gut reaction to who you prefer intially?

North Americans like seeing North Americans, the casual fan doesn't care about Russians IF they know nothing in-depth about them. People fall in love with Ovechkin when they have the chance to watch him play, but for a 5 second TV ad or for a poster, hes not in the right marketplace for his face to draw appeal.

Its a shame because he has the swagger, he has the personality, he has the talent and he makes people awe, just the market is biased towards nationalities.

[gracie12]

Its the NON-informed fanbase which is causing it. Look you have barely watched a sport, you are midly informed about the players and it and may or may not know the rules and team names, you see two guys. One is a North American and the other is Russian, as a North-American, without seeing these guys and being able to analyze them fairly for a decent period of time, whats your gut reaction to who you prefer intially?

And thats not taking into account Crosby's photogenic quality vs Ovechkin's mangled up mug.

[babinator77]

North Americans like seeing North Americans, the casual fan doesn't care about Russians IF they know nothing in-depth about them. People fall in love with Ovechkin when they have the chance to watch him play, but for a 5 second TV ad or for a poster, hes not in the right marketplace for his face to draw appeal.

i disagree. do you mean in hockey? in sports? i don't care where the best players in any given sport are from, just that they're the best especially if i don't know the sport.

but the sports i like are mostly international sports - f1, tennis and hockey so maybe i'm the exception. i don't know.

[SteenIsThaFuture]

i disagree. do you mean in hockey? in sports? i don't care where the best players in any given sport are from, just that they're the best especially if i don't know the sport.

but the sports i like are mostly international sports - f1, tennis and hockey so maybe i'm the exception. i don't know.

As a casual fan who do you think people preferred watching? Agassi and Sampras or Nadal? All 3 are very very entertaining players but if they knew very very little about them what do you think they'll choose as an American?

[babinator77]

As a casual fan who do you think people preferred watching? Agassi and Sampras or Nadal? All 3 are very very entertaining players but if they knew very very little about them what do you think they'll choose as an American?

is it an american thing? i'd choose federer and nadal over sampras and agassi (i find them more interesting to watch) but roddick has a huge following (and countless endorsements) despite the fact that he hasn't accomplished anything close to any of those guys. simply, he's marketable so i see your point. tennis is an interesting example because it's a travelling sport so i can see why in north america we'd see americans promoted moreso than other athletes, like nadal who is promoted a great deal in spain.

canada goes to so much trouble to promote hockey as part of the culture that i guess it becomes ingrained in us to root for canadian players/teams even at the expense of americans. how many people have tried to argue the habs need more canadians (not just french canadians) on our team? i'm just not one of them. in some way it makes sense but would canadians be as excited about crosby if he was american?

[Bourne]

The problem is not that the NHL is naive, its their targeted market. Listen nearly EVERY intelligent NHL fan will tell you they would watch Ovie over Crosby any freaking day of the week, however that is not the issue.

Its the NON-informed fanbase which is causing it. Look you have barely watched a sport, you are midly informed about the players and it and may or may not know the rules and team names, you see two guys. One is a North American and the other is Russian, as a North-American, without seeing these guys and being able to analyze them fairly for a decent period of time, whats your gut reaction to who you prefer intially?

North Americans like seeing North Americans, the casual fan doesn't care about Russians IF they know nothing in-depth about them. People fall in love with Ovechkin when they have the chance to watch him play, but for a 5 second TV ad or for a poster, hes not in the right marketplace for his face to draw appeal.

Its a shame because he has the swagger, he has the personality, he has the talent and he makes people awe, just the market is biased towards nationalities.

While I see your point, I disagree myself. When I became a fan of the NHL my favorite player quickly became Saku Koivu because of his passion and determination, with admittedly some bias as I was a Habs fan. I also thought Huet was the better part of awesome and still love the guy.

I believe if the NHL properly marketed Ovechkin and encouraged his antics, people would not give a damn where he was from, just that he is an absolute blast to watch. Show Ovechkin scoring a goal in commercials, sell the game as high pace, quick action and it will attract people. Of course in the Bettman world, this goes overhead with the fools notion Europeans cannot draw. If Crosby was a true market golden boy, why hasn't he drawn in crowds?

It is a shame the NHL has no idea how to market itself properly. I say give New York management control of marketing, they seemed to be pretty damn good at marketing themselves before the league stepped in.