Oleksy in his NHL debut. (Photo credit: Patrick McDermott)
Down 3-0 after the first period, Caps prospect Steve Oleksy– playing in his first NHL game— made a veteran move along the boards. Instead of a more conservative block, Oleksy took a swing at Zdeno Chara‘s clearing attempt– sending the puck towards Boston’s net. That’s where Alex Ovechkin caught it and fed a no-look cross-crease pass to Mike Ribeiro, who sent the puck home. Oleksy’s move caught the Bruins off-guard, making the goal possible.
That goal started the Caps’ comeback, and it was also Oleksy’s first NHL point. His parents, Andy and Sue, attended the game after making an eleven-hour drive from their home in Michigan.
While Oleksy may not have the physicality of Mike Green or Dmitry Orlov, he plays a bold game while limiting his mistakes. Against the Bruins on Tuesday, the Chesterfield, Michigan native had two shots, two hits, and three blocked shots in 10:05 of playing time.
Steve Oleksy playing like an AHL’er thatwants to be full-time NHL’er. Playing physical, jumping into play & shooting every chance
— Alan May (@MayHockeyCSN) March 6, 2013
Agreed.
Photos
Olesky’s huge first period hit on Shawn Thornton.
Oleksy is interviewed by Al Koken during the second intermission.
Oleksy and Kundratek pose with their milestone pucks. (Photo via Capitals Instagram)
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