The Caps are in a familiar position. Wednesday, Washington will play its 10th Game Seven in the Alex Ovechkin era.
It’s been 10 years since the first Game Seven Ovechkin played. Tuesday, he was asked if he remembered the game. And, boy, did he.
Video
#Caps captain Alex Ovechkin talks with the media as the team arrives in Tampa for Game 7 against the Lightning. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/bJxHFgxkk8
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 22, 2018
“Yeah, against Philly. Against the referee,” Ovechkin said. “Jesus, what they’re doing still. Make mistake and it cost us the game. Nothing you can do with that.”
Ovechkin sounds mildly traumatized. But he has more than a valid reason in this case.
After a Philadelphia chance with the score tied 1-1 in the second period, Flyers forward Patrick Thoresen ran over Caps defenseman Shaone Morrisonn, who, in turn, cleared Washington goalie Cristobal Huet out of the crease. That contact left the net wide open for Sami Kapanen, who easily hit the target to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead.
An Ovechkin goal would level the score, but suspect officiating would cost the Capitals yet again. In overtime, Caps defenseman Tom Poti took a ticky-tack tripping penalty in the neutral zone. Joffrey Lupul would pot the goal that sent Philadelphia to the second round on the ensuing power play.
The missed goaltender interference is at 2:30. The Poti trip is at 4:45.
“It’s disappointing, it’s devastating,” forward Brooks Laich said at the time. “I don’t know what to say. I think we’re all kind of stunned right now.”
A decade later, Ovechkin still isn’t over it.
Headline photo: @Capitals
