Alex Ovechkin is one of the greatest forwards of all-time. His alter ego, Ovi The Goalie, is no slouch either.
Wednesday, during Team Russia’s 10-0 trouncing of Italy, Ovechkin saved one of his teammates from a potentially gnarly face wound by gloving a stray puck at the bench.
You have to see this.
Video
ICYMI: @Ovi8's split-second reflexes transfer into a glove save on the bench to stop the puck landing in Dadonov's face. #IIHFWorlds@russiahockey @capitals pic.twitter.com/Ucy1xnXSyA
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 15, 2019
The puck went out of play after a pass to the point deflected off Dinar Khafizullin’s stick. The puck ramped up towards Russia’s bench and that’s when Ovi’s arm swooped into action.
Like he’s the terminator or something, Ovechkin grabbed the puck out of mid-air in a machine like fashion.
The best part was the extra mustard Ovechkin put on the follow through of his save, windmilling the puck sassily into his glove like he was Braden Holtby.
I can’t stop watching this.
A thankful Evgenii Dadonov broke into laughter at the bench as did the Team Russia head coach. Ovechkin’s composure in such a situation is likely due to the fact he’s been hit in the face before by a stray puck.
Didn’t even flinch!
Plus, this isn’t the first time Ovi has been a goalie. As a rookie, Ovechkin served as a personal goalie to Graham McPhee, George McPhee’s son, while living at the former GM’s house. He’s also rocked goalie pads at home parties, charity games, and inside the Capitals locker room.