Miles Wood’s favorite player growing up was Alex Ovechkin. He even got an autograph from Ovechkin after a game in December 2016 as a rookie. Thursday, Wood nearly altered his idol’s face forever.
5:59 into the first period, Wood skated by Ovechkin for a shift change. As the Devils forward skated by Ovechkin, he high-sticked him directly in the face.
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Ovi went to the locker room after taking this harsh stick to the face #CapsDevils pic.twitter.com/k3QJxNsuvF
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 17, 2020
Ovechkin returned to the bench bleeding profusely from the mouth. With blood staining his teeth, the Russian machine screamed at an official demanding a penalty.
"Nobody makes me bleed my own blood." Ovechkin, probably… #Capitals #ALLCAPS @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/lvjzpv4K7K
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) January 17, 2020
Ovechkin went to the locker room for repairs but returned with 10:55 left in the first period, missing only 3:06 of actual game time.
It’s unclear if Wood’s high stick was intentional or not, but the Capitals certainly wanted revenge.
Radko Gudas tried to fight the Devils forward on the very next shift, but Wood declined the invite. Later, Garnet Hathaway gave Wood a stern talking to while Tom Wilson took a two-minute minor for interference, after checking the Devils forward into the boards late.
Ovechkin ultimately had the last laugh and got revenge himself, scoring his 29th and 30th goals of the season late in the period.
Just another Thursday at the office @ovi8 pic.twitter.com/YXDIScWYKr
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 17, 2020
Cue Shake, Rattle & Roll 🎶 pic.twitter.com/rInhZVgwIW
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 17, 2020
What a legend. Russian machine never breaks.
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Devils
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington
