Fifteen years ago today, Alex Ovechkin gave us another glimpse of just how great of a hockey player he would turn out to be.
During a January 13, 2006, game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Ovechkin scored his first career hat trick, which included the overtime game-winning goal.
The goals gave Ovechkin 30 goals in the first 43 games of his rookie season. It also gave him 12 goals in his last 12 games.
We should have known when Alex Ovechkin injured Capitals’ star rookie goaltender Ilya Samsonov during the morning skate. The Great 8’s shot was heavy and hard on this day and it translated into the game.
In the latter minutes of the third period with the Capitals down 2-1, Ovechkin took over. He scored goals on consecutive shifts to first tie and then give the Caps the lead. Three minutes and 14 seconds later, he added an empty-net goal from way downtown for his 27th career hat trick and his third in six games.
By Ian Oland 2 years ago
Before the bye week, Alex Ovechkin scored hat tricks in consecutive games for the third time in his career. Ovechkin’s first hat trick came in a home game against the New Jersey Devils on January 16. With 4:18 remaining in the third period, Tom Wilson sent a no-look, backhanded pass towards the crease that Ovechkin one-timed home for his third goal of the game. Joyful Capitals fans threw their hats onto the ice.
Members of the Capital One Arena ice crew began collecting the headwear for removal as Ovechkin celebrated. Towards the end of the cleanup, a fancy fedora featuring a bow was thrown onto the ice near the Capitals bench. Referee Chris Schlenker retrieved the oversized hat and handed it to a smirking John Carlson. The Capitals defenseman then plopped it on Braden Holtby’s head. The Holtbeast cheesed before giving the hat to a Capitals staff member behind him.
Video of the moment went viral in Capitals circles online.
Alex Ovechkin had quite a historic game at the old Nassau Coliseum. Ovechkin scored a hat trick in his second consecutive game. The outing was Ovechkin’s third multi-goal game in a row – a new personal record.
After the game, Ovechkin took a photo holding all his milestone pucks from the evening. Ovechkin’s first goal (690) tied Mario Lemieux for 10th on the all-time goals list, the second pushed him past Mario (691), and the third tied him for ninth with Steve Yzerman (692).
Saturday against the New York Islanders, Alex Ovechkin scored a hat trick in his second consecutive game. The hat trick was the 26th of Ovi’s distinguished career since joining the league in 2005-06.
To put that in perspective, ESPN dug up this fact.
Alex Ovechkin will be entering the Capitals’ bye week absolutely on fire.
The Russian machine had his second-straight legendary performance, tallying his second hat trick in as many games. It’s the third straight season Ovechkin has scored consecutive hat tricks (age 32-34 seasons)
With goals 1 and 2, Ovechkin tied and passed Mario Lemieux on the all-time goals list. With the hat trick, Ovi tied Steve Yzerman (692) for ninth all-time.
Folks, we’re likely watching the greatest goalscorer of all-time. Always appreciate this.
By Ian Oland 2 years ago
Early in the first period, Alex Ovechkin absorbed a painful high stick to his mouth from Miles Wood. The Devils forward would later apologize, but the errant stick sent a bloodied Ovechkin to the locker room.
“Obviously, I was a little mad,” Ovechkin said after the game. “It get me going.”
When the Russian machine returned (because he never breaks), he was determined to make the Devils pay. And pay they did.
Ovechkin tallied his 29th and 30th goals in the first period – two revenge goals. And in the third, he scored his 25th career hat trick – the most among all active players – to lead the Capitals to a 5-2 win.
By Ian Oland 2 years ago
With 95 seconds left in Saturday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, Alex Ovechkin’s stat line contained just one goal.
But as soon as Detroit goalie Jonathan Bernier left the ice for an extra skater, Ovechkin entered beast mode, notching two empty-net goals in forty seconds to record his 24th career hat trick — the oddest hat trick of his career.
By Ian Oland 2 years ago
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin did his best to help the Capitals end their longest losing streak in four years.
The Russian machine scored a hat trick against the San Jose Sharks, the 23rd of his career, and registered four points.
Ovi’s third goal came in the third period and gave the Capitals a 6-4 lead. The Caps would lose in overtime 7-6, their sixth-straight loss.
By Ian Oland 3 years ago
Scratch that. Alex Ovechkin is now on pace for 74 goals this season.
After scoring a hat trick against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night, The Great 8 has followed that performance up with a hat trick against the Carolina Hurricanes.
This is insane. Alex Ovechkin has back-to-back hat tricks for a second consecutive season. r u srs bro?
By Ian Oland 3 years ago
