ESPN released a trailer for their upcoming E:60 feature airing Sunday at 7 pm on ESPN2 and it hits close to home for Capitals fans. The episode will document the Hershey Bears’ recent world record-breaking Teddy Bear Toss.
Hershey Bears fans threw an insane 45,650 stuffed animals onto the ice for charity, one of which actually knocked my phone out of my hand at ice level.
ESPN released a new feature for E:60, focused on Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, titled The Great 8. The Washington Capitals posted it on their social media channels late Thursday night.
The feature was hosted by former Capitals beat writer for the Washington Post, Rachel Nichols, who is now one of the biggest sports journalists in the world for ESPN. Using a 2009 E:60 feature she did with Ovechkin as a foundation, Nichols’ feature weaves through footage between 2009 and now to play up Ovechkin’s greatness (similar to old Michael Jordan videos) and his growth as a hockey player and person through a narrative-driven story.
There’s not much new in this 10-minute clip that hardcore Capitals fans haven’t seen or don’t already know. But it’s still mandatory viewing. The feature is a joy to watch as it highlights Ovechkin’s greatest hits and relives the team’s 2018 Stanley Cup championship. Nichols is an excellent storyteller and reporter and ESPN’s editing and video presentation is second to none.
One of the most interesting things we learn in the clip is that Ovechkin has never watched Game Five back, the night the Capitals beat the Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup Final, and he can’t remember holding up the Stanley Cup for the first time.
“Tough memories because it’s erased,” Ovechkin said. “I was so excited, I can’t remember basically nothing. Just blackout. When you watch the video, you watch the highlights, I never watch the game (back) yet. Um, because, I don’t know, maybe one day. That game was probably the biggest game of my life.”
