SUNRISE, Florida –
Once you’ve scored the second most goals in NHL history, it’s clear that you’re allowed to put a guest on the ice for an all-star Skill competition.
That’s why there are two Washington No 8 jerseys on Friday night.
Capitals star Alex Ovechkin was in the match against his Metropolitan Team teammates – and his oldest child, 4-year-old Sergei.
Sergei, named after Ovechkin’s late brother, is wearing an Ovi Jr. The boy has built a following in recent weeks, after scoring a goal in Caps practice in December and playing a role in helping the Washington crowd celebrate his father’s 800th goal.
It was Ovi Jr.’s first chance. when participating in the All-Star weekend. His father hasn’t been on the All-Star since 2018, either because of COVID-19 or an injury. The last time his dad played in an All-Star event, Sergei still hadn’t been born.
Alex Ovechkin has 812 goals. He’s only followed Wayne Gretzky’s 894 in NHL history.
And later in the night, Ovi Jr. stood in the middle of a line with his father and the great Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh. They each had an assist for a goal Sergei scored — beating Roberto Luongo, the Florida great who retired for the All-Star weekend.
Ovechkin said after his son scored: “I think he really liked it.”
WELCOME HOME, LU
Luongo has to enter another All-Star competition.
In a building with a banner bearing his No. 1 shirt — he’s the only former Panthers player to have that distinction — Luongo was a famous goalkeeper in the Breakaway Challenge in the Competition skills on Friday night.
He parried his lone shot in the breakaway, before a save by Toronto’s Mitch Marner. On one hand, Marner is the top scorer for the Maple Leafs this season. On the other hand, he is also wearing a white suit, sunglasses and a light blue “Miami Vice” themed T-shirt.
Luongo, who was honored by chants of “Luuuuu” from Florida fans throughout the night, passed the challenge. Marner tried to beat him with the gauntlet, but Luongo had enough force to block — then lunged forward to cover the rebound, a smile visible through his mask. ta.
“You’ve come too close,” Luongo told Marner.
Luongo later told ESPN during a telecast of the event that “this is my home. This is my home right here. Wrinkles are my home.”
Luongo’s pads pay tribute to his career — the design depicts his time as a member of the Panthers and Vancouver Canucks. They are a gift from CCM because he created the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“I have never worn pads since I retired,” says Luongo. “The first time I wore them was this week. Feels pretty good.”
He also participated and scored a goal in a game against the Florida alumni on Wednesday night. But if there were more games for alumni, Luongo suggested he could return to the network.
Luongo said: “Tonight, I recalled some good memories of being in the green paint, listening to the chanting. “Perhaps one day we’ll hear them again.”
REMEMBER JIMMY
Sergei Ovechkin – who hit an empty net during the pause in skill events – is not the only kid with great night vision.
Philadelphia forward Kevin Hayes was accompanied by his 3-year-old grandson Beau during the All-Star weekend. Beau’s father is Jimmy Hayes, brother of Kevin Hayes.
Jimmy Hayes was 31 years old when he died in 2021 with fentanyl and cocaine in his system. He has played for four NHL teams, including Florida.
Kevin Hayes was part of the All-Star weekend for the first time.
GREAT
“The Star-Spangled Banner” was performed by the South Florida Boys’ Choir, and the group crushed it — never mind that the crowd, representing a number of different fan groups, would scream a specific terms for their teams at various points in the performance. lyrics.
Florida fans shouted along with “red” and “Knight,” a nod to one of the team’s primary colors, the other to goalkeeper Spencer Knight. There was also some shouting from other fan groups; For example, some fans of St. Louis sang “home of the Blues” instead of “home of the brave” to end the song.
And “O Canada” performer Hannah Walpole also got some screams when she sang, especially when she got to the “true North” part of those lyrics – which is often heard at games. Winnipeg.
Touch Pen
Cale Makar, defending champion Conn Smythe Trophy from Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche, was the first to enter the Fastest Skate event — the opening competition of the night. He fell on the second turn. … Tampa Bay’s Pat Maroon, one of the event’s broadcasters, reported that he was “freezing” from working on ice. “I’m used to dressing up,” said Maroon, who wore a blazer and open shirt Friday night. … A big hit for those used to the usual colors of FLA Live Arena – and basically all other hockey arenas – is the blue of the sea water used for the game. blue lines and folds. The opposite dots at the circles at either end of the ice are not the standard solid red this weekend, but are instead an image of the sun.
