Over the course of his long career in the NHL, Alexander Ovechkin scored hundreds of goals, some of which have gone down in league history forever. One of the goals of the Russian striker turned out to be so spectacular that it was sold on sports sites even though it was ultimately canceled. Then, 12 years ago, the hockey player showed real heroic strength during the match – and, together with the puck, sent the gate … of his opponent.

Ovi could have scored the craziest goal of the season!

Goal that could have been decisive

The 2009/10 season was a disappointment for Washington, although the Caps had a lot of hopes. They won the President’s Trophy, which is awarded to the best team at the end of the regular season, but were unexpectedly eliminated in the playoffs in the first round, losing to Montreal. The Canadians were only eighth in the East and paired with Washington were clear outsiders.

Alexander Ovechkin / Photo: © Karl Gehring / Contributor / Denver Post / Gettyimages.com

Nevertheless, the Canadiens miraculously pulled the series from a 1-3 score by defeating Ovechkin’s team in seven games. The Russian captain was active during the confrontation, scored five goals, but the efforts of one superstar were not enough for the final victory. Especially when her goals are cancelled.

The puck, which could have been decisive in the seventh match, was thrown by Ovechkin in the middle of the third period with the score 1:0 in favor of Montreal. He scored with a branded wrist kick from the left circle, but the referee recorded an interference with the goalkeeper in the goalkeeper’s area. This decision caused an uproar from the Caps, in particular from coach Bruce Boudreau, who revisited the moment several times.

Bruce Boudreau / Photo: © David S. Holloway / Contributor / Getty Images News / Gettyimages.ru

It is difficult to convict him of bias – the cancellation and TSN columnist Bob McKenzie were surprised, and Washington forward Mike Knuble, who allegedly interfered with Carey Price, said that he was not within the goalkeeper’s area. Nevertheless, the referee whistled a violation, which he could miss if he wanted.

“Nuclear Eruption”

This Ovi goal was arguably the most important of the season Washington wanted to win. However, it was far from the first canceled puck in his career. And also in that season. And even against Montreal.

But the previous missed goal was so epic that, if the puck had been credited, it would have definitely entered the ratings of the craziest in NHL history.

The meeting, in which Ovi once again distinguished himself, was held in February of the same year. “Washington” came to the away game in Montreal. The opponents were on a roll, the pucks were pouring out of the bucket. The first period ended with the score 1:1, the second – 5:2 in favor of the hosts.

In the middle of the second twenty-minute period, Knuble, the same forward who did not count Ovi’s decisive goal in the playoffs, struck a shot at Price’s goal. Canadiens defender Hal Gill rushed to the aid of his goalkeeper. He did not see that the Russian captain of the “Washingon” was already rushing in front of him. Ovechkin was not going to take the puck away from Gill just like that – he demolished a 110-kilogram defender, who, protecting the puck, flew right into Price with it and, as a result, into the Montreal goal. “Washington” abandoned, Ovi rushed to celebrate, and the same TSN columnist described the situation as a “nuclear explosion.”

Alexander Ovechkin / Photo: © Karl Gehring / Contributor / Denver Post / Gettyimages.com

Later, the goal was canceled, and this time it was difficult to argue with such a decision. The meeting ended with the victory of “Montreal” in overtime (6:5), but I remember it with an amazing power, which only a real hockey hero can do. As Mackenzie said: “Ovechkin is not a man, but a robot.”