Light the Torch – Beijing Olympics and Other Olympic News

Ovechkin and Crosby, Reluctant Rivals

by Sasha Manuel on May 12th, 2006

Alexander Ovechkin is Russian. Sidney Crosby is Canadian. What do they have in common? Hockey and NHL for starters.

The former plays for Washington Capitals and the latter for Pittsburgh Penguins. Both are contenders for the NHL rookie of the year.

If you’re big on this scene, you would’ve heard of the Ovechkin-Crosby debate, which is over an intrigue as to whose fresh face to put to the league’s new, carefully crafted image.

Does that face, though, belong to Crosby, the polished, media-savvy, all-Canadian boy, or Ovechkin, the edgy Russian with the smoky visor and a Darth Vader-like nasty streak?

I reckon they’re having this ongoing rivalry since the article something about their stats.

Ovechkin staked his claim to rookie honours by becoming just the fourth player in NHL history to score 50 goals in his debut campaign; the 18-year-old Crosby countered by becoming the youngest player to score 100 points when he tallied 39 goals and 63 assists.

Hmmm. Interesting.

Both Hockey players are stars in the NHL. Playing in the international scene is optional but beneficial. But since the Capitals and Penguins failed to qualify for the post-season, both are available for National Team duty. So, off they go to their respective countries and represent in the world championship stage.

While dodging rivalry questions thrown his way, Ovechkin works on upping his game and making use of the international exposure to develop his skills in preparation for the Stanley Cup.

It’ll be the same for Crosby since on top of the Cup, he is also expected to take a leadership role when Canada hosts the 2010 Winter Olympics.

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POSTED IN: Ice Hockey, Light the Torch, Olympic News, Vancouver 2010