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Clean sweep for Ovechkin
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A year to remember for the Capitals had one more memorable moment in store at the NHL Awards ceremony in Toronto last night.
Star left wing Alex Ovechkin won both the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league’s most valuable player, and the Pearson Award, given by the NHL players themselves to the league’s most outstanding performer.
And Caps coach Bruce Boudreau had an emotional night in his hometown. The 53-year-old Toronto native, a career minor-league coach who earned his first shot when the Caps hired him on an interim basis on Thanksgiving Day, was presented with the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year.
“A year ago I never would have thought that I’d be up here,” Boudreau said on the live television broadcast from the Elgin Theatre.
The Caps were 37-17-7, won the Southeast Division title and made the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in five years after Boudreau’s hiring from the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears. He is just the second Caps coach to win the Jack Adams, joining Bryan Murray (1984).
Ovechkin had already earned the Maurice Richard (most goals-65) and Art Ross (most points-112) trophies at the conclusion of the regular season. He becomes the first NHL player to win all four major trophies in one season and the first Caps player to win either the Hart or the Pearson.
At just 22, Ovechkin also is the first Washington, D.C. pro athlete to win an MVP award in any of the four historic North American sports — football, basketball, baseball and hockey — since Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann in 1983. In MLS, D.C. United has had three players win league MVP, including forward Luciano Emilio last year.
Caps 20-year-old rookie center Nicklas Backstrom was a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL rookie of the year. Backstrom led all NHL rookies with 55 assists and scored 14 goals. The Calder went to Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane.
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well... really good post! said:
well... really good post!
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
zjirk nriakvgu said:
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zjirk nriakvgu said:
tirhv diob sonjfkdt eaixkspl lyjx gcymsk pvsijanqx
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Examiner Reader said:
Backstom was the 4th overall pick not the 6th.
6 agree | 4 disagree
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The Caps are coming!!! beware said:
They will win their last two games, count on it.
10 agree | 5 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Yes, the Caps did play a heck of a game, and they DID win in OT picking up 2 huge points. After such a horrible start it is truly amazing how they have rebounded to be in this position under Coach Boudreau. Let's Go Caps!!
7 agree | 7 disagree
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Photo Caption said:
Since when did Alex Ovechkin change his number to #15 and drop his visor?!?! That's Boyd Gordon in that photo, numbnuts.
11 agree | 10 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Heck of a game, shame they didn't win in overtime. A point is a point though. Chris
70 agree | 85 disagree
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