Alexander is 'Greater' than Sid
Alex Falk
Issue date: 10/9/09 Section: Sports
In this new age of NHL hockey, there are two household names. One, Stanley Cup champion Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, or "Sid the Kid." The other is back-to-back Hart Trophy winner Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, or "Ovie."
There is one difference between the two "saviors of hockey." Fans appear to like one much more than the other.
Both players are extremely talented in their own right. Unfortunately for Crosby, he has seemingly decided to stray away from the physical aspect of the game.
Last year, Ovechkin scored a total of 56 goals and chipped in 54 assists to notch his second straight MVP trophy. Crosby scored 33 goals and had 70 assists.
Those are two skilled athletes to say the least.
The only problem is that the authentic fan does not care all that much about high assist numbers and lack of physical play.
Today's fans want to see flashy goals and gritty play.
By that example, you can understand why Ovechkin is better liked than Crosby.
The fact is, because of Crosby's hesitance to play physically, fans see him as a soft player, while fans see Ovechkin as a more complete player.
Ovechkin scores, sometimes on all fours. He passes and makes his teammates look better than they actually are. Finally, he defends his teammates' honor with his physical play.
Although Crosby had more penalty minutes this past season, fans see him as more of a chippy player, with penalties like hooks, slashes, tripping, etc. Yes, he is very talented, but the difference is Ovechkin is surrounded by role players that depend on him.
Crosby, on the other hand, has his running mate, Evgeni Malkin, who had 113 points last season and could be mentioned in the same breath as Ovechkin and Crosby as one of the league's top performers.
It seems that, because Ovechkin has to do it all himself, he literally does it all by himself. Conversely, Crosby does not have to put everything on his shoulders because of his legitimate supporting cast.
Now obviously this hasn't had too much of an effect on Crosby, considering as how the Penguins have Lord Stanley's Cup, but I suspect that with Ovechkin's level of play, his Cup is not too far ahead.
So, fans like Ovechkin because he always steps up to the challenge, whereas Crosby doesn't have to because he doesn't feel the need.
Another aspect of Crosby that seems to have people ticked is that before he even won a Cup, he was drafted first overall in 2005, thrust into stardom and crowned "the savior of hockey."
Alternatively, Ovechkin was drafted first overall in 2004 and everyone knew he was extremely talented, but he still had to earn his stardom, and he earned it in a way that fans respect him for.
So Ovechkin earns what he gets, and Crosby is given what he has.
Bottom line: Ovechkin never backs down; Crosby does.
There is one difference between the two "saviors of hockey." Fans appear to like one much more than the other.
Both players are extremely talented in their own right. Unfortunately for Crosby, he has seemingly decided to stray away from the physical aspect of the game.
Last year, Ovechkin scored a total of 56 goals and chipped in 54 assists to notch his second straight MVP trophy. Crosby scored 33 goals and had 70 assists.
Those are two skilled athletes to say the least.
The only problem is that the authentic fan does not care all that much about high assist numbers and lack of physical play.
Today's fans want to see flashy goals and gritty play.
By that example, you can understand why Ovechkin is better liked than Crosby.
The fact is, because of Crosby's hesitance to play physically, fans see him as a soft player, while fans see Ovechkin as a more complete player.
Ovechkin scores, sometimes on all fours. He passes and makes his teammates look better than they actually are. Finally, he defends his teammates' honor with his physical play.
Although Crosby had more penalty minutes this past season, fans see him as more of a chippy player, with penalties like hooks, slashes, tripping, etc. Yes, he is very talented, but the difference is Ovechkin is surrounded by role players that depend on him.
Crosby, on the other hand, has his running mate, Evgeni Malkin, who had 113 points last season and could be mentioned in the same breath as Ovechkin and Crosby as one of the league's top performers.
It seems that, because Ovechkin has to do it all himself, he literally does it all by himself. Conversely, Crosby does not have to put everything on his shoulders because of his legitimate supporting cast.
Now obviously this hasn't had too much of an effect on Crosby, considering as how the Penguins have Lord Stanley's Cup, but I suspect that with Ovechkin's level of play, his Cup is not too far ahead.
So, fans like Ovechkin because he always steps up to the challenge, whereas Crosby doesn't have to because he doesn't feel the need.
Another aspect of Crosby that seems to have people ticked is that before he even won a Cup, he was drafted first overall in 2005, thrust into stardom and crowned "the savior of hockey."
Alternatively, Ovechkin was drafted first overall in 2004 and everyone knew he was extremely talented, but he still had to earn his stardom, and he earned it in a way that fans respect him for.
So Ovechkin earns what he gets, and Crosby is given what he has.
Bottom line: Ovechkin never backs down; Crosby does.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
diane
posted 10/10/09 @ 7:01 PM EST
Ovechkin doesn't know how to adjust his game for the post-season. Sid is happy with the big, silver award called Stanley!
Corvus
posted 10/11/09 @ 9:38 AM EST
It's a shame philadelphia hockey fans were raised thinking the broad street bullies are what hockey is all about. Listening to flyers fans yell Crosby sucks for 3 hours is kinda a funny when you think of how long it's been since the flyers have won an important hockey game. (Continued…)
VAHockeyFan
posted 10/12/09 @ 12:41 PM EST
Ahhh....seriously? Do you even watch hockey? Have you ever seen the physical punishment laid on Crosby every time he plays? And, he gives it right back. (Continued…)
Eric Skjeveland
posted 10/13/09 @ 4:38 PM EST
You can't possible be this naive.
Marc Weissman
posted 10/26/09 @ 10:29 AM EST
Here Here - well said - Ovie does it by himself - no Malkin - no Fleury in net. Without those two, who knows how much Crosby would be held in check by opposing teams. (Continued…)
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