Worlds: Ovechkin Rushes to Join Russia for Semi against USA

Published on 15-May-2015 by J Square Humboldt

NHL    NHL Daily Update

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Worlds: Ovechkin Rushes to Join Russia for Semi against USA

Say this about the dude: he answers the call.

With the Washington Capitals eliminated from Stanley Cup competition in a gut-wrenching Game 7 decided in overtime, Alex Ovechkin and everyone else on that roster could be excused for easing into the off-season to decompress.

But that's not how this Crushin' Russian is wired.

He immediately made arrangements and scooted to Prague, where his available countrymen have advanced to the IIHF World Championship semi-finals after bouncing Sweden in the quarters:

And it just so happens that Russia's meeting the United States to determine who gets the trip to the title game.

For a moment or two, it almost didn't look that way:

The semi-final pairing will be a rematch of a pool-play clash that the USA picked off by a 4-2 count. The Russian contingent has had the likes of Evgeni Malkin and Viktor Tarasenko for the duration, but the addition of Ovechkin will clearly add more pop.

Expect him to see serious minutes from Seth Jones, who also jetted to Prague as soon as the Chicago Blackhawks eliminated his Nashville Predators. The Worlds had yet to begin, so he's seen action in all eight American games.

As much as Ovechkin and Jones have seen of each other, there shouldn't be any secrets by now. But it pays to be thorough.