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Ovechkin within reach of Gretzky’s all-time goal record: ‘Incredible what he’s doing’

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Alex Ovechkin has filled the net through 19 breathtaking NHL seasons.

From acrobatic, highlight-reel moments to his patented one-timer every opponent knows is coming — but often can’t stop — the colourful, bulldozing Washington Capitals winger with a unique style has done it his way.

And the 2024-25 campaign could see him eclipse a mark once thought untouchable.

Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record.

“It’s pretty cool,” said Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, a longtime division rival. “Incredible what he’s doing.”

Ovechkin sits just 41 goals shy of the Great One’s tally of 894 heading into the new schedule.

The 39-year-old Russian has nine separate 50-goal seasons — including the 65 he scored in 2007-08 — and has hit at least 40 an eye-popping 13 times.

His career has also included the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign and two pandemic-stunted seasons. If not for those stoppages, Ovechkin might have already surpassed Gretzky.

Washington defenceman John Carlson said even when his captain was filling the net at a lightning-quick pace, the record didn’t feel attainable.

“Never seemed like he would ever get that close,” Carlson said at the recent NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas. “Just incredible that we’re even here. Certainly a monumental player.

“It’s been fun to watch.”

Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Jaccob Slavin has battled Ovechkin through the years as another division foe. It was the superstar with 853 regular-season goals to his name who provided Slavin with his welcome-to-the-NHL moment as a rookie.

“It was 19 seconds in,” Slavin recalled of a particular exhibition game etched in his memory. “I had a terrible gap, and he just absolutely turned me inside out. Then as he goes by me, I get my stick between his legs, and I try to reach back, and I kind of corkscrew him. He falls, shoots and scores.

“I’m just like, ‘Seriously?’ I witnessed it firsthand.”

Ovechkin appeared to possibly be slowing down when he scored just 33 times in 2016-17, but responded with 148 goals over the next three seasons.

He registered his ninth 50-goal showing in 2021-22 and 42 the following season — when he eclipsed Gordie Howe’s 801 to move into second place behind Gretzky — before finding the back of the net 31 times last season.

There’s of course a chance Ovechkin, who led Washington to its only Stanley Cup in 2018, doesn’t reach Gretzky’s mark in 2024-25.

But the league is ready if it happens.

“Some people have suggested that because Alex is Russian that somehow this should be marginalized,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in reference to the ongoing war in Ukraine and Ovechkin’s past links to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We couldn’t disagree more with that. He’s been a terrific ambassador for our game for 20 years now. His enthusiasm for the game and passion for the game is infectious.

“He’s done a lot to lift the tide for the league and for all players during his tenure. It’s something, definitely, we want to celebrate.”

The league’s new generation grew up watching Ovechkin dominate. Now they’re getting an up-close look at his pursuit of history.

“It’s a lot of goals,” said 19-year-old Chicago Blackhawks centre Connor Bedard, born a few months before Ovechkin made his NHL debut in 2005. “Since I’ve been watching hockey, he’s been one of the more marquee guys. Every year it seems like he’s finding a way to put it in the net.

“I don’t think it’ll be that long until he breaks it.”

Dallas Stars centre Wyatt Johnston pointed out Ovechkin has been besting NHL goaltenders since the now-21-year-old was in preschool.

“Really fun player to watch, just how dynamic he is,” Johnston said. “A different level of me being star-struck … dominating the league for (basically) my whole life.

“Being able to play against him and seeing him get close to that record is really cool.”

Ovechkin, in short, is approaching a high-water mark few ever thought attainable.

“I feel pretty grateful to be part of that,” Crosby said. “As a player, you want to compete at the highest level, and to be in that conversation with him over the years, I hope that we’ve got the best out of each other.

“Hopefully we’ve got some strong years left here.”

And for Ovechkin, at least 42 more goals

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PWHL MVP Spooner set to miss start of season for Toronto Sceptres due to knee injury

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TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.

The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.

She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.

Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.

Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.

The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

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AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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