The regular season of the National Hockey League was interrupted for several days for one of the main sporting events of the year - the NHL All-Star Game.
This time it takes place in Florida, and players and their families can sunbathe on the beach between official events, which, of course, adds positive emotions to everyone.
The goalkeeper of the Tampa tournament host Andrey Vasilevsky applied a beautiful airbrush with views of Miami to his helmet, and another Russian Alexander Ovechkin does not hide the joy of participating in the weekend.
The last time the captain of "Washington" went on the ice in the All-Star Game in 2018, after which he missed three games, although he was invariably chosen for the Capital Division team.
The most offensive reason was last year — COVID-19.
But the hockey player is happy, first of all, because he was able to please his eldest son Sergei, who dreamed of being at the All-Star Game and now accompanies his father everywhere: both at press conferences and in the locker room.
On the ice during the show program, Ovechkin will be accompanied by his long-time "friend" - Pittsburgh Pittsburgh forward Sidney Crosby.
According to Alexander, before they had not the best relationship, but now everything has changed.
“I think he is still enjoying the game.
Like I still enjoy hockey.
I'm almost sure when we finish our careers, we'll just have a couple of beers together and talk about everything that has happened over the past 15-16 years.
I think it's great for hockey past and future generations to see such a rivalry, such a battle between the two of us, between the two clubs.
I think it’s great for the game itself,” Ovechkin was quoted as saying by the official NHL website.
We are good friends, we can call each other.
If he achieves some records, I type or send him a message with congratulations.
The first couple of years we had a completely different relationship.
We were young, but now we have matured.”
Together with Crosby, they will try to perform the most beautiful bullet.
Previously, the Russians did it perfectly.
Alexander became the best three times - in 2008, 2009 and 2011.
Now the leader of the Capitals has a great partner.
And to evaluate the effectiveness of the standard, in addition to American stars, will be the Belarusian tennis player Victoria Azarenka.
Also, Ovechkin (already alone) will try his hand at the competition for the strength of the throw.
Another tandem was created by goalkeepers Ilya Sorokin and Igor Shesterkin.
The Russians have been communicating well since the days of playing for CSKA and SKA.
For both, the invitation to the NHL star weekend is the first in their careers.
"Marvelous.
If I had told him 10-11 years ago that in ten years we would participate in the NHL All-Star Game, he would have answered: “Come on, you're kidding,” Shesterkin said.
At the same time, according to Sorokin, the friendship between them ends when they go out on the ice against each other.
“After the game, yes, we can meet, have a laugh, but not during the match.
Although he is my good friend, and I am the godfather of his son Timothy.
We correspond every week, ”admitted Ilya.
The Russians will jointly take part in a new goalkeeping competition, where one athlete must stand at the net, and the second must strike.
So far, the goalkeepers cannot agree on how to distribute the roles, and make fun of each other.
“Hopefully I will quit.
We have more chances to win if Igor stays in goal.
I tell him this, but he does not listen, ”Sorokin said at a press conference.
Vladimir Tarasenko is not in such a good mood.
The forward is likely to leave St. Louis in the near future, and all questions from journalists are primarily related to this.
According to the hockey player, he tries to save energy and not think about his future.
“I am focused on games.
I don't think it's worth wasting time and energy focusing on things that I can't control.
You can ask general manager Doug Armstrong about it.
The season is not going well for us, as everyone knows.
But there is still time.
Everyone in the dressing room believes in the team.
Our championship season is an example of how you can make a difference.
Everyone just needs to be in the same boat.
That year was a good experience for the guys who played for the team.
Let's see what happens next," Tarasenko said.
As part of the show program of the match of stars, Vladimir will perform in the throwing competition for accuracy.
He will compete with Artemiy Panarin and Nikita Kucherov, among others.
Two more Russians - Kirill Kaprizov and Andrey Svechnikov - will take part in the speed race.
In total, it is planned to hold seven competitions.
In addition to those already listed, players are waiting for Splash Shot and Pitch 'n Puck.
The first competition is held on the beach: the players will have to hit all the targets, and then wet the opponents with water.
The second is a hybrid of hockey and golf.
Participants need to drive the puck or ball into the hole, alternating between hockey shots and golf shots.
It should be noted that this year a record number of Russians will take part in the event - nine.
The previous maximum was set in 1998.
Then eight domestic hockey players took part in the NHL All-Star Game: Vyacheslav Fetisov, Pavel Bure, Igor Larionov, Valery Kamensky, Sergey Zubov, Nikolai Khabibulin, Dmitry Mironov and Igor Kravchuk.