Alex Ovechkin Talks Russia, Sochi Olympics
Alex Ovechkin, face of Russian hockey, faces Sochi Olympics pressure
Where Ovechkin does have influence is on the rink, where he has made it his mission to get Russia back to the top of the Olympic podium. The Soviets dominated the sport for decades at the Winter Games before the breakup of the union. The last Russian-led gold was won by the “Unified Team” of former Soviet republics at Albertville in 1992, which means Russia also hasn’t won gold since NHL players began participating in 1998.
Four years ago, the Russians were embarrassed 7-3 by host Canada in the quarterfinals in Vancouver. It was arguably the low moment of Ovechkin’s career. Certainly, he seemed to take it far worse than any of the Capitals’ meltdowns in the NHL playoffs.
