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SPORTS Thursday 15 december 2022
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Alex Ovechkin reaches 800 career goals with hat trick

By JAY COHEN iting locker room.
AP Sports Writer Shortly after he got to the
CHICAGO (AP) — Soaked back, he was showered
with beer and still wear- with beer by his chanting
ing his No. 8 jersey, Alex teammates. Goaded into
Ovechkin held three pucks making a speech, Ovech-
in his right hand as he kin said it was special to ac-
posed for a picture with the complish the feat with the
rest of the jubilant Washing- team.
ton Capitals in the visiting “It was awesome,” Wash-
locker room at the United ington coach Peter Lavio-
Center. lette said. “It was just awe-
Three pucks that added up some to be on the bench
to 800. and be a part of it, a part
Ovechkin became the of history.”
third NHL player to reach Ovechkin has seven goals
800 career goals when he in his last four games and
scored three times Tuesday a team-high 20 on the sea-
night, touching off a wild son. His previous four goals
celebration for his team were all empty-netters.
and an appreciative Chi- The Capitals play seven of
cago crowd. their next nine at home.
“Soon as it happened, kind Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin holds his 798, 799, and 800th career goal pucks in the locker “I think once he’s going
of relief,” Ovechkin said room next to hats collected for his hat trick after an NHL hockey game against the Chicago to be No. 1 he can have
after Washington’s 7-3 win Blackhawks Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Chicago. a sense of relief,” Mantha
over the Blackhawks. “Kind Associated Press said. “Until then, I think he’s
of happiness in general.” Mrazek 6:34 into the third. from Ovechkin. “Even in the warmup, I was on the hunt, and that’s
Ovechkin scored on his first “When he got the first goal The star forward moved feeling that energy right what we love about him.”
two shots, beating Black- today, I was like, ‘This is the within one goal of Gordie away,” he said. “The fans Ovechkin has been one of
hawks goaltender Petr night,’” teammate Evgeny Howe for second all-time. watch me and the fans the NHL’s most dangerous
Mrazek 24 seconds into Kuznetsov said. Wayne Gretzky holds the want to see that historical scorers practically since he
the game before stuff- The rest of the Capitals record with 894 goals. moment.” got two goals in his debut
ing one home on a power jumped off the bench to “It’s a big number,” Ovech- When it was over, Ovech- with Washington on Oct. 5,
play with 11:46 left in the celebrate after the mile- kin said. “It’s the best com- kin jumped onto the ice 2005, against Columbus.
first period. The 37-year-old stone goal, and hats rained pany (you can) ever imag- one last time to salute the The 12-time All-Star has nine
winger then completed his down on the ice from the ine since you started play- cheering fans. He then seasons with at least 50
29th career hat trick when crowd of 16,181. Fans in ing hockey.” gave his stick to a boy goals, including a career-
he knocked Anthony Man- Chicago then chanted Ovechkin also praised the wearing a Capitals jersey high 65 during the 2007-08
tha’s pass over a sprawled “Ovi! Ovi!” drawing a wave crowd for its response. above the tunnel to the vis- season. q

Mbappe, France advance to World Cup final, beat Morocco 2-0

By STEVE DOUGLAS ment his status as soc- first scored against them roared on by tens of thou- post with an overhead
AP Sports Writer cer’s new superstar when by an opposition player in sands of fans who dominat- kick in the 44th minute and
AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — he comes up against the the tournament the other ed the 60,000-seat Al Bayt France’s defenders had
France and Kylian Mbappé 35-year-old Messi, who has had been an own-goal Stadium, the team penned to make a number of last-
are headed back to the dominated the game with and came amid defensive back France. ditch tackles in front of their
World Cup final for a much- Cristiano Ronaldo for the rearrangement forced by Jawad El Yamiq hit the own goal.q
anticipated matchup with past 15 years. injuries to Morocco’s two
Lionel Messi after ending There will be no team from best center backs. Nayef
Morocco’s historic run at the Arab world in the final Aguerd competed in the
soccer’s biggest tourna- of the first World Cup in the warmup but didn’t come
ment. Middle East, a prospect out for kickoff, while cap-
France beat Africa’s that seemed nigh impossi- tain Romain Saiss lasted
first ever semifinalist 2-0 ble before the tournament. only 21 minutes before
Wednesday, with Mbappé Yet Morocco did break limping off with a hamstring
playing a part in goals by ground for Africa and gen- injury.
Theo Hernandez in the fifth erated an outpouring of Mbappé helped to create
minute and then substitute pride among Arab nations the goal because his shot
Randal Kolo Muani in the after topping a group con- deflected off a defender
79th. taining Croatia and Bel- and into the path of Her-
France will head into Sun- gium and eliminating two nandez, who let the ball
day’s title match against more European powers bounce before driving a
Argentina looking to be- Spain and Portugal in the downward effort into the France’s Theo Hernandez, center, celebrates after scoring the
come the first team to re- knockout stage. They gave net from an tight angle. opening goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match
tain the World Cup title France a far-from-easy Typically a defense-first between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor,
since Brazil in 1962. Mbap- ride, too. team, Morocco was forced Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022.
pé has the chance to ce- Hernandez’s goal was the to come out and play and, Associated Press